Valombola accused of lying

July 6, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Police probe rape and murder of women, youngsters

The trial of northern businessman Maurus Valombola, 59, who stands accused of the death of Benhard Kalimbo in 2013, continues today in the Oshakati High Court.

The matter was postponed on Wednesday after the defence counsel told the court that they planned to call a witness to testify.

No further information was given.

Valombola appeared before Judge Werner Januarie.

He is charged with the murder of Kalimbo, who died on 7 February 2013 from injuries sustained when he was assaulted and run over by a car.

The incident took place in the Okeeke area of the Anamulenge Constituency in the Omusati Region.

This week Valombola told the court he had no motive to kill Kalimbo therefore he should not be blamed for the murder.

During cross-examination by State prosecutor Lucious Matota, Valombola said it was possible that he was being framed by someone else and that witnesses were instigated to testify against him.

This came after Valombola had disputed the testimonies of several witnesses, including his employees and police officers.

Valombola said he was involved in an argument with Kalimbo at his bar, MK Special, on 6 February.

According to witnesses he hit Kalimbo with a pool cue and fired a shot into the ground.

On Wednesday, when Matota asked Valombola whether he had paid any compensation to the family of the deceased, he said he had been informed that his family had paid N$50 000 for Kalimbo's funeral.

He said the money, which was a contribution from his siblings and extended family, was used for the purchase of cows and other funeral arrangements.

Matota told Valombola that he was avoiding the police after the murder, as he had been summoned to report to the police station on 7 February but did not show up because he was in Oshakati at the time.

Valombola denied that, saying the police had told him not to go to the station anymore. Matota responded that Valombola was lying.

The investigating officer testified in court that Valombola did not show up at the station and he had to drive to Oshakati the following day in search of him.

Matota said while the investigator was on his way to Oshakati on 8 February 2013 he received a text message from Valombola informing him that he was at the Ogoongo police station.

“You are not telling the truth in court,” Matota told Valombola.

The trial continues.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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Police probe rape and murder of women, youngsters

July 6, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Two Oshakati escapees rearrested

≪ Previous: Valombola accused of lying

Police probe rape and murder of women, youngsters The Namibian police are investigating two rapes of a 20-year old woman and an 11-year-old girl, both of whom have learning disabilities, as well as the death of a woman who was found semi-naked in a toilet.

According to the latest crime report, a 30-year-old man was arrested in the Kunene Region after he allegedly sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl who lives with an intellectual disability.

The report states that the suspect is an uncle of the girl, and that he “inserted his fingers into her private parts” while her mother was at a cuca shop. The man has been arrested and the investigation continues.

Police are also investigating a charge of rape in Outapi, where a 27-year-old suspect is suspected of raping a 20-year-old woman living with an intellectual disability. The incident took place on Tuesday this week at 09:00 in the morning. The man has not yet been arrested.

In the Omaheke Region, police are investigating the death of 29-year-old Emma Goeieman, who died after she was admitted to the Katutura State Hospital on Wednesday.

She had been found in a toilet near a bar at the Epako settlement in Gobabis on Saturday, with the top part of her body clothed while her lower half was naked, and her underwear lying on the floor.

“She was found slightly bleeding from the mouth and nostrils and rushed to the Gobabis hospital and then transferred to Windhoek,” police said.

A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death and the investigation continues. No suspect has been identified to date.

A charge of homicide has been opened after a driver in the Zambezi Region lost control of his bakkie, leading to the death of four people including a 17-year-old schoolgirl, two 21-year-old women and a 23-year-old man.

The police did not elaborate on the details of the crash, but said the four people died on the Sangwali-Linyanti road. Five other occupants were injured.

A 19-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with common assault and robbery after he and four other suspects allegedly assaulted and robbed a 28-year-old Angolan woman and her 36-year-old husband.

N$30 000 and cellphones were stolen. The police have not recovered any of the items or money to date.

Police are conducting an inquest into the unnatural death of a one-month-old baby boy who died while his mother was carrying him on her back at Okahao on Wednesday.

Police said a post-mortem would be conducted to determine the cause of death.

A post-mortem will also be conducted on four-month-old Risa Aukongo, who died on Wednesday near Outapi while sleeping with her mother.

A case of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft was opened after close to N$14 000 was stolen from the Twyfelfontein Country Lodge this week.

The suspects, none of whom have been arrested yet, gained entrance to an office and broke a small safe.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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Two Oshakati escapees rearrested

July 6, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Finance PS explains audit worries

≪ Previous: Police probe rape and murder of women, youngsters

Two Oshakati escapees rearrested

Two of the five awaiting-trial detainees who had escaped from the Oshakati police station in April this year have been rearrested and a third arrest is likely to happen soon.

The five escaped in the early morning hours of 1 April after cutting open the roof of their cell.

The Oshana police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Thomas Aiyambo, confirmed the arrests.

Aiyambo said Lukas Simeon, 26, charged with murder and rape in 2012, was rearrested on 2 May at Oshikango in the Ohangwena Region. Johannes Haihambo, 20, charged with robbery and assault in 2016, was rearrested on 16 May at Outapi in the Omusati Region.

Aiyambo said the police were informed that Arsandri Wendelinus, 27, accused of rape in 2013, had been arrested by the Angolan authorities at Ondjiva. A team would be sent to Angola to identify him.

The reason behind this uncertainty was because the suspect might have given the Angolan police a false name.

Theodor Sebedeus, 26, accused of murder in 2013, and Iipinge Gustav, 28, also known as 'Tupac', who is facing charges of murder, assault and malicious damage to property dating back to 2015, are still on the run.

At the time of the escapes, the situation irked Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, who instructed the Oshana regional commander, Commissioner Rauha Amwele, to charge the officers who were on duty at the time with negligence.

“This is the most disturbing news, as I had given proper instructions to all regional commanders and station commanders that they should put in place strict measures to make sure that no more escapes from police stations take place, and whoever disobeys the order will be charged,” Ndeitunga was quoted as saying.

Ndeitunga expressed disappointment at the fact that the closed-circuit television (CCTV) at the police station was out of order on the day of the escape.

The police chief added that once the suspects were rearrested they might reveal who had helped them to escape.

He said the culprits were usually relatives of criminals who smuggled in contraband during visiting hours. Ndeitunga said gifts and food brought to prisoners would be searched.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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Finance PS explains audit worries

July 6, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Battle over SPYL authority in court

≪ Previous: Two Oshakati escapees rearrested

Finance PS explains audit worriesAnswers questions on managing public debt The ministry of finance, led by permanent secretary Ericah Shafudah, yesterday said overburdened staff delayed certain processes.

Finance ministry officials met with a parliamentary standing committee on public accounts this week to offer insight into a number of questions raised by performance reports for the financial years 2012 to 2015 issued by the auditor-general's office

The three people representing the ministry, led by permanent secretary Ericah Shafudah, were asked to shed light on a number of issues of concern.

These included a major finding by the auditors that a recommendation to structure the debt office in line with international best practices had not been implemented to date.

Moreover, the committee asked that the ministry respond to an audit finding that “there is a lack of a clear and comprehensive legislative framework specifically on public debt management which inhibits the ministry's ability to effectively manage public debt”.

Shafudah explained that due to costing concerns, the ministry decided to delegate some of the functions that would be addressed through a restructuring to staff members already employed at the ministry.

Moreover, the Bank of Namibia was asked to assist by taking over the settlement of accounts in order to ease staffing requirements at the ministry.

She said while staff members had been slightly “overloaded” as a result of tasks delegated to them, and the ministry would in the long term consider looking at an increase of staff to conform to the auditor-general's restructuring recommendation, at the moment such a restructuring would be too expensive.

In regard to the legislative concerns, Shafudah said the current State Finance Act was clear on the management of public debt.

She added that regulations and operating guidelines added another level of control.

The standing committee's chairperson, Mike Kavekotora, said the crux of the matter to which the auditors were referring was fact that the current law lacked enforcement tools and asked how the ministry was addressing this concern.

Shafudah said the revision of the public finance bill was under way and would cater for all aspects not clearly addressed in the current law. She said the bill was in an advanced stage.

Lack of cooperation

The third committee question revolved around the limited involvement by the National Planning Commission (NPC) when it came to public debt management, as per the auditors.

The performance report had noted that “failure to prioritise national projects to be funded may result in projects being funded that do not contribute towards the achievement of the national development goals.”

Shafudah explained that the ministry and the NPC worked together as per the NPC's mandate, which was to appraise and recommend projects or programmes submitted to the institution by various government organs.

She said if the NPC did not approve a project or programme, the ministry complied and did not pursue it.

She said as such there was collaboration and cooperation but admitted that in terms of debt management more involvement from the NPC was needed and legislative or regulatory changes could assist with that.

The fourth question was based on the auditor-general's finding that the ministry had not used an online system, the Commonwealth Secretariat-Debt Recording and Management System, to its full capacity and that training on the system was not comprehensive enough.

This, the auditors found, made the oversight and control of public debt ineffective.

According to Shafudah and the deputy director of cash and debt management at the ministry, Marten Ashikoto, the system had limited capacities and was developed mainly for recording foreign debt.

Despite its limitations, including the inability to link the system to other systems used by the ministry and other financial institutions, the ministry had customised additional functionalities, including the recording of domestic debt, she said.

Shafudah and her team were also asked to respond to the auditor-general's finding that risk assessment was not done on monitoring and assessing foreign debt transactions and no risk assessment documents could be provided to the auditors.

Shafudah said despite this finding, in her view the risk management team was “doing very well” despite some challenges, and the ministry had “prudently borrowed”.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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Battle over SPYL authority in court

July 6, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: New PSEMAS contract by October

≪ Previous: Finance PS explains audit worries

Battle over SPYL authority in court

The battle about the leadership of the Swapo Youth League has had a sequel in the High Court in Windhoek with an urgent application challenging the authority of its acting secretary.

Two applicants, Immanuel Nashinge and Sioni Iikela, are seeking an order to interdict and restrain the Swapo Party Youth League secretary, Veikko Nekundi, and its deputy secretary, Mandela Kapere, from proceeding in any way with the implementation of the resolutions and or decisions, including the convening of a congress, taken at the meeting of the SPYL central committee on 13 May 2017.

Others such as Job Amupanda, a member of the central committee, and Elijah Ngurare, secretary for labour and justice, are cited as interested parties in the matter. At the fifth SPYL congress held between 25 August and 2 September 2012 Ngurare was elected unopposed as secretary of the youth wing.

The applicants further want the court to declare as invalid, unlawful and unconstitutional all resolutions/decisions taken at the 13 May meeting. They also want the nomination of Mandela Kapere as a candidate for the position of secretary set aside and declared inconsistent with the provisions of the SPYL constitution.

The court was also asked to declare that Nekundi had lost his membership of the SPYL when he attained the age of 35 years, and to set aside any decision or action taken by him after that date.

They are also seeking a court order directing the SPYL, its secretary and deputy secretary to ensure that the meeting of the central committee is arranged, convened, constituted and held in accordance with the SPYL constitution and that the sixth SPYL congress is arranged, convened and held in accordance with the SPYL constitution.

In the event of opposition, the court was asked to order that the respondents pay the costs of the application.

Amupanda Kamanja, arguing on behalf of Iikela, stated that Amupanda and Ngurare had objected to the validity of SPYL against the application as well as the lack of authority of the deputy secretary of SPYL and Nekundi to oppose the application on behalf of SPYL.

When Judge Shafimana Ueitele wanted to know from the applicants whether the challenge of Nekundi's authority is a strong one and said that facts must be put forward to prove this fact, Nixon Marcus appearing on behalf Nashinge on instructions of Kadhila Amoomo, stated that there were no SPYL congress resolutions supporting his authority.

He stressed that factual issues out of the 13 May 2017 meeting gave rise to the challenge. The national executive of SPYL met on 17 February and resolved that the central committee meeting be held in the same month. However the attendance of Amupanda raised a dispute which could not be resolved and the chairperson adjourned that meeting until further notice.

Then the central committee resolved that Nekundi must approach the Swapo central committee to obtain clarity and reconvene the meeting. The challenge was against the power of Nekundi to set a date and convene such a meeting.

Nekundi argued that Ngurare and Amupanda were expelled from Swapo and by extension from SPYL in July 2015 and as a result they lost whatever positions they had held. Though the High Court set aside their expulsion it pointedly refused to reinstate them to the positions that they had.

He further stated that the applicants failed to show on facts and on the basis of the applicable legal principles that they were entitled to the orders they were seeking and asked that the application be dismissed.

Judgement was reserved.

↧

New PSEMAS contract by October

July 6, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Car crash fraud

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New PSEMAS contract by October

The often abused Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme is being reviewed, with the process expected to end by October.

The change in contract was necessitated by misuse, according to finance minister Calle Schlettwein. He said service providers would be given a month to review the new contract before deciding whether they agreed.

Speaking during a press conference yesterday, the minister said because there were loopholes that were open to abuse, it was necessary to alter the PSEMAS contract.

“We have done a review of the PSEMAS contract, using the current contract as a base. We have found a number of provisions that create loopholes. We have amended the contract and the service providers now have a month's time to scrutinise it,” said Schlettwein.

After the month-long grace period, Schlettwein said his ministry would go ahead with implementation of the new contract. “After all is said and done, come 1 September, the contract will be available to all who want to be service providers who will then be given a month to review. New contracts will then be introduced on 1 October 2017.” Schlettwein used the opportunity to allay fears that service providers would not be paid and said his ministry was working to ensure a speedy turnaround with regard to the issuance of payments.

The government would use some of the proceeds of its loan facility with the African Development Bank to pay service providers, he said, adding that all invoices would be closely scrutinised in order to avoid abuse.

“[The] bottom line of the story is that we have all the ability to service all these debts. We want to get back to a point of paying within 30 days,” said Schlettwein.

According to him, the government had made good on its ability to pay service providers and its turnaround time to pay was shortened considerably to 50 days. “We have caught up as fast as we could. We should be reverting to weekly payment frequencies.”

The government had thus far spent N$1.3 billion in payments to creditors according to Schlettwein, who said no payment would be made without proper scrutiny.

“We will not leave things like that and pay with closed eyes, we must go through a stringent process. We have set up teams that are investigating that,” Schlettwein told the meeting.

↧

Car crash fraud

July 6, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: NPL clubs ready to join hands

≪ Previous: New PSEMAS contract by October

Car crash fraud66 cases of fraud at MVA Fund The MVA Fund has seen 66 cases of fraud over the past five years involving anything from false claims for deceased people to doctors lying about injuries.

A total of 66 fraud cases have been uncovered at the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund) amounting to more than N$1.5 million, involving medical practitioners, crash victims and beneficiaries of the deceased.

These cases stretch from 2010 until 2016 and are all linked to the claims process at the MVA Fund.

They involve claims for injuries (59), loss of income (three), loss of support (two), medical (one), and other benefits (one).

Most of these cases, 59, date back to 2011. Last year five cases were reported.

According to the MVA Fund's CEO Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, the injury grant fraud involved the submission of false information to benefit from the injury grant, medical reports indicating non-existent injuries and false statements with intent to claim from the Fund.

Martins-Hausiku says fraudulent claims related to the loss of income grant involved the submission of false statements with the intent to claim from the fund and an unlicensed driver who used another person's driving license with the intent to claim.

The loss of support grant related to fraud involved the submission of false information about the income of the deceased while the medical benefit related to fraud involving the submission of forged medical reports to benefit from both the medical and the injury grant.

According to Martins-Hausiku another type of fraud committed at the Fund involved the misappropriation of money that was erroneously paid into the account of a suspect.

“The suspects involved in the cases detected by the Fund range from beneficiaries of the deceased, persons involved in road crashes and sustaining injuries, people who at the time of the crash were driving the vehicle(s) as well as suspected medical practitioners in the instance of submission of forged medical reports to benefit from the injury.”

The total value of the recorded 66 cases detected and reported between 2010 and 2016 amounts to N$1.583 million.

“Some are under police investigation while others are before the courts,” said Martins-Hausiku.

She said the MVA Fund like any other entity is susceptible to fraud and corruption in the process of settling claims.

“The Fund therefore employs its fraud and corruption policy to deter fraudulent activities and all incidents of corruption and dishonesty and as such all allegations of fraud and corruption are investigated. Criminal charges are instituted against any person who commits/perpetuates fraud.”

The spokesperson of the Namibian police, Edwin Kanguatjivi said he was aware of these cases. “Fraud is fraud and people will try everything,” he said.

In 2007 MVA Fraud statistics revealed there was 30 criminal court cases, six arrests, one conviction, 21 cases under investigation, a dismissal of one staff member, one staff member resigning before being charged with fraud, while two temporary employees left the Fund pending fraud charges against them from prior places of employment.

The MVA Fund urges its employees, claimants, service providers and the public to report suspicious, corrupt and fraudulent transactions or activities to 081 155 0505 or email: report@mvafund.com.na or alternatively to the police or Anti-Corruption Commission.

ELLANIE SMIT

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NPL clubs ready to join hands

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Yamwe po yomoonakwiiyaka mondjeedhililo yaShakati yakwatululwa

≪ Previous: Car crash fraud

NPL clubs ready to join handsTigers FC happy with NFA's decision It appears as if plans to dissolve the Namibia Premier League (NPL) will not come to fruition after the NFA made a U-turn on some of its earlier decisions.

Several clubs in the Namibia Premier League (NPL) have indicated that they are willing to work together in order to elect a new leadership.

This is after the Namibia Football Association (NFA) issued a letter to the clubs last week Tuesday, instructing them to resolve the league issues.

The letter stated that the ad-hoc committee would be dissolved, leaving the power to elect new leaders in the hands of the 16 NPL clubs.

The NFA further instructed the NPL board of governors to set up a meeting no later than 15 July.

It also expected the board to adopt a new constitution no later than 19 August.

The clubs were instructed to elect a substantive leadership no later than 9 September.

In April, the NFA replaced the NPL interim committee with an ad-hoc committee.

The ad-hoc committee was tasked to oversee negotiations between the NPL and potential sponsors.

The NFA's decision sparked anger among some of the clubs in the premier league.

Some clubs decided that they were going to break away from the league in order to start a professional league. African Stars, Tigers, Orlando Pirates, Blue Waters, Citizens FC and Black Africa led the chorus calling for the league to be dissolved. With the new developments happening at Football House, some of the clubs have welcomed the NFA's latest decision to put power back in the hands of the board of governors.

NPL 2015/16 champions Tigers FC became the first club to voice their views about the decision.

Spokesperson Hafeni Hiveluah said: “We definitely want the situation to be resolved.

“It is a good thing that the NFA realised that they made a mistake in appointing the ad-hoc committee.”

“At the end of the day, the players have been suffering and we are therefore ready to work with all 16 clubs in order to make things work,” he said.

After the letter was issued to the clubs on Tuesday, Blue Waters FC last week held a meeting to discuss the way forward.

Namibian Sun understands that the club continues to blame the NFA for removing the interim committee in the first place.

The club feels that starting a professional league is still the way forward for Namibian football.

“Yes, we are ready to work together with all the 16 clubs in order for football to start.

“That was our decision before until the NFA decided to rule out the interim committee.

“It has just made life difficult for the clubs because at least four clubs will have to call a meeting in order to start the process,” Blue Waters' Robert Shimoshili said.

Shimoshili warned individuals in the NFA not to interfere with league matters again, given the consequences for the players.

“It is time that people shy away from bringing their personal egos into football because it has not been good at all.

“I get very emotional when talking about these things seeing that things could have been fixed already if it was not for some decisions made in April,” he said.

nam FC's spokesperson Evaristus Evaristus said his club's wish was to see the game being played again.

He urged all club owners to unite and adopt a system that would ensure that the beautiful game is played.

“All we need is to play football provided that everything is sorted. We have always been ready to work together with all the clubs,” he said.

JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

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Yamwe po yomoonakwiiyaka mondjeedhililo yaShakati yakwatululwa

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Iipotha yuulingilingi ya lopotwa moshiketha shiiponga yoomondjila

≪ Previous: NPL clubs ready to join hands

Yamwe po yomoonakwiiyaka mondjeedhililo yaShakati yakwatululwa

Yaali yomaalumentu yatano mboka yiiyaka mondjeedhililo yopolisi yaShakati muApilili gwonuumvo oya tulwa miipandeko nomutitatu otaka tulwa mbala miipandeko.

Mboka yatano oyiiyaka mondjeedhililo ndjoka mesiku lyotango lyaApilili sho ya tete oombuli dhondjeedhililo. Omupopiliko gwOpolisi yaShana,Warrant Officer Thomas Aiyambo, okwa koleke etululo miipandeko ndyoka. Aiyambo okwa popi kutya Lukas Simeon, 26, ota pangululwa oshipotha shedhipago nekwatonkonga mo- 2012, okwa tululilwa miipandeko momasiku gaali gaMei mOshikango mOshitopolwa shaHangwena.

Johannes Haihambo, 20, ta tamanekelwa omuyeka kwa homatiwa neehameko mo-2016 okwa tulwa miipandeko momasiku 16 gaMei mOutapi moshitopolwa shaMusati.

Aiyambo okwa popi kutya Arsandri Wendelinus, 27, ngoka ta pangulilwa ekwatonkonga mo-2013 okwa tulwa miipandeko komalelo gaAngola mOndjiva, na otaku ka tumwa osheendo shoka tashi kemu tala nomudhimbulula.

Theodor Sebedeus, 26, ngoka ta tamanekelwa edhipago mo- 2013, Iipinge Gustav, 28, tseyika nedhina 'Tupac', ngoka ta tamanekelwa iipotha yedhipago neehameko oshowo eyonagulo lyomaliko, iipotha mbyoka ya tameke mo-2015 inaya tulwa natango miipandeko.

Onkalo ndjoka oya uvitha nayi Omukomeho gwOpolisi, Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, ngoka a gandja elombwelo kuKomanda gwOpolisi yaShana, Rauha Amwele, opo ku pangulwe aanambelewa mboka ya li miilonga esiku ndyoka ookwatwa dhiiyaka mondjeedhililo.

Ndeitunga okwa holola woo okuuva nayi kwe molwa

oclosed-circuit television (CCTV) yomosasiyona yopolisi kaya li tayi longo esiku ndyoka ookwatwa dhoka dhiiyaka mondjeedhililo.

Okwa tsikile kutya uuna yakwatululwa otashi vulika yaka holole kutya oya kwathelwa kule opo yiiyake mo.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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Iipotha yuulingilingi ya lopotwa moshiketha shiiponga yoomondjila

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Okondalaka ompe yoPSEMAS tayi tulwa miilonga muKotomba

≪ Previous: Yamwe po yomoonakwiiyaka mondjeedhililo yaShakati yakwatululwa

Iipotha yuulingilingi ya lopotwa moshiketha shiiponga yoomondjilaMoonakulonga uulingilingi omwa kwatelwa oonakuhupa miiponga noondohotola Ehangano hali ungaunga noshiketha shiiponga yomoondjila ano Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund) olya dhidhilile iipotha yuulingilingi ya thika po-66 muule woomvula ntano dha piti.

Iipotha yuulingilingi yi li po-66 oya dhidhilikwa mehangano lyoMotor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund) na okwa hololwa kutya uulingilingi mboka owongushu yoomiliyona 1.5, naamboka taya kwatakanithwa nuulingilingi mboka, omwa kwatelwa oonakuninga omaindilo omolwa oonakusila miiponga, oondokotola noonakuhupa miiponga.

Iipotha mbyoka oya tameka mo-2010 sigo 2016, na otayi kwatakanithwa nomaindilo ngoka ga ningwa mehangano ndyoka.

Omaindilo ngoka ga ningwa oga kwatelwa mo omaindilo omolwa omaehameko (59), ekanitho lyiiyemo (3), ekanitho lyeyambidhidho (2), uunamiti (1) oshowo omauwanawa galwe (1).

Iipotha 59 oya za komvula yo-2011 omanga omvula ya piti kwa lopotwa iipotha itano.

Kwiikwatelelwa koohapu dhomunambelewa omukuluntuwiliki gwoMVA Fund, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, omaindilo guuwehame omwakwatela egandjo lyuuyelele wiifundja opo aantu yamone omauwanawa ngoka haga pewa oonaku ehamekelwa miiponga, omauyelele gandokotola giifundja kombinga yuuwehame wiifundja opo omuntu a vule okuninga eindilo koshiketha shoka.

Kombinga yeindilo lyekanitho lyiiyemo okwa gandja omauyelele giifundja opo omuntu a vule okuninga eindilo, oshowo omuhingi ngoka keena omukanda gwokuhinga, a longitha omukanda gwomuntu gumwe opo a vule okuninga eindilo.

Martins-Hausiku okwa tsikile kutya uulingilingi wumwe wa longwa ongashi elongitho pambambo lyiimaliwa mbyoka yali ya futwa momayalulo goombaanga dhaafekelwa.

“Oonakufekelwa mboka ya monika omwa kwatelwa aakwanezimo yoonakusa, oonakuhupa miiponga, oonakuninga omaindilo gokumona uuwanawa okuza koshiketha shoka omanga oyo yali aahingi pethimbo iiponga ya holoka oshowo omauyelele giifundja gopaunamiti ngoka ga gandjwa.”

Ongushu yomaindilo ngoka ga tameke pokati komvula yo2010 no2016 oyili poomiliyona 1.583.

“Yamwe otaya konaakonwa natango kopolisi omanga yamwe taya pangulilwa nale iipotha mbyoka,” Martins-Hausiku ta ti.

Okwa popi kutya oshiketha shoMVA Fund ngaashi naana iiputudhilo yilwe osha taalela eshongo lyuulingilingi pethimbo taku ningwa omaindilo.

“Shoka osha etitha oshiketha shi tule miilonga omulandu gwokufudha mo uulingilingi niikengelela , onkene omaindilo agehe taga konenenwa ohaga konaakonwa, noonakumonika ohaya tulilwa mo iipotha.”

Omupopiliko gwOpolisi yaNamibia, Edwin Kanguatjivi okwa popi kutya oku na ontseyo yiipotha mbyoka.

Mo-2007, omiyaliu dha pitithwa koMVA Fund odha holola kutya iipotha 30 oya tulwa mo na okwa ningwa omatulo miipandeko ga 6, omuntu gumwe okwa monika ondjo, omanga iipotha 21 tayi konaakonwa natango. Omuniilonga gumwe okwa kuthwa miilonga omanga mukwawo iikutha miilonga yemwene omanga ina tameka okukonaakonwa.

Aaniilonga yaali yopakathimbo oya zi miilonga omanga inaya kutililwa omolwa kutya otaya konaakonwa. Oshiketha shoka otashi pula opo aaniilonga yasho, oshigwana naagandji yomayakulo ya lopote omaihumbato kehe taga limbilike gena sha nomaindilo taga ningwa moshiketha shoka konomola yongodhi

081 155 0505 nenge email: report@mvafund.com.na oshowo kopolisi nenge Anti-Corruption Commission.

ELLANIE SMIT

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Okondalaka ompe yoPSEMAS tayi tulwa miilonga muKotomba

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Olugodhi lwoSPYL mompangu

≪ Previous: Iipotha yuulingilingi ya lopotwa moshiketha shiiponga yoomondjila

Okondalaka ompe yoPSEMAS tayi tulwa miilonga muKotomba

Oshiketha shuuwanawa wuunamiti waaniilonga yepangelo otashi ningwa omalunduluko nomalunduluko ngoka okwa tegelelwa ga kale ga manithwa muKotomba nuumvo.

Omalunduluko ngoka otaga ningwa sha landula sho kwa dhidhilikwa elongitho pambambo lyoshiketha shoka okuza kaagandji yamwe po yomayakulo guunamiti, pauyelele wa gandjwa kominista yEmona, Calle Schlettwein.

Minista okwa popi kutya elongitho pambambo ndyoka olya etithwa komwaka ngoka gwa kala moshiketha shoka, naashoka osho sha etithwa omukundu ngoka.

“Otwa talulula okondalaka yoPSEMAS tatu longitha uuyelele mboka wuli mokondalaka ndjoka yi li po ngashiingeyi. Otwa mono kutya omu na iinima oyindji mbyoka ya etitha omwaka ngoka. Otwa ningi omalunduluko mokondalaka ndjoka naagandji yomayakulo guunamiti oye na omwedhi guudha opo ya nongonone okondalaka ndjoka ompe,” Schlettwein ta ti.

Okwa popi kutya konima yomwedhi, uuministeli otawu ka tula miilonga okondalaka ndjoka ompe.

“Konima ayihe ya pu, nena mesiku lyotango lyaSepetemba okondalaka otayi ka kala ya mangulukila ayehe mboka ya hala okugandja omayakulo opo ye yi tale nawa uule womwedhi gumwe. Okondalaka ompe otayi ka tulwa nduno miilonga muKotomba.”

Schlettwein okwa longitha ompito ndjoka okukutha po uumbanda kutya aagandji yomayakalo itaya ka futwa, ta popi kutya uuministeli we otawu ka tula miilonga omulandu gwokweendelelitha iifuta yaagandji yomayakulo ngoka.

Epangelo otali ka longitha yimwe yomiimaliwa yomukuli lya mono okuza koAfrican Development Bank mokufuta aagandji yomayakulo mboka, ta popi kutya omaindilo agehe otaga ka konaakonwa opo ku yandwe uulingilingi.

Minista okwa popi kutya monena epangelo olya longithwa oshimaliwa shoobiliyona 1.3 miifuta na kape na we iifuta tayi ka ningwa inaku talika nawa.

“Itatu keetha we iinima yi li owala ngaaka nokufuta twa pata omeho, otatu ka konaakona nokutula po ongundu yokukonaakona,” Schlettwein a lombwele oonakukala momutumba.

OGONE TLHAGE

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Olugodhi lwoSPYL mompangu

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Brand strategy workshop planned

≪ Previous: Okondalaka ompe yoPSEMAS tayi tulwa miilonga muKotomba

Olugodhi lwoSPYL mompangu

Olugodhi kombinga yelelo lyewawa yaanyasha mongundu yoSwapo, Swapo Youth League olwa pulakenwa mOmpangu yoPombanda yaVenduka.

Aaningi yeindilo yaali Immanuel Nashinge and Sioni Iikela, otaya pula ompangu opo yi ninge etokolo opo amushanga gwoSPYL monena Veikko Nekundi, nomupeha gwe Mandela Kapere, kaya pule komeho netulo miiilonga lyomatokolo gwewawa ndyoka, mwa kwatelwa elongekidho lyomutumba gwomahogololo gaaleli yewawa ndyoka ,ga ningwa pethimbo lyomutumba gwoSPYL central committee momasiku 13 Mei 2017.

Yalwe po oJob Amupanda, oshilyo shelelo lyopombanda , oshowo Elijah Ngurare, ngoka li a hogololwa keena omukondjithi onga amushanga gwewawa ndyoka momutumba gwomahogololo omutitano ngoka ga ningwa momasiku 25 gaAuguste 2012 sigo gaali gaSepetemba 2012.

Oonakuninga omaindilo oya hala ompangu opo yi kuthe oonkondo omatokolo agehe ngoka ga ningwa momutumba gwaMei, na oya hala woo euliko lyaMandela Kapere onga okandindate momahogololo guuamushanga wewawa ndyoka li kuthwe oonkondo.

Ompangu oya pulwa woo opo yi ninge etokolo kutya Nekundi okwa kanitha uukwashilyo we moSPYL sho a gwanitha oomvula 35 nokukutha oonkondo omatokolo ngoka a ningi momutumba ngoka gwa ningwa.

Mboka oya pula woo ompangu opo yi gandje elombwelo kutya omatokolo agehe taga ningwa naga ningwe kwiikwatelelwa kekotampango lyoSPYL.

Aakalelipo yopaveta yaaningi yeindilo ndyoka oya holola kutya Nekundi ke na oonkondo pakotampango lyoSPYL okuninga omatokolo nokukwatela komeho omitumba dhelelo lyopombanda dhewawa ndyoka.

Nekundi okwa popi kutya Ngurare naAmupanda oya tidhwa moSwapo oshowo moSPYL muJuli gwo-2015 onkene oya kanitha oompito dhelelo adhihe dhoka dha kala momake gawo. Ompangu oya ningi etokolo kutya etidho lyawo kalya li pampango ihe oya tindi okuninga etokolo ngele mboka naya shuninwe oompito dhawo dhelelo ndhoka ya kala nadho.

Etokolo meindilo ndyoka otali ka ningwa mbala.

FRED GOEIEMAN

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Brand strategy workshop planned

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: N$2 million for shack dwellers

≪ Previous: Olugodhi lwoSPYL mompangu

Brand strategy workshop plannedAcademics, spokespersons, media specialists welcome The two-day CPD training will be facilitated by Margareth Gustavo, managing director at Cornerstone Joe Public. STAFF REPORTER

The Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa Namibia will be hosting a continuing professional development training on brand strategy and communication from 26 to 27 July 2017 at the Bank Windhoek learning and development department at the Décor House in Dr W Kulz Street in Windhoek.

The purpose of the workshop is to give public relations practitioners and interested persons a sneak peek into developing brand strategies, and to understand how they can assist the marketing in building or communicating the brand.

The training will be facilitated by Margareth Gustavo, managing director at Cornerstone Joe Public, and will cover topics such as overview on brands, gathering insights, brand strategy, communication strategy and channel strategy.

“I would like to invite all public relations practitioners, liaison officers, spokespersons, media specialists, academics in the communications field and students to register and attend this prestigious CPD training,” said Rhingo Mutambo, chairperson of PRISA Namibia.

“It is one of PRISA Namibia’s roles to provide CPD training for public relations practitioners, and students through various forms such as formal education and training, skills programmes, workshops, conferences, research, sharing of information through presentations, case studies, participation in awards programmes, mentoring and coaching”, added Mutambo.

The next PRISA Namibia CPD will be held in September 2017.

Registered PRISA members will pay N$450 per participant, non-members will pay N$500 per participant, and students will pay N$250 per participant.

Interested participants can make their bookings at prisanamibia@gmail.com or alternatively contact Sanet de Waal at sanetdewaal@gmail.com or 081 289 2902.

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N$2 million for shack dwellers

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Collaboration from government sought

≪ Previous: Brand strategy workshop planned

N$2 million for shack dwellers STAFF REPORTER

In marking its second annual campaign launch, Standard Bank through its Buy-a-Brick initiative donated an astounding N$2 million to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia in Windhoek’s Havana informal settlement

Standard Bank CEO Vetumbuavi Mungunda officially handed over the donation in the presence of the minister of urban and rural development, Sophia Shaningwa, regional council chairperson Rachel Jacobs and the mayor of Windhoek, Muesee Kazapua.

“We announced the inception of this flagship initiative in 2015 with two key objectives: To render our support and contribution to help alleviate the acute shortage of housing in Namibia, especially for the low- and no-income members of our society, and increase awareness about this plight of housing shortage and the efforts of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia among the Namibian public and the private sector in particular for them to find ways of lending their support,” Mungunda said at the handover.

Shaningwa commended Standard Bank for its commitment to aid in alleviating the housing shortage in the country, stressing that these kinds of initiatives would help the government in achieving long-term goals such as Vision 2030.

“I would like to thank Standard Bank for mobilising the private sector and public to actively contribute in eradicating the housing shortage in the country through the Buy-a-Brick initiative. Standard Bank under the stewardship of its chief executive has adhered to financial prudence and good governance which I commend them for,” she said.

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Collaboration from government sought

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Diamond mine a good buy

≪ Previous: N$2 million for shack dwellers

Collaboration from government sought

The government should collaborate with the public to operate efficiently and effectively, says the deputy director of the University of Namibia's Multidisciplinary Research Centre, Kletus Likuwa.

Likuwa made the remark during the commemoration of Africa Public Service Day at Nkurenkuru in the Kavango West Region on Wednesday.

He said collaboration was the only strategy that would allow public-sector organisations to reach across all jurisdictions and significantly improve their ability to deliver service faster.

Likuwa, who made a presentation on the main theme of the event, said the government could do this by establishing institutions that work jointly to serve as platforms to undertake research on citizens and business services that are needed.

He said national surveys on citizen and business satisfaction and their priorities could be done twice a year for improvement purposes as well as promoting the use of common measurement tools to measure and benchmark the satisfaction of citizens.

“Established institutions are catalysts for sharing information, identifying common challenges, initiating research and gaining insight into the needs of the citizens,” said Likuwa.

The government is undertaking a Citizen Satisfaction Survey under the office of the prime minister aimed at measuring the rate of satisfaction of public service delivery.

A stakeholders' briefing on the findings is scheduled for the end of September.

The two-day event was attended by prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, cabinet secretary George Simataa, several members of parliament and some regional governors.

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Diamond mine a good buy

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: All Blacks' series ends in draw

≪ Previous: Collaboration from government sought

Diamond mine a good buyTrustco justifies price tag on undeveloped mine A valuation carried out by an independent expert approved by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange puts the price of Trustco's new diamond mine at N$6.5 billion.

Trustco group CEO Quinton van Rooyen believes he has created great value for Trustco shareholders following the acquisition of a Northern Namibia Development Company-owned, yet-to-be-productive diamond mine from his family which saw upwards of N$3 billion change hands between the Van Rooyens and exiting Trustco shareholders.

Trustco company secretary Amanda Bruyns said that the process was compliant and fair with no interference from the family of majority shareholder, Quinton Van Rooyen.

“The first process was the initial transaction of the acquisition of the mine. It was a related party transaction therefore he could not vote. The shareholders approved the transactions then subsequently there was an amendment to the Huso transaction that did not change the price but because it was a related party it needed to go back to shareholders and through the entire process again,” Bruyn said in response to questions at a press conference.

“The JSE requires that an independent expert determine whether the transaction was fair. Again the independent party, which are the Van Rooyens, were excluded from voting in that transaction,” she added.

According to her, the valuation was extensive and in line with international best practices. “He had to use two valuation approaches and then he also had to do a fairness opinion on the transaction and for which he used the discounted cash-flow method and when he used the DCFM.

The tests were done independently, Bruyn's explained, doubling the value of the mine. “He determined that the value of the transaction in his opinion was N$6.5 billion and not the purchase price of N$3.6 billion that was done independently and he was not a related party and he is approved by the JSE,” said Bruyns.

The shareholders also voted on the Huso amendment and that was approved at the AGM on 13 June 2017, according to her.

The transaction according to Van Rooyen created significant value for Trustco shareholders and was a very good deal, in his opinion. “In a nutshell, from the family to a body of shareholders, N$3 billion went through or moved in additional value so it was sold for N$3.6 billion but an independent valuator said its actually worth N$6.5 billion which I think is a very good deal for the shareholders,” said Van Rooyen of the Huso transaction.

Trustco financial director Floors Abraham said that the resources department would contribute positively to Trustco's fortunes.

“We are still waiting for the issuance of the mining licence. Then there's the Meya project in Sierra Leone. We foresee that the resources division will contribute to revenue in 2017,” said Abrahams.

Trustco dramatically altered the terms of a controversial N$3.6 billion diamond mining deal, which is still awaiting approval from mining authorities, the Financial Mail wrote last year.

“It's a risky deal because the 'paper' value of the diamond assets, which have no meaningful profit history or solid tangible asset underpin, are worth more than Trustco's N$2.3 billion market capitalisation,” Financial Mail said in its November 2016 article.

“A fixed number of shares will be issued to Van Rooyen during the nine-year payment term. The profit projections of the combined diamond assets are N$250 million of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation in four unspecified trading periods in exchange for 120 million Trustco shares each time the profit target is reached,” said Financial Mail.

“The forecast earnings for the mining assets are nearly triple the market cap of JSE-listed diamond miner Trans Hex,” it said of the deal.

-additional reporting by Financial Mail

OGONE TLHAGE

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All Blacks' series ends in draw

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: United move realises childhood dream: Lukaku

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All Blacks' series ends in drawFarrell scores sensational penalty The two teams failed to win the match as some referee decisions brought the game to a stalemate.

Owen Farrell scored a long-range penalty three minutes from time as the British and Irish Lions drew 15-15 with the All Blacks to tie a series for the first time in their 129-year history on Saturday.

New Zealand, who haven't lost at Eden Park for 23 years, were aggrieved when a last-minute penalty for offside within kicking range was overruled after a video review.

All Blacks fullback Jordie Barrett, in his first Test start, set up one try and scored another in the opening half, in what were to be the third and final Test's only tries.

It was 12-12 with 20 minutes left before a Beauden Barrett penalty restored the All Blacks' lead only for Farrell to knock one over from 48 metres to make it 15-15 on 77 minutes.

Farrell finished the night with 12 points from four penalty kicks, while Elliott Daly also booted a huge effort from his own half for the Lions just after half-time.

Warren Gatland's Lions, who were given no chance against the world champions early in their tour, can feel vindicated with the series result, although neither side was entirely happy.

“It's come down to the wire and we've ended up with one hand on the trophy each which is a bit like kissing your sister,” said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

“As little kids we are told to take the good with the bad and we have to do that,” he added, referring to the late penalty reversal.

“It's a decision the ref has made and we will live with it.”

Lions captain Sam Warburton, who lifted the trophy with his opposite number Kieran Read, said: “I'm not sure what to make of that really I was getting ready for extra time.

“Both teams are going to be gutted they didn't take a series win... I guess it's a little bit of an anti-climax from the players' point of view,” he added.

The All Blacks bossed the first half and they led 12-6 at the break, but the Lions struck back with two penalties from Daly and Farrell to level the scores at 12-12.

In a frantic final 20 minutes, the All Blacks regained the lead after Wyatt Crockett forced a scrum collapse, allowing Beauden Barrett to put them ahead 15-12 with the penalty.

But their slim lead evaporated on 77 minutes when Farrell, also the Lions' hero in last week's 24-21 victory when he kicked the winning points, landed another crucial penalty.

The All Blacks, 30-15 winners in the first Test, were clearly stung by losing the second Test last week in Wellington, and they began the match at a furious pace.

After a helter-skelter opening 10 minutes, Daly beat Israel Dagg in the air to take the Lions up to the New Zealand line, only for the two rookie All Blacks to turn defence into points.

An intercept by Jordie Barrett set Laumape racing 80 metres before he was cut down from behind by Jonathan Davies.

From a resulting scrum, Beauden Barrett kicked across field for Jordie Barrett to leap high and instinctively palm the ball back to Laumape for the opening try.

The Lions replied with a penalty to Farrell, but their time in All Blacks territory was limited and it was only poor handling by the New Zealanders that eased the pressure on the tourists.

When the Lions did get within striking range they made it count, with Farrell adding a second penalty to close within one point before Jordie Barrett was back in the action with the All Blacks' second try.

In the countdown to half-time, Brodie Retallick won an untidy lineout and the All Blacks went wide for Barrett to score in space on the right.

A third penalty to the Lions, this time a 52-metre shot from Daly, lifted the Lions at the start of the second half, and Farrell's third successful kick, also from distance, put them level with 20 minutes remaining.

Barrett stroked the All Blacks back in front 15-12 with 13 minutes left, before Farrell levelled the scores for the final time, ultimately squaring what was a riveting series.

In the final minute, the All Blacks won a penalty within range for a Ken Owens offside, only for referee Romain Poite to rule the offence accidental and reduce the punishment to a scrum.

“Maybe it's the right result for the series. Both teams played well in patches and tonight we just couldn't be split,” said All Blacks skipper Read, who was playing his 100th Test.

“It's just one of those ones I don't know what to feel, it's a funny one.”

NAMPA / AFP

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United move realises childhood dream: Lukaku

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Tanzania take Cosafa bronze

≪ Previous: All Blacks' series ends in draw

United move realises childhood dream: Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku says his move from Everton to Manchester United for a reported £75million, breaking the transfer record for a deal between British clubs, is the opportunity he had always dreamed of as a child.

The 24-year-old Belgian international striker, who is Everton's record Premier League goal scorer with 68, told ESPN he hadn't hesitated over the move even though his former club Chelsea offered a similar fee but apparently baulked at the sizeable commission his agent Mino Raiola demanded. Lukaku made no mention of Chelsea, whose manager Antonio Conte is said to feel betrayed by the striker with whom he had spoken on several occasions since the end of last season.

“It's (Manchester United) a club that is hungry to win the league again, to be dominant in the world again,” Lukaku told ESPN, who say they spoke to him after his medical.

“It's the sort of opportunity I've always wanted since a child.

“When they came calling I didn't have to think twice, so I'm really delighted to be part of history.”

Lukaku, whom United manager Jose Mourinho sold to Everton for £28m in 2014 whilst in his second spell in charge of Chelsea, said the United move for him was the perfect storm.

“Who would say no to the biggest club in the world?” said Lukaku, who is to be paid reportedly over £200 000 a week by United.

“The best stadium in England, the best fans. I mean, it's the perfect opportunity.

“I always said I wanted to play for a team that's challenging for every trophy that there is there.

“I think Manchester United at the minute wants to be the dominant team, the dominant force.”

Lukaku, who turned down the most lucrative contract ever offered by Everton at the end of last season which had seen him score 25 Premier League goals, conceded he would have to step up his work rate to please the demanding Mourinho.

“Now it's time to work hard, work harder than I ever did before and I'm willing to do it,” said Lukaku.

His move comes as he faces a fine after being issued a misdemeanour citation by Los Angeles police for too much noise at a party he hosted in his holiday mansion.

NAMPA / AFP

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Tanzania take Cosafa bronze

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Ronaldinho boosts Pakistani football

≪ Previous: United move realises childhood dream: Lukaku

Tanzania take Cosafa bronze

A penalty shootout decided the bronze medal in favour of Tanzania at the Cosafa Castle Cup.

Tanzania beat Lesotho 4-2 on post-match spot kicks after the third-place playoff at the tournament ended goalless.

Lesotho missed a myriad of chances as they dominated the tired Tanzanians but squandered opportunities right in front of goal.

It was only the third game of the tournament for Lesotho, who came in at the quarter-final stage, while Tanzania were playing their sixth match inside two weeks.

In the first half American-based midfielder Thabantso Jane had his shot deflected onto the upright and after the break Kefuoe Mahula and Sera Motebang were guilty of wasting good opportunity.

Towards the end of the game Tanzania might have snatched it but Mzamiru Yasin fired wide.

Tanzania missed their first penalty in the shootout to hand Lesotho an immediate advantage but Sera Motebang hit the upright and then captain Thapelo Mokhele had his kick brilliantly saved to hand Raphael Loth the job of winning the medals for the Taifa Stars, which he executed with aplomb.

Meanwhile, COSAFA have confirmed the prize money for the tournament, with Sunday's victors in the final walking away with R500 000. The runners-up will receive R250 000.

Tanzania collected R150 000 to go with their bronze medal, while Lesotho and South Africa each walked away with R100 000.

COSFA Media

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Ronaldinho boosts Pakistani football

July 9, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Disaster strikes Nam football

≪ Previous: Tanzania take Cosafa bronze

Ronaldinho boosts Pakistani footballFormer footballers play in exhibition match Fans thronged to the Karachi stadium for the match late Saturday, with some travelling long distances for the rare chance to watch the footballing greats.

Brazil's Ronaldinho and a host of other former top footballers played an exhibition match in Pakistan on Saturday in a push to encourage people in the cricket-mad nation to take up the game.

Recently-retired Ronaldinho, who graced the Barcelona shirt in his prime, told reporters he wanted to “provide a good show” in the country, which is looking to entice more international stars as security improves.

“Thank you for all the admiration and treating me so well,” he said ahead of a match in Karachi, the first of two games in the trip.

The group dubbed 'Ronaldinho and Friends' also includes former Manchester United stalwart Ryan Giggs, former England goalkeeper David James, Dutch star George Boateng, former French players Robert Pires and Nicolas Anelka, and Portuguese player Luis Boa Morte.

“I set off early this morning for Karachi,” Mohammad Yaqoob told AFP. “I am here for the love of football and Ronaldinho.”

Student Bilal Malik, who had come with a group of friends, said the Brazilian player was the star of the match, which also included homegrown players.

“His skills are mind-boggling. I want to see him play live before my eyes,” he said.

Pakistan boasted a top place in Asian football until the early 1970s, but a lack of government support and poor infrastructure helped push them to as low as 200th in the FIFA football rankings.

The game is growing in popularity once more, however, even in a country obsessed with cricket.

Ronaldinho, 37, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2005 as football's best player of the year and who was part of the 2002 World Cup winning team, said he is on a goodwill mission aimed at inducing youngsters to play the game.

Giggs, who retired in 2014, said he had heard the country had ample footballing talent and was home to a strong Manchester United fan base.

“I will be happy if I inspire the youth, which is my job,” he said.

Pakistani organisers Leisure League, a subsidiary of World Group hope to both promote football, and signal that security has improved in the militancy-plagued country. Officials want to welcome back international sport, which fled the country after an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009.

The Pakistani Army is deploying troops in and around hotels, airports and stadiums over the weekend, officials have said.

Arriving early Saturday by private jet, the players were hosted for lunch by army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who expressed hope that the visit would be the first of many.

“Pakistan is a peace loving country and we love sports,” he said.

The group were to play a second exhibition match in Lahore yesterday.

NAMPA / AFP

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