Oshikoto fumes at Mbumba

October 25, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Oshikoto fumes at MbumbaOshikoto Swapo CC candidates cannot campaign Swapo's regional coordinator for Oshikoto has complained about 'unfair' treatment of the region's candidates for the party's Central Committee election. Outgoing Swapo secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba has been accused of deliberately delaying an announcement of the names of the Oshikoto Region's candidates for the party's Central Committee (CC) after they were submitted for vetting over two months ago.

The bone of contention is the fact that the names of the CC candidates from the 13 other regions have been vetted and campaigning is in full swing. This is not the case in the Oshikoto Region.

With less than a month before the Swapo Party congress, this is regarded as unfair to the Oshikoto candidates who were nominated at their regional conference.

According to regional coordinator Armas Amukwiyu the names of the five candidates were submitted to Mbumba's office on 18 August and nothing has happened since then.

The region's five candidates for the CC are Kwito Mulunga, Tommy Nambahu, Lebbeus Tobias, Vauezua Kasiringua and Inge David.

Amukwiyu described the situation as a deliberate delaying tactic.

He said they had sent numerous letters to Mbumba's office asking when they would receive feedback on the nominees.

Only four candidates, two men and two women, will represent the region at the party's national congress.

Amukwiyu said Mbumba promised to release the names in September but nothing came through.

“Of all the 14 regions it's only Oshikoto Region… we keep asking but only empty promises all the time from Comrade Mbumba's office. We don't understand why we are being mistreated like this,” Amukwiyu said.

The Oshikoto Region was the last region to hold its regional elective congress and submit its nominees. But Amukwiyu said this should not make a difference.

“I doubt we were the last ones but even if that's the case, just imagine 18 August to 24 October and they are not even telling us whether they have problems with the names or not. They are now denying us our democratic right and constitutional rights for those who are aspiring and their supporters,” Amukwiyu said.

“Other people are campaigning and we are not.”

When contacted for comment, Mbumba said the Swapo Oshikoto leadership should contact him directly.

“You are not the spokesperson of Oshikoto Region; let them contact me directly,” he told this reporter.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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Sikondo reaps first cauliflower harvest

October 25, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Sikondo reaps first cauliflower harvestGood harvest, poor market Consumers must develop a taste for cauliflower and broccoli to ensure the sustainability of the project. RUNDU – The Agribusdev Sikondo Green Scheme Project in the Kavango West Region in September harvested its first crop of cauliflower planted on a one hectare piece of land.

Maxwell Nghidinwa, assistant farm manager, said the farm started growing the crop in June and its first harvest was in mid-September.

Nghidinwa said the harvest was very good but these crops are winter crops.

“We found out in August that the temperature was a bit cool in the morning but very high in the afternoon which causes them to become a bit yellowish,” he said.

The green scheme has also been producing broccoli since 2015.

Although the harvest was good, the challenge faced by the scheme was a lack of a market, Nghidinwa said. He called on local people to visit the green scheme to buy the vegetables.

The cauliflower and broccoli are packed in 250 gram packages as preferred by households and supermarkets.

The other challenge is acquiring a reliable market of retailers and supermarkets.

He said local people are not used to some of these vegetables since their preferred food is mainly porridge prepared with tomato sauce and potatoes. People should try out different foods to have a balanced diet, he said.

Nghidinwa said consumers need to be educated about some of the crops if the scheme is to continue growing broccoli and cauliflower. About 85% of the target market is household customers, he said.

At the moment, the green scheme supplies cauliflower and broccoli to some retailers in the region such as OK Foods Supermarket and Oceano Woermann Brock.

According to online Healthine newsletter, cauliflower is a healthy vegetable which helps maintaining the heart and the cardiovascular system.

It is also rich in fibre which helps lower cholesterol levels as it contains antioxidants which act as an anti-inflammatory agent that assists in building a healthy immune system. - Nampa

Anthea Arnold guilty of lover's murder

October 25, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Anthea Arnold guilty of lover's murderShot Michael Breder in the back A love affair turned sour apparently led to the fatal shooting of a German man, 52, in the back, by his jilted lover Anthea Arnold. The woman who fatally shot and killed her German lover with his gun, was found guilty of murder with direct intent yesterday at the Katutura Regional Court.

Magistrate Ileni Velikoshi ruled that Anthea Arnold, 32, killed the 52-year-old Michael Breder by shooting him on May 15, 2011. She did so with direct intent.

Velikoshi found that the handwritten note that was discovered, was the possible motive behind Arnold's conduct.

“My darling, I cannot anymore, but I love you,” the handwritten note states and concluds: “Till we meet again.” Breder allegedly assaulted her and told her that she will never be in his house again.

In evidence provided during the trial, it was also alleged that Breder had infected her with HIV.

The magistrate in his judgment stressed that Arnold was the only person in Breder's house during the fatal shooting.

“She is the person who killed the deceased,” Velikoshi stated.

He further said that in his view, Arnold did not impress the court as a truthful witness.

“Her version of the incident is full of contradictions and inconsistencies,” the magistrate said.

Arnold had testified that she took Breder's handgun and shot him while he was seated in his car in his backyard in Windhoek's Southern Industrial Area.

“She admitted that she grabbed the handgun from Breder's hand when he turned away from her.

He did not harm her or had any intent to shoot her,” Velikoshi said and emphasised that Breder at that time no longer posed a threat to her.

The magistrate said Arnold cannot escape the blame in the circumstances of the shooting and found her guilty of murder with direct intent.

The defence lawyer, Mbanga Siyomunji, had earlier in his submissions stated that the State relied mostly on witnesses who were not present when the crime was committed and had emphasised his client was acting in self-defence as she feared for her life. He had explained that Arnold has a right to life and had the right to protect herself if she felt threatened.

He said her actions indicate those of an innocent person who got caught up in a very bad situation. He wanted to know from the court what would have happened if she had not grabbed the gun from Breder.

In his arguments, State prosecutor Erastus Hatutale submitted that the version of the accused that she was acting in self-defence cannot be true and it should be disregarded.

According to the evidence, the two were seated in a car with Breder in the passenger front seat while Arnold was in the back. It was alleged Breder turned and was in between the driver's and passenger seat when he assaulted her.

The post-mortem report indicates that the gunshot that killed Breder penetrated from behind. Arguments on the mitigation and aggravation of sentencing will be heard on Friday, 27 October.



FRED GOEIEMAN

Tschudi produces more copper cathode

October 25, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Tschudi produces more copper cathodeDebt woes continue Weatherly International says it is unlikely to generate sufficient surplus cash to meet all its loan repayments when due. The prevailing sentiment in copper is bullish based on this synchronised global growth backdrop we're seeing. - Carsten Menke, analyst: Julius Baer Jo-Maré Duddy



More than 4 000 tonnes of copper cathode were produced at the Tschudi mine in the months ended September, the highest quarterly production so far this year.

Releasing the latest results, majority shareholder Weatherly International Plc said the 4 105 tonnes of copper cathode produced is 21% more than the previous quarter. It is also 12.7% higher than production in the September quarter in 2016.

Cathode production for the three months under review was 3% below nameplate over the quarter. However, Weatherly says nameplate production levels were re-attained by the end of the quarter, “and are expected to be maintained going forward”.

The company says it is unlikely to generate sufficient surplus cash to meet all loan repayments when due, particularly in the near term. It is “positively” engaging with Orion Mine Finance on the subject, Weatherly says.

In August Weatherly said its debt repayments due to Orion were rescheduled. It also made its first drawdown on the uncommitted loan of US$10 million it secured from Orion. Weatherly says it has certain copper and currency hedges in place to March 2018.

Price

Meanwhile, London copper fell back yesterday, after hitting its highest in a week in the previous session, as market participants said the recent rally was losing its legs and a correction was due.

The “sheer weight of selling that materialised into US$7 095 to US$7 105 has for now taken the steam out of the rally although dips remain supported,” said Matt France, head of institutional sales, metals, for Marex Spectron in Asia.

Encouraging prospects for economic growth in China, the world's top consumer of metals, spurred prices recently.

China's economy will likely grow 6.8% in 2017, topping the state target and accelerating for the first time in seven years, a Reuters poll showed on Tuesday, as Beijing walks a tightrope by containing debt and property risks without stunting economic growth.

“The positive sentiment created by recent economic data should see commodity prices remain supported,” ANZ said in a research note.

“The prevailing sentiment in copper is bullish based on this synchronised global growth backdrop we're seeing, but when you're close to these levels the probability of a slowdown is much higher,” said Julius Baer analyst Carsten Menke.

“We see an oversupplied copper market next year partly driven by a slowdown in China on the property and infrastructure side, and we have mine production coming back after this year's strikes,” he said.

– Additional reporting Nampa/Reuters

Man (71) accused of raping minor

October 25, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Man (71) accused of raping minor A 71-year-old pensioner and a 21-year-old man both made their first court appearance yesterday on a charge of rape of a 14-year-old girl this month, after their arrest on Monday at Okapika village near Ruacana.

The Namibian police yesterday said the attacks took place on two different occasions, with the 21-year-old suspect accused of raping the girl on 9 October.

She was “raped again on 22 October by the 71-year-old suspect,” the police said.

They, however, did not elaborate on the relationship between the rape victim and her alleged attackers but said the alleged rape took place at the house where both the girl and the suspects live, at Okapika village in the Omusati Region.

Since the start of June, at least 47 investigations into the rape of children and juveniles aged 17 and some as young as two and five years old, have been opened by the Namibian police.

The Namibian police also opened an inquest this week into the death of an 18-month-old toddler who died after a fire erupted at his village in the Omusati Region. According to the police, Festus Nghidulika Kalitheni died at Enoleu village when a fire broke out in the room he was sleeping in with his 95-year-old grandfather.

The young boy was sleeping on a mattress.

Police are also searching for four suspects who allegedly stole N$45 000 from a 38-year-old Chinese national at gunpoint on Monday in Ondangwa.

The robbers also took a cell phone, a laptop and a set of keys.

The Chinese national was attacked after he withdrew money for building material and returned to his office. The suspects fled the scene in an unidentified vehicle. Police investigations continue.



JANA-MARI SMITH

Water crisis hits north

October 25, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Water crisis hits northCalueque repairs cause major shortage Oshakati, Ondangwa and Ongwediva are suffering from severe shortages while more remote areas are dry with no water all. NamWater is experiencing a water supply shortage at the Oshakati treatment plant because of work at the Calueque Dam in Angola, resulting in a water crisis in the northern regions.

Some of the remote areas that get water from the Oshakati treatment plant, such as Ambende, Omutele, Otatashe and Akazulu, are without water. Oshakati, Ondangwa and Ongwediva are also experiencing a water shortage. NamWater spokesman Johannes Shigwedha said NamWater started repairing the pipeline leading to the Calueque canal in July.

“To do this, one of the two pumps at our dam at Calueque had to be stopped to enable the work on the pipeline to commence.

“This was fine during the cold months of July and August when the water demand was low due to low temperatures and when the earthen dams where still full of water, but demand started to pick up during the dry months of September and October, thus the one pump that was still operating could not meet the demand leading to low water levels in reservoirs across the north,” Shigwedha said.

“We are currently supplying water to all our lines during the day, except the South Feeder and Ambende lines from Omuthiya.

Tonight (last night), we will switch off the inlet to Ongwediva Reservoir to build up the supply to Ondangwa and fill the two reservoirs there, and consequent filling at Oshali, Okatope and Omuthiya in Oshikoto Region.”

He said Oshakati's pumps would also be switched off at 22:00 to build up the level in the square reservoir, as well as to have a third pump running to Omakango.

“Currently Omakango has a deficiency of about 34 cubic metres between the inlet and outlet, because we only have two pumps on. The third pump will be switched on at night, at 22:00, by the plant shift staff,” he said.

Also in Oshikoto Region, the Ambende area will be supplied from the Omutele pump at Ondangwa, and not from Omuthiya as usual.

Shigwedha added that the South Feeder pump is always off during the day and only switched on at 19:00 to supply Otatashe, Akazulu, and that entire network up to Eengodi.

“The level at Ogongo, Oshakati, Ongwediva and Okatope is currently not moving up significantly. The plant is currently abstracting about 1700m3/h from these dams, and the distribution is 1630m3/h. This is an improvement from the inability to produce anything, which was the case Friday to Saturday. Yesterday afternoon the plant started producing again.”

He said the water in the canal was being monitored. The level at Ogongo has picked up and the inlet to Ogongo is throttled to have more water passing through to Oshakati. By yesterday morning the water had reached Oshikuku.

The Oshakati Intermediate Hospital was also reported without water, but Shigwedha said the problem was unrelated to the current shortage.

“The hospital reported their problem to Oshakati town council, but nothing came through to us. Their pressure problem was related to their system at the hospital. The hospital has a dedicated line from NamWater premises, should there be a pressure or shortage problem in that line, the shift staff can rectify such a situation at any time, if it is at NamWater,” he said.

The Ongwediva town council's spokesman, Jackson Muma, said the council has been supplying residents from its emergency water storage since Sunday because of the low water supply from the Namwater reservoir.

In May this year the canal between Ogongo in the Omusati Region and Oshakati in the Oshana Region was filled with sand from the efundja flood, resulting in water from Calueque Dam not reaching the Oshakati treatment plant.

Meanwhile, NamWater has completed a N$33 million purified water reservoir at Oshakati to address water shortages in areas dependent on the Oshakati purification plant.

The northern regions experience water shortages every year. Last August, Ohangwena and Oshikoto had no water supply, while Oshana received only a trickle.

Shigwedha said the water demand in the north has increased by more than 300% since independence and the existing water infrastructure at Oshakati cannot meet the demand.

“The population in these areas is increasing, putting stress on the current water reservoirs to the point [where] it is no longer possible to have a 48-hour stand-by period, as is the policy of the water utility,” Shigwedha said.

ILENI NANDJATO

Swapo faction rejects two centres of power

October 25, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Swapo faction rejects two centres of power A Swapo faction enjoying the support of acting president Hage Geingob yesterday cautioned against two centres of power, saying the notion was hostile and unfriendly.

The group, which includes the Swapo women, elders and youth wings, wants Geingob to run both the party and country.

“While it is democratic to challenge an incumbent president who deservedly must stand for the party presidency because he is a state president, comrades must do so with maturity and in a manner that will strengthen our party,” said Eunice Iipinge, the Swapo Party Women Council secretary, who spoke on behalf of the group at the ruling party's headquarters yesterday.

Geingob is one of the three candidates contesting the Swapo presidency at the upcoming congress.

The other presidential candidates include former prime minister Nahas Angula and youth minister Jerry Ekandjo.

The winner is likely to be the ruling party's presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections. Iipinge said Swapo members should not be fooled by an ideological trap “couched as vibrant democracy”, which is actually a manifestation of chaos in the making.

“We have observed how, over time, we have fallen prey to detractors, who try and use our genuine attempts at forging democracy within the Swapo party, and use it as an opportunity to wedge division and acrimony among the rank and file of the party,” she said.

Iipinge further underscored that the three wings were firmly rallying behind Geingob at the November congress.

She also urged Swapo members to accept the congress outcome and support whoever emerges from the contest - in the interest of the party.

“Democracy is about choices, yet once the race is over, we urge all members to rally behind the Swapo president and the incoming team as one party, so that we can face our political rivals at the ballot box for the presidential and national elections in 2019 as a united front,” she said.

The Swapo succession battle has intensified in recent weeks as the elective congress looms large. The congress will also elect a new vice-president, secretary-general and deputy secretary-general.

The vice-president candidates include home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, as well as former cabinet minister Helmut Angula. Rural and development minister Sophia Shaningwa will contest the secretary-general post against Oshikoto regional coordinator Armas Amukwiyu.

Three candidates have been nominated for the deputy secretary-general position and include Marco Hausiku, Petrina Haingura and Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun.





JEMIMA BEUKES

Africa Briefs

October 26, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Africa Briefs Inflation up in SA, down in Zambia

South Africa's producer price inflation rose to 5.2% year-on-year in September from 4.2% in August, the statistics agency said yesterday. On a month-on-month basis, PPI rose 0.7% after expanding 0.4% in August.

Zambia's annual consumer inflation slowed to 6.4% in October from 6.6% in September, as price for both food and non food items fell. On a month-on-month basis, inflation rose by 0.4% after rising 0.3% in the prior month, data from the Central Statistical Agency showed.



Kenya's foreign debt investors take election turmoil calmly

While many Kenyans fear yesterday's election re-run will provoke serious trouble, foreign investors are cautiously confident that the country's debt can ride out the crisis, although they remain hesitant about local stocks.

Their base scenario is that the vote can conclude largely smoothly. However, given that Kenya's external debt is rated B+ but trading at levels more akin to bonds with ratings two notches lower. This means assets have already adjusted to the uncertainty and any negative surprises may have less of an impact.

The country's US$2.75 billion in US dollar-denominated bonds maturing in 2019 and 2024 form part of major emerging market debt benchmarks and frontier indexes .

Year-to-date, Kenyan dollar bonds have chalked up solid returns of more than 12% compared with nearly 9% on the index.

– Nampa/Reuters



Ghana open bids for energy bonds

Ghana started receiving bids this week for domestic bonds worth 6 billion cedis (US$1.36 billion) to settle energy sector debts that have accumulated over the past decade. The 7-year and 10-year bonds form part of the government's plans to raise a total of 10 billion cedis to settle debts owed by state power utilities to banks and bulk oil distributors.

2.4 billion cedis will be issued for 7 years and the remaining 3.6 billion will have a 10-year maturity. Markets say the yield could range between 18% and 20%.

– Nampa/Reuters



Millions of professionals to save Africa from 'disaster'

Africa needs 11 million more doctors, nurses and teachers by 2030 to prevent a “social and economic disaster” that could propel millions to migrate, the United Nations said yesterday.

It said the millions were needed to help the continent cope with a booming population, with the number of children set to increase by 170 million to 750 million in the next 13 years.

Unicef attributed the boom in births to high fertility rates, a rising number of women of reproductive age and lower child mortality.

By the end of the century, one in two children worldwide will live in Africa, it said in a study.

– Nampa/Reuters



Nigeria's gasoline price cap hurting industry

Nigeria must remove its gasoline price cap to prevent shortages, enable investment and keep the government from using valuable resources to import fuel, delegates at the OTL Expo in Lagos said.

Gasoline is a highly charged subject in Nigeria, Africa's largest oil exporter. President Muhammadu Buhari last year raised the top gasoline price to 145 naira (US$0.4603) per litre, a 67% hike, but did not remove a cap for fear of hurting low-income people.

Other African oil producers such as Ghana and Angola used the downturn in oil prices to remove caps or lower subsidies.

– Nampa/Reuters

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NUNW gets court order against Kasuto

October 26, 2017, 3:00 pm

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NUNW gets court order against KasutoFormer president interdicted from acting on union's behalf The High Court has granted the umbrella trade union an interdict against its former president, who had continued to speak on behalf of the union. The National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) has succeeded with an urgent application interdicting its former president, Ismael Kasuto, from purporting to be the president of the union or attending any meeting in the name of the NUNW.

Kasuto indicated after the proceedings that he would appeal against the court order.

Kasuto is also restrained from using in the trade union federation's letterhead or any other communication device on behalf of the NUNW.

Judge Boas Usiku also interdicted Kasuto from entering the NUNW premises in Mungunda Street, Katutura, without written permission granted by the union.

Kasuto is also interdicted from interfering with the activities of the NUNW, its employees, agents, partners and office-bearers in any manner.

Usiku ordered Kasuto to pay the legal costs of the applicant.

The NUNW argued that Kasuto was removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the union's Central Executive Committee (CEC) on 19 August and therefore is no longer the president of NUNW. The federation alleged that he continued acting on behalf of the NUNW as if he was still the president.

On 21 August Kasuto issued a press release publicly stating that he remained the president of NUNW. He also addressed a letter to the secretary-general of Swapo on an NUNW letterhead presenting himself as the president of the union.

Kasuto challenged the legality of the 19 August decision that removed him from office. He argued that the meeting was not properly constituted in terms of the union's constitution.

He stated that during the 19 August meeting there was an impasse about whether affiliated unions who had defaulted on their affiliation fees had a right to take part and vote. Due to that impasse the Mineworkers Union walked out. According to Kasuto the walkout meant that the meeting was not properly constituted and he also walked out.

The meeting proceeded in their absence and the resolution removing Kasuto as president of NUNW was then taken.

Sisa Namandje and Eliaser Nekwaya, appearing for NUNW, maintained that in terms of the constitution of the NUNW the president vacates his/her office if he/she ceases to be a member of an affiliated union or if a two-thirds majority of the CEC so decides by resolution.

“Kasuto was removed from office on 19 August by a resolution of two-thirds majority of the CEC, therefore he is no longer the president of NUNW. He however purports to act on behalf of the union as if he were still its president and as result we approached the court,” they had argued.

They argued that this situation encouraged lawlessness in the conduct of NUNW affairs and caused irreparable reputational damage as well as immense confusion among the associates of the union.

FRED GOEIEMAN

What are soft skills?

October 26, 2017, 3:00 pm

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What are soft skills? Unlike hard skills, which can be proven and measured, soft skills are intangible and difficult to quantify. Some examples of soft skills include analytical thinking, verbal and written communication, and leadership.

Basically, you can be the best at what you do, but if your soft skills aren’t cutting it, you’re limiting your chances of career success.

Soft skills for your career

1. Communication

Why you need it: Both written and verbal communication skills are of utmost importance in the workplace because they set the tone for how people perceive you. They also improve your chances of building relationships with co-workers. Communication skills boost your performance because they help you to extract clear expectations from your manager so that you can deliver excellent work.

2. Teamwork

Why you need it: A company’s success is rarely dependent on one person doing something all by him/herself. Success is the result of many people working toward a common goal. When employees can synthesize their varied talents, everyone wins. (Bonus: Having friends at work can also boost your job satisfaction, a Gallup poll found.)

3. Adaptability

Why you need it: Things don’t always go as planned, and instead of digging in your heels, you need to be able to pivot and find alternate solutions. “Successful leaders are the ones who know how to be flexible when problems arise,” says Robinson.

4. Problem solving

Why you need it: When something goes wrong, you can either complain or take action. Tip: It’s the latter that will get you noticed. Knowing how to think on your feet can make you indispensable to an employer.

5. Conflict resolution

Why employers want it: Being able to constructively work through disagreements with people is a sure indicator of maturity—as well as leadership potential. Someone like this helps to promote a healthy, collaborative workplace.

Engela parents to sue over baby's death

October 26, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Engela parents to sue over baby's death KENYA KAMBOWE

The parents of a baby girl who died shortly after her mother gave birth to her while standing in the Engela Hospital’s maternity ward in the early hours of last Saturday are planning on suing the government.

Sharing her ordeal with Namibian Sun, 38-year-old Peelina Nghikumwa said they were just waiting for the final report from the pathologist regarding the cause of the baby’s death, although she was in possession of a post-mortem report which said her baby was born alive and died from head injuries.

Nghikumwa blames the nurses on duty that night for the death of her baby, saying that they had ignored her calls for help minutes before the tragedy.

She left her home village, Onanghwe yaNghikumwa in the Ohangwena Region, on 19 September and stayed at the shelter behind the Engela State Hospital until Friday, when she was admitted to the hospital’s maternity ward to deliver her baby.

Nghikumwa said around 01:00 she went into labour while sitting on her bed in the maternity ward. She called for help from the nurses but they allegedly did not respond.

She told Namibian Sun that she was told to make her way to the nurses’ station. She said she tried to do that but felt very weak.

“I was calling them but they did not come. One nurse told me to come to them, which is why I got of the bed trying to make my way to them. I was not walking straight as I was in pain and my legs were wobbly,” Nghikumwa said.

She said it was only when the head of her child hit the floor that the nurses came and assisted her.

“I told them I hope my baby is fine,” Nghikumwa said.

She said the nurses then took her baby away and returned a bit later with the news that they had tried to keep the baby alive but did not succeed.

Nghikumwa said the baby’s father planned to sue for damages.

“We are just waiting for the final report which they said they will give us soon and we will take it from there. The father of my child wants to be compensated for our loss,” Nghikumwa said.

Nghikumwa said a person’s life is priceless and that nothing would bring back her daughter.

According to the health ministry spokesperson, Manga Libita, the incident is being investigated and a statement will be issued in due course.

“The ministry is aware of a neonatal death that occurred at Engela State Hospital in the Ohangwena Region. Not much can be said at this moment as investigations into the incidents leading to the death of the newborn baby are under way. As soon as investigations are completed the ministry will issue a statement,” Libita said.

Ombudsman John Walters, when contacted about the issue, said if the parents feel there was negligence on the part of the nurses, his office can assist them.

Walters stressed that he would have to hear both sides of the story for justice to prevail.

Attempts to get comment from the Health Professionals Council of Namibia proved futile at the time of going to print.

NAC suspends top managers

October 26, 2017, 3:00 pm

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NAC suspends top managers The Namibia Airports Company has suspended its top brass in the finance, commercial services and human resources departments over alleged irregularities, Namibian Sun has learned.

According to insiders at the beleaguered company, the strategic executive for finance and administration, Ruswa Verengai, HR executive Josephine Soroses and Toska Sem, the strategic executive for commercial services, were all escorted out of the NAC building on Wednesday.





The company has also suspended its organisational development manager, Albert Sibeya.

NAC spokesperson Nankelo Amupadhi yesterday confirmed the suspensions, saying the company would make a statement after the investigations were concluded.

“They have been suspended pending investigations,” said Amupadhi.

Namibian Sun understands that the public enterprises ministry was also notified of the NAC suspensions.

Last month the company removed Soroses as its acting CEO, replacing her with the strategic executive for corporate governance, Lot Haifidi.

The quartet's suspension came about three months after the NAC had suspended its CEO, Tamer El-Kallawi, and Courage Silombela, the strategic executive for projects, IT and engineering.

The top executives were suspended on full pay pending the outcome of the investigations into alleged transgressions.

The Namibian recently reported that the two were facing up to 36 charges of corruption, bribery, fraud and dishonesty.

Citing a Deloitte forensic investigation, the newspaper reported that El-Kallawi and Silombela were charged for their role in awarding tenders worth over N$450 million.

The disputed contract given to Syntex Technologies for the installation of surveillance cameras at Eros Airport and Hosea Kutako International Airport was also questioned in the report.

It was reported that NAC had awarded a N$15 million contract to Syntex, whose bid was the highest.

The two are also implicated in a N$210 million contract to renovate the Ondangwa Airport, as well as a N$70 million tender for airport scanners.

FESTUS NAKATANA

FESTUS NAKATANA

'Team Swapo'unleashes storm

October 26, 2017, 3:00 pm

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'Team Swapo'unleashes stormCandidates launch joint leadership bid Seven candidates are part of the 'Team Swapo' leadership slate under the campaign theme: 'Revitalise, Revive and Restore'. JEMIMA BEUKES



The Swapo succession battle is certainly going to be a vigorous and messy affair in the weeks leading up to the elective congress next month.

The battle has surely intensified following yesterday’s joint campaign launch by seven of the eleven confirmed candidates for the Swapo top four positions.

Party veterans Nahas Angula and Jerry Ekandjo, who are contesting the Swapo presidency, appear to have formed an alliance alongside with their running mates in order to fend off a strong challenge from acting president Hage Geingob and his preferred candidates, who included deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Sophia Shaningwa (secretary-general) and Marco Hausiku (deputy secretary-general).

The vice-presidency candidates in the ‘Team Swapo’ camp include home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and former cabinet minister Helmut Angula.

For the secretary-general position, Oshikoto regional coordinator Armas Amukwiyu is the preferred candidate, while businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun and former health deputy minister Petrina Haingura are both contesting the deputy secretary-general position.

Swapo veteran and former party secretary-general Ngarikutuke Tjiriange delivered the campaign message on behalf of the candidates at a packed Swapo headquarters yesterday.

The group pulled no punches and took on the current administration, accusing it of violating the party’s constitution. It also noted with great concern “the systematic degradation and erosion of our party’s core values and principles that are being trampled upon”.

“There have been blatant violations of our party’s constitution which, if allowed to continue, will pose an existential threat to our party as what has happened to previous ruling parties like UNIP in Zambia,” Tjiriange.

“If measures are not taken then the Swapo of Sam Nujoma, Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo, Hifikepunye Pohamba, Nathanael Maxuilili, Hendrik Witbooi and Moses Garoeb, just to mention a few, will become unrecognisable.” They further emphasised that Swapo is not a “club” or “personality cult”.

“It must be made clear that in Swapo there is no automatic transfer of power; power is only attained through democratic process,” said Tjiriange.

He added that no “intimidation” or “coercion” would be allowed and strongly condemned “bribery” of delegates to the congress.

The group also took a swipe at outgoing secretary-general Nangolo Mbumba, accusing him of abusing his office to discriminate against certain members and violate the party constitution at will.

“The erstwhile expulsion of our youth leaders was an embarrassing example of the consequences of a lack of accountability and respect for the party’s rules and disciplinary procedures by the top three leaders in the party,” said Tjiriange.

He was referring to the high-profile case involving youth leaders Elijah Ngurare, Job Amupanda, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma and George Kambala, who last year won a court case against the party following their expulsion in 2015.

They were kicked out of the party for occupying land in Windhoek’s Kleine Kuppe residential area, while Ngurare was expelled for supporting their Affirmative Repositioning movement.

Arrest junk status

The group yesterday strongly rejected talks about one centre of power, saying it has a direct effect on government.

They emphasised that the party is the centre of power which deploys its cadres to national, regional and local government structures.

“It is worrying to note that recently the Namibian economy has been relegated to junk status. The current leadership has met this classification with denials and academic debates,” the group stated.

Angula said when he was in government the country’s credit rating was not classified as junk.

“We are our own keepers. I can tell you from junk status [the] next step we will go to failed status. So Swapo is the only party that can rescue the county from economic collapse,” he said.

Iivula-Ithana added that the decision to implement the food bank project was partly to blame for the economic crisis.

She also questioned why the current leadership in government was “hiding the true information” from the party regarding the state of the economy.

“This is the time that we must tell the truth and tighten the belt. How can you have food banks when you cannot have food yourself? Giving able-bodied persons food from the shops worked for by other people is sinful,” she said.

Namundjebo-Tilahun said they were the “people that the nation has been waiting for”.

According to her, Team Swapo is dedicated to bringing about economic emancipation and transformation.

Amukwiyu questioned Mbumba’s conduct, saying he had taken sides when he should have remained neutral and treated all members fairly.

Helmut Angula was not present at the press conference but a statement was read on his behalf by Dr Panduleni Itula.

“I have no doubt that despite concerted efforts by others to coerce delegates to abrogate their constitutional right of choosing their leader, the committed party legitimate delegates to the party’s sixth congress will use their conscience and exercise their own democratic right without coercion,” he said.

To mock a struggling child

October 26, 2017, 3:00 pm

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To mock a struggling childOutcry against public humiliation of schoolboy The education ministry has slammed the latest trend of teachers posting humiliating videos of their pupils online. A video clip depicting a primary school boy being mocked by his teacher for mispronouncing an English word has gone viral not only in Namibia, but has attracted comments from as far afield as China.

The video shows a boy, who appears to be under the age of ten, being shown an adaptor for a two-point plug. The teacher instructs him to say the word but he mispronounces it several times, saying “adakata”. She repeatedly instructs him to say “adaptor”, and in the end shoves the adapter into his hand saying, “Take your adakata.”

The video has caused an outcry from rights activists and members of the public, with heavy criticism levelled at the teacher for mocking the child while knowing the events were being filmed.

The education ministry, responding to enquiries from Namibian Sun, expressed “great disappointment” at the increasing number of videos circulating on social media platforms of learners being filmed by teachers.

“These learners are subjected to teasing, mocking, bullying and humiliation from their peers as a result. This is not acceptable,” said education permanent secretary Sanet Steenkamp.

Social commentator and human rights activist Ngamene Karuaihe-Upi - popularly known as Uncle G - says the sole duty of the teacher is to ensure that the learner has a conducive learning environment, which obviously does not include mocking them. “It's about time that rules and policies are put in place to protect minors from online, and offline, bullying. We cannot stand up and talk about children bullying children when teachers are bullying too,” he said. He advised parents who find themselves in such a predicament to take legal action.

Facebook user Siku Shikongo, a member of one of the groups the video was shared on, argued that Namibians are racist because if it had been a white child in the video, it would have been found amusing. “Since when does a child saying something wrong become disgraceful? Is it because a black child is in the video? If it was white you would be shouting 'cute' and all sorts of nice things and posting laughing and love emojies. Now you are calling it defamation,” Shikongo wrote.

Others, however, said teachers' attitudes can build or destroy a learner's motivation, achievement and well-being. Studies have found that negative teacher attitudes can impair academic achievement and increase learners' psychological disorders and physical symptoms of stress, lasting into adulthood.

Over the past two years there have been more than five videos shared of learners being degraded by their teachers.

The Teachers' Union of Namibia (TUN) says the ministry of education must be proactive and act quickly by adjusting their policies to respond to the dynamic growth of information dissemination through technology. The union says as long as there are no tangible regulations in place, there is nothing that can be done.

“The position of TUN is to respect the laws of the country, which include the right to human dignity. If anyone is guilty of such violations then they must face the music. Before the teacher is prosecuted, however, we must look at the circumstances, but as long as there are no policies in place these kinds of things will happen because as much as this video is negative, you also get positive ones posted by teachers. Where do we draw the line?” asked the union's general secretary, Mahongora Kavihuha.

Steenkamp urged teachers to refrain from taking and posting videos as it constitutes public humiliation and subsequently a violation of the children's right to privacy and a form of violence against children.

“Teachers have the unique opportunity to support learners' academic, social and emotional development at all levels of schooling, and positive teacher-learner relationships enable them to feel safe and secure in their learning environments and provide scaffolding for important social and academic skills.”

Parents, who have seen the video, say it is shameful that a teacher would record a child in such a vulnerable position and put him on social media to be mocked.

“It's disgusting. You did not get permission before uploading him on social media. She must be fired because what was her motive and why didn't she record herself correcting the child instead,” said a mother.

The information ministry could not provide any further information on when the Electronic Transactions and Cybercrime Bill, designed to regulate these matters, would be ready.



JUNE SHIMUOSHILI

August 26 boss wins N$2m forfeiture bid

October 26, 2017, 3:00 pm

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August 26 boss wins N$2m forfeiture bid An application by the prosecutor-general to have N$2 788 054.37 in a suspect's account forfeited to the state in terms of the provisions of Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), was dismissed in the Windhoek High Court.

The PG was ordered to pay costs of the respondents in the matter, who were Moses Kamunguma and McKuma & Lenga Trading CC. Kamunguma is the managing director of August 26 Holdings, the commercial wing of the Namibia Defence Force, while McKuma & Lenga Trading CC is a Namibian registered close corporation with Democratic Republic of Congo army general Francois Olenga as a partner.

Judge Shafimana Ueitele last week Friday ruled that the entire evidence submitted by the PG was based on information she had obtained from persons whose evidence was not before the court.

“It therefore follows that there is no admissible evidence that Kamunguma or Olenga made any misrepresentation to First National Bank of Namibia (FNB) and thus committed fraud,” he emphasised, dismissing the application for the forfeiture of the property, with costs.

The judge stated that the prosecutor-general's reliance on evidence that the property was derived, received or retained, directly or indirectly through alleged unlawful activity was not supported by sworn statements in the motion proceedings.

He further said the link between the crime committed and the property must be reasonably direct and the employment of the property must be functional to the commission of the crime.

“By this it means the property must play a reasonably direct role in the commission of the offence,” Ueitele explained.

First National Bank, on 16 June 2014, received an instruction from a German bank on behalf of its Chinese client, instructing it to pay an amount equivalent to 92 518,60 euros into an account held in Kamunguma's name.

The Bank, upon receipt of the instructions, requested Kamunguma to complete a declaration form stating why he was receiving the funds.

Kamunguma completed the declaration form and indicated that the funds were from the China North Industries Corporation for a 'construction' project. On 18 June 2014, N$2 788 054.37 was deposited into Kamunguma's account held at the bank and the reference for that deposit was indicated as 'commission'. Between 18 June 2014 and 18 March 2014 an amount of N$2 730 000 was moved between Kamunguma's cheque account and his 32-day investment account. “The prosecutor-general, based on investigations and findings on 19 February 2016, from this court obtained a preservation of property order,” the judge said.

He added that pursuant to that order, the PG brought a forfeiture application for the preserved property to be forfeited to the state. The respondents opposed the forfeiture application but their attempt to raise a point for hearing of specific legal issues before the actual case was heard failed.

The point was that the PG did not serve the forfeiture application on the address given by the respondents and that the forfeiture application was not served by the deputy sheriff or a police officer as prescribed.

FRED GOEIEMAN

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Bank Windhoek appoints new branch manager at The Grove Mall

October 26, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Bank Windhoek appoints new branch manager at The Grove Mall“We are proud of our new branch manager. His growth at Bank Windhoek shows that continued professional development pays off, Bank Windhoek is proud to announce the appointment of Christiaan (Christy) Kotze as The Grove Mall Branch’s new branch manager with effect from 01 December 2017. Kotze will be taking over the position from Dian Coetzee who was earlier promoted.

Kotze joined Bank Windhoek in 2012 as the credit officer at Mariental Branch. He was subsequently promoted to the position of senior credit officer in Mariental Branch and was then transferred to Lüderitz Branch as administrator service centre. He progressed through the ranks and was eventually appointed as credit officer at the bank’s credit department for the last year. Kotze has completed several advanced bank related training and leadership courses and he is currently studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce: Finance Degree.

“During the past 11 years in banking, I have applied my personal values of respect, passion and integrity to my career.

“Bank Windhoek has really given me the platform to further develop myself emotionally and professionally which has equipped me to add further value to the bank. I am grateful to be part of the Bank Windhoek family,” Kotze said.

“We are proud of our new branch manager. His growth at Bank Windhoek shows that continued professional development pays off. I want to congratulate Christy on his appointment and trust that he will continue to deliver excellent results,” said Chris Matthee, executive officer for retail banking services at Bank Windhoek.

Ex-defence PS dies

October 29, 2017, 5:04 am

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Ex-defence PS dies The Ministry of Defence has announced the death of its former permanent secretary, Petrus Shivute, who died in the early morning hours in a Windhoek hospital. Shivute retired in July this year from the public service after serving the defence ministry for about 27 years. He was born on 18 July 1957 at Omuntele in the Oshikoto Region. He joined the People’s Liberation Army (PLAN) in 1980 as an infantry soldier and later became a political commissar. The late Shivute is survived by his wife and five children.

STAFF REPORTER

Namibia and Uruguay in for tough encounter

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Namibia and Uruguay in for tough encounterTwo test matches for home team preps Namibia's national rugby team will play two test matches against Uruguay on 18 and 25 November in Windhoek. The matches will be the last official matches for Namibia before the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifiers start next year.

The team will use the test matches in preparation for the world cup and to improve their world rugby ranking from the current 21st place to be within the top 20.

The strong Uruguayans are not going to be a walk in the park as they also want to improve their ranking from 18 and will provide stern competition for Namibia who have much to improve on in their squad.

The Uruguayans have been playing exceptional rugby and made history earlier this year when they hosted the Nations Cup in Montevideo and much to everyone surprise won the tournament for the first time.

The junior team is also emulating the seniors and as they scooped bronze this year in the World Rugby u20 Trophy which they hosted in September. The junior Uruguay side won the match 34-12 against Namibia.

The senior team will be without 11 of their regular players as they are unavailable due to injury, professional rugby commitments and university commitments.

Team members who are not available for the test matches: Johannes Coetzee and Torsten van Jaarsveld, professional rugby commitments, Pieter-Jan van Lill, Janco Venter, Louis van der Westhuizen, Renaldo Bothma, Johan Deysel, Dirk von Weidtz, Shaun du Preez, Divan Rossouw and Wian Conradie are out due to studies.



Management team:

Head coach: Phil Davies, defence coach: Roger Thompson, backline coach: JP Nel, scrums coach: Jaco Engels, strength and conditioning coach: PD Stoman, assistant: Sergio de la Harpe, performance analyst: Sam Pickford, team doctor: Dr Vernon Morke.



The selected Namibian squad:

Props: Casper Viviers, André Rademeyer, Nelius Theron, Collen Smith and AJ de Klerk. Hookers: Obert Nortje and Niel van Vuuren.

Locks: Tjiuee Uanivi (2nd test only), Adriaan Ludick, Mahepisa Tjeriko and Max Katjijeko. Back row: Prince! Goaseb, Rohan Kitshoff, Christo van der Merwe, Thomasua Forbes, Adriaan Booysen.

Scrumhalf: Helarius Kisting, Eugene Jantjies, Damien Stevens and Wihan von Wielligh. Flyhalf: Theuns Kotze, Cliven Loubser, PW Steenkamp. Centre: Darryl de la Harpe, Justin Newman, JC Greyling, Lesley Klim and Heinrich Smit. Back 3: David Philander, Johann Tromp, Gino Wilson and Chrysander Botha.

Namibia Breweries Ltd through its Windhoek Draught brand is the proud sponsor of the Namibian national team and of the November Namibian test matches.

Entrance fees are as follows for each of the test matches: Adults: N$50. Students will pay N$10 after they provide student cards as proof.

Tickets are available at www.webtickets.com.na, Pick n Pay stores and at the gate.

Kickoff time for both test matches is 16:00.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Khomas wins Galz and Goals national championship

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Khomas wins Galz and Goals national championshipRegions unite in sports Khomas Region won the NFA Galz and Goals national under-17 football and healthy lifestyle championship recently as 12 girls' teams from 10 regions met for the prestigious tournament and promotion of healthy lifestyles through educational activities at the NFA Technical Field in Windhoek. The defending champions from Windhoek, Khomas Region, did it again and won the tournament with a narrow defeat over //Karas region, with Karasburg as silver winners, and Keetmanshoop in third place.

The championship was blessed with the presence of the Unicef country representative Rachel Odede, who was particularly impressed with the mobilisation of girls and the opportunities that an event of this magnitude provides.

Free HIV testing was offered by NAPPA and many of the older girls used the opportunity to get tested for the first time, which pleased the organisers and the service provider knowing that the girls take responsibility for their health and future.

Unicef took the opportunity to educate the girls about their rights, while UNAIDS demonstrated how to use female condoms and shared information about HIV and Aids.

SCORE Namibia engaged the teams in educational life skills activities while the Bernard Norkamp Centre promoted healthy eating next to the football field.

Dona Medic provided first aid services and various health services free of charge to the girls and the public.

The NFA Girls Centre offered all the girls a motivational tour to learn more about the high performance centre and the life of the girls living there, many of whom played for the winning team.

TN Mobile offered services and gave away valuable prizes at the championship.

NFA

Kenya in limbo

October 29, 2017, 3:00 pm

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Kenya in limboIncomplete election keeps tensions high Kenya's repeat presidential election, boycotted this week by millions, has reignited long-running tensions between ethnic communities. Kenya was stuck in limbo Saturday as a repeat election remained on hold in flashpoint opposition areas, while some picked up the pieces from violent protests that have claimed nine lives.

There was little doubt that President Uhuru Kenyatta would win by a landslide after Thursday's election was boycotted by his rival Raila Odinga, however low turnout is likely to tarnish the credibility of a vote that has deeply polarised the east African nation.

Election commission chief Wafula Chebukati said he would announce Sunday when voting would take place in 25 western constituencies where violent protests and security fears prevented polling from taking place.

With voting incomplete, it remained unclear whether the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) would wait to declare a victor.

“The answer to that question we will arrive at when we reach there. We still have a couple of days to make that decision,” said another IEBC commissioner Abdi Guliye.

Thursday's election was held after the Supreme Court annulled the results of an August 8 vote over widespread irregularities, sparking weeks of acrimonious political rhetoric and legal battles.

Despite Odinga's call for supporters to stay home on voting day, protesters took to the streets, blocking voting and engaging in running battles with police.

Tensions remained high Saturday, however opposition strongholds remained largely calm a day after two were killed in clashes in western Homa Bay and the Nairobi slum of Kawangware - taking the total death toll to nine.

In Nairobi's poor Kawangware neighbourhood, members of Kenyatta's Kikuyu tribe stood over the blackened remains of their houses and shops after a night of clashes with Odinga supporters.

Both sides were armed with machetes, knives, clubs and rocks. Police said officers shot one man dead but residents claim others also died or were maimed in the clashes.

What started the violence is disputed, with each side blaming the other, but both acknowledge the ethnic logic of what followed.

“We were targeted because this is a Kikuyu place,” said Geoffrey Mbithi, a 42-year-old hotelier whose three-room guesthouse is now a pile of bent and blackened corrugated tin sheets.

“This is about tribalism.”

Politics in Kenya is divided along ethnic lines, and the Kikuyu - the largest grouping - have long been accused of holding a monopoly on power and resources.

At least 49 people have now died since the August election in Kenya's worst crisis since a 2007 vote sparked months of politically-driven ethnic violence that left 1,100 people dead.

While the dynamics of 2017's political crisis are very different, the memory of the bloodshed a decade ago is never far away.

“From past experience, sporadic incidents of violence quickly burst into a conflagration with tragic consequences. We are likely to go this direction unless quick action is taken,” the Daily Nation wrote in an editorial.

In Kisumu, Kenya's third largest city where three people died on polling day, opposition supporters were still on alert to block plans to deploy election material, although shops opened and transport was circulating.

Plans to restage voting in the region on Saturday were delayed after Chebukati said he feared for the safety of his staff.

According to the Supreme Court, the election re-run must be completed by October 31.

At a main roundabout in the city, someone had hung up a dead cat. In recent days, ahead of each announcement, Odinga promises to announce his next moves on how to “slay the cat”.

Richard Ogilo, 24, pointed to the carcass and said: “Look there is a member of IEBC (election board) at this roundabout. This is Wafula Chebukati. Let him know that we do not want elections.”



NAMPA/AFP