Epangelo lya ndopa - DTA

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Epangelo lya ndopa - DTA OMUTOOLINKUNDA GWENI

Epangelo lyaNamibia olya ndopa aniwa okukandula po omwaka ngoka gu li petopolo lyeliko shi thikepamwe mokati kaakwashigwana yanamibia, konima nkene oshilongo sha manguluka. Ndhoka oohapu dhoshilyo shoDTA momutumba gwopashigwana, Nico Smit a DTA.

Smit okwa popi ngaaka, a yamukula kushimwe shomiilyolwa yoshifokundaneki shoNamibia Sun, yoshiwike sha piti, moka mwa hololwa kutya Namibia okwa ningi oshilongo oshititatu muuyuni miilongo mbyoka yi na etopolo lyeliko lyaahethike pamwe.

Okwa popi kutya ongundu yoSwapo oya ndopa.

Okwa tsikile kutya ongundu tayi pangele otayi longitha omukalo gwokutotapo oompito dhiilonga okupitila moshikondo shaaniilonga yepangelo, ihe shoka itashi longo nepangelo olya pumbwa okutula miilonga omikalo dhimwe ndhoka tadhi vulu okunana aapunguli nokuyambulapo oongeshefa opo owala taku vulu okukandulwapo omukundu gwokwaahena iilonga ngoka gwa lundalala noonkondo moshilongo.

Pakulongitha oshikondo shaaniilonga, epangelo aniwa otali indjipaleke omwaalu gwaaniilonga yepangelo mboka kaye na shoka taya longo. Okwa popi kutya nonando oopoloyeka dhomayambulepo giikwaniipangitho moshilongo, otadhi totopo iilonga nokukondjitha andola oluhepo mokati oshigwana, iilonga mbyoka hayi twapo unene koopoloyeka ndhoka oombyoka yo pakathimbo owala noondjambi woo dhili pevi.

Smit okwa popi kutya onkalo ndjoka oyo ya etitha Namibia a gwe pevi molopota yoWorld Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018.

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Aanamukunda taya ende iinano iile mokukonga omeya

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Aanamukunda taya ende iinano iile mokukonga omeyaTiiyamba okukatalela aanamukunda yawo omeya Lazarus Thomas okwa tumbalekwa onga ependafule momudhingoloko gwe sho ha ende konyala oshinano shookilometa 40 mesiku taka kongela aanamukunda yawo omeya. ILENI NANDJATO

Ompumbwe yomeya momudhingoloko gwaShikunde moshitopowa shaHangwena oya thiminike omunyasha gwoomvula 23, Lazarus Thomas opo a kale ta tekele omeya anaamukunda yawo unene mboka taya nyengwa okwiimonena omeya, okuza mOmundaungilo, naashoka ote shi ningi pwaahena iifuta yasha.

Thomas oha longitha oondoongi dhe, okukatala omeya kehe esiku momukunda Omhito mOmundaungilo, okuza mOshikunde iikando iyali mesiku.



Oshikunde otashi adhika pokati kOmundaungilo nOkongo niikandjo mbyoka ohayi mono omeya okuza momuthima dhomevi dhOhangwena aquifer, ihe omalelo oga popi kutya omeya gomOshikunde oge na oshimongwa na itaga vulu okulongithwa kaakwashigwana. Omayamukulo ngoka oga gandjwa konima sho kwa thewa oomboola dhontumba momudhingoloko ngoka.

Pahapu dhakansela gwoshikandjohogololo Oshikunde, Lonia Kaishungu, aakwashigwana mboka oyiikolelela owala moondoongi, ndhoka haya longitha okukakonga omeya komahala gokokule.

Pahapu dhaThomas, oha penduka ongula potundi

03:00 kehe mesiku opo a ka konge omeya okuza kOmhito omanga ina shuna ko ishewe omutenya.

Okwa popi kutya oha longitha omandini gaandjawo mokukateka omeya ngoka ha ka gandja kaakashigwana yomomukunda gwawo mboka yeli mompumbwe.



“Okokule noonkondo nethimbo limwe oondoongi ohadhi ende kashona molwaashoka odha loloka. Ohandi yi ongula molwaashoka ohaku kala kuudha noonkondo. Ohandi shi ningi kehe mesiku.”



Thomas, ngoka a hulila mondondo ontimulongo okwa popi kutya oha kala nomukumo omolwa aakokele yo momidhingoloko gwawo, mboka haye ya kuye opo e ke ya talele omeya. “Ondi na ohokwe yokuya kwatha molwaashoka otashi uvitha nayi oku tala aantu taya longitha omeya ngoka haga nuwa kiimuna omolwa ompumbwe yomeya, omanga tandi vulu okuya kwathela. Yamwe mboka taya vulu ohaya pendje iimaliwa onga olupandu ihe mboka itaya vulu ihaya pendje sha na ohandi ya kwathele owala.”

Kansela Kaishungu okwa popi kutya aakwashigwana ye otaya mono iihuna mokweenda iinano iile taya kongo omeya gokunwa. Okwa tsikile kutya moshikandjo she omwa tulwa oomboola hamano mo 2013 ihe itadhi longo molwaashoka inadhi pwa okulongwa.

Oombola ndhoka odhili oshitopolwa shoomboola 104, dhoka dha longululwa mekwathelo lyepangelo lyaSouth Afrika sho lya gandja omagano goomiliyona, 100 kuNamibia opo a vule okulonga oomboola dhe.

MuAguste gwonuumvo, omukalelipo gwaSouth Afrika moNamibia, okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya, oRand Water, ehangano enene lyeyandjakaneko lyomeya moshilongo shawo oshowo omwaandjakaneki gwomeya moshitopolwa shaGauteng, okwa pewa oshinakugwanithwa shokulongululaa oomboola ndhoka.

Omupeha omukomeho omukalelipo gwaSA, Eli Bitzer, okwa tseyithile oNamibian Sun kutya ehangano ndyoka olyiipyakidhila nomalongekidho, oshowo egandjo lyomadheulo kaakwashigwana nkene ku na okulongithwa oomboola ndhoka, omanga inadhi tameka okulonga, konima sho etsokumwe shainwa momasiku 15 gaJuni 2015.

Omupopiliko guuministeli wuunamapya, Margaret Kalo, okwa popi kutya uuministeli wawo melongelo kumwe nombelewa yOmuprima, oya mboola oombola dhili 104, 25 Zambezi, 14 Kavango East, 17 Kavango West, 16 Ohangwena, 21 Kunene oshowo 11 Omaheke.

Pahapu dhaBitzer, iilonga oya tameka pomahala gaali goomboola tadhi adhika popepi noRundu,

moKahururu oshowo moNcamahoro.

Kaishungu okwa popi kutya uuna etungo lyoomboola ndhoka lya pu, e tadhi tameke okulonga nena aakwashigwana ye otaya ka pepelelwa okuza monkalo ndjoka.

Okwa tsikile kutya oye na oprogramma yoku gandja omeya komikunda dhoka dhi na enota moshitopolwa shawo.

Omakonaakono ngoka ga ningwa oga ulike kutya okwa pumbwa okukwatakanithwa omunino gwomeya pokati komukunda Ohandiba, Eenhana nOndobe.

Kansela gwoshikandjohogololo Omundaungilo, Festus Ikanda, okwa pula etotepo lyoshiketha tashi ithanwa Constituency Development Fund shoka tashi ka pitika ookansela ya vule okukala niiyemo yokukwatela komeho oopoloyekadhaakwashigwana miikandjo yawo.

Tripped up by 'culture'

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Tripped up by 'culture' The patriarchal nature of our society must come to an end. Patriarchy, within itself, is not an obstacle to development or economic prosperity but, it appears to be a major obstacle to social safety and the health and well-being of our women.

The latest figures regarding those tested for HIV indicate that women, by far, are testing more frequently, than our men.

We do not understand.

Is it then that men are not as impacted by HIV or will not die from the disease?

Absurd.

Our men are married, with so-called 'side chicks'. They are playing sugar daddy to young girls who bend to their will. They have wives or life partners at home. And they are promiscuous. As though it is their right.

Blessers are omnipresent and far too common in this country.

But they do not test. And our women are not in a position to force them to do so.

Why then do we have HIV programmes and targets for eradicating the disease? Our young people are the highest rate of infection and these are the people that are to take the country forward in the next 10 to 20 years. But they will not be able to. Our teenagers are falling pregnant at a horrifying rate so they too, cannot take this country forward if they do not at least complete their schooling – something which is highly unlikely for a young teen who is a single mother.

And yet, the men do as they wish. And if women are shot or beaten to death for threatening to leave a man, then it is no wonder that they will not force their partners to test for HIV.

We are crippled by a social system which, in 2017, shows no signs of abating. And we do not see our leaders, the men, coming forward and inspiring the male countrymen to be more liberal and responsible in this regard. In fact, we have yet to hear a male politician speak about this issue.

All we have is women telling women to stand up. Telling them they have equal rights and the power to change the world. But they do not, do they?

SHOT OF THE DAY

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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SHOT OF THE DAY TRAGEDY: Dead bodies of Rohingya Muslim refugees lay on the shore of Inani beach, near Cox's Bazar on September 28, 2017. On that day, at least 10 children and four women were killed when a boat carrying Rohingya fleeing violence in Myanmar capsized off Bangladesh, as the number of new arrivals topped 500 000. NAMPA/AFP

Govt fails to deliver on inequality - DTA

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Govt fails to deliver on inequality - DTA The government has failed dismally to address the structural imbalances of the Namibian economy and to ensure socio-economic advancement and prosperity for all Namibians since independence, Nico Smit a DTA Member of Parliament has said.

Smit's accusation was made in response to an article published last week in the Namibian Sun, which said that Namibia is now the third most unequal country in the world, in terms of income inequality.

He said Swapo's failure in this regard is primarily because of its approach to employment creation.

“Conventional wisdom holds that government's role in employment creation should be limited to creating and maintaining a legislative and policy environment that is conducive to new business establishments and attractive to foreign direct investment,” Smit further said.

According to Smit's observation, Swapo has stubbornly clung to the belief and practice that government should be directly involved in employment creation through the expansion of the public service and public infrastructure development.

“By using the public service purely as a tool for employment creation, they have increased the number of people engaged in unproductive activity,” Smit said, criticising government's approach to tackle unemployment.

He added that the increase in the size of the public service means that there are less resources to go around for each individual public servant. He argued that while public infrastructure development indeed benefits the economy in the long run, Smit said, in terms of employment creation this is not an ideal avenue for investment.

“This is because public infrastructure projects generate the wrong kind of employment when one considers that we are trying to overcome a structural legacy of inequality,” Smit further attacked the strategy.

According to Smit, although public infrastructure development creates employment, in Namibia it can be characterised as temporary, low-skilled and low-wage in nature.

Therefore, he suggested, the kind of employment created in this way is neither the kind that is sustainable, will lift people out of poverty and does nothing to address the significant income inequality in Namibia.

He added that inefficient government bureaucracy and an uncertain policy environment are two of the primary reasons cited for Namibia's drop in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report 2017-2018.

He said despite these issues being identified repeatedly in successive WEF Global Competitiveness Reports the government remains stubborn in its refusal to take the kind of action that is needed to support and facilitate private sector employment creation.

“One can only assume that Swapo's behaviour is driven by its preference for government to be the primary driver of the economy, for thereby it controls Namibian society. Swapo's dominance of Namibia as a priority clearly enjoys precedence over the socio-economic advancement and wellbeing of Namibians.”

Smit said this is further evidenced in Swapo's poverty eradication initiatives which seek only to further entrench a system of dependency instead of programmes and policies that aim to equip Namibians with the skills, knowledge and means to become self-reliant.

STAFF REPORTER

'We know the plight of teachers'

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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'We know the plight of teachers'Minister says she will leave no stone unturned Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa has undertaken to alleviate the plight of teachers through PPPs but, Nantu disagrees. The Namibia National Teacher's Union (Nantu) expressed its disdain for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Act and calling for its abolishment, while the education minister, Katrina Hanse Himarwa is of the view that PPPs are the only way to address the plight of teachers.

The apparent clash came to light at the Oshakati celebrations of International World Teacher's Day held on Thursday last week.

Nantu's deputy president Joseph Dinyando spoke on behalf of the union's president Simeon Kavila at a packed Oshakati Independence Stadium, filled to the brim with teachers celebrating their day.

“Nantu is also concerned on the issue of the PPP Act. This Act will deprive the majority of Namibian children of basic services such as education and health. Therefore, Nantu calls for the withdrawal of the Act because it will not address the needs of the majority of Namibians but will rather, favour the elite,” said Ndinyando.

However, Hanse-Himarwa disagreed, saying that when she travels the “breadth and width of the country” she witnesses the dire plight of many of the teachers, a fact she said, which cannot be denied. She said her ministry will look at PPPs, but only to address the plight of the teachers, she told the crowd.

“During my regional visits to schools, I have witnessed and experienced the situation on the ground. I realised that many teachers feel unappreciated and unwanted. I gather that teachers feel no one listens to them. I saw the economic difficulties of many teachers. I saw the appalling housing conditions of some teachers, the shacks and corrugated iron dwellings where they have to brave the harsh elements of either extreme heat or bitter cold weather. During the rainy season, most of you cross the flood plains to go to school, to educate the Namibian child. You leave your families behind going into the most remote areas for the sake of this nation,” says Himarwa.

Himarwa also added that her ministry has realised that teachers in both rural and urban areas are affected. She said in rural areas, because of the shortage of houses, teachers are renting living space from homesteads. In urban areas houses and flats are expensive and often beyond the means of many teachers.

“We are well aware of these realities and we do not deny their existence,” she added.

She said her ministry will continue to highlight the plight of teachers' housing and will work to mobilise support to ease many challenges experienced both inside and outside the classroom.

“The ministry is looking into public private partnerships to ensure housing for our needy staff members, as well as the rehabilitation of aging infrastructure in many of our schools. In spite of all these challenges and difficulties, my office has observed your hard work and commitment towards education delivery at various levels,” she said.

Ndinyando also said that the attitude of disregarding the teaching profession should be discouraged in the strongest terms. He said it is now high time that teaching should be treated as a profession on its own and it should be made attractive to retain the committed members of the profession.

“It is very disappointing to see that a lack of proper planning especially in the budget is hampering the smooth delivery of services such as teaching, the lack of teaching and learning materials in schools, overcrowded classrooms and others, but if the government planned and prioritised the needs of the country, things would have been different.”

Ndinyando also called on teachers to examine what has been said and do what is expected from them when they receive constructive criticism.

ILENI NANDJATO

Pio Teek sues for N$6 million

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Pio Teek sues for N$6 million Retired judge Pio Teek is suing the justice minister and the Ombudsman for failing to comply with constitutional and statutory provisions, incurring him damages to the tune of N$6 million.

He charges that due to the minister and Ombudsman's malicious and undue lengthy delays, and unlawful failure to speedily serve the combined summons against the South African appeal judges Piet Streicher, Kenneth Mthiyane and Fritz Brand - appointed as Acting Judges of Appeal of Namibia's Supreme Court, grossly violated his constitutional right.

The attorney-general in September 2010, in response to the request of the Registrar of High Court to facilitate the service of summons on the said judges, said it could not be processed due to non-compliance with Rule 5 of the High of Court rules and in the absence of legislative framework.

Judge Elton Hoff on 18 June 2010 removed Teek's appeal from the roll pursuant to Rule 5.

“The defendants' unlawful actions, conduct and decisions were taken with the settled malicious intent to prevent me from prosecuting the action against me, and to be compensated by the said judges,” Teek argued.

He emphasised that the defendants' unlawful conduct is the material and direct cause of his decision to withdraw and abandon his civil action against the South African judges.

He said the legal consequence of their actions are that he was denied the due process of law, natural justice and due care, as well as fair, reasonable, adequate and speedy remedial actions pursuant to statutory and common law.

He claims he was denied economic advancement and happiness in violation of his rights and that this resulted in severe mental anguish. Coupled with the resultant financial loss, he justified the amount he cited.

The said judges heard the State's appeal against Teek's discharge by South African Judge Ronnie Bosielo in 2006 on child abduction, rape and other charges and referred the case for retrial.

The State claimed that Bosielo erred when he found that they did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Teek was guilty and also criticised the manner in which the police handled the investigation.

Teek alleges that he pleaded to the Ombudsman for remedial assistance but that this was to no avail and that the latter also flagrantly ignored requests to meet him.

When, on 10 June 2013 the Ombudsman did not reply to his request to attend to his complaint, he lodged a complaint against the Ombudsman before the Judicial Service Commission.

Senior Council of Johannesburg Bar, Advocate Micheal Kuber, appearing on behalf of the justice minister said Teek does not have a case against the South African judges.

He stated there is no connection between the current case and the alleged case against the South African judges.

“If there is no case against the South African judges, there is no case,” he argued.

Advocate Nixon Marcus on behalf of Ombudsman argued that his client acted bona fide.

The case continues before Judge Herman Oosthuizen.



FRED GOEIEMAN

Not enough progress

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Not enough progressCheaper water, electricity imperative Outgoing NCCI CEO Tarah Shaanika says not enough has been done to advance industrialisation in the country. Former CEO of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) Tarah Shaanika has said government must ensure that there is cheap electricity, water and land if it wants to make inroads in as far as industrialisation is concerned.

He made the comments in his last stance as CEO of the lobby group this week.

Government, according to him, should also ensure that investors do not have to go through strenuous processes to acquire or lease land for manufacturing purposes.

“I believe we have not made the progress we should have made on industrialisation and Vision 2030. It has not taken off as planned. I think the Growth at Home strategy and the Industrialisation Policy is hampered by a lack of support,” Shaanika said.

According to Shaanika, if water and electricity were made slightly cheaper and ease of owning land simplified, massive inroads would be made as far as industrialisation is concerned.

“We need incentives towards industrialisation, Namibia is not competitive enough. There are a number of factors that need to be looked at and we need to look at the price of electricity, water and land. That will boost industrialisation in my view,” Shaanika said.

He also said investors were not only keenly looking up to Namibia as an investment destination.

“Investors have choices to make you must be able to convince them. We have a long way to go but we must address a few things. As far as industrialisation is concerned the cost of land and the ease in getting land must be addressed,” he emphasised.

He elaborated on the ease of getting access to land, saying sometimes investors did not necessarily want to own the land their businesses were based on but instead wanted leases as an option.

“If you want to invest in other countries, land is easily accessible. We need to identify mechanisms to incentivise investors to come to Namibia,” Shaanika said.

During his tenure as CEO, Shaanika also said he had found government to be supportive of the private sector. Government, he said, was always willing to listen to the Chamber despite differences in how policy was seen and implemented.

“Government has taken us seriously, we have been engaged on a number of issues,” Shaanika said.

He conceded that more collaborative work between government and the Chamber was necessary.

“We can do more, there is a greater need for collaboration and more can be done,” Shaanika said. “Our Competitiveness Agenda 2020 was incorporated into government's plans. That speaks volumes of our collaboration,” he said.

Shaanika was CEO of the NCCI for over 14 years. He has now ventured into private sector initiatives. Charity Mwiya has been appointed as his replacement in an acting role.

OGONE TLHAGE

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Cop appears for stealing from inmate

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Cop appears for stealing from inmate The Oshana police have arrested a senior police officer stationed at Ondangwa for the theft of N$15 000 from an inmate, under false pretence. Inspector Hilma Kayele appeared before the Ondangwa Magistrate's Court on Friday.

The Oshana police's regional investigations coordinator Deputy Commissioner Hilja Haipumbu confirmed to Namibian Sun that they arrested Kayele on Thursday and she appeared on Friday on a charge of theft. Haipumbu however could not provide any further information.

A source at the Ondangwa police told Namibian Sun that a desperate inmate, who has been in custody since 2012 on charge of raping his daughter, opened a case against Kayele alleging that she conned money from him promising to get him a lawyer that will enable him to get bail. This, however, never happened.

“According to the inmate, he gave Kayele N$15 000 who promised to get him a lawyer, but she never delivered to her promise. Kayele failed to give a satisfactory explanation to the man and this irked him and he opened a case against her. The man is desperate to get out since he has been there for so long without getting bail and his trial is not starting,” the source said.

On Friday when Kayele appeared before Magistrate Jurina Hochobes, she was granted N$1 000 bail and her matter was postponed to 5 December for further police investigation.

The State was represented by Challie Nabot Tangeni Iiyambo.



ILENI NANDJATO

Airline employee nabbed for fraud

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Airline employee nabbed for fraud A man alleged to have attempted to illegally divert N$1.1 million meant for a payment by Air Namibia to the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) made a brief appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Friday

Penna Munyunda, an employee of the airline, appeared calm and collected in court on Friday. He was not asked to plead on the charges of fraud and attempted theft against him and the case was postponed to Wednesday for a formal bail application.

It is alleged that the attempted theft was squashed by Standard Bank when it alerted the airline that an illegal diversion of money meant as payment to NAC had been requested by staff in its finance department.

The transfer was said to have been done and signed off properly when a suspicious request was made to the bank for the money to be transferred to a different bank account.

Munyunda was identified as the culprit after the internal audit department of the airline investigated after the alert by the bank. Computers were confiscated for this purpose.

He was later arrested by the police.

Magistrate Vanessa Stanley postponed the case to 11 October for a formal bail application. The State's prosecution was led by Rowan van Wyk while lawyer Christiaan Nambahu appeared for Munyunda.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Woman beheaded by boyfriend

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Woman beheaded by boyfriendGBV rages on unimpeded In what appears to be violence of epidemic proportions, women and children are targeted on an almost daily basis by men in Namibia. An overview of new gender-based violence (GBV) cases being investigated by the police since late July, show that the epidemic of the rape, assault and murder of women at the hands of men they trust or even strangers, remains rampant.

In the most recent crime report from the police, a 22-year-old woman's head was chopped off with an axe by her boyfriend last week in the Gobabis area, allegedly for suspecting her of having an affair. The macabre murder occurred on Thursday around 09:00 at Farm Dabis in the Trans-Kalahari area because the man suspected that the victim was cheating on him with someone else. She died at the scene as her boyfriend fled. He was arrested later on the same day and is expected to appear in court today. The victim was identified as Martha Afrikaner.

Then, on Wednesday last week, just after midnight at Ombili location, it is alleged a 15-year-old girl was raped by a 22-year-old man. The suspect apparently took the victim from her residence to his residence and raped her. The suspect has arrested.

At least eight cases related to murder and assault against a woman at the hands of her intimate partner, were opened by Namibian police since late July this year, including the most recent murder of a woman by a man she had been in a relationship with for nine years, and with whom she shared two children.

Moreover, in late July, 23-year-old Rauha Kamati, was reportedly killed after she was beaten to death with a mahangu pounding stick by her 23-year-old boyfriend.

In late September, a 23-year-old woman, Bendeka Hanna Rauha, died after she was “hacked to death” by her alleged boyfriend, the 22-year-old Hashiko Teofilus, who later committed suicide.

A 49-year-old woman, Anna Scott, was found dead after she was beaten and killed by her 53-year-old husband on a farm in the Kalkrand area at the start of August.

In addition, at least 15 cases of rape of women 16 or older, either at the hands of intimate partners or strangers, were opened with police.

Several more cases of rape of juvenile girls aged 15 or younger, were also reported.

A case of rape was opened against a 54-year-old man, accused of raping his 18-year-old daughter in mid-September.

Police said the suspect had allegedly raped the girl “on numerous occasions, but it was not reported to the police as the suspect allegedly promised the victim money”.

In another case, an 18-year-old girl accused her father of repeatedly raping her, which resulted in her pregnancy.

At least two cases of gang rape are being investigated by police, after three men were arrested after they allegedly raped a 35-year-old woman in Aroab on 5 August.

In another case, a 26-year-old woman was raped near a bar in Katima Mulilo by three male suspects. Two men remain on the run, while one was arrested.

In March last year, deputy commissioner Johanne Situde, the head of the police's GBV division, said that more than 50 000 crimes related to GBV, including murder, rape and assault, had been reported over the previous three years.

UN resident coordinator and UNDP representative in Namibia Anita Kiki Gbeho shared notable statistics at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against GBV in November last year.

She said that of married women aged 15 to 49, researchers have found that “33% have experienced physical, sexual, and/or emotional violence from their spouse and have also suffered one or more physical injuries.”

Moreover, 15% of women who experienced physical violence never sought help and a total of 28% of women and 22% of men aged 15-49 justified beating as an acceptable way for a husband to discipline his wife.

About 7% of girls in Namibia are married before the age of 18, she said.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Ministers lose out on nomination slots

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Ministers lose out on nomination slots Some Swapo members have been shaken out of their comfort zones as the politburo directed regions and districts to replace those members who were elected to congress, contrary with the party constitution.

The Swapo secretary-general (SG) Nangolo Mbumba, in a press release on the politburo meeting's proceedings, said the politburo resolved to follow the party constitution to the letter.

“Consequently, those members who were elected by the district conferences and regional conferences but who do not belong to either the District Executive Committee or Regional Executive Committee are disqualified as delegates to the 6th congress. This provision does not apply to members who are members of either the District Executive Committee or Regional Executive Committee in an ex-officio capacity.”

The minsters that will be affected by this resolution include presidential affairs minister Frans Kapofi, mines minister Obeth Kandjoze, economic planning minister Tom Alweendo, finance minister Calle Schlettwein, youth and sport deputy minister Agnes Tjongarero, deputy international relations minister Maureen Hinda and the deputy minister in the prime minister's office Christine Hoebes.

The politburo said the disqualification of all the Otjombinde district still stands.

“Finally, the politburo calls on all its members to conduct a vigorous but clean and civilised campaign, to accept the outcome of the democratic process and to move forward together,” said Mbumba.

Meanwhile, housing minister Sophia Shaningwa was sworn in on Friday as a member of the politburo in the place of former president Hifikepunye Pohamba.

“According to the Swapo constitution the politburo consists of 24 members. Due to a vacancy that exists on the politburo, the next in line on the party list of elected members to the politburo will become a member. In this respect, Sophia Shaningwa, being the next in line, becomes the member of the politburo,” Mbumba said.

According to Mbumba the politburo will on Thursday accept nominations for the top four positions, while on Sunday the central committee will meet to finalise these nominations.

Geingob presented his list on Friday announcing that he would like to have Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as vice-president, Shangingwa as SG, Marco Hausiku as deputy SG.

Geingob told the Politburo that the party's democracy will be tested this year, being the year of the Swapo Elective Congress.

He cautioned members to campaign issues and not personalities.

“Therefore, those cadres that qualify to contest for elections have the right to do so as per our constitution. You play the man, you leave wounds and the game descends into bitterness, since wounds don't heal easily.”

JEMIMA BEUKES

MET comes up N$900m short

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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MET comes up N$900m shortMoney needed for its new conflict plan The environment ministry needs almost N$1 billion for its new human-wildlife conflict plan to mitigate damage suffered by communities. A total of N$900 million is needed to develop and implement solutions and mitigation measures in each region to reduce human-wildlife conflict.

The ministry of environment and tourism is also planning to create dedicated human-wildlife conflict units in each region and at national level.

This is among the actions required in line with the Revised National Policy on Human-Wildlife Conflict Management which has been approved by cabinet and will now be tabled in parliament.

The ministry shared this information when reporting to the National Council Standing Committee on Habitat last week.

The revised policy has proposed sharp increases in pay-outs in human-wildlife conflict which includes an increase for N$5 000 to N$100 000 for loss of life.

It is also proposed that N$3 000 should be paid for cattle killed, up from N$1 500, while N$1 000 will be paid for the loss of crops per hectare, up from N$800.



Early warnings

Colgar Sikopo, director of wildlife and national parks said actions required and cost implications in line with the revised policy include research and monitoring, for which the ministry aims to establish a national database for human-wildlife conflict costing N$250 000. An early warning system is also planned to the tune of N$10 million.

A rapid response unit is planned at N$2 million, while the ministry aims to carry out research on the social behaviour and movement of species which will cost N$2.5 million. It also plans to establish a target population level of certain species costing N$500 000.

“This will establish the carrying capacity in certain areas and how many animals there are in these areas,” said Sikopo.

Also, for the removal of problem-causing animals an amount of N$50 million is needed.

A further N$35 million is also needed for disaster management to ensure preventative and mitigation measures during times of droughts and floods. With regards to the upgrade and rehabilitation of the fence of the Etosha National Park, N$500 million is still needed to complete it.

“Someone needs to provide the money. Four years ago experts said that half a billion is needed to complete the fence, therefore this amount might have increased. But we do not have the money,” said Sikopo.

For the implementation of the revised human-wildlife conflict self-reliance scheme, N$4 million is required and to investigate and provide for a system for insurance for human deaths and injury and livestock killed by wild animals, N$50 million is needed.

Will always be there

Sikopo said addressing human-wildlife conflict requires striking a balance between biodiversity and conservation priorities and the needs of people who live with wildlife.

“It is a conflict we need to accept because it will always be there as long as people and wildlife live together. It needs to be managed.”

According to him compensation for human-wildlife conflict is currently not a government policy.

“For us to do this on a sustainable manner we need funding from external partners and government.”

According to Sikopo, N$900 million is needed to develop and implement technical solutions and mitigation measures in each region to reduce human conflict.



Management

Permanent environment secretary Dr Malan Lindeque said the key message is that the problem of human-wildlife conflict is manageable, if there are resources.

“More can be done if more finance is available and there is a need for specialised units.”

The current total budget of the ministry is about N$600 million, he said.

The first priority for the ministry this year is the lion problem in the Kunene Region where 50 to 100 kraals needs to be built.

However, it was noted that certain conditions are also going to be added in this regard and for instance, if farmers' livestock are attacked at night and they were not in the kraal, they will not receive the pay-out. “You need to help yourself. We are not rewarding poor management,” said Lindeque.

“There is no price to put on a life. We could no longer accept that people are saying the ministry is paying N$5 000 for a person's life.”

The minister can, however, from time to time amend the amounts in the policy if more money is available.

ELLANIE SMIT

Shaningwa steps in at Katima

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Shaningwa steps in at Katima Despite much political pressure and outrage from the Namibian nation, the Katima Mulilo Town Council is pushing ahead with the demolitions of illegal structures at the town.

The CEO of the KMTC Raphael Liswaniso yesterday told Namibian Sun nothing is done outside the law and emphasised that he is not aware of any orders to stop the demolitions and said they are ongoing. His mayor, however, appears to disagree.

During a media briefing on Friday morning Mayor Georgina Mwiya-Simataa said the council is not anti-poor and is only carrying out its mandate, which is to provide serviced land and other amenities at a cost.

However, yesterday she had changed her tune and said the demolitions have been put “on hold” for negotiations with stakeholders to find an amicable solution.

“We have stopped; I have spoken to the urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa now. She wants to see us today [Monday] so that we can brief her on what is happening,” said the mayor.





The town council, on 28 September with the assistance of the police, ordered the demolitions of illegal structures erected on municipal land, leaving many families homeless and some injured.

Shaningwa yesterday handed over houses constructed under the Mass Housing programme at the Bukalo village in the Zambezi Region.

On Friday secretary-general of Swapo Nangolo Mbumba said it is not a party problem but a government issue which must be addressed by the government.

On the same day, the Ombudsman, Advocate John Walters confirmed to Namibian Sun that a team was dispatched that morning to investigate rights violations in the town. Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Norman Tjombe condemned the KMTC saying it has “descended into a vigilante organisation” much like the apartheid regime. Tjombe confirmed that that they are approaching the High Court for an interdict if the actions do not cease.

DTA president McHenry Venaani on Saturday said it is imperative that Shaningwa finds a speedy and caring way to handle the situation before it escalates and more people are hurt.

“It is truly shocking that this many years after the house demolitions at the Old Location under the apartheid government, that today we are faced with a situation in Katima Mulilo which eerily echoes the past,” said Venaani.

He emphasised that although his party does not advocate for lawlessness and people taking the law into their own hands, it equally does not support laws and policies with no humanitarian aspect.

“What is happening in Katima Mulilo is a shame to the political government in this country,” Venaani said adding that the party plans a demonstration on 24 October to demand the delivery of plots for poor people.

The All People's Party (APP) president Ignatius Shixwameni has also laid into the Katima Mulilo political leadership saying it strongly condemns the “barbarism and savagery” of the Swapo-run town council.

“We call upon the Swapo-controlled council and central government to order an immediate stop to this barbarism and savagery against our own people, which is reminiscent of the apartheid regime. It is pure state sponsored terrorism against our own black people and must be stopped immediately and unconditionally,” said Shixwameni.

He also called on President Hage Geingob and Shaningwa to issue an immediate nationwide moratorium stopping all evictions and demolitions of people's property and to speed up the construction of decent and affordable housing for the people.

The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda has also called on the Ombudsman Advocate John Walters to exercise his constitutional mandate and urgently intervene in the matter.

Walters yesterday confirmed that a team is currently in Katima Mulilo to investigate rights abuses.

JEMIMA BEUKES

Swapo battle in full swing

October 8, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Swapo battle in full swingThree-horse race anticipated The battle for the soul of the ruling party is in full swing as more candidates emerge for the leadership contest. New rivals have emerged in the Swapo succession race just three days before the party officially nominates candidates for the top four positions to be contested at next month's congress.

The names of Swapo veteran Nahas Angula and youth minister Jerry Ekandjo have all been linked to the presidency to stand against the party's acting leader Hage Geingob.

Angula told Namibian Sun at the weekend that he was ready to stand for any position, including that of president, if nominated.

He said he will begin lobbying for support once he is nominated.

A politburo source who requested anonymity said Ekandjo and Angula have already started campaigning for the top seat.

The nomination of candidates was deferred to Thursday this week, while more nominations are expected at the upcoming central committee meeting this Sunday.

During Friday's politburo meeting in Windhoek, Geingob announced his top four slate, which includes himself for the presidency, international relations minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for the vice-president position, while urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa is Geingob's preferred candidate for the powerful secretary-general position.

Swapo School acting rector Marco Hausiku will be Geingob's running mate for the deputy secretary-general post.

Geingob on Friday claimed to have consulted his predecessors Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba before drawing up his preferred candidates.

Geingob's announcement has not been well received in some quarters, with some party loyalists accusing him of promoting slate politics, which have been at the centre of divisive regional conferences in the last couple of months.





The Swapo Party Youth League had last week asked Geingob to announce his preferred candidates for the young leaders to campaign for them.

“However, this does not mean that people cannot nominate their preferred candidates or campaign. I am merely carrying out this exercise in order to guide those members who have asked me to reveal my slate,” Geingob said on Friday.

The SPYL, as well as some party members, want Geingob to stand as a sole candidate. This is unlikely to happen as Geingob himself hinted that he would be challenged.

“You may recall that at one stage, while we were sitting in politburo, one of the comrades decided to inform the chairperson that he wanted to avail himself to stand for elections,” said Geingob.

“At another stage, another comrade informed a politburo meeting that although there was nobody to nominate him at that point, he would be nominated at the upcoming central committee meeting.”

At the politburo meeting, Geingob also defended those that want him to stand as a sole candidate. He also rejected calls for two centres of power in Swapo. It will be the first time an incumbent state president contests for the presidency of the party.

“With regards to the announcement of endorsement which some people feel should not have happened, let us take note that in all democratic systems around the world people have a right to endorse their preferred candidate.”



Vice-presidency battle

Meanwhile, there is an interesting battle for the position of vice-president in the offing with the names of Swapo spokesperson Helmut Angula and home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana mentioned as possible challengers to Nandi-Ndaitwah.

In 2012, Iivula-Ithana also stood for the same position and lost out to Geingob. The other candidate who challenged for the position was Ekandjo. Speculation is rife that Ekandjo would pick Iivula-Ithana as his running mate for the vice-president, while the likes of Elijah Ngurare and Armas Amukwiyu are being linked to the secretary-general post.

Helmut Angula told The Namibian last week he was available and would accept a nomination to stand for the Swapo vice-presidency.



STAFF REPORTER

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Lack of fuel delays Air Namibia Walvis flights

October 9, 2017, 7:33 am

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Lack of fuel delays Air Namibia Walvis flights Two Air Namibia flights from Walvis Bay were delayed this afternoon due to outstanding fuel payments.
Rumours surfaced that Air Namibia had not settled its fuel bill and this resulted in the supplier refusing to provide fuel for the two aircraft.
Flights SW713 to Cape Town and SW164 to Windhoek both only departed around two hours behind schedule, at around 12:00.
Paul Nakawa, head of communications at the airline, acknowledged that flights from Walvis Bay were delayed yesterday due to some internal matters regarding fuel payment.
“We have honoured the services rendered to us by the supplier. The money was transferred late last week, however, due to the weekend, the funds did not reflect in the supplier's account, hence the delay of our flights. Air Namibia shared the proof the payment with the supplier and the aircraft were refuelled,” he explained.
“We are continuously monitoring and improving fuel utilisation to effectively reduce costs. We sincerely apologise to our esteemed passengers and members of the flying public for the inconvenience caused by the delay.”
A jet fuel and aviation gas refueller for Southern Energy Company at the Walvis Bay airport Izak van Rooyen, referred enquiries on the matter to his supervisor Harry Green who in return directed the newspaper to the company director Gavin Sayce in Cape Town South Africa.
Sayce did not want to comment on the reason for the delays and referred the newspaper to Air Namibia. He however pointed out that the company had sufficient fuel supplies available and said there were no fuel shortages at the airport.
OTIS FINCK

Namibian kick-boxers prove their mettle

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Namibian kick-boxers prove their mettle The first professional kick-boxing world title fight hosted by the Namibian Kickboxing Federation (NKF) in Walvis Bay on Saturday was an astronomical success.

South African Brandon Mashele successfully defended his Ring Contact Fighting Arts International (RCFAI) world title against Hendrick Jean Clain of Reunion Island in the first professional kick-boxing title fight hosted on Namibian soil.

Mashele broke Hendricks's left arm with a powerful kick and won the battle by technical knockout in the first round.

The three Namibian Sub-Saharan title fight contenders who were up against South African opposition also did not disappoint. The Namibians won all their fights and ensured that the three titles remain in Namibia.

Reigning junior sportsman, Delano Müller defeated the South African Thabiso Mkwebane on points in an atom-weight title fight over five rounds.

Lesley Hoaeb defeated Nico Bezuidenhoudt with a technical knockout in the fourth round of a super lightweight title fight.

Julian Müller defeated Johan Scholtz by unanimous decision in a super middleweight title fight.

The intensity of each fight, fighting skills and prowess of the fighters had spectators ecstatic and calling for more.

“We are privileged and the standard has been set very high. Namibia now has its own champions who can defend the titles they won against challengers on Namibian soil in future. We are also now in a position to select an inclusive Namibian kick-boxing team to represent the country at international level,” said Anita de Klerk, the president of NKF.

She thanked all the participants for contributing to the success of the Desert Storm competition.

The four title fights and 11 undercards were preceded by more than 150 fighters from clubs in Angola, Brazil, Namibia, the United States, Reunion Island, South Africa and Zimbabwe competing in kick-boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions earlier in the day.

The Namibian Sport Commission sanctioned the event but its officials were conspicuous in their absence.

RCFAI president Joe Viljoen said the event was a huge step forward for Namibian kick-boxing and that the organisation was looking forward to take fighters from the continent to the rest of the world.

“We are in the process of identifying and selecting idols from Africa to promote the right way of life and the sport. Generations of talent have unfortunately gone missing and now we have the opportunity to take our rightful place on the world stage.

“We need to build professional fighters in Africa because negotiations with pay-per-view television services are ongoing to promote huge title fights.”

Matheus and Smith win Hangana marathon

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Matheus and Smith win Hangana marathon Local marathon thrills The Hake Run and Ride held at the coast produced unexpected winners over the weekend. Jesaja Matheus from the Correctional Services road-running club won the Hangana 42.2km marathon on Saturday.

Matheus completed the distance from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay in a time of 2:20:37.

Formerly known as the Lucky Star Marathon, the Hangana Hake Run and Ride is Namibia's oldest coastal running and cycling event taking place in Walvis Bay.

The weather played along with more than 500 athletes and cyclists from Australia, the USA, Canada and Namibia in action. This year's event included a marathon which serves as a qualifier for the Two Oceans and Comrades marathons in South Africa, and a 105km road cycling event sanctioned by the Namibia Cycling Federation.

Sakaria Shifotoka finished second with a time of 2:20:38 while Erich Goeieman was third with a time of 2:24:27 in the full marathon.

Stephanie Smith won the women's section and completed the distance in a time of 2:54:24. Risa Drey finished second with a time of 3:17:26 and Laura Parker was third with a time of 3:28:53.

Beata Nagaimbo won the 21.1km half-marathon in a time of 1:16:37. Tania Wiese finished second in a time of 1:43:29. Julia Feliner finished third with a time of 1:46:26.

Mynhardt Kauaninvi won the men's half marathon. He completed the race in a time of 1:12:40, followed by Tangeni Sackaria with a time of 1:14:57 and Eino Kambonde with a time of 1:20:36.

Salmi Ndaviteko was the fastest woman in the 10km race. She completed the distance in a time of 0:32:12. Elizabeth Kawiwi followed in second with a time of 0:36:04 and Elizabeth Elias was third with a time of 0:37:48.

Kornelius Nghilyeedele won the 10km race for men. He completed the distance in a time of 0:27:23. Arnoles Tjihuro was second with a time of 0:35:29 and Johan du Plessis third with a time of 0:38:09.

Ada Khal was the fastest junior female with her time of 0:48:43 and Setian Huisemab the fastest junior male with his time of 0:34:23 over the 10km distance. JoJoe Hamunyela was the fastest cyclist in the 105km elite men's category with a time of 2:51:29. Lotto Petrus was second and Drikus Coetzee finished in third position.

Silke Pritzen won the elite women's category in a time of 3:51:08 followed by Lorinda Viljoen in second place.

Danica Visser won the 21km women's mountain-bike race with a time of 0:54:28 and Wynand Gouws won the men's event in a time of 0:44:16.

In the fat-bike race over 21km Marion von Maltzahn won the masters women's category, Lonel Smith won the veterans' category and Karen Till won the veteran women's section.

Robert Schaaf won the sub-veteran men's division, Sven Strotmenger won the veteran men's section, Torsten Herrman won the masters men's division and Johan Terblanche finished first in the grand masters' division.

Jan Duvenhage won the girls' 5km kiddie's cycle race and Dionisio Dias won the boys' race.

Kilimanjaro Boxing Club hosts boxing bonanza

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Kilimanjaro Boxing Club hosts boxing bonanzaGlove exchange ends in draw Jason Immanuel and Steven Paulus from Oshakati’s Kilimanjaro Boxing Club fought to a draw in the main bout of a 12-fight amateur boxing tournament at Ohakweenyanga village at the weekend. This first Konyaka Guest Hotel Boxing Bonanza took place in the north on Saturday night.

The Konyaka Guest Hotel at Ohakweenyanga village near Ongwediva sponsored the tournament to the tune of N$12 000 after the chairperson of the Kilimanjaro Boxing Club, Joseph Bernard, approached the management with a request for sponsorship. Bernard said the tournament would help to produce competitive boxers who could compete nationally and internationally. “We should also be able to host boxing tournaments of national and international standard here in northern Namibia, hence the need for us to produce and prepare our local boxers for those competitions,” he said at the event.

He added that a similar boxing bonanza sponsored by the Swapo Party's Oshikoto regional coordinator, Armas Amukwiyu, would be hosted at Ondangwa on 28 October. Boxers on Saturday competed in junior, youth and senior categories. The Kilimanjaro Boxing Club emerged the winner of the tournament with nine wins, followed by Ondangwa with three wins. The tournament's winners are Trofimus Johannes, Fabianus Stefanus, Johannes Kondjeni, Hafeni Hofni, Titus David, Johannes Molosande, Linus Nyati, Moombola Nghishimwene and Immanuel Paulus for Kilimanjaro.

Nestor Lewis, Erastus Jonas and Nghinamanu Michael are the winners from the Ondangwa Boxing Club.

Remembering Che

October 9, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Remembering CheThousands commemorate 50th anniversary of his death On Sunday, Che Guevara died 50 years ago at the hands of American-trained soldiers and more than 70 000 people celebrated his life in Cuba. Tens of thousands of Cubans turned out on Sunday to pay tribute to Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the Argentine-born Marxist revolutionary and guerrilla leader, on the 50th anniversary of his death, celebrated on 9 October.

An estimated 70 000 people thronged the streets outside a mausoleum in this town 300km east of the capital Havana which houses the remains of Guevara and of some of his former comrades.

President Raul Castro, dressed in his general's uniform, was among those attending the ceremony in Santa Clara, which was the site of a December 1958 battle that finally sent Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista into exile.

Raul Castro fought alongside Guevara during the Cuban revolution led by his brother Fidel Castro.

The 39-year-old Guevara was captured and executed by a CIA-trained unit of the Bolivian army on 9 October 1967.

This year's ceremony was the first in the absence of Fidel Castro, who died last year, and an excerpt from one of his speeches honouring Guevara was played for the crowd.

The anniversary comes amid the dying gasps of other Latin American guerrilla movements such as the FARC in Colombia, which last year reached a peace deal with the government and recently disarmed.

The rally capped a week of tributes to the guerrilla fighter that helped overthrow Cuba’s dictatorship and bring Fidel Castro to power, before he was ambushed and killed in Bolivia in 1967.

On the ground floor of the memorial, a cavern-like enclosure holds the remains of Guevara and 30 of his comrades fallen in Bolivia. An eternal flame, lit by then President Fidel Castro, pays homage to the fighters.

On Sunday, Raul Castro and other Communist Party leaders paid tribute to Guevara and his guerrilla partners inside the memorial.

Cuban First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel said: “Che is not dead, as his enemies wanted. His figure grows larger as time passes and younger generations recognise his revolutionary paradigm.”

Guevara is now a “universal symbol” and inspiration in the struggle for the liberation of different nations “oppressed by imperialism”, said Diaz-Canel.

“He had a very original way of facing life, and his comrades knew how to appreciate his simplicity, sincerity, naturalness, companionship, stoicism, reckless disposition to always face the most difficult situation.”

His altruism and conscious revolutionary spirit have become an ideal to follow, said Diaz-Canel.

In Bolivia, President Evo Morales, accompanied by his cabinet and other leading figures, completed a two-kilometre pilgrimage to La Higuera, where Guevara was killed by CIA-backed mercenaries.

Born in the Argentine city of Rosario in 1928 and trained as a doctor, Guevara joined Fidel Castro’s insurgency in 1956 to overthrow Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista, and played a leading role in the rebel victory.

With Cuba under new leadership, he left the country to continue his struggle against oppression, first to Congo and then to Bolivia, where he was ambushed and killed by mercenaries.

NAMPA/AFP