Illegal ammo charge fails in court

June 1, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Illegal ammo charge fails in courtState erred in confiscations and arrest The State was left red-faced when an Otjiwarongo magistrate ruled in favour of a farmer who had been charged with the illegal possession of ammunition after several errors were made.

A charge of the illegal possession of 201 bullets strapped to a machine gun belt was dismissed during final judgement the Otjiwarongo Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Of the four separate charges filed against Otjiwarongo farmer Norman Alexander Campbell (54) last year, for the illegal possession of a total of 216 bullets found during a police raid of his farm Capricorn in April 2016, Campbell was found guilty of illegal possession of only seven of those bullets, stemming from two of the four charges.

Campbell was fined N$4 000 or 12 months behind bars for the illegal possession of six bullets for a .357 firearm for which he was not yet licensed, as well as one 84/12 live bullet.

The other two charges, one for the illegal possession of 8 DMW live bullets plus the 201 7.62x51-calibre bullets found clipped to a metal belt, which Campbell told the court he had not known was stored in his garage and had likely been transported there as part of his late father's belongings, were dismissed.

Campbell's advocate Danie Small yesterday told Namibian Sun that Campbell paid the fine shortly after judgement on Tuesday.

Otjiwarongo Magistrate Toini Shilongo dismissed the charge of illegal possession of 201 live 7.62x51-calibre bullets as well as a charge of illegal possession of 8 DMW live bullets against Campbell, citing trial testimony that Campbell was legally licensed for a .308 hunting rifle, from which the 201 bullets, if individually unclipped from the belt and inserted into the rifle, can be fired.

During final submissions earlier this month, public prosecutor Colleen Yisa conceded that the State had not been able to prove the case of illegal possession of the 201 bullets against the accused, primarily after a State witness conceded that the 7.62x51-calibre bullets are equivalent to the .308 ammunition that can be fired from Campbell's .308 hunting rifle.

During her judgement, Shilongo ordered the state to also return all items confiscated from Campbell's house during the police raid last year, including military clothing, backpacks and boxes.

The state conceded during final submissions of the trial that the exhibits confiscated from Campbell's farm, including camouflage jackets, canvas bags and storage boxes were irrelevant to the charges against the accused and should not have been confiscated by the police in the first place.

Small told the court during final submissions earlier this month that the police investigation had been marred by serious errors and had been “slapdash”. He contested the way in which a search warrant was obtained by the police, which he argued was provided based on hearsay evidence and not backed up by a signed witness statement.

Small warned that the fact that Campbell had not been read his rights, including the right to an attorney on his arrest, but only a day later, was further evidence of the problematic handling of the case from the start.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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Windhoek tariffs set to increase

June 1, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Windhoek tariffs set to increaseMotion to be tabled this month Residents of Windhoek should brace for an increase in rates and tariffs as the impact of the NamWater and NamPower increases ripple out.

The City of Windhoek has announced that following the increases granted to bulk supplies NamWater and NamPower, the City is to hike rates for services rendered.

NamWater has been granted an approved 13% increase in water delivery, effective on 1 June for the 2017/18 financial year while NamPower received an approved 8% from the Electricity Control Board effective 1 July this year.

While the City has not made the increases known, the increases in the annual tariff adjustments for 2017/18 expected to be tabled before Council by the end of June this year.

Last year, NamPower was granted an increase of 16% in bulk power supply while NamWater was granted a 12% increase.

The City responded with several price hikes including a 10% increase in the water basic tariff, a 15% increase in the water consumption costs, 18% for sewerage, 10% for property tax and also for refuse removals in all settlements.

Solid waste management costs increase by 10% and an average increase of 8.2% was granted on electricity. At the time, the City said the increases will affect households as follows: An average monthly municipal bill for a low-income household is adjusted from N$745.49 to N$853.04, a middle-income family from N$1 814.14 to N$2 070.52 and a high-income household from N$4 118.53 to N$4 697.16.

According to City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya, “It is the mandate of the City of Windhoek to ensure that municipal services are efficiently and effectively rendered to our residents in order to enhance their quality of life and, thus the importance of adjusting our tariffs accordingly.”

STAFF REPORTER

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Okalongo's Ketu charged with attempted murder

June 1, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Okalongo's Ketu charged with attempted murderSaid to be a random shootout at victim's shebeen Josua 'Ketu' Mwetupunga, a well-known businessman from Okalongo has been charged with attempted murder following a shootout at a shebeen where the owner was badly wounded.

Okalongo businessman Josua 'Ketu' Mwetupunga was arrested on Monday on a charge of attempted murder.

He is now free on bail of N$2 000 after his first appearance in the Outapi Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Sergeant Anna Kunga of the Namibian police's public relations unit in the Omusati Region confirmed this on Wednesday.

She said Mwetupunga, 44, is accused of shooting Walter Mwandingi, 57, and severely injuring him in the leg at his bar at the Onandjaba settlement on Saturday.

“His case was postponed to 24 July this year for further police investigations,” Kunga said, adding the reasons behind the shooting are yet to be determined.

Unconfirmed reports have it that Mwandingi and five other men (Hiskia Mwandingi, Shiimi Leonard, Jonas Mwandingi, Johannes Mwandingi and Trifaine Gabriel) from Windhoek were causing trouble at Mwetupunga's business.

Mwandingi denied such allegations.

“I went to his bar just to recharge my cellphone and not to play jackpot or to commit robbery as he is now telling the people,” Mwandingi said.

The businessman also allegedly shot at the wheels of Mwandingi's sedan.

Mwandingi was the only one hit by bullets of Mwetupunga's shooting spree; the rest of the men scurried for cover.

Police officers rushed Mwandingi to the Oshikuku hospital, from where he was transferred to the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital due to severity of the

injuries.

He was discharged on Monday and he is now recovering at home.

Mwandingi is an employee of a Windhoek hire and sales company, and his holiday in northern Namibia was due to end on Sunday.

NAMPA

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MTC loses appeal against lease judgment

June 1, 2017, 4:00 pm

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MTC loses appeal against lease judgment A ten-year lease agreement entered into by MTC for setting up a telecommunication base station at a plot in Swakopmund had a sequel in Supreme Court.

The telecommunication giant lost a case in the High Court for unilaterally and unlawfully terminating the lease agreement. It was ordered to pay for the remainder of the contract period, plus interest, totalling N$326 644.

The agreement had commenced on 1 August 2006. MTC was to pay a monthly rent of N$3 000 for a fixed period of 10 years, which would have expired on 31 July 2016.

The deal went sour after MTC terminated the contract.

The respondent in the matter, Siegfried Eckleben, purchased Plot 91 Nonidas, Swakopmund on 30 April 2010 from the executor of the estate of the late owner, Thilo Neumann, who had a lease agreement with MTC.

Neumann had erected various houses and structures on the property and had let a small room in a tower to MTC for the purposes of setting up a telecommunication base station.

The condition of sale was that the purchaser would inherit the lease agreement.

However, shortly after Eckleben bought the property he discovered that the radiation emitted by the antennas installed by MTC at the premises was more than 20 times the maximum recommended by the International Commission for Non Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

He claimed that constituted a serious health risk to the public and his staff.

Eckleben approached MTC's project coordinator for radio networks and suggested either raising the antennas to a safe height, relocating them to an artificial palm tree, or entering into a new contract.

The MTC during these communications terminated the lease agreement on or about 25 January 2011, providing Eckleben with two months' termination notice.

The company stopped paying rent but Eckleben refused to accept the termination.

He sued MTC in the High Court and won the case.

MTC appealed, saying Eckleben's demands for moving the antennas were unreasonable.

But Supreme Court Judge Sylvester Mainga, Deputy Chief Justice Petrus Damaseb and Acting Judge Elton Hoff ruled that Eckleben's demands were not unreasonable and did not constitute a breach of contract.

“The appellant failed to prove that the performance of its obligation in terms of the contract was rendered impossible,” they found, dismissing the appeal.

They added that MTC should have enforced the terms and conditions of the contract or explored viable alternatives with Eckleben before it terminated the contract.

FRED GOEIEMAN

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Judgment reserved in pension fund battle

June 1, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Judgment reserved in pension fund battleAll former members will be affected The Supreme Court yesterday heard arguments in Rössing Uranium’s appeal against a High Court ruling in favour of former members of its pension fund. JACQUELINE LOUW

The public gallery at the Supreme Court was bursting at the seams yesterday as the court heard Rössing Uranium’s appeal against a High Court ruling in favour of former members of its pension fund.

Countless former members arrived at the court and although extra seating was provided, it was still not enough.

Rössing is appealing a ruling by the High Court last year in favour of more than 10 000 former pension fund members over the way surplus funds of N$500 million had been allocated.

Only 75 former members are listed as respondents in the matter, but all the former members will be affected by the ruling.

Background

The Rössing pension fund provides for both current and former employees’ retirement as well as for death and disability benefits.

In March 2009, the fund declared a surplus of N$367 million. By 1 April 2012, this surplus had grown to N$454 million. Trustees of the fund recommended that the money be divided, in equal shares of 33.3% between the current members including pensioners, Rössing and former members of the fund.

Rössing’s board rejected this decision and approved 15% to the former members, 33% to Rössing in the form of the three-year contribution holiday and 52% to the current members, also in the form of a three-year contribution holiday as well as a one-off contribution to the pension fund.

Dissatisfied with this decision, the former members approached the High Court to have it reversed. The court ruled that Rössing could not make decisions regarding the pension fund and only the trustees of the fund could decide how surplus money would be allocated.

The court also found that in its actions, Rössing did not comply with the pension fund regulations.

The Supreme Court must now evaluate that ruling. Chief Justice Peter Shivute, Deputy Chief Justice Petrus Damaseb and Judge David Smuts reserved judgement yesterday after arguments were heard.

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Omusati to reinstate suspended officials

June 1, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Omusati to reinstate suspended officials

The Omusati Regional Council's management committee has passed a resolution to reinstate suspended top officials, even though the outcome of the investigation is not yet known, Namibian Sun was reliably informed.

The allegation has been confirmed by suspended chief regional officer Protasius Andowa, who told Namibian Sun that he had received calls from members of the management committee who had attended the meeting, congratulating him.

However, the chairperson of the management committee, Modestus Amutse, refused to comment, saying there were issues he needed to sort out regarding the matter.

Andowa and the council's deputy director for finance, Elizabeth Mutota, were suspended in August last year.

The suspension was endorsed by the Public Service Commission two months after the council presented the basis for the suspensions to the commission.

The council launched the investigation and the urban and rural development ministry assigned a team of investigators headed by the ministry's chief auditor.

Amutse said investigations were completed last November, but the findings were not announced until today.

Andowa said he had not received any official communication from the council, but officials from the constituency offices were already contacting him making inquiries about official matters.

He said he was also informed that Gervasius Kashindi, who had been acting in his capacity, had handed over the office to council.

“I have not received any official communication yet, but I was informed by council employees and members of the management committee who attended last week's management meeting that it was announced that we are going back to our offices. I am also informed that the one who was acting has handed the office back to the council,” Andowa said.

Amutse also said the issue was not yet clear and he would not want to give inaccurate information to the public.

“I cannot comment because this issue is not yet clear to me. Therefore, I still have to make a follow up before I make any comment on the matter. I don't want to give the public information that is not even clear to me,” Amutse said.

Andowa told Namibian Sun that they were not issued with charge sheets when they were suspended. He further said if the council called him back he would go back.

“Since they gave us letters of suspension they never communicated with us until today. I cannot tell what I am going to do, but once I get back into the office I will see what I can do,” he said.

Both Andowa and Mutota were suspended with full salaries and benefits.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Child rape continues unabated

June 1, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Child rape continues unabatedPolice statistics only the tip of the iceberg Experts working with rape survivors warn that the number of rapes committed in Namibia is likely much higher than those reported to the police. JANA-MARI SMITH

The latest crime report makes for grim reading. Four out of five new rape investigations opened by the police between Sunday and Tuesday of this week involve rape survivors under the age of 18, bringing to 16 the number of child rapes investigated since 17 April.

Earlier this week, experts warned that the actual number of rape incidents remain much higher than reported, with victims, including young children and their families, too ashamed, insecure, confused or frightened to report the incident to the police.

Of the 16 child rape cases opened since 17 April, the complainants include two five-year-olds, one of six, seven and nine years old, a 12-year-old as well as a 13-year-old, three 14-year-olds and two 15-year-old children. Four 17-year-old teenagers also reported they were raped.

Out of the 16 cases, one case involves a 14-year-old boy who alleged that he was raped by an 18-year-old male perpetrator.

Two of the alleged rapists arrested by police were 15-year-old boys, with one of those boys allegedly described as a brother of the seven-year-old rape survivor.

A case also being investigated is that of a 14-year-old girl accusing her 41-year-old father of rape, while a six-year-old girl’s mother told police she suspected her 37-year-old boyfriend had raped her daughter last week.

Police this week said they were investigating a rape allegation at Rundu, where a five-year-old was allegedly raped by a suspect who has not yet been arrested. Investigations continue.

On Monday, a nine-year-old girl’s family opened a case of rape against a 24-year-old man who allegedly raped the girl in his bedroom at Omuthiya. The police said the rape survivor lived in the same house as the suspect and they might be cousins.

The suspect was arrested and made his first appearance before the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court this week.

In the Omusati Region in the Tsandi constituency, a 33-year-old suspect is still on the run after a 15-year-old girl alleged that he had raped her on Sunday.

She was apparently on her way home from the Oluhalu location shebeen where she had been sent by her mother.

On Monday, a 17-year-old teenager from Omuthiya accused a 27-year-old man of abducting her as she was entering her house at around 20:00 at Kuvukiland location in Tsumeb and forcing her to his house where he then raped her numerous times.

The man was arrested and was due to appear in the Tsumeb Magistrate’s Court this week.

Experts working with rape survivors in Namibia have warned repeatedly that the already alarmingly high number of rape incidents is likely much higher than actually reported to police.

Factors that contribute to the epidemic of rape in the country include a culture of violence, information gaps, as well as insufficient and inadequate help resources.

Dianne Hubbard of the Legal Assistance Centre this week said it is not known to what degree rape incidents are not reported to the police, “but I would suspect that children are particularly reluctant to speak out because they feel guilty and fear being blamed. Or, they have been raped by someone in the family, who claims to love them, which is confusing for the child.”

LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia Counselling Social workers warned this week that they are concerned about the number of rape cases being reported and said “it is definitely not normal, it is rather alarming.”

*Call 106 GBV HelpLine and 116 Child HelpLine toll free from any network where a counsellor will assist you.

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Homeless girl, 10, writes to Geingob

June 1, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Homeless girl, 10, writes to Geingob

Mercelyn Tsibes, now 12, penned a letter to President Hage Geingob two years ago asking him to help her and her mother, Merlien, 34, secure a home.

Their most recent attempt, through an application to the town council of Swakopmund, also failed.

“For days, I slept over with friends, visiting them and always felt very bad about it because they always asked me when I was going home,” Mercelyn said.

Her dream, she says, is to, like her friends, live in peace and without fear in her own home and that is why she approached the president directly.

Two years ago on 1 June, she wrote her letter to Geingob, asking him to donate a home to her and her mother.

“Dear President, Honourable Dr Hage Geingob, I greet you in the name of our God, my name is Mercelyn Tsibes.

“I live in Swakopmund. I am 10 years old and in Grade 4B at Hangeni Primary School. My father died when I was a baby and my mom is a single mother. She is unemployed and we are suffering. Please help us, we have nowhere to stay. Please buy us a home. God will bless you. I am currently living at my friend's house but that was my own idea. I trust in our president. Thank you and may God bless you.”

Merlien said Mercelyn's father died when she was four years old.

“We were already separated at the time and he lived in the Kunene Region. He hanged himself, I think because his girlfriend cheated on him. He was a good father and cared a lot for his daughter.”

Merlien's boyfriend is caring for her and Mercelyn at the moment and they live in his small shack in Mondesa. Four years ago, after Merlien lost her job at a clothing factory, they moved to Swakopmund. The shack they originally lived in burned down last year on 13 July and they lost everything.

“We lost everything but the worst of it was Mercelyn's school books. She did very badly at school last year. But possessions are not everything and I tell her every day how special and strong she is and how much I love her.”

Shortly after the letter was received by State House, Geingob instructed his executive director, Etienne Maritz, to respond to Mercelyn's letter. Maritz wrote that government was committed to the eradication of poverty and to provide shelter to every Namibian.

“I have been instructed to direct your request to the governor of the Erongo Region. Your mother is urged to approach the governor's office to request help there. I urge you to study hard at school to achieve success in your future endeavours.”

Mercelyn said she was elated that the president responded to her.

“I appreciate it. He is a good person. If he had given us a home I would have been very happy and I would have hugged him,” she said.

Mercelyn and her mother are still waiting for a home. The governor's office directed their request to the Swakopmund Town Council but, at a council meeting on 31 May, it was decided not to donate a home to Tsibes and her daughter.

According to council policy, Swakopmund residents must either bid on a home or register through the Mass Housing Scheme to get an erf or a house.

“To donate a house would not be in line with policy. There are many other residents who suffer the same fate and thus, a donation to the Tsibes family would complicate council's housing procedures,” the town council said.

Merlien was urged to register during the coming housing registration period to be assisted, along with other homeless people, in this regard.

Merlien says she has struggled to complete this registration.

“We will wait and pray. There is a time for everything.”

JESSICA BOTES

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NDP5 gets mixed reaction

June 1, 2017, 4:00 pm

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NDP5 gets mixed reactionImplementation, accountability key to success Questions are asked about the review process of the previous development planning cycle, as well as the link to the Harambee Prosperity Plan.

Opposition party leaders and social commentators have lauded the targets set out in the fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) but say it remains to be seen how well the country has fared during the previous development planning cycle.

The government has promised approximately 7 200 new homes, 6 500 serviced erven, and 40 000 new jobs per year to the end of March 2022 as part of the ambitious N$162.5 billion programme.

In total the government has committed to create 250 000 jobs in the next five years.

“NDP5 is laudable; any country must have a plan to guide its development trajectory. However, it is laughable that the previous NDP has not yet been audited. It tells you that our planning is backwards. We need to know the successes and failures of NDP 4 but because no audit of this has been done, how were the new targets for the next development planning cycle created?,” commented DTA president McHenry Venaani.

He was also of the opinion that the country did not have the requisite capacity – human capital or finances – to drive the country towards industrialisation as spelled out in Vision 2030.

Venaani said any lofty development dreams must be backed up by proper follow-through.

He mentioned as an example the fact that the South African Development Bank held shares in Rössing Uranium while no substantive Namibian institution had any shareholding in a strategic local resource such as this.

“We will thoroughly interrogate a number of flawed arguments in the development narrative of the government. While the government says it wants to narrow the gap in income disparities, it is creating poverty,” said Venaani.

Member of Parliament of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Mike Kavekotora, shares his sentiments.

He said he had principled problems with the manner in which government's planning instruments were being devised.

Kavekotora reiterated that there had not been a proper review of NDP 4, which he felt should have been done before the NDP 5 was drawn up and announced.

Moreover, he said, it was not clear how all the development plans tied in with each other or with the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP).

“Are we doing justice to Vision 2030 if you just come up with a development instrument that does not correspond with others?” Kavekotora questioned.

He said it appeared as if the various development plans set different targets like the mass-housing target of the NDP's as opposed to the targets set in HPP.

“As far as I'm concerned it is all just fake,” pronounced Kavekotora.

“The government is always input driven as opposed to output driven. NDP 5 might have unreachable targets.”

Social commentator Uazuva Kaumbi, however, felt that the targets for the public housing sector were at least “more realistic” than previous ones, but stressed that proper monitoring and evaluation of public projects were crucial.

Kaumbi also expressed concern over what he called “fragmented” targets set out in NDP 5 and HPP, saying there were “no clear links” between these development frameworks.

He also wondered where the projected capital of N$162.5 billion would come from to reach the targets of NDP 5.

“You can dream as much as you want but if there is no money and no executive brain to see how it is all going to tie up, then it might be a problem,” said Kaumbi.

Another commentator, Brian Black, said while Namibia was “full of development plans” implementation, and therefore realisation of such plans, remained a challenge.

“Sometimes we also engage the wrong people to implement our plans,” he said, adding that the Namibian government should engage Namibian players instead of foreigners.

“We are currently exporting contracts to China. The government after independence inherited well-established and well-maintained infrastructure. The locals who have worked on those are jobless today. We are importing a little China into Namibia while the government should engage locals,” said Black.

He added: “If we want to be successful we must adopt a culture of holding people accountable, otherwise we will not eradicate poverty.”

CATHERINE SASMAN

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Cops implicated in cattle theft

June 1, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Cops implicated in cattle theft Two police officers and a safety and security ministry worker are amongst suspects apprehended in connection with recent cases of stock theft in Otjimbingwe.

Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu confirmed the arrest of the three in connection with the theft of five cattle valued N$50 000 at Dawe-Tsoub farm.

“We arrested a sergeant and a constable along with three other suspects in connection with a stock theft case reported on 28 May. Edison Tsuseb (19) already appeared on 30 May at the Karibib Magistrate's Court.

“He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment.

“The search is still on for another suspect, Aletha Kauatojao, who is a woman with business interests at Otjimbingwe and Karibib. The rest of the accused were due to appear yesterday,” Iikuyu said.

The arrested police officers and ministry employee were arrested in Otjimbingwe, Karibib and Windhoek respectively. They were part of a team from Windhoek, constructing new police barracks at Otjimbingwe.

The accused allegedly stole and slaughtered three cattle at a nearby post and supposedly transported the meat in private vehicles owned by one of the police officers and the ministry employee and sold it in Otjimbingwe and Swakopmund.

One of the cattle that went missing was recovered alive while another animal is still missing. The police also found half a carcass in Otjimbingwe at a place where one of the police officers resides. Two almost complete carcasses were sold and located at a house at Ocean View, Swakopmund.

Two other suspects (including a former herder at the farm) were arrested over the weekend in connection with the theft of a sheep valued at N$1 200 from a kraal at Kurigaob Resettlement in Otjimbingwe. Half of the carcass including the head of the animal was recovered. The suspects, whose identities are known but cannot be revealed, were due to appear before the Karibib Magistrate's Court.

The investigation continues.

OTIS FINCK

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Unam SRC leader released on bail

June 3, 2017, 2:09 am

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Unam SRC leader released on bail

President of the Unam Student Representative Council Joseph Kalimbwe has been released on bail.
The 25-year-old Kalimbwe was released on bail of N$1 000, after he made his first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Friday morning on a charge of forgery, fraud and altering.
The bail is coupled with some conditions, such as that Kalimbwe must surrender his passport to the police investigating officer and should not apply for new travel documents until his case is finalised.
He should also report every Friday between 08:00 and 12:00 at the Windhoek Police Station.
Kalimbwe appeared before Magistrate Jo-Rina Jaggere, and was represented by lawyers Kadhila Amoomo and Henry Shimutwikeni.
His case was remanded until 24 August 2017, pending further police investigations.
Kalimbwe was arrested on the evening of 31 May 2017 while he was attending to a student gathering at the Unam main campus in the capital.
Reports have it that Unam management decided to charge Kalimbwe after they discovered that he was allegedly not a lawfully registered student and thus the institution does not recognise him as a student leader.
Kalimbwe was doing a Master’s Degree in Business before his arrest and expulsion from Unam.

NAMPA

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Three killed in crash

June 3, 2017, 2:26 am

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Three killed in crash

A terrible head on collision outside Windhoek this morning has claimed the lives of three people, the Namibian Police has confirmed. The accident occurred on the Windhoek-Hosea Kutako International Airport road and involves a Toyota Corolla taxi and a Volkswagen Caddy pickup. It is believed that the deceased include both motorists as well as a yet to be identified adult.

STAFF REPORTER

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Hotto wants to improve

June 4, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Hotto wants to improveCeltic has failed the fans Namibia's star player wants to score and create more goals for his South African team and his country.

Bloemfontein Celtic winger Deon Kavendji has said that he has not been entirely happy with his performance during the 2016/17 season.

The winger told the Celtics website that he felt the team has failed to impress the fans in a season they finished 12th.

Celtic were not so far away from the relegation zone and had to dig deep to stay in the premier league.

The club has scored only 16 goals in 30 games over the season, while conceding 28 in the process.

Wangu Gome's Bidvest Wits secured the South African premier league title with 60 points in 30 games.

“It was a very difficult season for us and that is evident seeing the position we finished in.

“I am willing to work harder next season in order to help my team play better football.

“My dream here in South Africa is to win the PSL and other major trophies,” Hotto said.

Hotto joined Celtic from Golden Arrows at the start of the 2016/17 campaign and has featured in most of Celtics games this season.

The player is currently in camp with the Brave Warriors as they prepare for their Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier match on Saturday.

The national team will be playing friendly matches in Ghana before they travel to Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday.

“I want to focus on the national team for now because we have a tough quest ahead of us.

“Playing Guinea-Bissau away from home in our first away match is a daunting task that we have to overcome.

“However, we want to play at the best of our abilities in order to help the team qualify to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations,” he said.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

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NSC happy with sport's inclusion in NDP5

June 4, 2017, 4:00 pm

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NSC happy with sport's inclusion in NDP5 Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) Chairperson Joel Matheus has welcomed the government's inclusion of sports in the fifth National Development Plan (NDP5).

The plan was launched on Wednesday and is the fifth in a series of seven development initiatives aimed at implementing and achieving the objectives and aspirations of Vision 2030.

In NDP5, which spans from 2017 to 2022, government wants to improve opportunities for employment through professional sport from 0.2% recorded in 2014 to 2% by the year 2022.

Matheus said the commission welcomes the inclusion of sports as it did not feature in previous national development plans.

Matheus said if resources are made available and people learn how to cooperate they will achieve the goals set out in NDP5 by 2022.

“We need to change our mentality and dedicate ourselves to working hard towards all the goals that have been put in place to grow sports in the country,” he said.

Matheus said the commission is working on a plan to start a business arm which will help in raising funds needed to run their operations.

“Our sports plan is in line with the ministry's plan to improve local sports. We are also hoping for our budget to be increased in future so we can run all our activities successfully,” he said.

Government allocated N$385 million to the sport ministry in the 2017/18 budget, a cut of more than N$100 million from last year.

The budget is allocated to the three directorates - sport, youth and national service.

NAMPA

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Aanyasha yomOndangwa ya yeleke edhina lyakansela

June 4, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Aanyasha yomOndangwa ya yeleke edhina lyakansela

Iilyo yOndangwa Urban Youth forum oshowo Ondangwa Development forum Committee oya ekelehi omapopyo ngoka ga ningwa kuNgoloneya gwaShana, Clemens Kashuupulwa kutya kansela gwoshikandjo shaOndangwa Urban Councillor, Elia Irimari ota ningi iigongi naakwashigwana mOndangwa noku mu lundila kutya oye tayi moshipala omahumo komeho mondoolopa yaNdangwa.

Aanyasha mboka oya gandja uusama kuKashuupulwa kutya ota longitha omukandanyenyeto gwawo ngoka yuukitha komupresidende, mokuponokela Irimary.

Omunashipundi gwOndangwa Urban Constituency Youth Forum, Paulus Nuuyoma oshiwike sha piti okwa pula opo Kashuupulwa a kandulepo omukundu gwawo gopaumwene ngoka e na naIrimari na ina kwatelamo omukandanyenyeto gwawo.

Okwa popi kutya, yo onga aanyasha oya pula elelo lyondoolopa yaNdangwa opo li ya yelithile kombinga yoompangela dhetungo lyoshipangelo mondoolopa ndjoka ndhoka dha kalekwa. Nuuyoma okwa popi kutya okwa ningwa iigongi oyindji okuza momasiku 18 gaMei 2017 na oyo ya etitha etokolo ku ningwe ehololo madhilaadhilo. “Onga omunyasha nomukali gwomondoolopa yaNdangwa otwa ningi omutumba nelelo lyondoolopa momasiku 20 gaMei.

Aakalelipo yondoolopa oye tu pe omayamukulo kombinga yiigongi yopashitopolwa mbyoka ya ningwa momasiku 19 gaMei. Omolwa omayamukulo ngoka twa pewa, otwa tokola opo tu holole okuuva nayi kwetu omolwa etokolo lyangoloneya. Ngoloneya ngoka a li omunashipundi gwoshigongi shopashitopolwa shoka sha ingwa okwa pula oondolopa ndatu, Ongwediva, Ondangwa nOshakati opo dhi gandje evi mpoka tapu vulu okutungwa oshipangelo shoka, kwali nale kwa pangelwa opo shi tungwe mOndangwa ,” Nuuyoma a popi.

Nuuyoma okwa popi kutya konima yoshigongi moka ya tseyithwa etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa kungoloneya Kashuupulwa oya tokola opo yagandje omukandanyenyeto gwawo kOmupresidende Hage Geingob okupitila mombelewa yaNgoloneya gwoshitopolwa. Nuuyoma okwa popi kutya oyuuvite nayi molwaashoka omanyenyeto gawo otaga longithwa kungoloneya mokuponokela kansela Irimari.

Okwa pula kutya ngele ngoloneya oku na omaupyakadhi gopaumwene nakansela nena naya kandulepo omaupyakadhi gawo inamu kwatelwa aanyasha mboka taya holola omadhilaadhilo gawo.

Okwa lopotwa kutya Kashuupulwa okwa ningi po ongundu yomakwathano yoWhatsApp tayi ithanwa Oshana Regional Council, hoka a holola omaiyuvo ge gonayi omolwa omalundilo ta ningiwa aniwa kuIrimari, mwakwatelwa kutya ota shunitha monima omayambulepo ngoka ga nuningwa ondoolopa yaNdangwa.

Kashuupulwa okwa yelitha woo kutya Oshikondo shElongo mOshana okupitila mekwatelo komeho lyodecentralisation policy osha tokola okutula ombelewa yoshikondo shoka mondoolopa yaShakati, opo oombelewa dhoka dhi kale moshilandopangelo shoshitopolwa shaShana.

Nonando ongaaka aanyasha mboka oya ningile omapulaapulo omusindalandu ngoka gwodecentralisation.

“Kwiikwatelelwa komusindalandu ngoka tagu popiwa kungoloneya ogwa nuninwa okukutha po omayakulo goshigwana. Omusindalandu ngoka otagu yanda woo omayambulepo gondoolopa yetu.”

Sho a ningilwa omapulaapulo Irimari okwa tindi okutya sha.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Rössing Uranium ta pataneke etokolo lyompangu

June 4, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Rössing Uranium ta pataneke etokolo lyompangu

Rössing Uranium ota pataneke etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa omvula ya piti li li muuwanawa wiilyo nale ya thika po-10 000 kombinga nkene oshimaliwa shoomiliyona 500 sha topolwa.

Iilyo owala 75 ya tothwamo onga aayamukuli mepataneko ndyoka ihe iilyo ayihe otayi ka gumwa ketokolo ndyoka.

Ondojokona

Oshiketha shopenzela shoRössing pension fund ohashi gandja omauwanawa gopenzela kaaniilonga yawo ngashiingeyi oshowo mboka yonale oshowo iifuta yomaso nomaulema. MuMaalitsa gwo-2009, oshiketha shoka osha tseyitha kutya oshi na iimaliwa oyindji ya pitilila noomiliyona 367.

MuApilili gwo-2012 iimaliwa mbyoka oya ningi oomiliyona 454, naaniipambuliko oya tokola opo iimaliwa mbyoka yi topolwe miipambuliko yi thike pamwe noopresenda 33.3 pokati kiilyo iikulu yoshiketha shoka niilyo mbyoka iipe. Elelo lyaRössing olya tindi etokolo ndyoka na olya tokola opo oopresenda 15 dhi pewe iilyo mbyoka iikulu omanga iilyo mbyoka iipe tayi pewa oopresenda 33 momukalo gwiifuta yomafudho guule woomvula ndatu oshowo oopresenda 52 kiilyo yoshiketha shoka monena. Etokolo ndyoka olya geyitha iilyo iikulu na oya pula ompangu opo etokolo ndyoka kali tulwe miilonga. Ompangu oya zimine na oya gandja etokolo opo elelo lyaRössing kali ninge etokolo ndyoka molwaashoka itali tsu kumwe nomulandu gwoshiketha shoka. Ompangu yoPombandambanda ngashiingeyi okwa tegelelwa yi ka talulule etokolo ndyoka. Omupanguli Omukuluntu Peter Shivute,Omupeha Omupanguli Omukuluntu, Petrus Damaseb oshowo Omupanguli David Smuts oya undulile komeho etokolo meindilo ndyoka lya ningwa kuRössing.

JACQUELINE LOUW

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Etungo lyOombonge dhOpolisi moMusati inali manithwa natango

June 4, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Etungo lyOombonge dhOpolisi moMusati inali manithwa natango Oshiwike sha piti, osha ningi oomvula mbali sho kwa tegelelwa natango emanitho lyetungo lyOombelewa Onene shOpolisi yaMusati ndhoka tadhi tungwa ongushu yoomiliyona 54.

Omatungo ngoka monena otaga gu opainda niilongitho natango oya halakana owala pehala ndyoka, pethimbo oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun sha talele po ehala ndyoka, na kaku shiwike kutya etungo ndyoka otali manithwa uunake.

Opoloyeka ndjoka okwa li kwa tegelelwa yi kale ya manithwa momasiku 23 gaMei mo-2015.

Pahapu dhaNgoloneya gwaMusati, Erginus Endjala okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya okwa tseyithilwa kutya omutungi gwopoloyeka ndjoka, Amupolo Building Construction CC, ehangano lyaErasmus Amupolo olya kuthwa iilonga mbyoka molwaashoka oya longa nuuhasha.

Nonando ongaaka sho Uuministeli wIilonga wa ningilwa omapulo, Omupopiliko gUuministeli mboka Julius Ngweda okwa tindi omapopyo kutya omutungi gwopoloyeka ndjoka okwa li a pulwa opo a thige po ehala lyiilonga.

Ngweda okwa popi kutya omutungi pamwe nuuministeli oya ningi oshigongi opo ya kundathane iinima yilwe kombinga yopoloyeka ndjoka. Ngweda ina vula okugandja uuyelele kutya omolwashike opoloyeka ndjoka tayi kutha ethimbo opo yi vule okumanithwa.

Amupolo sho a ningilwa omapulo okwa popi kutya ekateko ndyoka otali etithwa omolwa ompangela yetungo ndjoka kayi po oshowo iinima yilwe mbyoka tayi indike opo opoloyeka ndjoka yi manithwe.

“Ekateko olindji noonkondo. Ompangela kayi po na itatu vulu okupula komeho niinima oyindji.”

Onkalo ndjoka oya geyitha Omukomeho gwOpolisi yaNamibia, Sebastian Ndeitunga ngoka a holola okuuva nayi okwe omolwa aatungi mboka haya pewa ootendela dhepangelo ihe ihaya gwanithwa po iilonga ngaashi tashi pumbiwa.

“Aantu mboka ohaya pewa ootendela dhepangelo na ohaya tameke taya longitha po iimaliwa nokukateka ooprogramma,” Ndeitunga ta ti.

“Otatu dhilaadhila okutidha omutungi ngoka,” Ndeitunga a tsikile. Monena osasiyona yopolisi yaOutapi oyi na uupyakadhi wehala .

KENYA KAMBOWE

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Cell phones weaken cyber safety

June 4, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Cell phones weaken cyber safetyCooperation and awareness essential for cyber security Africa needs more awareness of the threats to cyber security on the continent, especially because cell phones are the weak link in the chain.

Cooperation and awareness are key in fighting cybercrime in Africa, where cell phones are the main targets of cyber criminals. This was the main message of speakers at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Experts in Technology and Policy (ETAP) Forum held in Windhoek, Namibia last week, for the first time on the African continent.

“If we want to fight cybercrime in Africa we must urgently increase awareness of cyber security among citizens, users, non-governmental organisations, companies and government departments,” Professor Basie von Solms, from the Centre for Cyber Security at the Academy for Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Johannesburg, said.

He explained that cyber security awareness (CSA) programmes are the most cost effective solution and the best investment to offer protection against cyber attacks. Von Solms emphasised that Africa is crying out for comprehensive CSA programmes, such as those offered by the academy.

Cell phones will account for almost one-tenth of African GDP by the end of the decade, which makes cyber crime targeting mobile phones a major issue for the African continent. The mobile sector contributed US$100 billion to sub-Saharan Africa's economy in 2014 and is expected to account for three times that in 2020.

“As handsets and data become more affordable mobile phones will become more accessible. This will change the way public services are delivered and how business and politics are conducted. While this will have advantages, the biggest consequence will be an increase in cyber-crime. According to the Cisco 2017 Annual Cyber Security Report, African countries lost at least US$2 billion in cyber attacks in 2016, while Kenya recorded the highest losses of US$171 million, Tanzania US$85 million and Uganda US$35 million.”

Von Solms said the 2015 Cyber Security Report confirms that security awareness and training measurably reduces cyber security risk and that an investment in user awareness and training effectively changes behaviour and quantifiably reduces security-related risks by 45% to 70%.

He proposed the establishment of an Africa-wide standardised introductory course for cyber security awareness in cooperation with organisations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU). “If we have the political will, it can and will be successful,” he said.

Elizabeth Ujarura Kamutuezu, deputy director in the ICT ministry of Namibia said “Namibia has 100% cell phone penetration and therefore cyber security plays a pivotal role in the continuing development of information technology and internet services, which makes it vital to enhance cyber security”.

Dr Towela Nyirenda Jere, principal programme officer for regional integration, infrastructure and trade at Nepad, agreed that coordination between the AU and member states is important to create awareness among stakeholders and coordinate and communicate at national and regional level.

“There is a need for all stakeholders in civil society, government, the private sector and academics to be involved in national and regional processes. The role of the Pan Africa Parliament must be strengthened and the ratification process must be examine and streamlined. There is also a need for financial resources to set up institutions, build technical and institutional capacity and monitor and enforce legislation.”

Njei Check, head of the Audit Security Division, at the Agence Nationale des Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication (ANTIC) in Cameroon said, “in the last few years, the digital economy, as a catalyst for innovation and competitiveness, has become an important lever for economic development, but the development of the digital economy is unfortunately jeopardised by cyber criminality that thrives on the virtuality of the cyberspace and seriously damaging the trust within the cyberspace”.

The IEEE hosted the IEEE Experts in Technology and Policy (ETAP) Forum in cooperation with IST-Africa. The Forum focused on internet governance, cyber security, privacy and internet inclusion across the African continent. The Forum was held before the IST-Africa 2017 Conference that brought together senior representatives from leading public, private, education and research organisations to discuss ICT policy, showcase research results and share knowledge.

Various representatives shared their experiences and good practices and discussed issues, barriers and opportunities associated with achieving a safe, secure, trusted, affordable internet for all, a key enabler of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

STAFF REPORTER

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Syncrolift back in action

June 4, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Syncrolift back in action

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) officially re-opened the Walvis Bay Syncrolift facility on Wednesday.

Namport's port engineer Elzevir Gelderbloem said the Syncrolift, which had been operating below capacity for two years since an incident on 31 May 2015, was fully restored at a cost of N$10 million and could once again operate at its designed 2 000-ton lifting capacity.

A cable of one of the lift platform's winch motors snapped and a main beam collapsed while lifting Paraclete, a fishing vessel, out of the water. This caused considerable damage to two the main beams and a grillage section.

Kraatz Marine and several other local companies under Namport's supervision and instruction commenced and conducted stabilisation and emergency repairs of the platform immediately after the incident.

The Syncrolift became operational during June 2014 but with a reduced capacity because two of the main beams were not functional.

Apart from the on-going repairs to the facility, this was also the first time that the side-transfer system was dismantled and refurbished. This was the first major shutdown and repairs effected in the history of the Syncrolift. The Syncrolift was built in 1972 and commissioned in 1973 for commercial use.

Gelderbloem gave the assurance that the tedious process was not due to a lack of urgency, but ascribed it to red tape, which the port authority could unfortunately not get around and much-needed refurbishment on the side-transfer system, something which had never been done on such a large scale before.

“Namport has full appreciation for the importance of the Syncrolift for the industry, the community of Walvis Bay and country at large. We will not allow the facility to be closed down or fall into disrepair and will continue to maintain and repair it whenever the need arises.”

This was the third time that the same Namport and Kraatz Marine teams worked on a major Syncrolift rehabilitation project and this makes the team probably the most experienced Syncrolift repair team in Africa.

OTIS FINCK

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Stable earnings for Stimulus

June 4, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Stable earnings for StimulusResilient in volatile economic times Stimulus Investments has reported good earnings despite a difficult economic environment with high levels on unpredictability.

Stimulus this week reported stable figures in its financial report in what it deemed a volatile economic environment. The company saw a massive jump in revenue to about N$34 million against the N$22 million recorded for the 2016 financial year, while the total comprehensible profit was N$11.8 million. The company now also sits on total assets of N$714 million.

Stimulus reported an improvement of 11.16% in growth of its portfolio and growth of 161% in its preference dividend of N$32 million, translating into a dividend of N$3.29 million.

Commenting on Stimulus' performance for the year, its executive director, Josephat Mwatotele said: “The continued stability of Stimulus' investment performance reflects both the sectoral diversity of the investment portfolio and the management depth of the respective investee companies.

“The substantial increase in dividends earned from investee companies testifies to an increased focus on operational efficiencies as well as cost and risk control.”

Added Mwatotele: “The challenging trading conditions our investee companies find themselves in has resulted in Stimulus further increasing its strategic involvement and assisting our investee companies to focus on maximising their operational efficiencies in their core areas.

“This allows our management teams to dedicate their energy on enhancing the quality of their products and services while controlling their risks.”

During the financial year just completed, Mwatotele mentioned that Stimulus acquired shareholding in Khomas Solar Saver while making an additional investment in Namibia Media Holdings. Stimulus also managed to strengthen its balance sheet by raising additional capital of N$121.9 million, bringing total assets under management to N$503 million for the financial year just ended.

During brief questions and answers session, Stimulus hinted at the possibility of creating a second fund, but only in the event that it had utilised the cash that it had on hand, effectively closing the current fund to new investors.

Stimulus currently sits on approximately N$127 million in money market funds and indicated that would also be looking to raise additional funding as it sets its sights on new acquisition targets for the current financial year.

Said Mwatotele: “The focus for the year ahead will continue to be the reduction of un-invested cash, as Stimulus has a strong balance sheet and is well positioned to make additional investments within the portfolio as well as seek new, high quality investment opportunities. The will also continue to work closely with the respective management teams to improve the overall performance of the existing portfolio of companies.

“An additional focus will be the continued strategic direction in implementing a pragmatic and responsible transformation agenda throughout the portfolio.”

Stimulus holds shareholding in Nashua Namibia, Namibia Media Holdings, Neo Paints, Plaspack, Joe's Beer House Properties, Polyoak and Walvis Bay SteveDoring while it has recently taken up shareholding in Khomas Solar Saver.

OGONE TLHAGE

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