Mourinho, Klopp at odds over Anfield stalemate

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Mourinho, Klopp at odds over Anfield stalemateDraw frustrates Liverpool Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp pointed the finger of blame at each other after their teams' much-anticipated showdown ended in a forgettable 0-0 draw. Having averaged 3.2 goals per game prior to Saturday's game, United changed tack for the trip to Anfield, producing an extremely cautious display that moved Klopp to assert the visitors had played for a point.

United's approach was in stark contrast to that of Manchester City, who routed Stoke City 7-2 to go two points clear of their title rivals at the Premier League summit, but Mourinho said Klopp had been jointly responsible.

“I was waiting for Jurgen to change,” the United manager told reporters.

“I was waiting for him to go more attacking, but he kept the three strong midfielders all the time where he was having control because I only had Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic.

“When I brought on Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford, I was waiting for him to give me more space to counter, but he didn't give me that.”

Seeking to ward off accusations his team had played with undue conservatism, Mourinho suggested Klopp should have been more proactive and paid him a backhanded compliment by praising Liverpool's defensive organisation.

“I know that probably you think we were defensive and they were offensive,” he said.

“Well, you were at home and you don't move anything? I don't know. I was waiting for that. He didn't.

“I think he did well, honestly. He didn't let the game break. They were very good from the defensive point of view.”

In a post-match television interview, Klopp said Mourinho's defensive tactics would not be tolerated from a Liverpool manager.

“I'm sure we could not do this at Liverpool. That's how it is. But obviously at Manchester it's okay,” he said. “I don't judge this.”

The result kept Liverpool seven points below United and left them nine points behind leaders City.

While Klopp defended his team's display, his comments indicated he does not consider his side to be on United's level.

“For me today, one team who can become champions this year was in our stadium and is not a world apart from us,” the German told his post-match press conference.

“It's not that we are playing different planets and they are really good and we do not find the entrance to the stadium.”

Liverpool spurned two big chances, firstly in the first half when David de Gea saved sharply from Joel Matip and Mohamed Salah put the rebound wide and then in the second when Joe Gomez crossed for Emre Can to volley over.

Klopp felt Philippe Coutinho should have been given a penalty for a trip by Ander Herrera on the hour.

He also claimed Romelu Lukaku could have seen red for catching Dejan Lovren's face with his boot during a first-half tangle, although replays suggested the contact was accidental.

Liverpool have now won just once in eight matches in all competitions and Klopp complained their poor recent run was prejudicing the media's perception of their performance against United.

“Maybe we didn't create enough chances, but the problem is that everything you ask is always underlined with negatives,” he said.

“That is how it is with our situation, if we had won the last five games.

“Today we created enough chances to win the game. We should have had a penalty, maybe a red card, but we didn't. You can write whatever you want.”

He added: “If you watched the game and have an idea about football, you can't expect that we create many chances against Manchester United. It is simply not possible. Barcelona is the best. They would not do it.

“The season is not over. The main thing you have to do during a season is to develop and to perform. That is what we do. So far we didn't get enough for it.”

NAMPA/AFP

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SA President Zuma must face corruption charges, court rules

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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SA President Zuma must face corruption charges, court rulesCorruption charges won't go away Zuma expects South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority to consider representations from his legal team before making a decision about whether to prosecute him. South Africa's President Jacob Zuma must face charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering, the Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled.

It agreed with a lower court ruling last year that prosecutors could bring back 783 counts of corruption relating to a 1999 arms deal.

The charges had been set aside eight years ago, enablingb Zuma to become president.

The president has always maintained his innocence.

In a statement, Zuma's office said the ruling was “disappointing”, but anticipated.

The charges relate to Zuma's relationship with a businessman, Shabir Shaik, who was tried and found guilty in 2005 of soliciting bribes from a French arms company “for the benefit of Zuma”.

Zuma and other government officials have been accused of taking kickbacks from the purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and other arms.

Charges were first brought against Zuma in 2005 but dropped by prosecutors in 2009.

Last year, the High Court in the capital, Pretoria, ruled in a case brought by the opposition Democratic Alliance that he should face the charges.

Zuma went on to lodge a challenge with the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Zuma has battled for years to avoid going on trial for 783 counts of corruption, linked to a politically charged bribery scandal that stretches back to the 1990s.

The case against him was dropped in controversial circumstances in 2009, when the security services produced recordings of phone conversations that apparently show there was “political meddling” by prosecutors.

Weeks later, Zuma became president of the country.

Zuma's presidential term ends in 2019, when he will not be eligible to stand in another election having already served two terms in office.

His eventful presidency has seen him survive eight votes of no-confidence, making him the most colourful and controversial president South Africa has had since white-minority rule ended in 1994.

BBC

OmuChina a pewa omboloha yooN$15 000

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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OmuChina a pewa omboloha yooN$15 000 Ompangu yamangestrata gwaTsumeb oya gandja omboloha yongushu yooN$15 000, komukwashigwana gwaChina, ngoka a kambadhala okufuta ombumbo omunambelewa gwopolisi peinda lyopolisi lyaShivelo.

Mo Yongmeng (36) okwa pewa omboloha yooN$15 000 konima sho a tulwa miipandeko sho a kambadhala okugandja ombumbo yoshimaliwa shooN$200.

Opolisi oya popi kutya, etulo miipandeko ndyoka olya ningwa mEtiyali lwopotundi onti: 09:15, sha landula sho AaChina mboka yali molweendo okuza mOvenduka ya yi peinda ndyoka pOshivelo.

Omunambelewa okwa pula aakwashigwana mboka opo ya gandje omikanda dhawo dhomalweendo ihe ngoka a li omufaalela kali e na omukanda. Ngoka ta hingi aniwa okwa tula oshimaliwa shooN$200 meke lyomunambelewa gwopolisi opo e ya pitike ya tsikile nolweendo lwawo naashoka osha etitha etulo miipandeko lyawo.

Pauyelele wopolisi, omuhingi ngoka a tulilwa mo oshipotha shonkambadhala yokufuta ombumbo omunambelewa, okwa holola mompangulilo yaTsumeb ohela, omanga mukwawo ngoka a tulwa miipandeko kaanambelewa yomatembu a pewa omasiku 14 opo a gandje omukanda gwe gwomalweendo nenge a tulilwe moshipotha ngele okwa ndopa okugandja omukanda gwe ngoka.

Moshiningwanima shilwe, mOmaandaha opolisi yaShikoto oya tula miipandeko omulumentu gwoomvula 20, ngoka a tsu nombele omunaskola omukwawo mondjila yawo yokuza koskola.

Oshiningwanima shoka osha ningilwa momukunda Okambugha, lwopotundi onti-15:40.

Nakusa okwa tumbulwa kedhina kutya omunamimvo 19 , Mhanda Fredrick.

Opolisi oya hokolola kutya mboka yaali oya li mondjila yawo okuza koskola sho omufekelwa a kuthamo ombele nokutsa mukwawo montulo kombinga yokolulyo.

Nakuninga oshihakanwa okwa falwa moshipangelo shepangelo mOmuthiya na okwa lundululilwa mOshipangelo shaNandjokwe hoka a hulithile.a

Moshiningwanima sha yooloka, omudhimba gwomunamimvo 49, Christopher Kamati ogwa dhika gweendjelela momuti mofaaalama yedhina Farm Vryheid no.888 South mOshivelo.

Nakusa ngoka e li omufekelwa moshipotha shuulunga wiimuna okwa li a yi kOshakati mOmaandaha na okwa tomeke omulilo egumbo lyombangi moshipotha shoka ta tamanekelwa, omuniilonga omukwawo mofaaalama ngoka a hupu moshiponga shoka shomulilo.

Omudhimba gwe ogwa falwa mopolisi yaTsumeb opo gu ka konaakonwe.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Yambidhidheni Hage nenge mu dhige po oSwapo

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Yambidhidheni Hage nenge mu dhige po oSwapoOmapopyo ngoka ga nyanwa Mboka itaya yambidhidha Omupresidende Hage Geingob onga omuulikwa omuhogololwa presidende gwongundu yoSwapo, oya kunkililwa ya thigepo ongundu yoSwapo komunangeshefa gwomonooli. Omunangeshefa gwomonooli Sigo Amunyela okwa popi kutya mboka itaya yambidhidha Geingob opo a ninge omupresidende gwongundu yoSwapo, pethimbo lyomahgololo gongundu ngoka taga ningwa momwedhi twa taalela, naya dhigepo ongundu ndjoka.

Pethimbo lyomutumba gwelelo lyongundu ndjoka ngoka gwa ningwa mEtitano lyoshiwike sha pitile mOvenduka, Geingob okwa tseyitha nokuulika yane yomaaleli mboka a hogolola opo ya kale aakuthimbinga methigathano ndyoka, mwa kwatelwa yemwene pompito yuupresidende,

ominista yomakwatathano gopaigwana, Netumbo Nandi -Ndaitwah pehala lyuupeha presidende oshowo Sophia Shaningwa pompito yuuamushanga wongundu.

Marco Hausiku opehala lyuupeha amushanga.

Etokolo lyaGeingob inali tambulwako koyendji , sho yamwe taya popi kutya etokolo lye ndyoka otali topolwa nokweeta uutondwe ongundu, pethimbo ndyoka sho kwa tegelelwa ku ningwe omahogololo.

Omuprima minista nale Nahas Angula oshowo ominista yOmaudhano Jerry Ekandjo oyo yamwe mboka ya holola hokwe yawo okukutha ombinga medhigathano lyuupresidende.

Amunyela okwa li ta yambidhidha Geingob nomo-2012.

Oshiwike sha piti, Amunyela okwa ningi omutumba niikundaneki mOshakati, ta popi kutya ye ota yambidhidha Geingob opo a ninge omupresidende gwongundu yoSwapo.

Amunyela okwa popi kutya ongundu yawo ndjoka tayi yambidhidha Hage oya kumwa sho aanenentu yamwe mongundu ya uvu nayi komusholondondo gwaahogololwa yaHage.

Okwa popi kutya mboka oye na ondumbo na oya uvu nayi molwaashaoka inaya hogololwa komupresidende.

Omolwashike ye wete kutya oyo taya vulu okulela ongundu yoSwapo? Ngele ina ye mu inekela omolwashike itaya thigi po epangelo ndyoka li li kohi yelelo lyaGeingob,” Amunyela a popi.

Sho a pulwa ngele okwa hala Geingob a ninge omupresidende gwoSwapo, ina kondjithwa, Amunyela okwa popi kutya Namibia oshilongo shamanguluka ihe ongundu yawo ndjoka tayi yambidhidha Geingob oya hala oye a ninge omupresidende gwoSwapo.

Sho a pulwa ngele okwa pewa elombwelo kuGeingob opo a ninge omahwahwameko gokuyambidhidha Geingob, Amunyela ina koleka nenge a tinde epulo ndyoka ihe okwa popi kutya oku na uuthemba okuyambidhidha Geingob a manguluka.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Uukwathitho otawu kaleke aanona yaakadhona mooskola

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Uukwathitho otawu kaleke aanona yaakadhona mooskola Ominista yElongo, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa okwa popi kutya kape na omatompelo kutya omolwashike aanona yaakadhona yethimbo lyongashiingeyi ye na okutaalela omaupyakadhi gonakuziwa.

Minista okwa popi kutya ope na iinima mbyoka hayi yi moshipala omalongo gaanona pamukalo guukilila naangoka inagu ukilila. Himarwa okwa popi ngaaka pethimbo poshituthi shegandjo lyomagano guukwathitho waanona yaakadhona mboka haya hiti ooskola, pehala lyoForum for African Women Educationalists in Namibia (Fawena) mOvenduka.

Oshituthi shoka osha endele mumwe netyapulo lyEsiku lyAanona yAakadhona.

“Nonando aanona yaamati oya taalela omashongo ogendji, aanona yaakadhona oya taalela eshongo enene ngele ya koko. Otashi etitha ohenda onene sho aanona mboka ya za moofamili dha hepa taya hupu nuudhigu mokumona uukwathitho. Onkalo ndjoka otayi yi moshipala omukumo gwaanona yaakadhona,” minista Himarwa a popi.

Minista okwa tsikile kutya ngele onkalo ya nayipala aanona mboka ohaya thiminikwa konkalo opo ya faule kootundi, nokuyanda esithahoni okuza kaanona yakwawo.

“Onduuvu kutya aanona ohaya thiminikwa konkalo ndjoka opo ya tete omatalashe nenge oombaapila onga ekwatho lyawo.”

Uukwathitho mboka wa gandjwa omagano, owa landa noshimaliwa sha thika pooN$50 000 shoka sha gandjwa omagano kehangano lyoMorcar Fishing oshowo oshimaliwa shooN$250 000 okuza kuuministeli welongo.

“Okupitila mooshali ndhika, Fawena ota tsikile nokukwashilipaleka ongushu yelongo mokati kaanona yaakadhona moNamibi,” Himarwa ta ti. Ehangano lyoForum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) ehangano lyaashi lyopapangelo lya totwapo momvula yo-1992 na otali longele monena miilongo yaAfrika, 34.

FAWE Namibia's (Fawena) okwa patulula omiyelo dhe mo-1999, meyambidhidho lyUuministeli wElongo. Elalakano lyehangano ndyoka okugandja elongo lyongushu kaanona ayehe yaakadhona oshowo aakiintu moNamibia.



JEMIMA BEUKES

Shot of the day

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Shot of the day PROTEST: A protester throws a brick as opposition party's supporters confront Togolese Security Forces during a demonstration against Togo's president on 5 October 2017 in Lome. Thousands of protesters turned out in the West African state for the second day running, in a campaign aimed at forcing out President Faure Gnassingbe. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Open letter to the people of Namibia

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Open letter to the people of Namibia There seems to be a lot of confusion these days amongst people in Namibia, about the government and its role, especially those working for it and in particular, those in charge of handling money, awarding tenders, claiming unnecessary S&T, going on taxpayer funded foreign trips etc.

Fundamentally it is very simple and quite straight forward: it means the money you are entrusted with, is not yours, it is the people's money. So if anything (projects, infrastructure, trips, etc) is not “wholly and exclusively for the good and wellbeing of the people of Namibia”, it is not in the interest of the nation and therefore, should not be done. So, if you are not acting as a “servant of and to the people”, you are not doing what you are supposed to be doing and should not be in that position in the first place, because your motives and motivation are obviously wrong.

The very reason for the existence of this system, is the system itself. So if the few are cutting down the tree and using it for firewood in the short term, there is going to be no fruit to eat and shade to sit under for the many, in the long term. The tree is also communal and to and for the benefit of everybody. That should be the guiding principle. So, to the civil servant, the minister and all the cronies who benefit from this parasitic state of things at the moment, who are sleeping on the job and underperforming, illegally claiming and rent seeking, you are stealing from the community chest. The only reason you have a job and the very object of your existence is because of this, so start doing your job, stop stealing from the people and start serving them like you are supposed to.

And then to the people: everybody in this country is elected by you - now that is real power - but you have to use it! Hold elected people to account, on every level and at every opportunity. The structures are there. If they are not doing their job, pressure them, hold them responsible, or kick them out! The most important reason for the status quo, is the peoples' tolerance. The motto has to be: “Don't tolerate these things.” Only then, can change happen.

Work stress can kill

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Work stress can kill At least 50% of people with depression do not receive treatment as a result of lack of information, stigma and cultural taboos.

This was said by the World Health Organisation's director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, at the World Mental Health Day commemoration held in Windhoek on Tuesday.

Moeti's speech was delivered by WHO Namibia health promotion officer Celia Kaunatjike on behalf of Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, the WHO country representative.

According to Moeti, 10% of workers globally have taken time off work for depression while an average of 36 work days are lost when a worker gets depressed. People find it difficult to disclose that they have emotional problems in the workplace, she added.

“Mental health has a critical impact on economic development and wellbeing. Productivity losses from absenteeism associated with mental health problems are substantial and appear to be increasing. Work-related stress costs global society billions of dollars annually in direct and indirect costs,” said Moeti.

She added that there is a strong economic case not only to tackle employer stigma but also to invest in mental health promotion, prevention and treatment programmes in the workplace.

“Treating anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders is an affordable, cost-effective way to promote wellbeing and prosperity. Up to 80% of those treated improve, usually within four to six weeks. Depression is preventable and treatable if diagnosed early,” she said. She added that the causes and consequences of work-related stress are best handled through a combination of collective and individual measures with a focus on prevention.

“Mental-health-friendly workplaces have programmes and practices that promote employee wellness and a work-and-life balance, treat mental illness with the same urgency as physical illness and provide training for managers in mental health workplace issues,” she said.

STAFF REPORTER

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Teacher vacancies ready soon

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Teacher vacancies ready soonEducation minister explains delay Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa says the delay in publishing the teacher vacancy list for next year was necessitated by a cost-cutting exercise. The education ministry has apologised for the delay in the posting of teaching vacancies but said the temporary inconvenience was necessary in order for the ministry to comply with government orders to trim unnecessary expenditure.

Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said the deadline for regions to submit their staff vacancies was Thursday, and the ministry's cut off line for the cabinet ratification and publication of the bulletin is hoped to be no later than the end of the month.

Hanse-Himarwa said the publication of the vacancy bulletin in November allows sufficient time for the various role-players to comply with the processes in appointing teachers for the next school year.

The minister acknowledged that recent concerns expressed about the delay are “well warranted”, and that the ministry “understands the interest and anxiety that the delay” has caused.

At Thursday's press conference to explain the factors that have led to the delay, she said they have been vital to streamlining future processes at the ministry.

“Going forward this inconvenience will be translated into a successful transition and progress of our activities in the ministry. So it's a once off inconvenience, and we apologise for it, but it is for a good cause going forward.”

The minister said that in recent months a stringent auditing process of the entire region's staffing needs were carried out as a quality control measure and in order to ensure that the ministry sticks to its mandate to reduce its wage bill where feasible.

In July schools submitted vacancy lists to the ministry but the “verification exercise revealed that the financial implications of the regional staffing needs as presented were highly unsustainable.”

Schools were instructed to revisit their staffing needs “by critically and analytically assessing their workforce or staffing as per the post provisional norms and to resubmit their prioritised vacancy lists.”

The minister dismissed recent accusations that the delay had been deliberate as “absolutely irrational, irresponsible” and based on incorrect facts.

She repeated previous public statements that the ministry's wage bill accounts for 85% of its total budget spending, which leaves the ministry “with very little on capital spending, which has a significant bearing on teaching and learning.”

She said that increasing government wage bills have reached “unsustainable” levels from an economic perspective.

As such, the ministry has to “ensure that the money we receive is not only well spent, but also fully accounted for. This can only be achieved by ensuring that we put our house in order while making sure that we employ the checks and balances necessary.”

In line with efforts to streamline spending and ensure that the necessary due diligence is applied to spending, the ministry has introduced a number of compensatory reduction strategies at all levels.

This includes not filling vacant management positions, except for principal posts. Head-of-departments are appointed only on an acting basis.

An annual verification of payroll data is conducted, and discrepancies addressed, while conducting annual head counts of staff in “order to eliminate the possibility of ghost staff.”

An analysis of current staff levels at schools and the identification of uneconomical schools are being conducted, and the gradual consolidation of these schools with other schools is being considered.

Hanse-Himarwa said these and other measures are in line with the ministry's expected compliance to contain the growing wage bill and to trim the size of the ministry, especially in regard to staffing.

Teachers Union of Namibia (TUNJ) secretary general Mahongora Kavihuha could not be reached for comment yesterday. This week he threatened countrywide protest marches because of the delay in the posting of teaching vacancies.

Hanse-Himarwa yesterday said the ministry's open door policy remains applicable to all, including TUN and other unions. She said that TUN should have the “mettle to come forth and engage us appropriately and we shall oblige in the interest of the Namibian child.”

JANA-MARI SMITH

Sentenced court officials out on bail

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Sentenced court officials out on bail Four Oshakati Magistrate's Court officials arrested in 2014 for using their offices for gratification and defeating the course of justice, who were sentenced last Friday, have been granted bail pending appeal.

The officials are three former court interpreters, Juuso Matheus, Helvi Hamukoto, Gervasius Hidimokkanya, and a police inspector, Shithigona Sevelia Ndeutenge.

Magistrate Konjore Unchen sentenced Matheus to 48 months in prison and 12 months were conditionally suspended for five years.

Hamukoto, Hidimokkanya and Ndeutenge were sentenced to 24 months in prison, of which six months were conditionally suspended for five years.

Following their sentencing, the four applied for bail pending appeal and each was granted N$7 000 by Magistrate Karrel Muyeghu.

In November 2012, Matheus received N$2 600 from Gideon Shilongo who had gone to pay a fine for a traffic offence at the Oshakati Magistrate's Court.

On that day, Shilongo found the office for payments closed and he left the money with Matheus who promised that he would pay on his behalf.

Matheus did not pay the money and later Shilongo was arrested because of the unpaid ticket.

Shilongo then told the court he had left the money with a court official whom he identified as Matheus.

On 14 March 2013, Hamukoto, Hidimokkanya and Ndeutenge approached the first witness in this case and asked her to tell Shilongo not to disclose that Matheus was the person whom he had given the money.

The matter was later investigated the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the investigation led to arrest of the four on 23 July 2014.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Goverment restrictions hamper farming sector

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Goverment restrictions hamper farming sectorSupport, not restriction needed Restrictive measures implemented by the government in the small stock sector have had a negative impact on value addition and economic growth, the president of the Namibia Agricultural Union has said. The government's intervention in the value chain is limiting the development of the agricultural sector, while its restrictive measures implemented in the small stock sector have had a negative impact on value addition and economic growth.

Speaking at the annual congress of the Namibia Agricultural Union, NAU president Ryno van der Merwe said the government has a supportive role to play.

According to him, the much debated Small Stock Marketing Scheme is a classic example where restrictive measures implemented by government, instead of supportive measures, have had contradictory effect on the objectives of value addition and economic growth.

He said the result of these restrictive measures was evident in the declining numbers of sheep in the country, where producers must look at alternative measures to survive. This has already resulted in the closure of two small-stock abattoirs.

“The question is whether supportive mechanism instead of restrictive measures would not be a better option to achieve the goals of economic development in the Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) and the Harambee Prosperity Plan,” said Van der Merwe.

He added that agriculture is an important and strategic sector in the Namibian economy and with the necessary support can unlock more value to make a bigger contribution towards the GDP.

Van der Merwe said investment in agriculture is an essential prerequisite to promoting agricultural growth, reducing poverty, hunger and promoting environmental sustainability.

“The existence or absence of a conducive investment climate depends on markets and governments.”

According to him, in the absence of an enabling environment and adequate market incentives, farmers will not invest adequately in agriculture and their investment may not yield optimal results.

According to him governments, in their quest to alleviate poverty, generate growth and employment, sometimes tend to become a much larger participant in the economy, specifically engaging in the private sector activities.

“However, due care should however be taken to find the optimal balance since the key requirements to be a competitive government do not equate to the key competencies to be a successful private sector business. This is one of the reasons why SOEs all over the world generate material losses.”

According to Van der Merwe, in the agricultural sector the establishment of AMTA is one such example.

He said although the government acknowledged the role of the private sector as the vehicle for economic growth, its intervention in the value chain limits the development of the full potential of such growth.

Van der Merwe said Namibia is exposed to the international market, economic and political sentiment and tendencies which bring competition.

To add sustainable value, each business in the value chain's success or profitability will depend on how effective it can compete on the international market.

“We cannot allow that costs as a result of ineffectiveness and poor performance shift because of the primary product to the producer.”

According to Van der Merwe, agriculture has become more complex and producers are faced with bigger challenges to produce sustainably and be more profitable. He said last year was a good example of where coincidences of numerous factors caused insecurity and put pressure on the profitability of agriculture. Most of the factors such as drought, emergency sales, strict export regulations and the decrease in prices of weaners were out of the control of producers and had already negatively influenced the profitability of producers since 2012.

“The big challenge is now to come into full production, improve rangeland and financial viability.”

He said there are currently numerous challenges facing Namibia which have to be addressed. The decrease in economic growth has a negative impact on the national treasury and puts pressure on government's budget and ability to meet their obligations and to invest in national capital projects.

Van der Merwe said another challenge facing Namibia is socio-economic welfare and economic differences and inequalities must be addressed.

“The challenge is how to engage the majority of Namibians in the economy on a sustainable basis to create wealth and alleviate poverty.”

He said this should be done without restricting investors in taking risk, making new investments and utilising their competencies to the best advantage of the country.





ELLANIE SMIT

Muharukua to be buried in Kunene

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Muharukua to be buried in Kunene President Hage Geingob on Friday intervened in a dispute between the relatives of the late Angelika Muharukua, advising that the former Kunene governor should be buried at Opuwo instead of the Heroes’ Acre.

One faction of Muharukua’s family wanted her to be buried at Heroes’ Acre in the capital, while another insisted that she be buried next to her grandfather at Okozongondjoza village.

Because of the dispute, a memorial service that had been scheduled for 11 October at Okjatjetje village near Opuwo had to be postponed.

Passing the president’s message on to the family at a gathering on Friday, the chairman of the Kunene regional council, Julius Kaujova, said President Geingob values culture and elders of the late Muharukua’s family, hence his advice that she be laid to rest at Okozongondjoza village next to her late grandfather as she wished.

Kaujova said all the family members agreed to heed the president’s advice.

A memorial service will now be held at Parliament Gardens in Windhoek on Wednesday. On Thursday the coffin will be flown to Okatjetje village in Kunene Region for traditional ceremonies.

Kaujova added that the coffin will then be taken to the Newman Katuta Stadium at Opuwo on Friday for a final memorial service before her burial on Saturday.

Muharukua died of a suspected heart attack on 1 October at her residence in Hochland Park in Windhoek. Her husband, Uaundjisa Festus Muharukua, died in 2015 when his car was swept away by a flooded stream.

NAMPA

Muharukua's husband's family joins burial dispute

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Muharukua's husband's family joins burial dispute It has still not been decided where the late Kunene governor Angelika Muharukua will be buried – at Heroes' Acre or next to her father in the region.

A fourth meeting to discuss the matter ended inconclusively on Thursday.

Family groups claiming a stake in the matter keep multiplying on a daily basis, with the latest group being from her late husband's side. They claim that since Muharukua was married, they have the right to decide where she should be buried.

She was married to Uaundjisa Festus Muharukua, who died in 2015 when his car was swept away by a flooding stream.

“We have the right to take the decision because of the marriage certificate,” said Chief German Muzuma of Vita Royal House.

Muzuma told Nampa on Thursday he did not understand why the other two groups – the Ovakuejuva clan representing the maternal side and the Ovakuendjandje clan representing the paternal side - were saying they had the right to decide where Muharukua should be buried.

He explained that according to OvaHerero/Himba culture, once a woman is married, whether conventionally with a marriage certificate or traditionally, the woman is regarded as part of her husband's family.

Muzuma said the husband's family prefer that she be buried at Heroes' Acre as she has been accorded a state funeral by the government, and that was a sign of respect for what she had done for Namibians.

The government is still waiting for feedback from Muharukua's family before organising memorial and burial services.

President Hage Geingob accorded Muharukua a state funeral and burial at Heroes' Acre.

The state will cover all funeral costs, although the decision on where to bury the deceased lies with the family.

A government-organised memorial service which had been slated for last Wednesday and a funeral planned for Saturday were postponed because of the confusion.

Muharukua served as Kunene governor from 2015 until her death at her Windhoek home on 1 October.

NAMPA

Anthrax action plan in motion

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Anthrax action plan in motion A major clean-up operation is under way in the floodplains of Bwabwata West following the death of 110 hippos and 20 buffalo there of anthrax.

Parts of the park will likely be closed temporarily for the duration of the clean-up.

The clean-up operation began last week as part of an action plan adopted at a meeting of officials from the ministry of environment and tourism, the directorate of veterinary services in the agriculture ministry, health officials and Kavango East regional officials.

Mukwe constituency representatives as well as officials from the fisheries ministry attended too.

The action plan includes a vaccination campaign against anthrax for cattle near the park and restrictions on livestock movements in the Mukwe constituency.

Health officials will provide preventive treatment to people who were exposed to the carcasses and who are at risk of contagion.

Officials are warning the public to avoid any contact with any animals that have died of unknown causes and to report such incidents immediately.

The mass deaths of hippos and buffaloes were confirmed on 7 October when an aerial assessment was done over the park.

Park officials told Namibian Sun last week that the deaths were confined to the “core areas” of the national park.

While anthrax had previously spread to Namibia from countries such as Botswana, no recent outbreaks had been reported in neighbouring countries.

At the end of last month 10 hippo carcasses were found and 53 more last week. By Saturday last week, the total had risen to more than 100.

The carcasses are burned to prevent the disease from spreading.

Anthrax is primarily a disease of herbivores although it affects a wide range of species. It is generally of an acute form in wildlife, with animals showing few symptoms before collapsing and dying.

JANA-MARI SMITH

LPM considers its transformation

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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LPM considers its transformation The Landless People's Movement (LPM) says political analysts are wrong in their conclusion that the space for political parties is overcrowded and that one more will merely constitute more of the same.

Speaking at the Red Flag Commando Hall in Katutura on Thursday evening, former deputy minister of land reform and LPM activist Bernadus Swartbooi said the perceptions those analysts are clouded by their membership of the ruling Swapo Party.

“They have become negative and are analysing in the context of accepting a one-party state,” said Swartbooi.

Political analyst Phanuel Kaapama was quoted as saying that a new political party in the current environment is a “bad idea” because the current political terrain is “overcrowded”.

“If the political space is crowded, what ideas are those that occupy that space espouse to?” questioned Swartbooi.

Swartbooi said those who think the LPM would be more of the same confine themselves to strategies like street protests, court cases, letters to the president and other high-ranking politicians.

He said such strategies are often pointless, leading nowhere, and added: “We must grow up and get off the streets and go to the main table.”

Swartbooi further denounced reports that the LPM had decided to become a political party.

He said the LPM land conference in early September resolved to thoroughly investigate whether the social movement should transform into a political party or whether it should join or support other formations. Another consideration is whether it will field independent candidates in the 2019 national elections.

“Howsoever we do that, the point we are making is that we cannot support the current government. The secondary point is that some of the opposition parties are meaningless to get our support,” Swartbooi said.

After planning and strategic sessions of its political committee, the LPM is expected to adopt a definitive position by November.

Swartbooi, however, said he is convinced that there is “an absolute need for a political formation that will not be against something, but for something”.

“For land justice, for economic, social and economic justice and for economic development,” he said, adding that it would also have to be “for anti-corruption”.



Swartbooi took a swipe at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which he said has metamorphosed into a “pro-corruption commission” and the Ministry of Poverty Eradication having been turned into a “grocery ministry” dispensing “Shoprite plastic bags” only to those in agreement with the ruling party.

He said the DTA's “attack” on the LPM was “unnecessary” and premature. The DTA in a recent statement called on its members not to attend LPM functions and suggested that the LPM was formed by former Swapo members who have become angry and disaffected with the ruling party.

“An attack on an unborn baby must say something about how insecure that political party is,” commented Swartbooi.



Going international

The LPM said it has internationalised its land reform agenda. It will soon visit Germany where it will discuss the Namibian land question, and will similarly lobby the United Nations (UN).

It argues that the 1982 Principles and Resolution 435 have not been fully implemented, which perpetuates marginalisation and exclusion for many.

Swartbooi said it is to address such marginalisation and exclusion, as well as permeating corruption not just in land allocations but at all layers of governance, that the LPM has decided to “send representatives to the corridors of power so that they can protest and be our representatives”.

“We need people in power who understand our concerns, people who will speak our voice when we are not there from local authorities, regional councils and the National Assembly. We need people who do not need to be reminded of where they come from,” he said.

CATHERINE SASMAN

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All at health ministry chip in to save

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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All at health ministry chip in to saveCost-cutting won't affect patient care The health ministry is pulling out all the stops to ensure that budget cuts don't compromise patient care and social services. Health minister Bernhard Haufiku has given up his big office for a smaller one to make room for more staff at ministry headquarters as part of sweeping cost-cutting measures that won't affect patient care.

“Even the minister has vacated his office and moved to a smaller office, so that his bigger office can be subdivided and converted into an open-plan office to accommodate at least four staff members,” deputy permanent secretary Petronella Masabane told Namibian Sun.

The office swap forms part of stringent and wide-ranging measures to ensure that patient care is not compromised by budget cuts, Masabane said.

A number of savings measures have been instituted at the ministry this year, including scaling down purchases and new hires that do not have a direct impact on patient care and social welfare services.

The ministry was allocated a budget of N$6.51 billion this year, of which its N$3.29 billion wage bill makes up more than half.

Masabane said although government austerity measures have forced staff to make do with fewer benefits, there is a silver lining.

“We are growing into a culture of 'no waste and leakage' and applying the principle of asking whether spending this amount of money will save a life and improve the well-being of our people? So if not, then spend not.”

Masabane said most staff have “accepted and embraced the inconveniences”.

She commended the “excellent cooperation that we receive from most of our staff. Ministry of health and social services staff from all levels have come up with suggestions to save costs and to ensure that whatever resources the ministry has, go to patient care and to ensure the well-being of those we serve.”



Heavy pruning

Among the approaches, is the directive that only essential staff are authorised to travel, in the case of emergencies such as disease outbreaks, including yellow fever, malaria and anthrax.

Apart from that, all national and international travel is banned, except when trips are fully sponsored, including accommodation, meals and travel costs.

Even then, many staff members waive the miscellaneous expense S&T they are entitled to on sponsored trips, she said.

“The permanent secretary and management have also not claimed kilometre tariffs when using their private vehicles for official duties, for trips exceeding the 500-kilometre threshold.”

A strict fleet management system monitors vehicle movements.

A moratorium on hiring venues for workshops, training and meetings has also been implemented, including the provision of meals and refreshments.

Critical regional and management meetings have been reduced to one annual meeting.

The adoption of electronic platforms like video-conferencing and WhatsApp groups to troubleshoot, train or generally communicate has significantly reduced S&T claims and travel expenses.

Saving on the renting of office space, a move that motivated the minister to give up his office, is another priority.

“Contractual obligations such as rental of offices were honoured until expiry dates and not renewed. We are now in the process of issuing notices of termination of running lease agreements. Staff members will be relocated to the ministry's office building and share available space.”

In addition, the zero budgets for office furniture, and the printing of promotional materials, are just “a few examples and we keep on identifying and addressing waste, leakages and cutting on cost measures.”

Staff members have been instructed to use radio or other media platforms, as well as meetings and events that don't have cost implications to reach out to communities with health and social messages.

In a media statement last week, the health ministry warned that a notice in connection with medical interns making the rounds on social media was not authentic, but added that the ministry is considering further cost-cutting measures in addition to those already in place.

No changes to the remuneration and employment benefits of interns and other staff have been agreed upon, it said.

JANA-MARI SMITH

LPM irks DTA

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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LPM irks DTA The DTA has accused the Landless People's Movement (LPM) of using the emotive land issue to mobilise and gain support as a political party.

DTA secretary-general Manuel Ngaringombe said the LPM disguised itself as a social movement.

According to him, while the DTA welcomes any political party and values the constitutional right of freedom of association, it urges its members and supporters to refrain from attending the LPM's meetings.

“We wish to inform our members that as a competitive political party and an experienced political party, we shall not keep quiet while members and supporters are being confused with matters of national importance such as the land issue by those with secondary motives.”

Ngaringombe said Namibian voters should no longer be fooled by politicians who start political parties based on anger and frustration with no clear ideological blueprint or identity.

“History has taught us that such parties born out of anger and frustration are basically stillborn within the Namibian body of politics.”

According to him, politicians should not be self-serving but rather actively study the market share of voters and not further fragment an already fragmented political fraternity.

He said the aim should instead be to marry issues and look towards the formation of a broad-based coalition that can successfully articulate and represent the interests of Namibians, break Swapo's two-thirds majority and form the basis for an alternative future government.

Ngaringombe said the DTA remains committed to the realisation of a better land reform deal aimed at finding amicable win-win solutions for Namibians, in a manner that addresses equity and fairness for all Namibia's people.

The party called on its members to remain unshaken and resolute in believing in the ideals of unity and nationhood and to shun tribal politics in all its manifestations, as it divides society.

Ngaringombe added that Swapo politicians had previously left Swapo in anger to form alternative parties and that proved to be a failure.

ELLANIE SMIT

Drama at Oshakati council meeting

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Drama at Oshakati council meetingCouncillors argue about plots The management committee chairman of the Oshakati town council lost his temper when councillors disagreed with a committee recommendation. Oshakati mayor Angelus Iiyambo had to adjourn Thursday's council meeting for about ten minutes after tempers flared.

The drama started when the council had to make a resolution on granting seven developers 100 plots each to build houses on.

DTA councillor Linus Tobias said giving 100 plots to a single developer was not ideal. He proposed that developers should get 40 plots and based on their performance they could get more if there was still land available.

Tobias pointed out that in the past the council used to grant only 10 to 20 plots to a developer.

Mayor Iiyambo supported Tobias's idea.

Councillor Louise Shivolo disagreed, suggesting that 70 plots was a better number.

The chairperson of the management committee, Gabriel Kamwanka, then stood up and said in an aggressive tone that 100 plots must be given to each of the seven developers because the management committee had thought it through.

Kamwanka said the seven developers are locals and have been supporting the council's activities.

“When the Oshakati town council needs assistance we turn to these business people and they help us, therefore they must be given the 100 plots each,” Kamwanka said.

He added that the council was elected by the people to manage the town's affairs and they should make their own decisions instead of waiting for the line minister to make it for them.

He was supported by the deputy chairman of the management committee, Johannes Shilongo, who said the committee had already considered the matter.

Shilongo said the council only had about three years left before the next elections and they should leave a legacy of developing the town in the remaining time.

Just after Shilongo spoke, Iiyambo adjourned the meeting and instructed all councillors to follow him to his office.

Kamwanka at first refused to go, questioning the mayor's power to call them to his office. Iiyambo then said as the chairperson of the meeting he had the power to adjourn or postpone the meeting.

The councillors then followed him to his office and later returned to the meeting.

Iiyambo then asked Shivolo to repeat her suggestion of allocating 70 plots per developer, which Shilongo seconded.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Goeiemann hits back at Schlettwein

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Goeiemann hits back at Schlettwein The permanent secretary in the ministry of works and transport, Willem Goeiemann, is challenging a bid to have part of his duties revoked as accounting officer.

This stems from a decision taken to award the upgrading of Hosea Kutako International Airport to a Chinese construction firm, Auhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation.

Goeiemann has maintained that he was only the conduit through which the decision to award the tender to Auhui was announced and that he never decided who the successful tenderer would be.

He further claimed that a decision to award the tender had been made long before his appointment as permanent secretary in the ministry of works and transport.

Responding to allegation that he had contravened sections of the State Finance Act, Goeiemann maintained that he was not to be blamed for the mess that was the awarding of the multibillion-dollar tender to Auhui.

According to him, key discussions had taken place prior to his appointment as permanent secretary, at which time the tender had been in the works for eight years already.

In a letter to the permanent secretary in September, finance minister Calle Schlettwein accused Goeiemann of contravening sections of the State Finance Act. According to Schlettwein, Goeiemann in his capacity as permanent secretary, had awarded the Hosea Kutako tender to Auhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation.

The tender was set aside by the Supreme Court following a ruling that it had been unlawfully awarded.

Writing through his lawyers DHC Incorporated, Goeiemann notified Schlettwein that in terms of his appointment, he was only accountable to the president, prime minister and his line minister, making him in no way accountable to Schlettwein.

He said his appointment was made on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission in terms of Section 11 of the Public Service Act.

Goeiemann said Schlettwein had been a central witness to events leading up to the awarding of the tender, ranging from meetings with the Namibia Airports Company, meetings held between the ministries of works and transport and the ministry of finance, as well as meetings held between the prime minister and senior ministers to discuss the details of the project.

The decision to award the tender to Auhui was discussed at numerous meetings between the NAC, the ministries of finance and works and transport, at cabinet meetings and at meetings at State House where the president was present, Goeiemann further claimed.

Goeiemann also suggested that Schlettwein shared in the responsibility for the awarding of the tender.

“Our client cannot be held responsible for the collective decision. The minister is fully aware that this was a decision mandated not only by the minister of works, but also a result of a collective decision-making process that was initiated prior to our client being appointed permanent secretary,” Goeiemann's lawyers wrote.

Goeiemann then proceeded to accuse Schlettwein of trying to save face for his involvement in the tender process.

“It is abundantly clear that those involved in the decision-making process, including the minister of finance, wanted to distance themselves from that decision and seek to in effect blame the messenger,” Goeiemann's lawyers wrote, adding: “It suits the minister of finance to do this and thus avoid his personal responsibility for what happened, and more generally that of government in what actually happened.”

According to Goeiemann, Schlettwein was fully aware that the decision to award the tender was not only mandated by the minister of works and transport, but as the result of a collective decision making process, involving Schlettwein himself as well.

In a meeting held at State House on 18 December 2015, it was decided that the tender would awarded, at which point Schlettwein never raised opposition to the planned activities, Goeiemann said. During the discussions held with President Hage Geingob, Schlettwein never stated whether it would be preferable for construction to span over the initially planned 36 months or over a five-year period.

Goeiemann also said Schlettwein never objected to the approved bidder, nor did he say that funding was not available for the airport upgrade.

In closing, Goeiemann's lawyers called Schlettwein's notice a sham. “The substantive charges levelled against our client are entirely without factual or legal foundation,” his lawyers wrote.

They demanded that Schlettwein apologise to Goeiemann and withdraw his notice to have some of Goeiemann's responsibilities revoked.

The Supreme Court had ruled in March that the awarding of the tender to Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group was unlawful. Neither the ministry of works nor its permanent secretary, Goeiemann, had the power to award the contract, it found.

“The award by the permanent secretary of the ministry of works and transport, set out in his letter of 3 December 2015 of the tender for the upgrading and expansion of the airport, is declared unlawful and null and void and set aside,” the Supreme Court ruling said.

OGONE TLHAGE

Game on

October 15, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Game onNUNW takes issue with Geingob, Mbumba The battle for the kernel of power of the ruling party is now wide open as the top four positions will be heavily contested at next month's congress. The Swapo Central Committee met yesterday to deliberate on the nominations for party president, vice-president, secretary-general and deputy secretary-general ahead of next month's congress.

Despite there having been indications that state president Hage Geingob would emerge as the sole candidate for party president, the contest will be wide open.

The candidates that will vie for the top position are former prime minister Nahas Angula, minister of youth Jerry Ekandjo and President Hage Geingob.

Contesting for the position of vice-president are Helmut Angula, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Those running for the position of secretary-general include Armas Amukwiyu and Sophia Shaningwa while those running for the position of deputy secretary-general include Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, Marco Hausiku and Petrina Haingura.

At the opening of yesterday's special CC meeting, acting party president Geingob said the contest would be an “open” one, but cautioned against political battles turning personal and expressed the hope that the campaign for the top positions would be issue-based.

Geingob, who has acted as party president since 2015 when former president Hifikepunye Pohamba handed over the baton to him, said yesterday's CC meeting would be a “real test for democracy” within Swapo, and boasted that Swapo is the only party in the country that is exercising internal democracy “in the real sense”.



NUNW disagrees

But barely hours after the CC meeting the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW), a Swapo affiliate, accused Swapo secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba of having maliciously meddled with their list of representatives.

At a hastily called press briefing yesterday afternoon, the NUNW leadership said the workers' federation was “provoked by malicious, deliberate, calculated and divisive action” by Mbumba. The NUNW said it had duly informed Mbumba that former NUNW president Ismael Kasuta would be removed from participating in any and all structures of the body and that Albert Liswaniso was instituted as acting president of the federation. In another letter to Mbumba it stated that Petrus Nevonga would be the NUNW representative at the Swapo Party CC and that its list of congress delegates was also communicated to Mbumba. It accused Mbumba of having continued to address Kasuto as NUNW president, which it said questioned the credibility and ethics of Mbumba's and Geingob's offices. NUNW said both offices are under strict obligation to respect the NUNW's decision in the spirit of the accord between the two bodies which governs the relationship, as well as compliance with Swapo's constitution.

Because of what has transpired, the NUNW's representative, Nevonga, was made to leave the CC meeting yesterday, which Job Muniaro, the secretary-general of the NUNW said sent a “mixed message to the toiling workers that their fate during and under the term of [Geingob] has been sealed to equal the era of colonial apartheid administrator-general or the then South African regime, which made decisions unilaterally and imposed them with impunity”.

The NUNW said its autonomy and independence were being tested.

Muniaro said Mbumba was confronted about this matter at the CC meeting yesterday but that he failed to give any explanation, adding that this was “clear testimony to exclude workers from the democratic processes” by both Mbumba and Geingob in his capacity as party acting president.

“The central question that begs answers is whether the nullification of the accord in this highly negligent manner also by extension set aside workers' inherent rights to belong and to associate and to freely and without fear of retrogressive reprimands make inputs on matters affecting their livelihood,” the NUNW stated.

The NUNW stated categorically that this did not impede its participation in the upcoming congress, but on the sidelines members said the congress would not be able to continue without the NUNW because 80% of the representatives are workers.

CATHERINE SASMAN