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Ousted S. Korean leader goes on trial

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Ousted S. Korean leader goes on trialOusted S. Korean leader goes on trialAccused of abusing power to gain bribes If convicted of bribery, Park faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in jail, and a maximum of life. South Korea's ousted president Park Geun-Hye, grim-faced and brought to court in handcuffs, went on trial yesterday over a sprawling corruption scandal that saw millions take to the streets and led to her downfall.

Only two months after leaving the presidential palace in disgrace, Park appeared at the Seoul Central District Court with a badge bearing her prisoner number pinned to her blue trouser suit, and no make-up.

She avoided meeting the glance of her longtime secret confidante and co-accused Choi Soon-Sil.

The trial, expected to last for months, is the final act in the drama that engulfed Park, the daughter of a dictator who went on to be elected president herself before being sacked by the country's top court.

Presiding judge Kim Se-Yun, who heads a three-man panel - there is no jury - asked her: “What is your occupation, the accused Park Geun-Hye?”

She responded: “I don't have any occupation.”

Park, 65, is the third former South Korean leader to stand trial for corruption.

She was impeached by parliament in December after mass demonstrations - fuelled by economic and social frustrations - demanding her removal over a scandal centred on Choi, her friend of 40 years, and implicating some of the country's top businessmen.

Park was detained soon after her dismissal - Tuesday's court session was her first public appearance since then - and indicted on 18 charges including bribery, coercion and abuse of power for offering governmental favours to tycoons.

Cosy and corrupt ties between South Korea's business and political elites have endured for decades. But the trial could shed new light on the links between Park and the bosses of the family-run conglomerates that dominate Asia's fourth-biggest economy.

They include Samsung heir Lee Jae-Yong, who is being tried separately, and Shin Dong-Bin, the chairman of retail giant Lotte, the South's fifth-biggest conglomerate, who was among the accused Tuesday.

On her most serious count, Park is accused of taking or seeking bribes totalling 59.2 billion won (US$52 million) for Choi or herself, most of which went to non-profit foundations which Choi controlled.

Prosecutors told the court that Park and Choi colluded in receiving seven billion won from Shin last year.

Park met Samsung's Lee in July 2015 and told him she hoped the succession at the world's biggest smartphone maker “would be resolved smoothly under her government”, asking him to support the foundations, according to prosecutor Hwang Woong-Jae.

Park is also accused of letting Choi, who has no title or security clearance, handle a wide range of state affairs including senior appointments. She has previously blamed Choi for abusing their friendship.

In a calm and measured voice the former head of state denied all the charges against her.

Choi and Shin also denied the accusations, with Choi's lawyer calling the case “politically motivated”.

Half-sobbing, Choi herself told the court: “I feel very sorry for causing President Park to stand trial like this. President Park is not a person who could be lured by any bribes.”

After the hearing adjourned for the day Park was put back into handcuffs and returned to the detention centre where she is being held.

Courtroom 417 was packed, with spectator Lee Jae-Bong, 70, telling AFP: “I am here to witness a new chapter of history being unfurled.

“I think Park must be punished thoroughly and never be pardoned so that such a bad thing may never happen again.”

Former presidents Chun Doo-Hwan and Roh Tae-Woo served jail terms in the 1990s for charges including bribery and treason, and ex-president Roh Moo-Hyun - the mentor of new leader Moon Jae-In - killed himself in 2009 after being questioned over graft.

The hearing comes only two weeks after the country elected left-leaning former human rights lawyer Moon - who lost the 2012 poll to Park - as her successor.

“Park's trial means the rule of law is taking firm root in this country,” Euiyoung Kim, political science professor at Seoul National University, told AFP.

“Through candlelight protests, South Koreans achieved a peaceful change of government, bringing about a paradigm shift in democracy.”

Park grew up in the presidential palace as the daughter of dictator Park Chung-Hee, who took power in 1961. She stepped in as de facto first lady after her mother was murdered in an attempt to kill him. He was assassinated in turn in 1979.

Park rose to the presidency largely on the back of his continuing popularity among older voters who had benefited from rapid economic growth under his tenure.



NAMPA/AFP

Tunisia protester death raises fears of more unrest

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Tunisia protester death raises fears of more unrestTunisia protester death raises fears of more unrest A young protester was killed on Monday after a national guard vehicle “accidentally” ran him over in south Tunisia, raising fears of more social unrest in a region already rocked by weeks of protest.

The death comes as tensions have risen between protesters and security forces outside the El Kamour oil and gas pumping station.

Protesters have been camping outside the desert installation in the Tataouine region for around a month, blocking trucks from entering, to demand a share of local resources and priority for jobs in the sector.

“The health ministry announces the accidental death of a young man, (run over) by the national guard. He was a protester,” it told AFP.

Interior ministry spokesman Yasser Mesbah later told reporters the man was hit by a national guard vehicle as it was reversing and died in hospital.

Security forces fired tear gas at demonstrators in El Kamour on Monday as they tried to storm the facility, local radio said, with another protest later reported in the city of Tataouine some 100km away.

Defence ministry spokesman Belhassen Oueslati said the protesters “used trucks to run down” barricades erected outside the installation.

The health ministry said 50 people were hospitalised after suffering from broken bones or the effects of tear gas during clashes with security forces both in El Kamour and Tataouine.

Mesbah said 13 policemen, six national guardsmen and a member of the civil protection unit were also wounded, with the latter in intensive care.



'We won't give up'

The demonstrator's death came two days after soldiers fired warning shots in El Kamour to deter protesters.

It was the first escalation of unrest since President Beji Caid Essebsi said earlier this month the army would protect key economic installations from being disrupted by protests over social and labour issues.

Late Sunday, the defence ministry in a statement warned the army would use force against anyone who tried to enter these installations.

The statement warned “all citizens of legal proceedings in the case of clashes with military or security units” and of possible casualties in “the case of a gradual escalation of use of force”.

“One must understand that attempting to enter by force an installation protected by the army... is not a peaceful act... It requires a reaction,” Oueslati told Express FM radio earlier Monday.



NAMPA/AFP

Children among 22 killed at Ariana Grande concert

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Children among 22 killed at Ariana Grande concertChildren among 22 killed at Ariana Grande concertBlast is worst terror attack to hit Britain since July 2005 Police were called to reports of an explosion at 10.33pm, shortly after Grande, the US singer, had finished her performance as thousands of people streamed out of the Arena. A suicide bomber has killed 22 people - including children - in an explosion that tore through fans leaving an Ariana Grande pop concert in Manchester.

At least 59 people were also injured in the blast, which was caused by an improvised explosive device carried by the attacker, at the Manchester Arena on Monday night.

As detectives seek to establish if the attacker was a lone wolf or part of a wider terror network, victims described being thrown by the blast, which scattered nuts and bolts across the floor of the foyer area.

Relatives of at least 13 people missing after the attack - including an eight-year-old girl - have launched frantic searches for their loved-ones.

It is the worst terror attack to hit Britain since the July 2005 suicide bomb attacks in central London in which 52 people were killed and came four years to the day Lee Rigby was murdered by Islamist extremists.

More than 240 calls were made to the emergency services, with 60 ambulances flooding the area and more than 400 police officers deployed as part of the operation.

Frantic loved ones of young people missing after an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert have taken to Twitter and Instagram with their photos and pleas for help.

Announcing that the death toll had risen and that children are among the dead, Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins said: “This has been the most horrific incident we have had to face in Greater Manchester and one that we all hoped we would never see.

“Families and many young people were out to enjoy a concert at the Manchester Arena and have lost their lives.”

Hopkins said investigators believed the attack was conducted by one man who died at the scene, although detectives are working to establish if he “was acting alone or as part of a network”.

One of the survivors, John Young said he was leaving the concert with his wife and daughter slightly early in an attempt to beat the traffic when the explosion happened.

They were on the steps at the arena's main entrance when they heard a “massive bang”, he said, calling the atmosphere “surreal”.

In the initial aftermath outside, rumours were flying around over whether the noise was an exploded speaker or a dropped microphone, he told Sky News.

He told the broadcaster: “There were young children, terrified, crying their eyes out, I saw an elderly man shaking, there were all sorts but nobody seemed to know what had happened.

“My daughter was in absolute bits last night. No nine-year-old girl should see anything like that. It should have been the best day of her life, and it turned into the worst one really.

“I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn't said 'let's leave slightly early'.”

Meanwhile, France's interior minister said his government will be issuing instruction to regional administrators on working with event organisers on how to secure public spaces.

After a high-level security meeting in Paris yesterday, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said organisers of sports events, concerts and other performances already had a series of instructions on how to secure their venues. Collomb said France's airports have also been secured.

France has been on heightened alert since the 13 November 2015, attacks that struck a concert, the national stadium and cafes and bars.

Early yesterday, the Paris mayor's office said all shows and concerts scheduled in coming days are going ahead as planned. Ariana Grande is scheduled to perform in Paris on 7 June.

President Vladimir Putin also said Russia is ready to boost anti-terror cooperation with Britain in the wake of a deadly explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England. In yesterday's day's telegram to British Prime Minister Theresa May, Putin offered condolences over what he called a “cynical, inhuman crime” and wishes for a quick recovery of all those hurt.

Putin reaffirmed Russia's readiness to “expand anti-terror cooperation with British partners, both on bilateral level and within the framework of broad international efforts.”

Britain and other NATO allies have cut cooperation with Moscow on fighting terrorism over Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and support for a pro-Russia insurgency in eastern Ukraine.

Manchester police say an apparent suicide bomber set off an explosive device at the end of the concert, killing 22 people.

Police say they are treating the explosion as terrorism.

THE TELEGRAPH

Shot of the day

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Shot of the dayShot of the day WELCOME TO THE CLUB: German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron wave to the crowds during a welcoming ceremony at the chancellery in Berlin, a day after the new French president took office. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Being proactive in wildlife protection

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Being proactive in wildlife protectionBeing proactive in wildlife protection The spate of lion killings in the Ongandjera area is a grave concern from both an environmentalist and a farmer's perspective.

In total six marauding lions have been killed to date in the Omusati Region and Namibians have reacted to the killings with mixed feelings. While some have condemned the actions of the trigger-happy farmers, others have, rightly so, defended livestock owners who have taken the law in their own hands to protect their animals and human life. Marauding predators such as lions are very dangerous and one can understand the frustration and the dangers facing livestock owners. In most cases farmworkers are defenceless when disaster strikes. A lion attack is always a possibility.

These big cats can attack any one at any time. As we speak there is endless debate on social media platforms as to who should be blamed for the killings. It must be understood that the conflict between humans and wildlife remains one of the greatest threats to the survival of endangered species across the world. More than ever before conservationists are helping to educate farmers and ordinary people about the importance of conserving natural resources and our precious wildlife. At the end of the day dwindling wildlife resources and an increase in the human population continues to threaten wildlife survival. The situation in Ongandjera degenerated and spiralled out of control rapidly. Apart from condemning the actions of the farmers, environmental officials have failed to address this issue effectively. It is the duty of government through the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to prevent human/wildlife conflict by maintaining a proactive role. Reacting to problems that occur is not a lasting solution. We must promote the conservation of natural resources through research and by empowering our communities. The educational programmes are seemingly ineffective and more needs to be done to ensure that people understand the benefits of preserving our wildlife. Environmentalists must continue to work with farmers to identify practical and cost-effective measures to help reduce human/wildlife conflicts and livestock loss timeously.

RTA lodges give back

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RTA lodges give backRTA lodges give back The three lodges that were crowned winners of the Responsible Tourism Awards at the 2016 Namibia Tourism Expo funded several community projects with their prize money.

Nkasa Lupala tented Lodge won the top prize of N$25 000. Woveldans Boulders Camp was the runner-up and received N$15 000 while Gondwana's Etosha Safari Camp came in third place and received N$10 000.

Due to the drought last year, Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge met with members of the Wuparo communal conservancy and a decision was made to build a waterhole in the Nkasa Lupala National Park which cost approximately N$55 000 and which was shared between Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge (N$ 25 000) and Livingstone Camp (N$ 10 000). The waterhole is located about 6km from the entrance of the park and is 36 metres in circumference.

The community benefits from the waterhole because wildlife stays in the park and all camps in the area can receive greater income from wildlife activities.

Since 2016, the Wolwedans Foundation, in collaboration with the Social Security Fund's Development Fund (SSC-DF) and the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) have provided hospitality vocational training at the Wolves Dance Desert Academy. A large number of young Namibians (with special focus on rural youth) are given the opportunity to receive qualifications and secured jobs in the growing hospitality sector.

The Wolwedans Foundation through its teaching support programme has two institutions accredited by the Namibian Qualifications Authority (NQA), namely the Wolwedans Desert Academy, which focuses on training in hospitality, and the Namibian Institute for Culinary Education (NICE) focusing on training in Hospitality and culinary arts.

Gondwana's Etosha Safari Camp has supported David / Khamuxab Primary School located at the Seringkop relocation farm just east of Etosha Safari Camp.

After consultation with the teachers, various products will be purchased for the school. Springbok sheets for traditional clothes were purchased for pupils to participate in cultural events, as well as sports equipment, first aid kits and supplies and sanitary pads for the girls.

The latter was done in conjunction with Sister Namibia's program of recyclable “SisterPads”. It is an environmentally friendly alternative and is more cost-effective.



STAFF REPORTER

Ya Nangoloh against Moussongela bail

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Ya Nangoloh against Moussongela bailYa Nangoloh against Moussongela bail NamRights executive director Phil Ya Nangoloh testified Monday before Magistrate Jurina Hochobes that his organisation does not believe accused Pedro Marcellino Moussongela should be granted bail.

NamRights, a national private non-partisan human rights monitoring and advocacy organisation, was founded in 1989 with a mission to stop human rights violations in Namibia and the rest of the world.

According to Ya Nangoloh, the charges faced by the Mennonite Brethren Church pastor are among some of the offences in the Law of Nations that cannot be committed in any nation without serious punishment.

“Crimes against humanity do not deserve minor punishment, let alone granting bail at all because he (Moussongela) is highly likely to go back into the community and commit the same offences,” Ya Nangoloh said.

He was testifying on Monday in the Ondangwa Magistrates Court during a five-day continued bail hearing of Moussongela who is accused of human trafficking, kidnapping, rape and other offences.

Among the alleged trafficked people are Moussongela's four children whom he is alleged to have sent to the United Kingdom in 2015.

Ya Nangoloh told the court that although the children are in the process of returning to Namibia, they had expressed fear, through a legal representative of the foster home where they are currently staying, of their return if their father was still roaming around freely.

He said through the email correspondence he had received from the lawyer, one of the children informed the legal representative that she had witnessed her father raping a 15 year-old girl and sexually abusing a woman in their home.

She is quoted as having said that she was afraid to return.

The human rights advocate also told the court that granting bail to the accused while all his victims have not been discovered, would be like releasing a wolf among sheep.

He emphasised the complexity of the case and suggested that the case be moved to the High Court as he believes more justice will be done there.

The bail hearing continued yesterday with the cross examination process.

Defence lawyer Tuwilika Shailemo is representing Moussongela, while Prosecutor Dollien //Gowases is representing the state.



NAMPA

Otjiwarongo services over 2 000 er?ven

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Otjiwarongo services over 2 000 er?venOtjiwarongo services over 2 000 er?venCentral town expands exponentially The municipality has released large tracts of land for residential and industrial purposes. More than 2 300 residential, business and industrial plots are currently being serviced or have been finalised in the past months in Otjiwarongo, the majority of which have been earmarked as residential erven in primarily low-income areas.

The Otjiwarongo municipality hopes to continue the development of plots during the 2017/2018 financial year if government gives the green light to begin servicing a further five extensions within the next financial year, adding at least another 800 residential and business erven to the town's layout, many as part of the mass housing project.

The cost of servicing the 10 extensions plus two residential mass housing extensions was estimated at more than N$360 million.

The expected cost for servicing the five additional extensions, should approval be given, is close to N$240 million.



Boom town

Otjiwarongo chief executive officer, Ismael /Howoseb told Namibian Sun that although the country's economic situation has forced the municipality to lower its budget for capital projects, the municipality nevertheless aims to upgrade a number of roads at the town, as well as receive approval to service more plots in the 2017/2018 financial year, in addition to the ones currently being serviced.

/Howoseb told Namibian Sun last week that the town can boast of a number of new developments, including large grocery and retail shops in Orwetoweni, as well as plans for new small and medium business parks.

He said the top goals of the town's council is to “attract investment into town and to create employment. In order to achieve this, the council is availing land at very affordable prices. That is why people are coming here.”

He added that the proximity of mining and other industries in the vicinity of Otjiwarongo area adding to the town's positive achievements.

“Otjiwarongo doesn't have big industries like other towns, but we are doing well,” he said, pointing out that B2Gold has positively impacted the local economy as well as the soon to be opened Cheetah cement factory.

Two large grocery stores have opened branches in recent months in Orwetoweni, one of the town's most populated and lively suburbs, with an estimated 35 000 inhabitants, the majority of the 50 000 residents registered to live in Otjiwarongo.

/Howoseb said the fact that big companies are opening their doors in the suburb, including a planned Pep Stores to open soon, is “a welcome development” which indicates that businesses have “trust in the local economy.”

He added that the location of the shops are much closer to the homes of the Orwetoweni residents, who no longer have to travel to the town's central area, often far from their homes, which can entail numerous risks including robbery.

Another development on the cards, also to be located in Orwetoweni, is the construction of a regional referral hospital, as well as a new institute of pathology, he said. /Howoseb also said while Otjiwarongo is perhaps the fifth or six largest town in Namibia, in terms of “infrastructure development and modern technology” as well as boasting the “best facilities, telecommunications, schools, railway stations and other developments” the town ranks at least number four.



New low-income homes

The construction of 460 subsidised low-cost one to three bedroom homes in the newly serviced Freedom and Heroes Park, on land situated between Tsaraxa-Aibes and the DRC informal settlement, could begin soon.

Servicing of the land has been completed in Freedom Park, while servicing of land is nearly complete at Heroes Park.

/Howoseb said the final nine shortlisted candidates to construct the houses will be met in the next few weeks to discuss the way forward.

He said although no local contractors have been shortlisted, it is the hope of the municipality that they will be sub-contracted to ensure employment opportunities at the town.

Although no final numbers have been confirmed, the CEO said the municipality hopes that the low cost houses will range from no more than N$200 000 for a one-bedroom home to maximum N$500 000 for a three bedroom home. In February, municipal spokesperson Adelheid Shilongo, explained that Heroes and Freedom Park homes form part of the mass housing project, and mark the first such initiative by the municipality.

“These two extensions are fully serviced, with government aid, to accommodate subsidised low-cost houses. The extensions are part of the mass housing project,” she explained.

Three other extensions in Orwetoweni are being finalised, including extension eight, nine and eleven, which will make room for at least a further 500 plots, the majority residential and low-income.

At least 65 plots will be provided serviced and formalised by the members of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) at Otjiwarongo.



Helping hands

The municipality has signed at least three public private partnerships (PPP) for the servicing of six more extensions, three in Otjiwarongo and three in Orwetoweni. These are Otjiwarongo extensions seven, eight and nine, as well as Orwetoweni extension 10, 12 and 13.

These extensions will add more than 1000 new plots to the town, including over 90 light industrial plots, to provide development opportunities for small and medium business enterprises.

/Howoseb said the municipality currently experiences problems with traders who conduct their businesses from residential plots, and hope that an SME park could resolve the situation.

SALES

Close to 40 plots located in extension six and earmarked for residential and general businesses, have been sold out on land situated at the southern entrance of the town.

The land servicing is close to completion, and was financed by the municipality for N$10 million.

/Howoseb explained said the contractor is expected to hand over the plots by no later than June.



Future plans

/Howoseb noted that extension 12 and 13, two of the future developments the municipality hopes to be green lighted for, has been proposed as a public private partnership with B2Gold.

These extensions will cater for approximately 350 plots, the majority of which will be for residential purposes for B2Gold employees. The deal includes the agreement that B2Gold will service the plots privately and will provide the municipality with a number of institutional and business plots at the cost of development, /Howoseb explained.

Another three extensions, divided into 500 plots or more, if given the green light, will likely be set aside mass urban land servicing project.



JANA-MARI SMITH

Stolen baby search continues

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Stolen baby search continuesStolen baby search continues The police are still searching for the six-month-old baby stolen from a property at Epupa in the Kunene Region on 13 May this year.

Kunene crime investigations coordinator, deputy commissioner Rudolf Kanyetu, told Namibian Sun that the search for the baby continues.

The baby girl was stolen while sleeping outside her parents' house at Epupa, on Saturday in what police suspect to be a child trafficking racket.

“The baby is still not yet found and we are continuing with our investigations,” said Kanyetu.

Three people have so far been arrested and appeared in the Opuwo Magistrate's Court last week.

The suspects, Dirk Ronovita (39), Ngombe Tjambiru (27) and the third suspect, Tjiposa Tjikundi, whose age is not known, appeared on charges of theft and human trafficking and were denied bail by Magistrate Leena Iiyambo.

She postponed the case to 27 June for further investigation.

Prosecutor Oberth Masendeke objected bail saying the accused may interfere with the ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, Kanyetu has denied reports that human trafficking was rife in the region.

“It is not true that human trafficking is rife in the region. Nothing has been reported to us. Even the old cases that were reported, it was established that there was nothing like that,” he said.





STAFF REPORTER

Genocide documentary premieres

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Genocide documentary premieresGenocide documentary premieresFilm gives voice to anger A documentary chronicling the genocide negotiations will be shown on Al Jazeera tonight. A documentary directed by South African filmmaker Vincent Moloi, 'Skulls of My People', will premiere on Witness, Al Jazeera's English channel, tonight.

It follows a campaign to pressurise Germany to acknowledge and apologise for the 1904 to 1908 colonial genocide in Namibia.

It chronicles the discussions on the demand for reparations, the return of human remains from Germany, and the issues affected communities have with both the Namibian and German governments.

The negotiations have been criticised for excluding the descendants of the victims who filed a class action lawsuit in New York in January against Germany.

The documentary had its world premiere at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) where it was dubbed “a story of an ordinary grassroots group taking on the mighty and powerful against all odds”.

It gives voice to the anger of Nama and Ovaherero descendants over the systematic massacre, which is exacerbated by the two governments' reactions to the current campaign for restorative justice.

It covers the German parliament's rejection of a 2015 motion to commemorate and apologise for the genocide.

It also deals with the frustration of being left out of direct negotiations by the Namibian government.

“Our government can be there at the conference table as well; we don't deny them their place.

“But we are the people to negotiate on behalf of our people because we know what pain we suffered, what pain we continue to suffer materially, economically, psychologically and otherwise.

“Nobody else,” Ovaherero paramount chief Vekuii Rukoro says in the documentary.

The secretary of the Ovaherero Genocide Foundation 1904 (OGF 1904), Ujiua Muinjangue, discusses her distrust in both governments.

“In our eyes, the German government is the perpetrator. But they are also now the players and the referee as well.

“You don't decide yourself whether you are guilty or not; you also don't decide if I am guilty, what punishment should I get,” she says.

Of the Swapo government, Muinjangue has this to say: “They want the whole world to know that the liberation struggle started in 1966. They don't want other people to get credit; credit should just go to them.

“And now if you recognise 1904, we recognise the Herero people and they don't want that.”

CATHERINE SASMAN

Evicted landless sleep in the open

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Evicted landless sleep in the openEvicted landless sleep in the open Landless people who were evicted by the police from municipal plots in Walvis Bay two weeks ago are still sleeping out in the open and on the street next to the plots.

More than 100 people seized two plots in Tutaleni settlement, saying they were tired of renting backyard shacks with no toilets or electricity that cost them more than N$1 000 a month.

Community activist Kenneth Iilonga said the group would not go anywhere until they were given a place to stay.

“They are staying put, nothing they can do, the only way out is to get them land,” he said.

Iilonga used the opportunity to call for assistance in the form of food and tents because most of the people are unemployed.

He also called for a speedy finalisation of Farm 37, a piece of land south of Walvis Bay where the municipality plans to relocate about 65 000 landless residents.

One of the landless, Jeremia Katondo, said they had nowhere to go and as such opted to remain on the streets.

He said most of them used the little money they had to replace the property lost during the eviction and now have no money to buy food.

Katondo said the situation was sinking them into debt, as they often had to borrow money to feed their children.

He said they had not received any help since the eviction.

“For three days now we have been out in the harsh wind and dust,” he said.

A press statement issued last week by the municipality of Walvis Bay indicated that the town council had no land to place Katondo and his group at the moment.

Municipality CEO Muronga Haingura said they were still waiting for an official communication from the Namibia Planning Advisory Board to confirm their acquisition of Farm 37 before they could start planning the project.

Last week, the municipality received a verbal communication that their application to get the land had been approved, Haingura said.

NAMPA

SPYL leadership squabbles in court

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SPYL leadership squabbles in courtSPYL leadership squabbles in court Two central committee members of the Swapo Party Youth League have thrown down the gauntlet against the implementation of resolutions taken at a recent CC meeting of the youth body.

In court papers filed yesterday, Imms Nashinge and Sioni Iikela sought an interim order interdicting and restraining acting SPYL secretary Veikko Nekundi from proceeding in any way with the implementation of the resolutions taken at a CC meeting on 13 May.

The highly contentious meeting endorsed candidates for the SPYL secretary and deputy secretary positions at the upcoming elective congress. National Youth Council executive chairperson Mandela Kapere was nominated for the secretary position along with Ephraim Nekongo and Mirjam Nghidipo.

Christine Haindaka, Mogale Karimbue and Immanuel Shikongo were nominated for the deputy secretary position. The central committee also wants Swapo acting president Hage Geingob to run unopposed for the ruling party's top position at the November congress.

The youth league has been deeply divided in its support for Geingob as party president. Kadhila Amoomo is representing the two applicants in the matter.

The other respondents in the matter are Kapere, youth leaders Job Amupanda and Elijah Ngurare, SPYL secretary for labour and justice Sydney !Ganeb as well as the mother body, Swapo. Ngurare and Amupanda are specifically cited as respondents because the applicants are claiming they are constitutionally still part of the SPYL national executive. The order once obtained will serve as an interim order and it is expected that the application will commence on 2 June.

In the second part of the filed notice the applicants want the court to declare that the 13 May meeting of the SPYL be declared as inconsistent with the league's constitution, unlawful and not properly constituted. They want the court to declare as invalid, unlawful and unconstitutional all resolutions taken at the meeting. They also want the court to set aside the nomination of Kapere as candidate for the secretary position of the youth league.

The applicants want Nekundi to be declared as having lost his individual membership of SPYL by virtue of Article 5(a) (5) (c) of the SPYL constitution and setting aside the decision taken by him after he obtained the age of 35 years.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Geingob did not 'beg' Ovitoto chief

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Geingob did not 'beg' Ovitoto chiefGeingob did not 'beg' Ovitoto chief A member of the Ovitoto communal community on Monday rejected a claim that President Hage Geingob had “begged” Ovitoto chief Vipuira Kapuuo not to demonstrate in front of State House to petition the allocation of the game farms Osema and Gusende to a private company, Ovitoto Game and Hunting Safaris.

Sox Karamata said it was misleading to say that Geingob had begged the chief. He said such a statement should be retracted and could be considered as unethical.

He said Geingob had “requested” Kapuuo to first meet with Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila before taking any action.

Kapuuo and his delegation, which included Karamata, had indeed met with Kuugongelwa-Amadhila last week Wednesday.

Karamata would, however, not divulge the outcome of this meeting, saying that it was “very confidential”.

Similarly, he said, the Ovitoto community was yet to meet with other government officials as well as civil society organisations before a final decision could be made on whether to petition the awarding of the game farms to Ovitoto Game and Hunting Safaris.

Another member of the Kapuuo group, Rirua Komeheke, had earlier told this reporter that the head of state had “begged” Chief Kapuuo not to continue with a planned demonstration at State House.

Oshakati vendors feel the pinch

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Oshakati vendors feel the pinchOshakati vendors feel the pinchCan no longer afford market stands Vendors at Oshakati's new marketplace want the council to lower the rent they agreed to a few months ago. Vendors trading at the new Oshakati open market can no longer afford the rent they agreed to at the beginning of the year.

About 100 vendors yesterday marched to the Oshakati town council building to call for the rent to be lowered to N$200 or less.

They handed over a petition to the council's CEO, Werner Iita, who was surprised by the action of the vendors.

Iita said no official complaint had previously reached his office.

He added the vendors had notified the council on Monday of their plan to stage a demonstration.

“We only received your notification yesterday, 22 May. We never had a problem with you and this is the first time we hear about this problem,” Iita said.

The vendors claimed that they had indeed complained to the Open Market coordinator, Thomas Salomon, who ? understands is currently on leave.

In the petition read on behalf of the vendors by Maria Aiyambo, they said the rent was exorbitant and they could longer afford it.

In particular, they complained about the N$1 200 monthly rent charged for large stalls. According to the council, however, nobody has been allocated one of these stalls yet.

Namibian Sun also understands that the vendors accepted the tariffs after the council had lowered its proposed tariffs on a number of occasions.

Although expressing gratitude to the council for constructing the open market which cost about N$90 million, the vendors accused the council of turning the facility into a money-making scheme instead of helping the poor to make a living.

“We thought the new open market was a better place, really it is a sucking of blood…why do we have to pay a lot of money? How are we going to survive? Do you want us to go with empty hands to our children?” the petition reads.

“If the price or rent cannot be reduced, it is better for us to go back to our old place and erect our tents,” the petition reads.

According to the municipality's tariff structure, the monthly rent at the market ranges from N$100 for a drinks or cosmetic stand to N$40 for selling traditional products in the open, N$65 for selling traditional products in shaded areas, N$150 for selling cooked food and drinks, N$45 for chicken vendors, N$300 for fish and raw meat vendors, and N$600 for a stall with a small storeroom.

The vendors gave the council 21 days to respond to their concerns.

The market was inaugurated by President Hage Geingob last year and currently there are 997 vendors trading there.





KENYA KAMBOWE

Strong fences make good neighbours

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Strong fences make good neighboursStrong fences make good neighbours Businessman David Kambwa Sheehama, who is under fire for shooting three lions this week, had benefited from a lucrative tender to erect a 90km-long security fence around Etosha National Park.

Sheehama has been criticised on social media platforms for killing three marauding lions that had escaped from Etosha, which he claimed had attacked his livestock at a cattle post in the Onandjera grazing area.

Sheehama yesterday confirmed that he had been given the tender to erect a game-proof fence around Etosha.

Namibian Sun has established that Kambwa Trading, owned by Sheehama, was granted a fencing contract amounting to N$2 million per kilometre in 2011.

Sheehama yesterday defended the tender allocation, saying the ministry was happy with his work.

“I was given a tender to maintain the Etosha fence for a distance of 90km over the Onandjera grazing area. Where I maintained is quality work and not even a springbok can escape.

“You can even ask the ministry. When I handed over the project they were happy,” he said.

Sheehama has been criticised for not conserving the country's wildlife, given the fact that he was awarded a tender to help protect wild animals from poachers.

He has also been slammed for openly boasting about the lion kills on social media.



Govt investigation

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism yesterday confirmed that it had launched an investigation into the recent spate of lion shootings in the Ongandjera area.

The ministry said the investigation would determine whether the hunts in the Omusati Region were legal and whether a criminal case must be opened.

In the last few weeks six lions have been killed by two farmers in the north.

Izak Smit, who is involved in reducing human-wildlife conflict, told Namibian Sun that the situation was getting out of hand and there seemed to be a “free for all”.

“The impression that is being created is one of mob justice where that we can come with our pitchforks and retaliate.”







He said the ministry must establish whether all the protocols and procedures were followed before these lions were shot.

It was also pointed out that the attention farmers who killed lions were receiving on social media seemed to result in more killings.



“I shoot a lion and I am a hero and my photo gets published in the newspaper,” said Smit.



He said the ministry should provide a full report on exactly how, when and what happened in the killing of all these lions and what procedures were followed.



Role players in the tourism industry have also condemned the shootings and said the ministry must find quicker solutions to the problem.



Meanwhile, the organisation Helping Exotic Animals has written a letter to the Office of the Prime Minister pleading for an end to the needless shooting of lions in Namibia.



This letter can be copied and sent by any individual who wishes to make an impact against the shootings, the organisation says.



Last week environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said that any protected wild animal that becomes problematic must first be reported to the ministry. Such application will then be approved or disapproved by the ministry. In the application the area, gender and age of the animal must be stated.



According to Shifeta if declared a problem animal the ministry will dispatch a team to shoot the animal.



However, in the case of immediate threat to life or property the animal can be shot. The person must be able to prove that it was self-defence. If proven otherwise, a case of illegal hunting will be opened. This counts for both communal and private land.



Shifeta issued a warning to farmers not to indulge in senseless killing of lions.



-Additional reporting by Ileni Nandjato

Shoprite discontent grows

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Shoprite discontent growsShoprite discontent growsUnion says retailer is playing a game of rule and divide Another labour union has joined the fray against South African retailer Shoprite/Checkers. The Trade Union Congress of Namibia has added its voice to the list of organisations expressing their discontent with a decision by retailer Shoprite to proceed with disciplinary hearings against 142 workers who have been suspended for over two years.

Tucna president Paulus Hango demanded that the multinational company immediately drop charges and stop disciplinary proceedings against its workers in Namibia.

He said unless Shoprite dropped the disciplinary charges and engaged with workers and their unions in view of ensuring a living wage, consumers should ask themselves why they continued buying from a company that “trampled on workers' rights”.

Hango accused the company of continually violating workers' rights and playing a game of rule and divide by using the rivalry existing between trade unions to its own advantage.

“Shoprite has become notorious for its violations of the rights and laws of Namibian workers. The company must be called to order and put an end to its atrocious labour practices,” he said.

“The workers participated in the strike to defend themselves against discrimination and unilateral imposed salary increases. We salute their brave resistance and support their fight for justice, respect and dignity.

“Instead of engaging the workers on their demands for better wages, transport allowances and medical aid the company opted for disciplinary action. Instead of acceding to the workers' modest demands for better working conditions the company prefers to spend large amounts on a disciplinary hearing.” According to Hango an average Shoprite worker earns approximately N$1 500 per month or less.

Workers do not receive transport allowances and must spend between N$480 and N$960 on transport per month depending on where they live, according to the unionist.

In addition to this they have to pay rent of about N$1 000 and buy other basic necessities.

“Shoprite, on the other hand, boasted that it made a turnover of N$130 billion in 2016. This is wealth created by the very workers being denied an opportunity to share in it. It would take a worker at Shoprite 133 years to earn what the [former] CEO Whitey Basson makes in a month.”





Hango further criticised Shoprite for employing permanent part-timers who he said were actually employees working permanently on a part-time basis with contracts providing for a maximum of 45 working hours per week, which is the standard working hours for permanent employees.

He pointed out that an investigation by the ministry of labour in August 2015 found that a practice of segregated employment existed at Shoprite/Checkers retailers and that workers on part-time contracts were paid lower salaries than permanent employees in the same job categories.

The ministry subsequently recommended that the employment contracts be reviewed to remove any provision, definition, references or qualifying criterion making one employee category less favourable than the other.

“The ministry stated that the employment contracts of the two employment categories should be harmonised and brought squarely into the ambit of the Labour Act.

“Shoprite was also told to provide sound justifications for employing workers on fixed-term contracts, otherwise they should be permanently employed as stipulated in the Labour Amendment Act of 2007. It is not clear whether Shoprite accepted and acted on any of the recommendations.”

Hango also questioned the alleged absence of a formal internal grievance procedure or disciplinary code at Shoprite and said that allowed the company to do as it pleased regarding disciplinary matters.

“Handing out written and final warnings for offences without hearings seems to be the preferred tactic. Decisions concerning workers' wages and employment conditions are taken in South Africa with Shoprite Namibia having no authority and consequently cannot comply with requirements of the Namibian Labour Act in particular with regard to the obligation of collective bargaining.”

Shoprite last week promised to release a statement responding to the allegations.

However, at the time of going to press yesterday, no statement had been issued.

Karen Smith, Shoprite Namibia human resource manager, was also unavailable for comment yesterday.

OTIS FINCK

NPC appoints new commissioners

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NPC appoints new commissionersNPC appoints new commissioners National Planning Commission director minister Tom Alweendo this morning announced the names of 17 commissioners that will serve on the NPC’s board for a period of three years.
Of the 17 selected, three return to serve on the commission’s board. The board also includes three ministers and two deputy ministers and sees a departure from the previous board of commissioners that did not include a cabinet minister.
Familiar faces joined the NPC’s board of commissioners and this includes special advisor to the minister of health, Bience Gawanas, Dr Eino Mvula and Walvis Bay Corridor Group CEO Johny Smith make a return to the board of commissioners while NamPort CEO Bisey Uirab, Namibia Breeders Association board member Ryno Van Der Merwe, RMB Namibia investment banker Daniel Motinga, Development Bank of Namibia spokesperson Jerome Mutumba and Namibia Procurement Fund managing director Kauna Ndilula have been appointed. Academics Charmaine Villet and Markus Kudumo have also been given the nod to serve as commissioners.
Presidential advisor Daisry Mathias and National Youth Council executive chairperson Mandela Kapere have also been appointed.
Rounding up the list of commissioners is minister of mines and energy Obeth Kandjoze, minister of public enterprises Leon Jooste, minister of higher education, training and innovation Itah Kandji-Murangi, deputy minister of basic education, arts and culture Anna Nghipondoka and deputy minister of gender equality and child welfare Lucia Basson.
OGONE TLHAGE

Two die in B2 crash

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 Two die in B2 crash Two die in B2 crash Two people died after a terrible car accident on the B2 road between Usakos and Swakopmund this morning following a collision. Deputy Commissioner Erastus Ikuyu confirmed to Namibian Sun this morning that police were at the scene to investigate the accident. He couldn’t provide further details.

STAFF REPORTER


Ex-Omusati governor passes on

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  Ex-Omusati governor passes on Ex-Omusati governor passes on The former governor of Omusati Region, Leonard Nangolo Mukwiilongo, has succumbed to injuries after he was brutally attacked at his Elim residence in March this year.
Mukwiilongo died in a northern private hospital last night, his family confirmed to Namibian Sun.
He was 92.
Mukwiilongo was tortured and assaulted by six robbers who demanded from him the keys to his safe.


STAFF REPORTER





Tjihonge attends course

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Tjihonge attends course Tjihonge attends course SPORT REPORTER

Former Brave Warriors goalkeeper Ephraim Tjihonge this month attended the first Confederation of African Football (CAF) goalkeeping instructor’s course in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The course focused on teaching children the technical skills of goalkeeping.

Tjihonge, who played for the Brave Warriors from 2003 to 2014, started his professional career at Black Africa and went on to play in South Africa with clubs such as Black Leopards and African Warriors.

Tjihonge was delighted to be part of the course and thanked the NFA for the opportunity.

“The course was amazing and I was among top names in Africa like Tony Sylva from Senegal, who was a great player back in the days. I learned quite a few things, especially implementing new techniques on the pitch. Goalkeeping is the same everywhere, it’s just the way we interpret it,” he said.

Tjihonge hopes the course will provide him with the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge he has gained.

He added that since he was sent by the NFA to attend the course, the NFA must have big plans. But in the immediate future he will focus his energy on a refresher course for goalkeepers, as Namibia has not seen many football matches so far this year.

His advice to young players who want to follow in his footsteps is that hard work, discipline and dedication will help them to go places.
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