Kashuupulwa a hala omina yoshimongwa

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Kashuupulwa a hala omina yoshimongwaAakalimo ya itaya popile eminopo lyekango lyomongwa gwawo Ngoloneya gwoshitopolwa shaShana okwa hala uuministeli womidhingoloko opo wu gandje omulilo omuzizi kiilonga yomina yomongwa moshitopolwa she. Ngoloneya , Clemens Kashuupulwa, okwa indile uuministeli opo wu tale shoka sha monika po molopota yoenvironmental impact assessment (EIA) ndjoka ya etitha opo wu tinde okuzimina egandjo lyoenvironmental clearance certificate kOtjivalunda Salt Mining and Soap Production monooli mEtosha National Park mo 2014.

Kashuupulwa okwa popi kutya kali a ningwa naye oonkundathana sho kwa li kwa ningwa eindilo lyuunzapo mboka, nonando oye a li omunambelewa omukuluntu moshitopolwa shka.

MuJuli gwo2014, komufala gwomidhingoloko, Teofilus Nghitila, okwa tindi eindilo ndyoka ningwa kehangano lyaSouth African lyoGecko Mining opo li tungepo ofaabulika monooli.

Gecko, ehangano li li melongelokumwe aanapolotika oshowo aaleli yopamuthigululwakalo melelo lyaNdonga nUukwambi mboka ya totopo ehangano lyOUME Company.

Nghitila, pethimbo a tindi eindilo ndyoka lya ningwa okwa popi kutya ehala ndyoka olyaayehe na oli li egumbo koonzo dhopaushitwe dha yooloka. Pantopolwa 3 (2) (k) oshowo (l) mOmpango yoEnvironmental Management Act No.7 yomo 2007, oshi li mondjila opo ku gamenwe uushitwe, nopoloyeka ndjoka yokumina omongwa oya tindwa kaantu yomomudhingoloko ngoka. Oya popi kutya okukatala omongwa kekango oshimwe shomiinyangadhalwa yopamuthiguulwakalo hayi ningwa kaanona yaamati uuna ya piti etanda, nokuulika kutya oya ninga aalumentu.

Oya holola woo esimano lyomongwa onga epingakanitho lyiinima pokati kaakwashigwana yomuhoko gwaa Hai//om San nAawambo omimvo dha piti.

Kashuupulwa okwa popi kutya ehala lyokuya moonkundathana naye, Nghitila pamwe nongundu ye, okwa yi owala moonkundathana nongundu yaaleli yopamuthigululwakalo oshowo aakalimo yomOtjivalunda, mboka yeli ompinge nopoloyeka ndjoka.

Mo-2015, Kahuupulwa okwa lopota Nghitila kOmuprima

Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila pethimbo a talelepo oshitopolwa oshowo omupeha minista gwiikwamina Kornelia Shilunga, sho a li ta kondjo opo ominista yomidhingoloko Pohamba Sifeta yi vule okuninga etokolo. Oshiwike sha piti, Namibian Sun okwa yi mekwatathano naNgoloneya Kashuupulwa opo a pule kutya ehangano lyoGecko olya hulila peni noonkatu dhopaveta ndhoka tali katukile uuministeli.

Pahapu dhanNgoloneya ina vula okuya mekwatathano naShifeta. Okwa popi kutya oshitopolwa oshi li pokukanitha ompito ndjoka ombwaanawa yomapungulo na otayi ka gandja iilonga nokukondjitha oluhepo kaakalimo yomoshitopolwa.

“Ondi na okupataneka etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa kukomufala gwomidhingoloko molwashoka inandi ningwa nangame oonkundathana onga ngoloneya. Komufala okwa tokola owala omanga ina kwatathana nangame.”

Okwa popi kutya aapunguli mboka yaSouth Afrika oya longitha iimaliwa oyindji moEIA na itaya vulu okutsikila pwaahea eyambidhidho lyuuministeli.

Ngoloneya kwa popi kutya aaleli yopamuthigululwakalo mOndonga nUukwambi oya totopo ehangano lyOUME Company pamulandu, ndyoka li li tali longele kumwe noGecko Namibia.

Okwa popi kutya Gecko Namibia oku na mo mehangano ndyoka lyOtjivalunda Salt Mining and Soap Production iipambuliko yopresenda 95%, omanga omalelo gopamuthigululwakalo ge na mo 2.5% kehe.

Oonkambadhala okumona minista Shifeta okupitila momupopiliko guuministeli Romeo Muyunda odha ndopa.



ILENI NANDJATO

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Rain in the desert, the smell of home and lots of attention for Badger

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Rain in the desert, the smell of home and lots of attention for BadgerTeam Tane getting closer to home on their six-month #SuzukiAfricaSkyHigh Adventure After many months travelling through Africa and over 19 000 overland-kilometres, Team Tane found themselves in the worst of rainstorms in none other than Namibia. Mother Africa is certainly full of surprises.

“Namibia surprised us with two major rainstorms in two weeks, after only seeing a little bit of rain three times in the past six months,” says Shane Quinnell, one half of the adventurous Team Tane couple who travelled across Africa this year in their 2011 Suzuki Jimny.

Not only did Team Tane find themselves knee deep in mud in their Jimny in the northern parts of Namibia, but the heavy storms nearly ended their six-month long adventure when lightning brought down a large tree right next to their tent during one of the storms.

Shane and his wife Tarryn have been documenting the environmental marvels, friendly faces and fascinating cultures of inhabitants of various African countries on their #SuzukiAfricaSkyHigh adventure as they travelled to Africa’s five highest mountains and back.

The two of them scaled each of the five highest mountains, starting with Mt Baker in Uganda and ending with the mighty Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Where possible, they took the most difficult route up, like the famed North Face of Mt Kenya which required two full days of technical climbing and a night in bivouacs high on the peak.

After a well-deserved break for the couple and their Jimny in Zanzibar and on the shores of Lake Malawi, the pair are heading back to South Africa through Zambia and Namibia. Their Jimny, which they christened Badger, has been slowing their progress as they are constantly stopped by fellow 4x4 enthusiasts and tour guides who cannot believe how capable the diminutive 4x4 is.

“We hoped to stop over in Angola before heading to Namibia, but the visa process proved very difficult. In Zambia, we stayed with the Ria family in Lusaka, who welcomed us back like family after our first stay when we were heading North. That’s but one of the amazing parts of an adventure like this, all the amazing people you meet and the hospitality they offer,” says Tarryn.

“The road from Livingstone to the Katima and ultimately to the border proved to be another tough test for the Jimny. The tar looked like scabs falling off an old wound and the border crossing into Namibia was a gruelling three-hour affair in the hot African sun.”

Namibia has been a treat for the touring couple. They visited the San and Himba tribes and documented much of their culture and practices on their website teamtane.com and on their Facebook and Instagram accounts.

“The visits with both tribes served as a stark reminder of how closely we as humans are linked with nature,” says Shane. “The Himba tribe, for instance, recently had to relocate 250 km away from their homes due to a very severe drought.”

While Namibia’s drinkable tap water, good dirt and tar roads and friendly people are a pleasure, Team Tane and Badger have started missing home. They will slowly make their way back home and plan to cross back into Mzansi at the end of November.

“We are planning a presentation of our adventure and a question and answer session at Suzuki Bryanston on 1 December, which will be open to the public,” says Tarryn. Shortly before that, at City Rock in Johannesburg on 29 November, Team Tane will be present at the Mountain Club of South Africa (MCSA). More detail are available on their website and social channels.

You can read more about Team Tane’s adventure on www.teamtane.com, twitter.com/TeamTane2, www.instagram.com/teamtane/ and www.facebook.com/teamtane. They have a LIVE map on their website so followers can see exactly where they are.

Enthusiasts can also subscribe to their mailing list to receive a comprehensive packing list of the equipment, and method of packing, that they used on their African adventure. – Words and images Motorpress.co.za

Lagging anti-graft campaign

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Lagging anti-graft campaign Corruption remains public enemy number one in many developing countries, and Namibia is no exception. There have been many concerns regarding the rampant abuse of power for self-gratification especially in government where taxpayers' money is often involved. Concerns are that there are no resolute efforts to fight corruption, especially at the highest level. A week hardly passes without reports of corruption in government and State-owned enterprises. Glaring cases of corruption have disappeared into thin air, with the well-connected politicians and officials getting away scot-free in the process. This year's closure of the SME Bank due to corruption is just one of many examples. In yesterday's edition, finance minister Calle Schlettwein didn't have kind words for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), labelling it weak, and saying that there was a need for the anti-graft body to enjoy full autonomy. Corruption is entrenched within the system of governance, unfortunately, and we continue to read reports of the abuse of State funds by officials and their proxies. Yet nothing much is done to crack the whip on poorly performing ministries, government offices and agencies and corrupt officials. There are those that fear political interference is the order of the day in the ACC's work. This remains just an allegation at this stage. However, the question that we must ask ourselves is whether there is political commitment to tackle corruption in the public service by promoting a culture of moral and ethical behaviour. What role does the Office of the Ombudsman play in this regard? As 'public protector' is the ombudsman lacking executive authority to complement the fight against corruption? To us there appears to be a lax attitude coupled by lax prosecution of glaring instances of corruption. The effects of corruption are personal and they are devastating. Corruption is an enemy of the poor and as a nation we must ensure that our anti-corruption policies are strengthened in ensuring there is genuine progress in nipping it in the bud. Together, we must fight it tooth and nail.

Shot of the day

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shot of the day CROWDED: Apartment living at a complex in the Riverside Community of New York 30 October 2017. The Riverside Park Community apartment complex is a group of five buildings in Harlem that has over 1000 apartment units and was designed to accommodate nearly 1,190 families. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Mitsubishi unveils e-Evolution concept

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Mitsubishi unveils e-Evolution conceptReflects an adventurous and progressive mind-set The e-Evolution concept is an all-electric high-performance SUV that embodies the “Drive your Ambition” brand strategy. The Mitsubishi e-Evolution concept is a technical prototype illustrating the strategic direction of a renewed Mitsubishi Motor Corporation (MMC) brand that reflects an adventurous and progressive mind-set. The new concept incorporates the strengths of SUV, EV and the ability to integrate new systems for a connected mobility customer experience.

Under this new ethos, MMC will accelerate product renewal and launch more new models – including Southern Africa where the Eclipse Cross compact crossover will make its local debut sometime next year.

With the launch of the Mitsubishi e-Evolution concept, Mitsubishi illustrated its new design philosophy under the title “Robust & Ingenious”.

Robust & ingenious, the design language of the Mitsubishi e-Evolution concept, is a study in contrasts. MMC vehicles of the future are meant to be sincere, tough, and functional. At the same time, they will be clever, resourceful, style-setting and technologically advanced.

The front face design is a fresh take on MMC’s dynamic shield design. The black grille is shielded under glass, a subtle hint that this car is a high performance electric vehicle. Cameras and sensors are protected under the glass and accentuated by blue lines for emphasis. Large air intakes beneath the headlamps cool the electric brake callipers.

A sharply slanted front windshield and short overhangs give the Mitsubishi e-Evolution concept a unique side profile that has not been possible before the arrival of electric propulsion. High ground clearance, short overhangs, strong shoulders and narrow hips project nimbleness and agility. Muscular tires that protrude at the four corners communicate powerful 4WD torque.

The Mitsubishi e-Evolution concept is powered by three torqueful electric motors, and the absence of a big internal combustion engine under the hood gave designers space for a radically novel cockpit. Its instrument panel appears to float in front of the driver. Acting like a level in an electronic viewfinder, the instrument panel makes it easier to sense the state of the vehicle during driving.

The Mitsubishi e-Evolution concept uses three high-performance electric motors, fed by a high-capacity battery system to deliver the smooth and powerfully responsive performance that distinguishes EVs from fossil fuel powered vehicles. The drive battery is located under the floor in the middle of the vehicle for a low centre of gravity and utmost stability.

The Mitsubishi e-Evolution concept’s brain is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system that augments the driver’s capabilities. An array of sensors allows the system to instantly read changes in road and traffic conditions, as well as the driver’s intent. Seamlessly coordinating driver intent with vehicle performance, the system supports drivers of all abilities, bringing the motoring experience to a new level. - Quickpic.co.za

Company news in brief

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Company news in brief Toyota posts 10% rise in operating profit

Toyota Motor Corp posted a 10% rise in operating profit for the second quarter as a positive currency impact and cost reductions offset lower vehicle sales at home and in North America.

Operating profit came in at 522.2 billion yen (US$4.58 billion), up from 474.6 billion a year ago and above forecasts for 515.3 billion yen from 11 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters.

Toyota upgraded its full-year forecast for operating profit to 2.0 trillion yen from a previous forecast for 1.85 trillion yen, based on a revised assumption that the yen will trade around 111 yen to the US dollar. – Nampa/Reuters

PPC flags jump in H1 profit

South African cement maker PPC Ltd flagged as much as 40% increase in half-year profit, citing robust performance in Zimbabwe and Rwanda and lower finance costs.

PPC, the subject of tie-up approaches from local rival Afrisam and Sweden's LafargeHolcim, said headline earnings per share likely rose by between 30% and 40% in the six months ended September.

Headline EPS, the widely used performance measure in South Africa, strips out certain one-off items. – Nampa/Reuters

Siemens Gamesa cut up to 6 000 jobs

Siemens Gamesa plans to cut as many as 6 000 jobs worldwide as it braces for sales to plunge by as much as a fifth next year.

The job cut would amount to more than 20% of the company's total workforce of around 26 000.

Wind turbine makers have been facing growing competition, putting pressure on pricing and inventory values and raising expectations for more takeovers to build scale.

The company expects sales to fall to between 9 and 9.6 billion euros this year from about 11 billion in fiscal 2017, a 5% gain from year-earlier levels. – Nampa/Reuters

BP, Shell eye blockchain-based trading

A consortium including energy companies BP and Royal Dutch Shell will develop a blockchain-based digital platform for energy commodities trading expected to start by end-2018, the group said.

Other members of the consortium include Norwegian oil firm Statoil, trading houses Gunvor, Koch Supply & Trading, and Mercuria, and banks ABN Amro, ING and Societe Generale.

The new venture is seeking regulatory approvals and would be run as an independent entity. – Nampa/Reuters

BMW more confident despite slowdown

German luxury car giant BMW fell short of expectations in the third quarter, earnings data released showed, but lifted its performance targets for the full year.

Between July and September, net profit at the group shrank 1.8% y-o-y to 1.8 billion euros (US$2.1 billion). Operating, or underlying profit also fell 3.2%, to 2.3 billion euros, on the back of revenues up 0.3% at 23.4 billion.

Looking ahead to the full year, BMW upped its forecast to a "solid" increase in underlying profit from 2016's figure, where previously it had called for a "slight" boost. – Nampa/AFP

Seas trial kicks off on 23 Nov

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Seas trial kicks off on 23 Nov The murder case of a Swakopmund mother accused of killing her two-year-old daughter has been transferred to the High Court.

Zenobia Seas, 32, is accused of killing her daughter by suffocating her with a piece of cloth along the Henties Bay - Terrace Bay road in September last year.

The transfer follows the prosecutor-general's decision which was read out in the Swakopmund Magistrate's Court on 25 October.

Court records show that, Seas who is still in police custody, is expected before the High Court on 23 November this year.

At the beginning of her case last year, the State refused her bail citing the seriousness of the crime and advised her to apply for formal bail.

Seas, who was employed at Husab Mine at the time of the incident, allegedly drove from Swakopmund with her daughter to about 112 kilometres north-west of Henties Bay, where the toddler was killed.

It is suspected that after suffocating the child, Seas put firewood under her vehicle in an effort to burn herself and the daughter inside the car.

The wood had, however, not caught fire when the police arrived at the scene and arrested her.

NAMPA

Analyst fears another downgrade

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Analyst fears another downgrade PSG Namibia analyst Eloise du Plessis raised the possibility of a ratings downgrade by Fitch despite finance minister Calle Schlettwein's attempts to show that all was well.

According to Du Plessis, the mid-term budget review did nothing to allay fears that government will in fact bring down spending practices to affordable levels, in addition to now having to pay for increased borrowing costs.

“The 2017 mid-term budget review shows significant fiscal slippage over the medium term, which heightens the risk of credit rating downgrades and increased government borrowing costs. It is unlikely that the credit rating agencies will be convinced by the finance ministry's so-called “balanced fiscal consolidation” approach. Moody's was not convinced in August and Fitch probably won't be either,” said Du Plessis.

Du Plessis also emphasised that it would be necessary for government to demonstrate that it could and would settle all of its outstanding debts incurred.

“It is absolutely necessary that the government settles its outstanding debts and establishes the Infrastructure Fund in order to support a much-needed recovery in the construction sector; hence, part of the expenditure ceiling breaches are forgivable,” said Du Plessis.

To regain the confidence of the rating agencies and ensure the success of the fiscal consolidation programme, it was completely necessary to ensure the success of the tax arrears recovery programme and the soon-to-be established new Revenue agency authority, Du Plessis argued.

“In order to get fiscal consolidation back on track and restore the credit rating agencies' confidence, much depends on the success of the Revenue Agency Bill, the Public Finance Management Bill and the renewed Tax Arrears Recovery Incentive Programme to improve revenue collection and reduce wasteful expenditure,” she said.

The 2017/18 mid-term budget review has failed to achieve the stated objective of fiscal consolidation due to unbudgeted expenditure and additional strategic resource allocations not previously included in the budget.

IJG Securities bemoaned what it deemed a lack of controls over government's purse strings by the ministry of finance, which was largely attributable to expenditure overruns.

“A lack of controls within ministries as well as between the ministry of finance and various other ministries seems to be the root cause of expenditure overruns and the large increase in public debt over the last three years,” IJG said.

While the theme was that of consolidation by treasury, expenditure estimates over the medium-term expenditure framework period painted a different picture for IJG.

“Expenditure increases between 2017/18 and 2019/20 of N$9.5 billion over the mid-term budget tabled last year will be hard to pass off as a consolidation. It is more in line with fiscal stimulus than growth-friendly fiscal consolidation,” IJG said.



OGONE TLHAGE

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Sisters, 4 and 5, still missing in Kunene

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Sisters, 4 and 5, still missing in Kunene Two minor girls who went missing in the Kunene Region last Monday, still have not been found.

The crime investigations coordinator of the police, Deputy Commissioner Rudolf Kanyetu told Nampa this week the search continues for Kangombe Kangombe, 4, and 5-year-old Uahindua Kangombe.

They were reported missing on Monday last week in the area of Okongoro village in the Werda policing area.

According to Kanyetu, the children were allegedly sent to collect horses from the field but never returned.

Earlier this year, a 4-year-old girl went missing for a day while herding goats at the Ohamaremba village in the Epupa constituency.

Late last year, a 3-year-old boy went missing from home at the Okovingava village on the outskirts of Opuwo. He was found two days later after he had covered a distance of 25 kilometres wandering in the forest.

In another case, three minors drowned in a pond at the Omao village in the Opuwo rural constituency towards the end of 2016 after initially disappearing.

NAMPA

Things are heating up

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Things are heating upHottest La Nina year on record Besides 2015 and 2016, both El Nino years known for their high temperatures, this is the first La Nina year with excessive temperatures pointing to climate change. Of late, especially during the past few days, Namibians have been complaining about the scorching heat and soaring temperatures. They appear to be right as this year is set to become the hottest La Nina year on record.

The United Nations weather and climate agency says this year is already on track to be one of the three hottest years of all time, after 2015 and 2016, which were both affected by a powerful El Nino effect, which can contribute to higher temperatures.

Temperatures in the first nine months of this year were unlikely to have been higher than 2016, when there was a strong El Nino weather system, but higher than anything before 2015.

The World Metrological Organisation (WMO) says key indicators of climate change, such as rising carbon dioxide concentrations, rising sea levels and the acidification of oceans, continued unabated this year.

Data thus far this year points to 2017 continuing a long-term trend of record-breaking temperatures around the world, according to the organisation.

It says provisional data suggests this year is set to be one of the hottest three years on record confirming yet again a warming trend that scientists say bears the footprint of human actions.

The secretary-general of the WMO, Petteri Taalas, said further detailed scientific studies would be carried out, but that it was already possible to say many “bear the tell-tale signs of climate change” caused by increased greenhouse gas concentrations from human activities, such as burning fossil fuel and deforestation.

According to him, this recent increase in average global temperatures confirms a renewed warming trend in recent years, which had slowed its pace slightly in the previous decade, leading some climate sceptics to claim global warming had “paused”.

“These findings underline the rising risks to people, economies and the very fabric of life on earth if we fail to get on track with the aims and ambitions of the Paris agreement.”

According to the WMO the global mean temperature from January to September this year was about a half-degree Celsius warmer than the 1981-2010 average, which was estimated to be 14.31 degrees Celsius.

The five-year average temperature from 2013 to 2017 is more than one degree Celsius higher than that during the pre-industrial period.

WMO says 2017 has been marked by higher-than-average rainfall in some places, lower-than-average coverage areas for Arctic sea ice, droughts and flooding, to name but a few.

Namibia experienced a prolonged drought since 2013 and although the 2016/17 rainfall season improved the situation somewhat, there are still areas in the country that suffer from drought conditions.

The latest rainfall predictions for the country indicate normal to above normal rainfall in November and December, and January and February 2018.

The forecast for the 2017 cropping season in southern Africa indicates that most parts of the region can expect adequate rainfall after successive years of debilitating droughts.

In November to December most of the region is expected to receive normal to above normal rainfall and this is expected to continue in most parts in January to March 2018, according to the 20th Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum. November to January may see a reduction in rainfall in some parts of the region, including Namibia, western Botswana, eastern DRC, northern Mozambique, western Zambia and southern Tanzania. During this period the region often experiences a dry spell.

For the period December 2017 to January and February 2018, increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall are predicted for most of Namibia, while increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall are expected in the south-western fringe of Namibia.

The results by the WMO were revealed to delegates at the UN's global climate talks being held in Bonn, Germany, during the next two weeks. The COP23 talks, a follow-up to the landmark Paris agreement of 2015, will focus on a new process by which countries' pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions can be toughened, in line with scientific advice.



ELLANIE SMIT

Wife on trial for husband's murder

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Wife on trial for husband's murder Six people arrested in connection with the 2015 death of a Windhoek municipal worker are expected to plead to the charges against them in the High Court today. The defendants include the dead man's wife.

Peter Muleke (36) was found dead a few metres from his car in the Goreangab Dam area on the western outskirts of Katutura on 31 March 2015.

The accused are Muleke's wife, Annastacia Lubinda (33); David Likando Matali (45); Dave Kondjera (32); Abiud Uazeua (35); Donald Hindjou (26); and Dollam Tjitjahuma (27).

They are represented by lawyers Mbanga Siyomuinji, Milton Engelbrecht, Brownwell Uirab, Miriam Kenaruzo, Trevor Brockerhoff and Tuna Nhinda. Newly appointed acting High Court judge Johanna Salionga is presiding.

State advocate Martino Olivier is representing the State.

The six appeared in the Katutura Magistrate's Court for the first time on 7 April 2015 and were denied bail due to the seriousness and complexity of the case. Since then, they have remained in police custody at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility with no option to post bail until the start of their trial today.





NAMPA

NBC decoders sold out

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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NBC decoders sold out The Namibia Broadcasting Corporation has run out of digital terrestrial transmission (DTT) set-top boxes, NBC chief commercial officer Umbi Karuaihe-Upi has told Namibian Sun.

The stock shortage was due to high demand, Karuaihe-Upi said, while the NBC also had to align future purchases of the decoders to analogue signal switch-offs across the country.

“The stock is depleted due to the high DTT decoder uptake in the market. The stock is ordered in phases in line with the analogue switch-offs countrywide. To date, the NBC has distributed over 80 000 decoders in areas that have access to digital television,” said Karuaihe-Upi.

“The NBC is currently in the process of acquiring new stock that will address the current shortfall in the market,” she said.

The public will be informed when new decoders are available.

The shortage would not affect the pricing of the decoders, Karuaihe-Upi said.

“The NBC is cognisant of its mandate to make information accessible to all Namibians and has therefore been selling the DTT decoders at a significantly rebated rate. The NBC will continue to do so for as long as possible.

“In the same vein, the NBC would like to call on all TV set owners to pay their TV licences. This will ensure that the corporation has sufficient funds to continue its DTT rollout,” she said.

The decoders were previously available at Pick n Pay supermarkets, NBC offices and MobiPay branches.

The decoder retailed for N$199 (only N$99 for pensioners) when it was launched in 2014.

DTT broadcasting increases the capacity of transmission networks and provides a better signal quality.

OGONE TLHAGE

US gives millions to fight HIV/Aids

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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US gives millions to fight HIV/AidsN$435 million in new Pepfar grant The United States has increased its funding of Namibia's HIV/Aids campaign. Funding to the tune of N$435 million from the United States government to help continue the fight against Namibia's top killer, HIV/Aids, forms part of an amended grant agreement.

Although there has been notable progress in Namibia's efforts to reduce new HIV infections and provide healthcare to those in need, HIV/Aids continues to kill up to 3 900 people each year and many living with HIV do not yet receive treatment.

A June 2017 report issued by the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) found that the national prevalence for people aged 15 to 49 is 13.3%.

It is estimated that 230 000 adults and children in Namibia live with HIV/Aids and the disease has left thousands of orphans in its wake.

The Namibian government, representatives from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and US ambassador Thomas Daughton this week signed an amendment to their 2007 bilateral grant agreement to add vital funding under the Pepfar programme.

In Namibia, Pepfar is led by the US ambassador and managed by an inter-agency team.

With the latest financial aid, the USAID contribution to the agreement with Namibia totals N$4.1 billion since its inception in 2007.

The foreign aid boost from the US government will help fund activities under the 2017 Pepfar country operational plan (COP17).

Pepfar and USAID funding is used to support Namibia's efforts to combat HIV/Aids on several fronts.

The work includes HIV testing and treatment, prevention measures, capacity building and logistics support. These efforts are aligned to help Namibia reach the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals, which means 90% of Namibians infected with HIV know their status, 90% of those individuals are on treatment and 90% of those on treatment are non-infectious. When this is achieved and sustained, the HIV epidemic will officially be considered under control.

“Namibia has significantly reduced maternal and neonatal mortality.

Both infant and under-five mortality has declined. HIV/Aids in pregnant women has reduced from a peak of 22% to 16.9% in 2014,” the National Planning Commission reported this week.

About 80% of people living with HIV in Namibia know their HIV status, and between 75% and 80% of people living with HIV in Namibia are currently on antiretroviral treatment. About 87% of people on treatment are virally suppressed. The minister of economic planning, Tom Alweendo, and the deputy minister of health and social services, Juliet Kavetuna, joined Daughton and John Groarke, the director of USAID in southern Africa, during this week's proceedings.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Zinc shines at Skorpion in Q2

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Zinc shines at Skorpion in Q2 Waste mining that started in April 2017 has been at record levels in Q2. - Vedanta Resources Jo-Maré Duddy - Vedanta Resources’ Skorpion mine produced 23 000 tonnes of refined zinc in the second quarter of 2017, up from 14 000 tonnes in the previous one.

Compared to the second quarter of 2016, production remained the same, the company said in its latest financials.

Vedanta attributed the better quarterly performance to a successful planned refinery shutdown in the first quarter. This resulted in restoring the acid plant to full capacity.

The shutdown, however, impacted on the local mine’s latest half-year results. Compared to the first six months in 2016, Skorpion produced 22% less zinc.

At Gamsberg, pre-stripping is progressing well, Vedanta said. The full ramp up of pre-stripping mining volumes of 3.5 million tonnes per month has been achieved.

“To date, we have excavated over 32 million tonnes of waste rock of the total 65-70 million tons of pre-stripping required,” Vedanta said.

At Skorpion, the pit 112 extension project is progressing well too, the company said.

“Most of the equipment is in place. Waste mining that started in April 2017 has been at record levels in Q2,” according to Vedanta.

Unregistered SIM cards make Nam vulnerable

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Unregistered SIM cards make Nam vulnerableCyber threats worry Katjavivi Securing cyberspace is a national e-sovereignty challenge which needs to be pursued in a comprehensive manner, the Speaker says. Namibia is vulnerable to cyber threats as the country currently is one of a few, if not the only one in the region, where a SIM card can be bought without registration, Peter Katjavivi, Speaker the National Assembly, said on Monday.

Katjavivi raised this concern when he officially opened a two-day cyber security conference for members of parliament.

People can easily buy a SIM card on the streets without registration and validation of an identity card or passport. “This implies that one can use a phone number to commit a crime and throw it away easily, without being traced,” Katajivivi said.

There have been some initiatives and efforts undertaken by the government in the information and communication technology-related areas, but more needs to be done to improve the country’s cybersecurity status in Africa and the rest of the world in the years to come, he said.

Mbeuta Ua-Ndjarakana, the permanent secretary in the ministry of information and communication technology, told the MPs that once the cybercrime bill is in place, people will be required to register with their identity documents on the network.

The bill is currently with the legal drafters, and will soon go back to Parliament for tabling, he said.

Securing cyberspace is a national e-sovereignty challenge which needs to be pursued in a comprehensive manner, Katjavivi said. As budget custodians and lawmakers in the country, MPs have a critical role in securing Namibia, he said.

Katjavivi suggested that MPs influence the nation’s priorities related to how many people could be trained, how to educate the nation, what infrastructure the country needs and what laws need to be enacted to protect Namibia.

He said although Namibia is in the process of developing a Computer Emergency Response Team, training and digital forensic labs of law enforcement agencies are needed.

While there are still many physical threats, more threats are continuously occurring in cyberspace, Katjavivi said. - Nampa

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Court hears testimony in Keetmans murder case

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Court hears testimony in Keetmans murder caseWoman was stabbed repeatedly Juliana Sarvanda Garises was trying to fend off the knife blows that killed her, the Windhoek High Court heard yesterday. A knife was the most likely weapon used to kill a woman whose boyfriend is accused of killing her in a fit of jealous rage.

The senior medical officer at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital, Dr Maksym Verkusha, who performed the post-mortem on the body of Juliana Sarvanda Garises, yesterday testified in the High Court in Windhoek that the three wounds inflicted to her chest penetrated the chest cavity and led to more than 200ml blood loss. That was what caused her death, he testified.

He further stated that the horizontal angle and the width of the other five wounds both pointed to the possibility that they could have been caused by a knife.

He added that mild or moderate force was used to inflict the wounds.

Verkusha told the court that the wounds to Garises's left arm were defensive wounds which must have been caused when she tried to block the knife that struck her repeatedly.

Andrew Britz (58), her boyfriend at the time, is charged with killing Garises in a fit of rage after she allegedly ended their relationship.

Britz is accused of having stabbed Garises eight times in her neck, upper body and arms at House 58/69 in Krönlein, Keetmanshoop, between 11 and 12 December 2013.

On Monday, the elderly Christelle Minnie testified about the murder of her friend, who was lying next to her, back-to-back, on her bed at the time.

“No one will have you, you are mine,” Andrew Britz allegedly exclaimed before stabbing Garises after she allegedly brushed off his advances to kiss her. She allegedly told him that she did not love him anymore.

Britz and Garises had an intimate relationship but at the time of her death she was in the process of breaking up with him, Minnie testified.

Minnie told the court that while they were lying in bed Britz came into the room and bent down over her towards Garises. It was then that Garises brushed him off and told him she did not love him anymore. She allegedly had revived a relationship with a certain Petrus Pous Swartbooi, with whom she had been involved prior to Britz.

“If I cannot have you, no one will have you. You are mine,” Britz allegedly said and stepped over to her kitchen cupboard, Minnie testified.

When Britz came back, it sounded as if he was beating Garises on the chest with his fists.

Minnie said Garises did not utter a word as she was afraid to say anything because she feared that he was going to beat her too.

The trial continues.





FRED GOEIEMAN

Double tragedy hits family

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Double tragedy hits family Just hours after being informed of the death of her six-year-old grandson who was hit by a bakkie on Monday, Toini Kaluhoni (age unknown) died after collapsing at the Oshakati State Hospital.

According to Kaluhoni's son Armas, his mother died after arriving at the scene where her grandson, Erastus Shipa, had been hit by a double-cab bakkie at Olulongo village. The boy had been on his way home from school with a group of friends.

Armas said the police took the seriously injured boy to the hospital and his mother followed them.

The child succumbed to his injuries and his mother was informed of this by the hospital staff.

According to Armas, after receiving the sad news, she went home to tell the family what had happened.

Armas told Namibian Sun that when his mother arrived home, she was in a terrible state and was crying, after which she went silent.

“The family rushed her to the Oshakati State Hospital where she collapsed and died,” he said.

A case of culpable homicide has been opened against the driver of the bakkie, identified as Andreas Mbango (71), from Onelago village.

According to the Oshana police, Mbango hooted several times when he saw the children trying to cross the road.

Erastus and a friend apparently ran into the road and were hit by the bakkie.

The other child was not seriously injured but was also taken to hospital for a check-up.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Green light for N$1b township

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Green light for N$1b townshipGeingob Family Trust, Huang behind mega-development Following environmental approval in July this year, the City of Windhoek has conditionally approved a large housing development involving the head of state and a prominent businessman. The City of Windhoek has conditionally approved the establishment of a new upmarket township in the Klein Windhoek townlands, involving President Hage Geingob, his family and Chinese tycoon Jack Huang.

The development envisages more than 400 apartments and other amenities worth over N$1 billion.

The project has, however, been scaled down since initial plans were submitted to the City last year.





The land is situated alongside the road linking Windhoek to Hosea Kutako International Airport.

The city council conditionally approved the construction as well as the layout of the township on Portion 105 of the Klein Windhoek townlands.

One of the conditions for approval is that a complete groundwater (geohydrology) study must be submitted to the City due to the environmental sensitivity and because the proposed development is located within the Windhoek Aquifer management area.

The application, including the layout design of the development, was submitted by Urban Dynamics Town and Regional Planners on behalf of African Sunrise Investment Group.

The Dr Hage Geingob Family Trust owns 20% in African Sunrise Investment. The president is one of a number of family beneficiaries of this trust.

President Geingob's ex-wife Loini also owns 20% of African Sunrise Investment, while the remaining 60% belongs to Huang.

Huang is awaiting trial on charges of tax evasion, fraud and money laundering in Namibia.



Amended layout

The initial application had been received by the City in April 2016, but after a technical assessment it required a resubmission of an amended township layout by the developers.

The resubmission asked approval for the establishment of the township and its layout, as well as zero endowment in view of the extent of bulk infrastructure to be constructed by the developer.

According to council documents, the land covers about 40 hectares and is currently zoned as “undetermined”.

The layout plan indicates that the development will consist of 141 erven with 438 units.

This was reduced from the previous planned 151 erven with a total of 424 units proposed.

The previous layout proposed that the 151 plots be used as follows: 164 duplex apartments, 88 townhouses, 140 flats, 24 villas, three plots for businesses and one plot for a crèche.

Two big mansions on a 10 000-square-metre [one hectare] plot were also planned.

According to the new layout, 67 erven will be allocated for the development of 134 duplex units, while 29 erven have been earmarked for large villas and mansions which will accommodate 29 units.

Terraced houses are to be developed on 25 erven and it is anticipated that it will be able to accommodate 121 units, while another 10 erven are earmarked to accommodate about 150 flats.

Five public open spaces, two business erven, one office plot and a crèche are also planned.

The layout will ultimately accommodate 438 units.

Although the council approved the establishment and the layout of the proposed township, it rejected the application by the developers to pay a zero endowment fee or deposit on bulk infrastructure for construction.

“The waiving of the endowment fee was not supported because the development is private and no services will be transferred to the council. The endowment fee should only be waived should bulk infrastructure provide spare capacity over and above the need for development,” according to the documents.

The council recommended that an endowment fee must be paid in accordance with the Township and Division of Land Ordinance.

“Although the development is needed and desirable, note should be taken that it is situated in an area that is environmentally sensitive for development. Due to this fact all necessary studies such as the Geohydrology Study and the Environmental Management Plan needed to determine the potential environment impacts must be undertaken to the satisfaction of the city,” according to the council.

According to the council, the development is situated within the Windhoek Aquifer zone and strict requirements must be met for land uses with underground water pollution to ensure proper protection of the aquifer.



Water study

The council said a geohydrology study must be submitted and until that time only conditional approval would be granted until the study is provided to the satisfaction of the Environment and Bulk Water and Waste Water Divisions of the City.

According to the documents, problems regarding road planning, design and traffic flow have also been addressed in the new layout, but the City has made a handful of recommendations regarding road planning, electricity and storm water as well as bulk water and waste services.

It also said that the proposed development is subjected to large subdivision requirements and therefore development agreements have to be signed between the developer and the City of Windhoek.

It added that the City's strategic executive: infrastructure water and technical services must be authorised to make necessary amendments to the layout to facilitate the provision of services.

The environment ministry recently approved the first phase of the township development.

The second phase, which includes plans to build a hotel near the new township development, was blocked by the ministry.

Geo Pollution Technologies, an environmental firm representing African Sunrise Investment (Pty) Ltd, applied to the environment ministry last year for approval to build the development consisting of two phases.

The ministry rejected the application to build phase two because the area is considered environmentally sensitive.

The second phase was to include 15 residential plots, 84 duplex apartments, eight plots for public open spaces and one hotel, which would have been built on land measuring around five hectares.

Africa Briefs

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Africa Briefs DRC election set for Dec 2018

DRC's electoral commission president said the long-awaited presidential elections to replace President Joseph Kabila would take place in December 2018.

Speaking at a news conference in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa, Corneille Nangaa said around 43 million voters had so far been registered for the vote, which has been repeatedly delayed. – Nampa/Reuters

Kenya cuts 2017 GDP growth forecast

Kenya's Finance Minister Henry Rotich yesterday trimmed further the 2017 economic growth forecast to 5% from an earlier projection of 5.5%, due to the impact of drought and political turmoil arising from a prolonged election cycle.

The National Treasury had earlier this year trimmed its economic growth forecast from 5.9%. – Nampa/Reuters

Ghana sells less than targeted bond

Ghana sold 2.29 billion cedis (US$519 million) of a 10-year bond launched to repay debts owed by power utilities, the banks that arranged the transaction said - less than it had targeted as demand fell short of expectations.

The issue size was less than the 3.6 billion cedis the West African country had sought to raise with the issue, which was offered to local and foreign investors alongside a seven-year bond on Oct. 24. The government will pay a yield of 19.5%. Bids for the 10-year paper totalled 2.79 billion cedis with a yield range between 19% and 20%, they said.

A local fund manager told Reuters offshore investors had been reluctant to buy the 10-year paper because the debt was not covered by a sovereign guarantee. – Nampa/Reuters

Niger's economy to grow 5.2%

Niger's economy is on course to expand 5.2% this year and continue at the same pace in 2018 on the back of growth in its oil and services sectors, the International Monetary Fund said.

"Niger's overall macroeconomic performance remains satisfactory, despite security challenges and unfavourable commodity prices, especially for uranium," it said. "Over the medium run, government reform efforts should be rewarded by a pickup in growth," the IMF said.

Nigeria supports OPEC cut extension

Nigeria supports an extension of a deal between OPEC, Russia and other non-members to cut oil supply until the end of 2018 "as long as the right terms are on the table" regarding its own participation, its oil

Nigeria itself, however, is exempt from the deal. Its output has rebounded since its exemption, granted last year after militant attacks that cut its output to close to 1 million bpd, but the recovery is ongoing.

"We'll be looking for a number that enables us to contribute ... it's in the range of 1.8 to 1.9 (million bpd), preferably closer to 1.9," oil minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu said of the production cap. – Nampa/Reuters

Business bleeds from overdrafts

November 7, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Business bleeds from overdraftsOutstanding invoices take its toll Official data shows overdrafts constituted nearly 23.7% of total business debt by the end of September, up from 22.4% a year ago. Jo-Maré Duddy – The recession and the government dragging its feet to pay the billions it owed the private sector have plunged businesses nearly N$800 million deeper into the red within a year.

The latest figures released by the Bank of Namibia (BoN) showed the business sector owed local banks a total of about N$8.68 billion in overdrafts by the end of September. This is N$778.9 million more than a year ago.

The government’s cash crisis resulted in outstanding invoices of just under N$4 billion in the 2016/17 fiscal year. In his main budget in March, finance minister Calle Schlettwein made provision for about N$1.7 billion, under the impression that this was what was overdue to the private sector. Since then, more outstanding invoices of nearly N$2.2 billion were discovered for which Schlettwein had to provide in his mid-year budget revision.

Tabling the mid-year budget revision in parliament last week, Schlettwein said the “higher than expected expenditure on outstanding spending invoices arose out of a combination of fiscal indiscipline, budget over-commitment and forced spending cuts”.

Payment for the latest heap of outstanding invoices was frontloaded in August, he said.

BoN data shows that overdrafts constituted nearly 23.7% of total business debt of about N$36.7 billion by the end of September. Last September it was 22.4%.

Year-on-year, total credit extended to the business sector grew by 3.9%. In comparison, overdrafts were up 9.9%, outdone only by mortgage credit growth of 10.9%.

Households

It’s not just business that is bleeding, the BoN stats show. The recession is forcing households deeper into bad debt.

At the end of September, individuals owed local banks nearly N$3.05 billion in overdrafts – N$316.2 million or 11.6% more than a year ago.

Other loans and advances to individuals, which include personal loans and credit card debt, rose by N$759.4 million or 17.3% within a year. By the end of September, households owed banks nearly N$5.15 billion for this credit category.

Overall, total household debt amounted to N$51.67 billion, up about N$3.1 billion or 6.4% compared to September 2016. The bulk of this, nearly N$34.8 billion – was mortgage loans which grew by 6.4% year-on-year.

Total private sector debt – businesses and household – reached N$88.8 billion by the end of September, up 5.2% from a year ago.