Omiyalu dhuukongo waali paveta tadhi limbilike

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Itaku pitikwa okutungwa mOmatando sigo omvula twa taalela

≪ Previous: Oonakwiikuthila evi taya pataneke etokolo lyompangu

$

0

0

Omiyalu dhuukongo waali paveta tadhi limbilike Aantu ka ye vulithe po-80 ya tulwa miipandeko Oshikondo shEgameno lyOmidhingoloko osha pititha omiyalu dhiimbuluma yiiyamakuti okutameka omvula yo-2014, ndhoka itadhi tsu kumwe nomiyalu dha li dha pitithwa petameko lyomvula. Oshiwike sha piti, Uuministeli wOmidhongoloko owa pititha omwaalu gwaantu mboka ya tulwa miipandeko omolwa iimbuluma yiiyamakuti mbyoka ya longwa pokati ko-2014 no 2017 moNamibia.

Omiyalu ndhoka dha pitithwa itadhi tsu kumwe nomiyalu ndhoka dha pewa oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun muFebruali nuumvo.

Sho ya ningilwa omapulo, uuministeli owa popi kutya owa gandja omiyalu omipe molwaashoka opwa kala omalimbililo megandjo lyuuyelele mboka.

Omiyalu ndhoka dha gandjwa ngashiingeyi odha popi kutya aantu omathele oya tulwa miipandeko omolwa uukongo waaheli paveta omvula ya piti, omanga omiyalu ndhoka dha pitithwa nale dha holola kutya mboka ya tulwa miipandeko omvula ndjoka, aashona paafekelwa 80.



Omiyalu dhaFebruali odha holola kutya mboka ya tulwa miipandeko omvula ya piti oyendji okuyeleka naantu mboka ya tulwa miipandeko pokati komvula yo-2014 sigo 2017 pauyelele mboka wa pitithwa oshiwike sha piti.



Omiyalu ndhoka dha pitithwa petameko lyaFebruali odha holola kutya aantu 231 oya tulwa miipandeko okutameka petameko ly-2016 sigo oJanuari gwonuumvo.

Mokati kaantu 231 mboka ya tulwa miipandeko 222 oya tulwa miipandeko omolwa iipotha yuukongo waali paveta, ihe omiyalu omipe odha holola kutya pokati komvula yo-2014 naJuni gwonuumvo aafekelwa 246 oya tulwa miipandeko.

Omiyalu dhoshiwike shika odha holola kutya aantu owala 78 ya tulwa miipandeko mo-2016, mo-2015 96, 2014 29 nonuumvo 43.

Omiyalu dhaFebruali odha li dha holola kutya omvula ya piti AaNamibia 83 oya tulwa miipandeko omolwa uukongo, 8 Aachina, 17 Aazambia oshowo Aangola yaali.

Opu na woo 100 mboka uukwashigwana wawo inawu tumbulwa.

Okuza mo-2014 sigo omwedhi Juni nuumvo, AaNamibia 180 oya tulwa miipandeko omolwa uukongo, 19 Aazambia, omuZimbambwe gumwe, Aangola 23, Aabotswana ya-6, Aakongo yatatu, omuTanzania gumwe oshowo Aachina 13.







Mo-2016 AaNamibia 53, Aazambia 11, Aangola 8 nAachina 6.

Namibian Sun okwa ningi omapulaapulo omolwa omiyalu ndhoka itadhi tsu kumwe nuuministeli owa yamukula kutya omiyalu dhonale odha li dha pukithwa.

“Konima sho twa tala nawa otwa mono kutya okwa ningwa omapuko. Pamwe iipotha mbyoka ya patululwa, kwa popiwa kutya omatulo miipandeko ga ningwa.”

Uuministeli owa popi kutya owa wapaleke omapuko ngoka, nokupititha omiyalu omipe.

Omiyalu omipe, aantu 252 oya tulwa miipandeko okutameka omvula yo-2014. Nuumvo 49, omanga 78 ya tulwa miipandeko omvula ya piti. Aantu 96 oya tulwa miipandeko mo2015, omanga mo-2014 aantu 29.

Aakwashigwana yaChina 14 oya tulwa miipandeko okuza mo-2014, mwakwatelwa yatatu nuumvo. AaNamibia 185 oya tulwa miipandeko okuza o-2014 mwakwatelwa 33 omvula ya piti.

Aakwashigwana yaAngola 23 oya tulwa miipandeko, yaheyali omvula ya piti, yahamano aakwashigwana yaBotswana, mwakwatelwa yaali omvula ya piti, Omukwashigwa gwaTanzania gumwe oshowo aakwashigwana yaCongo yatatu.





ELLANIE SMIT

---

Itaku pitikwa okutungwa mOmatando sigo omvula twa taalela

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Swapo okuli mehalakano - Kazenambo

≪ Previous: Omiyalu dhuukongo waali paveta tadhi limbilike

$

0

0

Itaku pitikwa okutungwa mOmatando sigo omvula twa taalela Aakwashigwana yomOmatando itaya pitikwa okutunga pooplota dhawo sigo omwedhi Januari omvula twa twaalela, sho elelo lyondoolopa yaNgwediva tali pangele okweendelelitha eyambulepo lyomudhingoloko ngoka.

Uuyelele mboka owa landula oshigongi shoka sha ningwa kelelo lyondoolopa naakwashigwana momasiku ga8 gaJuli moka aakwashigwana ya pula opo ya lombwelwe kutya itaya pitikwa okutunga omahala gawo sigo uunake.

Epulo ndyoka olya pulwa kaakwashigwana oyendji mboka ya holola kutya oyendji oya landa nale iitungithi yawo omanga yamwe ye wete kutya otaya koko na oya pumbwa okutunga omahala gawo.

Yamwe oya popi kutya otaya thiminikwa ya kahiile niimaliwa mbyoka taya longitha oyali ye na okuyi longitha mokutunga omahala gawo. Elelo inali vula oku yamukula kepulo ndyoka pethimbo lyomutumba sha etitha aakwashigwana yamwe yiitekemo moshigongi.

Omupopiliko gwondoolopa yaNgwediva, Jackson Muma okwa popi kutya opo elelo li vule okuyambulapo nokuninga ehala ndyoka oshitopolwa shondoolopa yaNgwediva, nena omatungo oga pumbwa okukalekwa.

“Elelo itali ka pitika etungo mOmatungo sigo omwedhi Januari gwomvula twa taalela opo ondoolopa ndjoka yi vule okuyambulwapo. Okuya muJanuari iinima ayihe otayi kala ya manithwa, noshigwana otashi ka pitikwa shi tunge uuna oompangela dhomatungo dha ziminwa kelelo lyondoolopa,” Muma ta ti.

Muma okwa popi kutya nonando ohashi kutha ethimbo opo omudhingoloko gu vule okuyambulwa nokuningwa oshitopolwa shondoolopa yontumba, elelo lyaNgwediva otali ka kwashilipaleka kutya ethimbo olya ningwa efupi.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Swapo okuli mehalakano - Kazenambo

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: ECB stimulus encouraged

≪ Previous: Itaku pitikwa okutungwa mOmatando sigo omvula twa taalela

$

0

0

Swapo okuli mehalakano - KazenamboSwartbooi ta ningilwa omatilitho Ominista nale yokabinete koshilongo oya kondema nomuthindo ongundu yoSwapo, sha landula omapopyo ga ningwa ku amushanga gwongundu ndjoka. Kazenambo Kazenambo okwa nyana omapopyo gaNangolo Mbumba, ngoka a popi kutya otaya ka ungaunga noshilyo shopaliamende, Bernadus Swartbooi omolwa omapopyo ngoka a ningi mehuliloshiwke lya piti.

Pethimbo lyuulalelo mboka wuunganekwa kehwahwameko lyoLandless People's Movement (LPM) moKaiti, Swartbooi okwa popi kutya aantu mboka yomonooli yoshilongo kaye na uuthemba wokundungika aantu kombinga yevi lyuuthiga nokupopya kutya ongundu yoSwapo otayi gandja owala omauwanawa kaantu yamwe po.

“Muudemokoli ito vulu okupopya kutya oto ka ungaunga nomuntu, oto ka ungaunga nomuntu ngoka ngiini?” Kazenambo a pula.

Kazenambo okwa popi kutya omapopyo goludhi ndoka okuza komuleli gwongundu otashi ulike kutya ongundu oyi li muupyakadhi nomehalakano.

Mbumba ina yelitha kutya okwa hala okutya ngiini sho a popi kutya otaya ka ungaunga naSwartbooi omolwa omapopyo ngoka a ningi.

“Onda lombwele iikundaneki yimwe kutya 'itandi ti sha' tashi ti itandi popi sha,” Mbumba a yamukula.

Kazenambo okwa fekele kutya omapopyo gaMbumba otashi vulika ga hala okutya otaya ka tidha Swartbooi momutumba gopaliamende omanga ina ningilwa omutumba gwomautho.

“Swartbooi okwa tidhwa miilonga ye keena shoka a ningi. Shoka ta ningi okukalela po aathigona ihe ngashiingeyi ota ningilwa omatilitho, kutya otaka ungaungiwa naye. Omulumentu ngoka ota holola nokweeta plweela ongeyo yoshigwana , kutya omushi hole nenge kamu shi hole.”

“Katu li we moshilongo shuudemokoli, ihe otu li moshilongo shuudemokili wiifundja. Ethimbo olya dhikana opo oshigwana moshilongo shi dhimbulule. Inatu taalela owala onkalo yopaliko yanayipala ,ihe otwa taalela woo onkalo yopapolotika yanayipala,” Kazenambo a popi. Okwa tsikile kutya Swartbooi okuli omutumwa gwoshigwana na ota gandja owala omaiyuvo goshigwana ihe ngashiingeyi aantu oya hala oku mu mweneka.

Okwa popi woo kombinga yetidho lyomukomeho gwoNamibian Institute for Public Administration and Management (Nipam)

Dr Joe Diescho oshowo etidho lyaakomeho yoAffirmative Repositioning (AR) movement okuza mongundu tayi pangele.

Okwa popi kutya ngoka omukundu omunene molwaashoka Swapo otayi lelwa onga ongundu yuukayamukulwa.

Okwa tsikile kutya ngele Swapo okwa hala okukalekapo elandulathano nena okwa pumbwa okukala ta lambalala oohandimwe nokuninga omakonaakono moshilongo kombinga yuukwamuhoko, nokumona kutya uupyakadhi owu li peni.

Okwa tsikile kutya aantu otaya ningile Swartbooi omatilitho omanga pe na iimaliwa tayi kana moshilongo ngaashi iimaliwa yoSME Bank, iimaliwa yoomiliyona 47 ya longithwa owina moshipotha shoka tashi ungaunga nomadhipago ga kiinahenda ga ningwilwa AaNamibia kuGermany, iimaliwa yoKora Awards, GIPF oshowo iimaliwa oyindji ya kana ihe kape na ngoka uungaungiwa naye.

Okwa pula ngele Swapo ngashiingeyi okwa nuninwa okukalekapo uuwanawa woshigwana nenge owoohandimwe.

Swartbooi okwa holola kutya ke na ohokwe okuthiga po ongundu yoSwapo nokutota ongundu, ta yelitha woo kutya LPM kayi shi ongundu yopolotika.

CATHERINE SASMAN

ECB stimulus encouraged

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Tullow Oil stays in red

≪ Previous: Swapo okuli mehalakano - Kazenambo

$

0

0

ECB stimulus encouraged The European Central Bank should maintain a “firmly accommodative” monetary policy for an “extended period”, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday, as it forecast inflation remaining below target.

As the ECB prepares for a decision in autumn on whether to claw back its stimulus programme, the IMF said calls for an exit from easy-money policy were “premature” because consumer prices were not increasing enough.

In its annual report on the euro zone, the IMF estimated euro zone inflation will reach 1.6% this year before slowing to 1.5% in 2018, below the ECB target of below but close to 2%.

The forecasts were actually stronger than the ECB's latest one, released in June, which predicted the bloc's inflation rate at 1.5% this year and 1.3% in 2018.

“The costs of a long period of inflation undershooting continue to exceed those of a temporary overshoot,” the IMF said.

“The calls from some quarters for an exit from monetary accommodation are therefore premature,” it added. Germany has been the biggest critic of ECB's €2.3 trillion ($2.7 trillion) money-printing programme.

To help a sustained recovery of inflation, the IMF encouraged Germany and other euro zone's countries with high growth to push for “robust” wage and price rises, even if this could bring domestic inflation beyond the 2% limit for a limited period.

Germany, the bloc's largest economy, should also increase public investments, a move that could stimulate growth and structural reforms in weaker euro zone's countries, such as Italy, it said.

At the same time, Italy and other high-debt countries should take advantage of the recovery to carry out reforms and build buffers against future shocks, the IMF recommended.

The IMF upgraded on Monday its output growth projections for the euro zone to 1.9% this year, and to 1.7% in 2018.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Tullow Oil stays in red

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: NWR renovates two facilities

≪ Previous: ECB stimulus encouraged

$

0

0

Tullow Oil stays in redWeak oil prices drag down asset values The Anglo oil company's loss-making streak has been extended by three years following the publication of its financials. Tullow Oil reported a deeper-than-expected operating loss for the first half as lower oil price expectations forced it to book hefty impairment charges, but the market welcomed news it had raised a cost-saving target by US$150 million.

London-listed Tullow, whose main operations are in Africa, stayed in the red in the first half 2017 with an operating loss of US$395 million, steeper than the US$350 million loss expected by analysts. This was mainly due to a US$572 million charge on its Ghanaian TEN oilfields, which it brought on stream last year.

This extends Tullow's loss-making streak after it reported a third straight annual loss for 2016 in February.

But the firm, which appointed a new chief executive and chief financial officer in the past three months, is starting to turn a corner after it was hit hard by falling oil prices when it was spending heavily on new projects.

Tullow was free cash flow positive in the first half of the year at US$205 million and managed to reduce debt to US$3.8 billion, down from US$4.8 billion at the end of 2016, mainly due to using the proceeds from a surprise rights issue.

On Wednesday, Tullow also announced a fresh internal cost reduction target of US$650 million by mid-2018 from a mid-2015 base.

“We believe the company has turned a corner. Tullow has the ability to generate free cash flow and further improve its balance sheet, whilst also continuing to offer high-impact exploration potential,” said analysts at BMO Capital Markets.

The firm is gearing up to drill for oil offshore Suriname in an area close to where U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil Corp announced a new oil discovery and raised its resource estimate on Tuesday.

But shareholders expecting a reinstatement of the dividend will have to remain patient. CEO Paul McDade told Reuters the company was unlikely to do this before the end of next year.

“We see the dividend as a potential part of that overall shareholder return at the right time,” he said, adding that bringing production from the TEN oilfields to full capacity over the coming 18 months would be one of the parameters to meet.

NAMPA/REUTERS

NWR renovates two facilities

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Need for sustainable development awards

≪ Previous: Tullow Oil stays in red

$

0

0

NWR renovates two facilitiesNew lease of life for /Ai-/Ais hot springs /Ai-/Ais hot springs and spa were partially closed and underwent a major facelift this year. Namibia Wildlife Resorts earlier this year undertook to improve its /Ai-/Ais hot springs and spa, Terrace Bay resort and Okaukuejo restaurant. The upgrades were aimed at bringing the facilities up to date and to a standard that its guests have come to expect from the tourism establishment.

/Ai-/Ais hot springs and spa, which were partially closed, underwent a major facelift. The work included an upgrade of the sanitary fittings in the rooms, the replacement of the spa pool tiles and the refurbishment of the restaurant and storeroom. The entire resort was also painted to refresh its look.

“Telios Namibia Consulting Engineers, who are managing the project, assured NWR that the resort will be fully functional from 4 August 2017. Based upon a further assessment that was not part of the initial renovations, Telios Namibia Consulting Engineers have committed to renovating the VIP rooms to bring them to the standard of the rest of the resort.

“These renovations are envisioned to be completed within the first week of September 2017,” said Zelna Hengari, NWR's managing director.

According to her, improvements at other establishments are on course for completion.

“With regard to the Okaukuejo restaurant, 80% of the work has been completed with some minor work remaining to be done. It is worthy to note that all the pool areas have been tiled. When it comes to Terrace Bay, 90% of the work has been done with minor touch-ups remaining,” added Hengari.

Hengari expressed delight at the progress but regretted the impact that some of the renovations have had on the guest experience.

“Our guests are our number one priority and we want to assure them that we do appreciate their business and will always strive to enhance their experience at our facilities,” said Hengari.



STAFF REPORTER

Need for sustainable development awards

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: MTC to cover 100% of population

≪ Previous: NWR renovates two facilities

$

0

0

Need for sustainable development awards The second edition of the Sustainable Development Awards was launched on 7 July 2017 as a joint initiative of the Sustainable Development Advisory Council (SDAC), the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation Climate Project.

Malan Lindeque (ML), chairperson of the SDAC, provided some background to the council and awards.



What is the mandate of the SDAC and how do the Sustainable Development Awards fit with this mandate?

ML: The council serves to advise the minister of environment and tourism and broader government on pertinent matters for sustainable development and to promote cooperation and coordination between all stakeholders on such matters. The awards contribute to this mandate by bringing together and recognising different sectors of society active in promoting sustainable development across the country.



How is the membership of the council composed?

ML: The council consists of a balanced mix of representatives from the state, civil society and private sector. The council is a high-level body and the members possess experience and expertise on a range of sustainable development issues including environmental management, development and land-use planning, mining, fisheries, tourism, agriculture, research, poverty, trade and economics.



What have been some of the achievements of the council so far?

ML: The council has thus far held a series of working sessions with key stakeholders and provided guidance on identified priority issues including sustainable energy, biosafety, the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the environmental impact assessment process, disaster preparedness, tourism, water security and fisheries management.

The council has participated actively in the domestication of the SDGs and the African Union Agenda 2063, has held a mutual exchange with the German Council and is participating in the Open SDGs Club with other equivalent councils from different countries. The council has also engaged with the private sector on issues of recycling, mining and desalination. It has overseen the review of Namibia's State of the Environment Report and is currently preparing a first State of Environment Conference.



Where did the idea for the Sustainable Development Awards come from?

ML: The idea emerged from a discussion between the council and the EIF in July 2013. It was borne out of the feeling that there is a lot of good work being done in the field of sustainable development but that these initiatives are not well-known or appreciated. These awards thus seek to recognize and reward these initiatives as a means to also inspire others to action.



What are your expectations for the awards?

ML: We are working hard to build up the awards and to ensure that they become a biennial feature on the Namibian calendar. In this regard, I would like to thank the sponsors that have come on board to support this year's event. We look forward to working with you this year and hopefully for future editions.

This year I am expecting a bigger, better and very competitive awards. I am excited that we have also this year reached out with categories for small and medium enterprises and start-up companies as well as youth groups. These sectors will be important drivers of sustainable development moving forward and deserve to be recognised.

So with this in mind, I encourage all interested stakeholders to submit your entry by Monday, 14 August 2017.

STAFF REPORTER

MTC to cover 100% of population

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Lestshego to list on NSX

≪ Previous: Need for sustainable development awards

$

0

0

MTC to cover 100% of population Mobile Telecommunications Limited this week announced plans to invest N$1.1 billion in expanding its network capacity through the 081EVERY1 project, which the company describe as the beginning of a journey towards 100% percent population density coverage.

The undertaking of this billion-dollar project is slated to commence in October 2017 and will run until October 2019, according to acting CEO Thinus Smit.

MTC will construct over 524 new sites which will see it increasing its footprints towards a tenfold network standard set to benefit the remote and rural areas. A total of 412 new sites will be built in rural areas and 88 new sites in urban areas in all 14 regions of Namibia.

The project will see the introduction of 3G broadband in major rural areas, especially in areas previously only serviced before by 2G.

Currently, MTC has 3G and 4G coverage in urban areas and limited coverage in most rural areas, which are covered by 2G. The aim with this investment is to have the same technology needs move to rural areas.

“With the increasing usage of smartphones and rise in mobile broadband, MTC saw the need to enhance the quality of its network for greater customer satisfaction. There is a noticeable rapid growth in technology, where customers engage in an increasing number of ways with the network and this enhanced network coverage project will aid these communications,” Smit said.

Board chairperson Elvis Nashilongo pointed out that quality of network infrastructure was the foundation of digitisation. According to him, the network connects Namibians both globally and locally, allowing us all to benefit from the information society.

“Poor network coverage has been one of the main customer complaints and as MTC took the customers' requests seriously, this billion-dollar project has been introduced.

“We are fully aware of the advance and ever-changing telecommunications technology, and last year's 4.5G trial is an indication that MTC will always strive to keep up with the latest technology,” Nashilongo said.

“As a board we wish to ensure that MTC's strategic mission continues to resonate with customers' expectation for affordable and practical telecommunication services,” he said.

STAFF REPORTER

---

Lestshego to list on NSX

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Cripple Aleppo

≪ Previous: MTC to cover 100% of population

$

0

0

Lestshego to list on NSXFinancial wellness high on agenda Letshego says it is committed to helping the Bank of Namibia achieve financial inclusion for the unbanked masses. Letshego Holdings board chairman Enos Banda this week announced that the local lender would list on the Namibia Stock Exchange soon. This makes Letshego Namibia the third lender to seek a primary stock exchange listing.

Speaking at a gala dinner held to mark the announcement, Banda said Letshego stood ready to contribute to the government's call for broader financial inclusion.

“Our past, present and future could not be possible without your support. Our inclusive agenda will contribute socially towards Namibia. We are planning an imminent listing on the Namibia Stock Exchange. It will ensure that we are able to deliver strong growth,” said Banda.

Also speaking was Letshego Holdings group CEO Chris Low, who applauded the Bank of Namibia for its efforts to seek financial inclusion of the unbanked population.

“The Bank of Namibia has been a champion of financial inclusion. We pledge our support to Namibia in achieving its financial inclusion goals.”

Speaking about Letshego's future intentions, Low said the lender would be committed to serving its clients well. “We are gearing up for financial wellness.”

Bank of Namibia governor Iipumbu Shiimi described Letshego as a financial trailblazer and welcomed the listing.

“I believe Letshego has been a strong partner in this journey of exclusive growth. Listing on the NSX is commendable and it broadens the ownership of the financial sector. Letshego is a trailblazer in this journey of financial inclusion,” said Shiimi.

According to him, the listing would help spur the growth of the financial sector locally.

“If some financial institutions list on the NSX, we will provide an outlet for money invested on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and elsewhere to find a way home,” said Shiimi.

According to him, even though the central bank was in favour of having local ownership, the central bank was not totally against foreign ownership of financial institutions.

“We believe in a blend between local and foreign ownership. Those from the outside are permitted to come here and find local partnerships,” Shiimi said.

The Bank of Namibia awarded a banking licence to Letshego in June 2016. Letshego originally opened its doors in Namibia in 2002, as Edu Loan Namibia, before rebranding as Letshego Financial Services Namibia in 2008 after 100% acquisition by the Botswana-headquartered Letshego Holdings Limited.

OGONE TLHAGE

Cripple Aleppo

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: China steps up warning to Botswana over Dalai Lama visit

≪ Previous: Lestshego to list on NSX

$

0

0

Cripple AleppoSlow recovery shows limits of battered Syrian state No more shots are fired in Aleppo but things in the former industrial hub of Syria are in dire straits. In eastern Aleppo, bodies still lie under the rubble, graveyards are full, people are short of electricity and bread, and some children take classes in mosques because their schools have been ruined by war.

Seven months after the army drove rebels from their stronghold in the Syrian city, the state looks paper thin there, with most services seen by Reuters provided by residents or with help from international aid agencies or local charities.

Aleppo was Syria's most populous city and industrial engine before the war and its recapture delivered President Bashar al-Assad his biggest in a string of battlefield victories.

Its recovery would not just be symbolic of Assad's improving fortunes, but a signal that the Syrian state was capable of revival after years of weakness.

The United Nations says about 200 000 people have returned to east Aleppo after it emptied during the fighting, mostly from temporary accommodation in areas held by the government.

However in al-Kalasa district, which Reuters visited in both early February and mid-July with a government official who was present during some interviews with residents, the city's recovery seemed slow and largely out of state hands.

Electricity came from private generators, water from wells or tanks filled by aid agencies, bread from charities, and basic education and healthcare with help from the United Nations.

The government removed mountains of rubble from main streets after the fighting, and Aleppo's assistant governor told Reuters the state was ultimately responsible for the services provided by aid agencies.

But in Kalasa, retaken in December amid a furious bombardment with help from Russia and Iran, the strongest signs of the state's presence were a concrete checkpoint and a poster of Assad pledging: “We will rebuild”.

After six years of war, his state is in tatters. Large parts of the country remain outside its control. Western sanctions have hobbled the economy. Water and power services are in ruins, road networks wrecked and hundreds of thousands of working-age men remain under arms.



Hard lessons

Eight-year-old Ghassan Batash would have attended the Yarmouk and Sabbagh school but it is unusable. Its walls still carry the logo of Jaish al-Islam, a rebel faction that made the school its base. In the library stands a “hell cannon” or homemade mortar.

In the schoolyard, two big craters show where air strikes targeted rebel fighters, wrecking classrooms.

It left Ghassan, who wants to be a soldier when he grows up and likes playing football in the street, with the choice of walking to school elsewhere or going to the mosque.

But at the Abdulatif school in Firdous district and the Karameh school in Bustan al-Qasr, which run summer programmes supported by the United Nations, the head teachers said class sizes had nearly doubled.

“People are still coming back so we're still taking more students every day,” said Maha Mushaleh, the head of Abdulatif school.

Less than a quarter of east Aleppo's 200 schools are working, said Abdulghani al-Qasab, the assistant governor, adding that the government is working with the United Nations to rehabilitate 100 more.

When Reuters last visited Kalasa, Ayad was clearing rubble by hand from al-Mouassassi street, where his family shared a house with other relatives.

There was no electricity or water and the family relied on paraffin lamps for light and on wood foraged by the children from ruined houses for warmth.

But Ayad, a supporter of Assad, says the situation is much better now than it was in February and he believes the government is responsible for that.

He has found a construction job and he lives with his wife and four small children in her parents' flat in the road behind Mouassassi street.

In his mother Heyam's flat, there is still no door except a plastic sheet, but a cable to the local generator means she has a light bulb, a fan and a television.

She proudly presented a plate of traditional biscuits she had made for the Eid al-Fitr religious festival. “It's the first Eid since the war began that feels like Eid and the first one we've had back in our house, so I wanted to do everything properly,” she said.

The dead are never far away. The cemeteries are so full that there is little space to walk between graves, and some stones are marked by bullets or shrapnel. War dead were often buried in existing graves, their names added to tombstones in black paint.



NAMPA/REUTERS

China steps up warning to Botswana over Dalai Lama visit

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Shot of the day

≪ Previous: Cripple Aleppo

$

0

0

China steps up warning to Botswana over Dalai Lama visit China stepped up its warning to Botswana on Wednesday over a planned visit by exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama next month, demanding the African nation respect China's core interests.

The Dalai Lama, reviled by Beijing as a dangerous separatist, is expected to address a human rights conference in the capital, Gaborone, on Aug. 17-19 and will also meet Botswana's president. China is a major investor in Botswana's economy.

China has already “clearly” expressed its point of view about the Dalai Lama's visit, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a daily news briefing.

“Issues relating to Tibet concern China's sovereignty and territory integrity. We demand the relevant country earnestly respect China's core interests and make the correct political decision on this matter,” Lu said, using stronger language than before on the issue.

“China will not interfere in other countries' internal affairs, but will certainly not tolerate another country doing anything that harms China's core interests,” he added, without elaborating.

The Dalai Lama, who fled from Tibet into exile in India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, has long been at loggerheads with China, which sent its troops into Tibet in 1950.

The Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, denies he is seeking independence for his Himalayan homeland. He says he is merely seeking greater rights, including religious freedom and genuine autonomy.

Visits by the Dalai Lama to foreign countries infuriate China.

It often retaliates by stopping high-level meetings or taking economic steps, like last year when it imposed new border fees following a visit by the Dalai Lama to Mongolia.

Botswana's neighbour, South Africa, has denied a visa to the Buddhist monk three times since 2009 in what opposition parties there, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, say shows the extent of Beijing's influence over Pretoria.

China's fast-growing demand for raw materials has made it one of the biggest investors in Africa and its largest trade partner. Chinese state-owned companies have been awarded contracts to build roads, dams, power stations and airports in Botswana.



NAMPA/REUTERS

Shot of the day

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: It's not about Swapo

≪ Previous: China steps up warning to Botswana over Dalai Lama visit

$

0

0

Shot of the day UNISON: This picture, taken with an underwater camera, shows team USA competing in the women’s team technical final during the synchronised swimming competition at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, on 18 July 2017. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

It's not about Swapo

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Donkey trade will destroy population

≪ Previous: Shot of the day

$

0

0

It's not about Swapo The media has of late carried stories about the infighting in the Swapo Party and it is a sorry situation that poses the risk of diverting the government from tackling the real issues that drive the economy of our country.

Yes, it is a Swapo-led government but we should be wary of the danger of losing focus by concentrating on the in-house catfights.

The government has national goals to score as mandated in National Development Plans. Let us not expend energies on individual political parties' mediocrity at the expense of the majority of citizens who are not Swapo cadres.

Both government and private companies in this country are running entities that no doubt contribute towards the attainment of these national goals, regardless of the varying political affiliations of their employees.

The corruption cases reported almost daily by the media are shocking to say the least and early detection is probably stymied by these political wars. Shocking was the revelation recently that 50 vehicles, mostly ambulances were stolen from the ministry of health by an official acting in cohorts with other officials and sold to a garage to be stripped for spares.

This is theft from a ministry that has the health of the majority of the citizens of this country in its hands. We all have a duty to ensure that the government institutions are run efficiently to benefit everyone. Political parties are the branches of the governing body and they come and go and the infighting is costly.

In the melee of political infighting baby corruption is birthed. How the theft of essential service vehicles went undetected for two years is baffling and exposes serious loopholes in the checks and balances in the operations of our government institutions.

No doubt the government finds itself in financial intensive care as a result of the self-inflicted financial haemorrhage of public institutions.

It is sad that while efforts are made to bring essential services to the needy in the remote rural areas, civil servants stall such efforts by conniving to line only their pockets.

It is high time Namibia wakes up to the smell of corruption coffee. We are majoring on the minors.

Donkey trade will destroy population

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: No construction in Omatando until next year

≪ Previous: It's not about Swapo

$

0

0

Donkey trade will destroy populationCriminal activity and poverty to grow Taking guidance from other African countries, various experts have voiced serious concern over the planned donkey abattoir. While some Namibians have welcomed the proposal of Chinese donkey abattoirs in Namibia for the promise of jobs, experts warn that the alarming demand for donkey hides could hurt Namibia more than it would help.

Africa has become a key target for the Chinese-fuelled donkey hide trade after the country's own donkey population dropped dramatically from a reported 11 million in the 1990s to about 3 million.

The decimation of Chinese donkeys is fuelled by a surge in demand for the hide's gelatine that is used to make e'jiao, a popular traditional medicine which the Chinese believe is an effective sexual stimulant with anti-ageing properties.

But those who have kept a close eye on the booming trade in Africa warn that the industry has reached crisis point, and countries being targeted should ensure they know about the high risks associated with welcoming a Chinese-backed donkey slaughter industry.

Researchers across Africa warn that the donkey hide trade has an overwhelmingly negative impact on communities that still depend on donkeys as a mode of transport and otherwise.

As the demand for donkey hide outstrips supply, several countries, including Egypt, South Africa and Tanzania have reported an emerging black market in stolen donkeys, which are slaughtered illegally or sold to slaughterhouses.

Communities that depend on their donkeys are facing losing their independence and being pushed deeper into poverty as their valuable pack animals disappear.

“Wherever we have seen legally established slaughterhouses, and a legal trade, we have seen the theft/poaching of donkeys and their slaughter and skinning in the bush - in some cases, when they were still alive,” Alex Mayers, head of programmes at the Donkey Sanctuary, told Namibian Sun.

He said while the trade may be legal it is mostly “unregulated and the ever-increasing value of a donkey hide means that criminality is rife. We have seen strong links to wildlife crime; the criminals sourcing and exporting donkey hides to China are also involved in smuggling pangolin scales, abalone shells, tiger skins and more.”

As such, local institutions like the Windhoek SPCA as well as the Outjo Community Committee are urging authorities to resist the temptation to merely open the doors to the Chinese donkey trade, and to instead ensure they make a well-informed decision prior to allowing the industry to take root.

“Why would Namibia allow its people to lose a resource in the form of donkeys that sustain entire communities, without researching whether it was a good idea or not?” Mayers asked.

“Right now, the donkey hide trade is decimating donkey populations worldwide. It is unregulated, but being facilitated by the licencing of slaughterhouses by countries such as Namibia. The least Namibia could and should do right now is to halt the trade and undertake a full impact assessment of its current and future impact.”

Monique Redecker, Windhoek SPCA's CEO, said the organisation agrees that an expert-led impact assessment is critical to measure the various impacts of the industry.

She said government should also take into account “why six African countries recently banned donkey abattoirs as well as the export of live donkeys and donkey products.”

Botswana recently followed in the footsteps of Niger, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Gambia to ban the trade and export of live donkeys and donkey products from slaughterhouses.



What's the problem?

Out of the nine donkey slaughterhouses that operated in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in the last 12 months, only two are still operating and both are under serious pressure to stop as communities and governments realise their true cost, Mayers said.

Namibian Sun has reported on the planned construction of a donkey abattoir in Outjo by a Chinese company Fu Hai Trading Enterprises, a plan that has been met with widespread protest and demands from the community that numerous impact studies first be conducted before operations start.

Fu Hai Trading told the Outjo town council they planned to slaughter an estimated 120 donkeys per day.

Mayers warned that “as a species, donkeys are notoriously difficult to farm at any scale in acceptable welfare conditions, and Namibia needs to ask whether it has the spare water, fodder, and other necessary needs for the scale of industry being considered which would require hundreds of thousands of breeding mares to sustain the throughput being proposed.”

Taking into account the second proposed donkey abattoir at Okahandja, Mayers said “the two proposed slaughterhouses would have a capacity of hundreds of donkeys per day but as donkeys breed slowly with poor reproduction rates and a slow rate of growth, Namibia's donkeys would be gone within a few years.”

Based on 2014 figures released by the Namibian government that showed a population of just under 160 000 donkeys in Namibia at that time, two donkey abattoirs could half the current population in just over a year.

In line with an estimate by the Abattoirs Association in Namibia that around 2 500 litres of water is needed to slaughter one animal, the Fu Hai Enterprise will require at least 300 000 litres of water per day.

An African Horse Sickness outbreak at a Kenyan donkey slaughterhouse recently underlined “the considerable risk to equines and other animals in the vicinity.”

Moreover, without strict adherence to procedures and regulations, which it is unclear are in place in Namibia for equine abattoirs, donkey slaughterhouses pose “a significant risk to handlers and slaughterhouse workers of zoonotic diseases such as anthrax, rabies and others.”

“Namibia should assess the size of its current donkey population, and consider what impact the planned off take of donkeys would have on the ability of its donkey-dependent communities to earn a livelihood from their working animals.”

He added that Namibia should prevent traders in neighbouring countries like Botswana from shipping in donkeys to be slaughtered in Namibia's abattoirs.



JANA-MARI SMITH

No construction in Omatando until next year

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: State can appeal sentences in rhino case

≪ Previous: Donkey trade will destroy population

$

0

0

No construction in Omatando until next year The Ongwediva Town Council says it is expediting the formalisation process of Omatando to be a township and has ordered the plot owners not to begin with the construction of houses until January 2018.

According to Ongwediva Town Council spokesperson, Jackson Muma, in order for the formalisation process to take place unhindered, the building of houses must be shelved until next year.

“Council will not allow any construction to take place in Omatando until January 2018. The aim is to allow the process of formalisation to take place without hindrance and to prevent unnecessary delays,” Muma said.

“In January 2018, the necessary steps of formalisation would have been completed and council will be in a better position to allow construction provided that a building plan is submitted and approved by council, and the property verification is done successfully,” Muma said.

He also said the on-site verification and finalisation of the layout is expected to be completed by next month while land surveying should be completed by October.

Muma said although the formalisation process is lengthy, council will try by all means to shorten the period.

“Although the process of township establishments is a lengthy one by legislation, council is working tirelessly to ensure that the process of formalising Omatando is shortened in order to accommodate the land needs of the community,” Muma said.

This update follows the meeting between Ongwediva Town Council and the residents of Omatando which was held on 8 July where residents demanded to know how long they were going to wait before they can start building their houses.

The issue of the timeframe was raised by a number of participants who attended that meeting and some residents expressed disappointment about the long wait, saying it building material has been lying idle for too long and impacting targets set to complete homes.

Other participants said due to the indefinite waiting period, they have been forced to rent accommodation, a situation that is now using money meant to go towards the construction of their houses.

The 8 July gathering saw some of the residents walk out of the meeting after the council officials failed to give them satisfactory responses to pertinent issues raised by the residents.

KENYA KAMBOWE

---

State can appeal sentences in rhino case

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: 104 drought boreholes in limbo

≪ Previous: No construction in Omatando until next year

$

0

0

State can appeal sentences in rhino case The Windhoek High Court on Tuesday granted the State leave to appeal the prison sentences imposed in the case of four Chinese nationals convicted of attempting to smuggle rhino horns out of Namibia in 2014.

The four Chinese nationals were arrested between March and May 2014 and were each sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment in the Windhoek Regional Court on 30 September 2016.

Not happy with the sentences, Senior State Advocate Simba Nduna then approached the High Court with an urgent application for the prosecution to be allowed leave to appeal against the sentences, saying the sentences imposed in the regional court were too lenient when compared to punishment handed down in similar criminal cases.

The State was allowed leave to appeal in a ruling delivered by High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg Tuesday morning.

Li Zhibing, 53; Li Xiaoliang, 30; and the 49-year-old Pu Xuexin were arrested at Hosea Kutako International Airport on 24 March 2014 with 14 rhino horns worth more than N$2.3 million and a leopard skin valued at N$50 000 stashed in their luggage.

The fourth is Wang Hui, 40, believed to be the kingpin in the rhino horn smuggling operation in Namibia.

He was arrested in May 2014 at the Windhoek Country Club Resort where the other three convicts stayed before their failed attempt to leave Namibia on 24 March 2014.

The four men were each sentenced to an effective 14 years' imprisonment by Regional Court Magistrate Alexis Diergaardt after they were found guilty on charges of unlawful dealing in controlled wildlife products; unlawful possession of wildlife products and unlawful of export of wildlife products out of Namibia without having valid permits to do so.

They were arrested by members of the Namibian police's Protected Wildlife Resources Unit.

Orben Sibeya defended the four Chinese nationals, while Nduna appeared for the prosecution.

The four men are serving their prison sentences at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility.

NAMPA

104 drought boreholes in limbo

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: DTA calls for NBC, August 26 probe

≪ Previous: State can appeal sentences in rhino case

$

0

0

104 drought boreholes in limbo The unused boreholes reported on by Namibian Sun last week were not drilled under the South African government's N$100 million donation to Namibia.

That funding agreement only covered the installation of existing boreholes, equipping them with casings, pipe fittings and pumps.

This has been revealed by the agriculture ministry spokesperson, Margaret Kalo, in her response to Namibian Sun's enquiries.

Kalo said half of the donation was supposed to be used for the installation of the 104 boreholes that had been drilled in the Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Kunene and Omaheke regions.

“The condition of the funding agreement was for the installation of boreholes only, and not for the drilling of boreholes. A total of 104 boreholes will be installed under the project: 25 in Zambezi, 14 in Kavango East, 17 in Kavango West, 16 in Ohangwena, 21 in Kunene and 11 in Omaheke,” explained Kalo.

Kalo said the boreholes had been drilled by the agriculture ministry in conjunction with the prime minister's office.

Earlier, the deputy head of the South African High Commission, Eli Bitzer, informed Namibian Sun that the N$100 million drought relief aid offered to Namibia by South African President Jacob Zuma in 2013 was in two phases, and only phase one was complete.

The first phase of the donation, consisting of seed and maize meal from South Africa, was delivered in 2015. The second phase, covering provisions in the water, health and agricultural sectors to drought-stricken communities, has not yet been completed. By yesterday, Bitzer could not provide an update on the progress.

He said: “The first phase of the drought relief programme relating to the provision of seed and maize to the value of N$50 million was concluded some time ago. Rehabilitation of boreholes falls under the second phase of the programme.”

This came to light during a media briefing by the Ohangwena Aquifer Steering Committee at Eenhana in the Ohangwena Region this month.

At that event, the regional council's deputy director of rural services, Natalia Ndaitwah, expressed disappointment about 16 boreholes that had been drilled in the Okongo and Oshikunde constituencies in 2014, saying that these boreholes were not yet functional.

Ndaitwah said the boreholes were drilled as an emergency measure to provide water to people and animals hard hit by the drought, but communities were not using them because they were not fitted with pumps.

At the time, the deputy permanent secretary of water affairs in the agriculture ministry, Abraham Nehemia, said the boreholes had been drilled as part of the N$100 million drought relief aid offered to Namibia by the South African government in 2013.

He said under the agreement, the drilling and the installation of the boreholes were supposed to be done by South African companies.

“These boreholes were funded by the South African government which also said their companies would do the work. After the boreholes were drilled, the South African government did not identify companies to do the installations. Currently, this has been resolved and they will be installed soon,” Nehemia said.

He said these companies had started installing pumps in boreholes drilled under the same programme in the Zambezi Region and would soon do the installations in Ohangwena.

ILENI NANDJATO

DTA calls for NBC, August 26 probe

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Murky compliance with Na‡aJaqna court order

≪ Previous: 104 drought boreholes in limbo

$

0

0

DTA calls for NBC, August 26 probe The DTA has called on Ombudsman John Walters to launch full-scale investigations into the affairs of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and the NDF's business wing, August 26 Holdings.

This follows the NBC's failure to pay its employees' medical aid fund contributions to Namibia Medical Care (NMC) despite deducting it from their salaries. The arrears amount to N$15 million.

It has also come to light that the broadcaster has failed to pay over money deducted from staff salaries for housing and vehicle allowances, Social Security Commission (SSC) contributions and income tax.

In a statement issued yesterday DTA treasurer Nico Smit accused the NBC of “fraud” and “maladministration”.

“By providing staff with pay slips which indicated that such deductions had been made NBC intentionally and fraudulently created the impression that contributions for medical insurance were made, when in fact the monies deducted in this respect were used for other purposes.

“This is not only a gross violation of the trust of the employees and their employment agreements, but also amounts to theft or fraud. The fact that one is here being confronted with maladministration and/or misuse of public funds is not in dispute,” said Smith.



August 26

The opposition party also took issue with August 26, which is a 100% state-owned commercial entity under the Ministry of Defence. It is involved in supplying military equipment, diamond mining, textile manufacturing, logistics and transport, medical supplies, agriculture and construction.

The DTA asked why the company had failed to table audited financial reports in the National Assembly as required by law despite the fact that its subsidiaries had been the recipients of multi-million-dollar government contracts.

“This situation casts a dark shadow over Namibia's perceived and actual efforts at ensuring accountability and transparency in governance and management of public resources and public institutions.

“What is more, this practice has also created unfairness in the local economy – private sector firms cannot compete effectively when the government hands itself tenders, as there is an inherent conflict of interest that underlies this relationship,” said Smit.

Walters confirmed receipt of the request, saying that his office first would have to establish whether such investigation fell within the ombudsman's jurisdiction.

“I have informed the party that it may not be an easy one, it may be complex, but once I have ensured the collective wisdom of my staff then we will proceed,” he said.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Murky compliance with Na‡aJaqna court order

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Grootfontein Swapo matter not urgent

≪ Previous: DTA calls for NBC, August 26 probe

$

0

0

Murky compliance with Na‡aJaqna court orderEvicted farmers still want to appeal Although their grace period for appealing lapsed last year, illegal settlers in a communal conservancy now want to appeal against their eviction orders. At least 10 illegal settlers ordered to vacate the Na‡aJaqna Communal Conservancy in Tsumkwe West in October 2016 are continuing efforts to appeal the landmark High Court judgement.

Although a Supreme Court notice issued in late December informed the 10 applicants that their time to appeal had lapsed, lawyers for the group say they plan to apply for leave to do so now.

In December, the Supreme Court informed Isaacks & Associates, that although a notice to appeal was filed on 12 October, no appeal record was filed as per the court rules and that the appeal had lapsed as a result.

Braam Cupido, a lawyer at Isaacks & Associates, who is acting on behalf of the 10 illegal settlers who were ordered to vacate the conservancy, said “we are busy trying to reconstruct the record in the matter, as the court files are incomplete. We have liaised with the government attorney as well as the legal representatives of the original applicants in this regard.”

The notice of appeal was filed last year on behalf of Hilda Nakashole, Andreas Haashela, Onesmus Valombola, Nghidinwa Hamunyelwa, Axel Nambahu, Michachu Muulu, Leonard Paulus, Sakaria Handiya, Fillemon Kapula and Wilhelm Kafidi.

According to their lawyers, the 10 appellants decided to appeal based on their conviction that they are legally entitled to occupy land in the conservancy.

Cupido yesterday said that in terms of the second attempt at an appeal “we'll have to bring an application. The court will decide whether the reasons are acceptable.”

The illegal settlers reportedly planned to base their defence of remaining on the land on the Communal Land Reform Act 5 of 2002 which precludes the Na‡aJaqna conservancy committee from evicting people off the communal land within the conservancy.



Despite court order, clarity absent

No definitive feedback has been provided to Namibian Sun in terms of how many of the 22 respondents ordered last year to vacate the conservancy have done so, in addition to removing their fences and livestock.

In early April, members of the conservancy, with the assistance of the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), sent two letters to the Communal Land Board requesting feedback on compliance with the court order.

The letters also requested feedback on the orders by the Communal Land Board, dating back to 2013, for the removal of around 120 fences.

The land board convened a meeting on 22 June this year, following receipt of the letters in April.

The Na‡aJaqna Communal Conservancy was still waiting for a reply, conservancy members and the LAC confirmed last week.

A communal conservancy member on Friday said despite some progress and adherence to the court order, some illegal settlers remained on the land. “They are not yet gone; their animals are here, the buildings and the fences.”

Last year, Judge Shafimana Ueitele ordered the traditional authority and the Communal Land Board to ensure that they take the necessary actions to ensure the fences and livestock were removed.

Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta last week told Namibian Sun that he was told “that most of the fences were removed and the few remaining fences are in the process of being removed.”

He said if any officials tasked to enforce the court order failed to do so “they are verging in contempt of court, which is an offence”.



JANA-MARI SMITH

Grootfontein Swapo matter not urgent

July 26, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Swartbooi loses NA seat

≪ Previous: Murky compliance with Na‡aJaqna court order

$

0

0

Grootfontein Swapo matter not urgentBid to declare local party election illegal fails An urgent application by Swapo Party district officials from Grootfontein has been struck from the roll of the High Court. An application launched by the first Swapo district office bearers for Grootfontein to have the recent proceedings of the Swapo Party branch conference and the election of all new office bearers between 20 and 21 May 2017 declared to be in violation of the party constitution and common law and thus is null and void, was yesterday struck from the court due to lack of urgency.

An attempt to have the court order Swapo to restore Absai Haimene as the first district coordinator, Etnee Feser Tsanigab as district treasurer, Jackson Shikudule as coordinator of the John Pandeni branch at Grootfontein, Moses Shoonyeka as branch information secretary of Okahenge Branch in Grootfontein and Selma Shilamba as the section chairperson of the power section in Grootfontein, was also struck from the roll.

The applicants also sought to have the Swapo Party, its secretary-general and Susan Hikopua, who were the respondents in the matter, to comply with their obligations in terms of the party's constitution when future elections are held for sections and branch executive members in the Grootfontein district.

The applicants were ordered to pay the costs of the application.

Judge Boas Usiku, after having ruled that there was no urgency, said the applicants could pursue the matter in an ordinary course.

The respondents had opposed the application on specific legal points, particularly to establish whether urgency is established and if not so to proceed in a normal course.

The Swapo congress is slated for late November 2017 and the president of the party is to be elected at that gathering. The applicants, through Haimene, have indicated that they endorse the current acting party president Hage Geingob as the president of Swapo and as sole candidate at that congress.

Subsequent to that, the applicants in their affidavit said that that Susan Hikopua, the Otjozondjupa Swapo regional coordinator, had embarked upon a campaign to “manipulate” leadership structures at Grootfontein ahead of the envisaged November elective congress.

She on 17 May arrived at Grootfontein and arranged for elections at section and branch level to be held on 20 and 21 May.

However, Haimene and Tsanigab considering that such elections are in contravention of Swapo constitution and other legal instruments, refused to participate in the elections and accordingly did not attend.

The Swapo politburo endorsed the results of the elections in Grootfontein. The applicants thereafter launched the application in order to uphold and enforce the party's constitution, particularly in regard to the election of leaders at section and branch level in Grootfontein.

“The continued violation of our rights provided for in the party's constitution is causing us irreparable harm in the form of loss of reputation and that of fellow leaders within the party and in respect of members who elected,” the applicants had submitted.

They added that the matter had been widely discussed within the party and hence they have been effectively removed from their leadership positions within the party.

The applicants further submitted that the situation is exacerbated in that the party has not accorded them their right in challenging the elections by constituting an appropriate body to consider the complaints and determine whether or not the elections have taken place in accordance with the party constitution.

“We accordingly submit that we have no adequate alternative remedy at our disposal. We have tried our internal remedies but our attempts have not gone anywhere,” they stated.

They had argued that they and elected officials at section and branch level were lawfully elected to those positions in terms of the party constitution and Hikopua by simply arbitrarily holding elections, prematurely and in gross violation of the constitution, has sought to manipulate the elective process.

They alleged that they took legal advice after there was no response to their complaints sent to Swapo secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba on 2 June 2017 while the central committee of Swapo did not consider their complaints during its sitting on 10 June. Hence they decided on legal action.

However Judge Usiku was of the view that the applicants had failed to show that the matter is urgent as to require the invocation of the urgency procedures and as a result, struck the application from roll for lack of urgency.

FRED GOEIEMAN