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ACC 'warrantless' search challenged

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ACC 'warrantless' search challengedACC 'warrantless' search challengedTransport company opposes lumber seizure New Force Logistics has asked the High Court to declare unlawful the seizure of two of its trucks carrying lumber to Walvis Bay. A company that owns two trucks, which were seized by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) along with a large consignment of timber, has asked the Windhoek High Court to declare the warrantless search and seizure, and continued detention of their property, unlawful.

New Force Logistics asked the court last week to direct the ACC to immediately release its two Scania trucks, four containers and permits, which were seized on 2 January.

The company's lawyer, Kadhila Amoomo, argued that the ACC - strictly on points of law - had failed to explain the search and seizure of his client's property, without a warrant.

“The issue is purely procedural. The respondents used invasive powers and the court must therefore intervene to protect my clients,” Amoomo said.

New Force Logistics' managing director Jason Mathews said in his founding affidavit that his company was the lawful possessor and owner of the two trucks and four containers, containing 37 timber logs, as well as the permits for the consignment dated 2 January 2018.

“This was done without a court order or judicial warrant, and with absolutely no regard for property or decency, by an agent of the ACC known only to us as Kangameni,” Mathews said.

The trucks were being driven on the Swakopmund/Walvis Bay road when they were stopped.

The drivers were told to disembark, so that the ACC agents could search the trucks.

After searches were conducted, the agents demanded to see the documentation authorising the transportation of the timber.

The drivers were later informed that the trucks, the timber and the documentation were being seized.

“The basis of the seizure was not disclosed to the drivers. In any event, the truck or containers or documentation have not been used in the commission of any crime, and there is therefore no reason to seize them,” Kadhila argued.

In his affidavit, Mathews maintained that his right and freedom to engage in the transport and logistics trade was being sharply undermined.

“At the moment, these are the only trucks at our disposal and without them we are not able to participate in the transport and logistics industry,” he said.

Judge Thomas Masuku said the court was worried about the state of mind of the person who conducted the invasive search and seizure operation, without a warrant, and the ACC's head of investigations, Nelius Becker, was expected to address the court on the matter.

ACC attorney Mathias Kashindi said the commission has made substantive submissions and is leaving it to the court to exercise its discretion.

“When you embark upon an investigation, you cannot disclose information prematurely,” he said, while arguing that the application should be dismissed.

Kashindi said the ACC was investigating serious allegations of corruption and that its conduct during the probe has been lawful.

The judge, however, emphasised there is an allegation that there was no warrant and no explanation had been given for why the trucks had been searched. The matter was postponed to 22 February.



Kashindi replied that there was no search and that the seizure was done in accordance with Section 21 of the Anti-Corruption Act.

“The absence of a search warrant and the unlawfulness of the actions of our client are unsubstantiated allegations,” he argued.

Kashindi said further that the trucks were travelling on the property of the Roads Authority, which had alerted the ACC, which was then permitted to seize the vehicles. He again reiterated his claim that no searches were carried out.

Masuku postponed the matter to 22 February for judgement.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Violent rapes rampant this week

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Violent rapes rampant this weekViolent rapes rampant this weekPolice investigate six cases Six rape cases were reported to the Namibian police over the last week, while one man accused of rape hanged himself in a police cell. Violent rapes and incidents of gender-based-violence were rampant this past week and some victims were almost killed by their attacker.

A 16-year-old girl was gang-raped by several boys in the Amraalsduin location at Leonardville last Wednesday. According to the police, a 17-year-old boy raped the girl with the help of several other boys. The girl was apparently held down on the ground by several boys while the 17-year-old raped her. Two suspects were arrested and the police are continuing with their investigation.

In another incident reported at Sesfontein location, a 37-year-old woman was locked up in a shack by her boyfriend and beaten repeatedly. The incident occurred between 31 January and 4 February.

According to the police the 31-year-old man then raped his girlfriend. She finally managed to escape when he left her in a locked room and went somewhere else. The suspect was arrested.

In a separate case, a 15-year-old boy attempted to rape and 11-year-old girl at farm Gogaseb near Grootfontein last Monday.

The boy took the girl out of the room where she was sleeping and took her behind the house. He allegedly removed her clothes and tried to rape her but did not penetrate her. The boy left the girl when she screamed.

In an incident at Rehoboth on Saturday a 24-year-old woman was raped behind the town's cemetery.

It is alleged that the suspect threatened to kill the woman. The man apparently fired two shots into the air. According to the police, the man raped her twice and threatened to kill her with the third bullet. The suspect is known but has not yet been arrested. In another incident a 27-year-old woman was raped at Mariental on Sunday.

A 27-year-old man apparently accompanied the woman home from a bar and forced himself on the woman. The suspect has been arrested.

At Tsintsabis, a rape was reported on Saturday after a man grabbed and pushed a woman down in the bushes while they were on the way from Tsintsabis location. The suspect has not been arrested yet.

On Friday, a man on a rape charge hanged himself in the Oshakati police holding cells.

According to the police he hanged himself with his T-shirt from the burglar bars in the toilet. No foul play was suspected and no suicide note was left behind.













ELLANIE SMIT

Khama on last official visit to Namibia

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Khama on last official visit to NamibiaKhama on last official visit to Namibia Botswana president Ian Khama paid his Namibian counterpart, Hage Geingob, a visit this week, marking his last visit to Namibia as head of state.

Khama, who makes way for his vice-president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, in April, has made similar visits to other Southern African Development Community countries to bid farewell to his counterparts and assure them of his continued presence as an elder statesman.

Speaking at State House yesterday afternoon, the Sandhurst-trained army general assured Geingob of his support as the Namibian prepares to take over as chairperson of SADC later this year.

“It is important that we continue the engagements for the benefit of our people and for our countries. I was suggesting that heads of state meet regularly. We should leverage on our existing bilateral agreements,” said Khama.

Geingob informed Khama that Air Namibia was now flying regularly between Windhoek and Gaborone and that this had resulted in increased tourism between the two countries. Geingob also said that Namibia remained open to deepening existing trade agreements between the two countries and said Namibia looked forward to enhancing trade in the areas of education, tourism, defence, energy and the environment. Geingob also informed Khama that he was thankful that 14 Namibian students were hosted by Botswana.

Khama wished Geingob well ahead of his planned appointment as SADC chairperson and said his support would be unwavering.

Khama, who is returning to Botswana later this afternoon, will also visit communications firm Sat-Com before heading to the Gammams water reclamation plant. Khama is making way for Masisi as Botswana head to the polls in 2019.

OGONE TLHAGE

Farmers remain on the brink

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Farmers remain on the brinkFarmers remain on the brink There is still no sign of relief for Olushandja farmers, despite NamWater starting to refill the local dam, which it emptied last year.

Farmers have reported that NamWater started pumping water into the shallow Olushandja Dam last week, but at a slow pace, and that farming activities remain dormant.

Olushandja Horticulture Producers Association (OHPA) chairperson Paulus Amutenya said farming activities have been stagnant for a long time, due to a lack of water, which was a big loss to farmers and the country's economy.

He said farmers are hoping for rain that will fill up the dam, so they can resume their farming activities.

“We are fresh produce farmers and we depend on water to produce.

“It has been a long time that farmers have not been producing anything, due to lack of water. We are not earning any income and this does not only affect farmers, but also the economy.

We buy seeds and other accessories from local outlets and we also employ workers, who we pay salaries. Some of us get loan support from the AgriBank and we are expected to pay up,” Amutenya said.

He said it will be difficult for them to restart their farming activities again, because they will require new inputs and materials.



“Olushandja started drying out a long time ago. Farmers started closing their operations in September, while some closed down in December, depending on where their farms are located. We farm throughout the year; for now we have to start over again and it will never be something easy for us. Employees have also gone, meaning we have to get new people and train them again,” Amutenya said.



Due to the low water supply from the Calueque Dam in Angola, NamWater decided to pump water from Olushandja last year, which is its emergency reservoir to supply its Oshakati purification plant.



This affected about 68 farmers in the area, who reported that they employ about 2 000 farmworkers. These farmers draw water from the 17km long and 2km wide Olushandja Dam for their irrigation projects.



NamWater spokesperson Johannes Shigwedha confirmed that they started refilling Olushandja Dam, which is their backup reservoir. He said the refilling process could now take place, because one of the pipelines had been fixed at Calueque and the country was now receiving sufficient water.

ILENI NANDJATO

Children suffer in silence

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Children suffer in silenceChildren suffer in silence'Our hands are tied' A delay in promulgating the Child Care Protection Bill is preventing social workers and law-enforcement officers from prosecuting cases of child abuse. A severe shortage of legal drafters caused by a lack of money is preventing the ministry of justice from enacting essential legislation such as the Child Justice Bill that are essential to improve the safety and wellbeing of the Namibian child.

The minister of gender equality and child welfare, Doreen Sioka, confirmed that they were still waiting on the justice ministry to approve regulations contained in the long-awaited Child Care Protection Bill that was passed in 2015.

This bill provides for the appointment of a children's advocate, a position that was filled immediately after the bill was passed, but is now vacant and the position frozen because the government has no funds to sustain it.

This has created quite a dilemma, with many instances of child abuse going unreported and the investigation of those that are reported moving at a snail's pace if at all. Ombudsman John Walters told Namibian Sun that these duties have now been added onto his already full plate.

“I truly hope we can convince the government to fill this position. Children's rights are violated.

“The children's advocate is the person who must investigate these abuses,” he said. Walters also urged the government to pull up its socks to make sure the Child Care Protection Bill becomes operational this year.

“This bill is really a big concern. We are sitting with an outdated 1960 law; why are we struggling to get it in?” he asked.

The Child Care Protection Bill further provides for the establishment of a National Advisory Council on Children and for the establishment of a Children's Fund.

It also provides for the appointment and designation of social workers, social auxiliary workers, community child-care workers and probation officers, amongst others.

Veronica Theron, the technical advisor to the First Lady and a social worker by profession, believes the implementation of the Child Care and Protection Bill is a matter of priority to optimally protect the Namibian child. She explains that social workers and other frontline service providers such as police and prosecutors are extremely limited within the context of the existing, outdated Children's Act of 1960.

“If I receive a case of a child that has been abducted by one of his parents in a country with which Namibia did not sign an agreement, then my hands are tied and we do not have progressive legislation that provides for the protection of the minor child.

Sometimes we can only counsel and equip the reporting parent with coping strategies, with no guarantee that the child will be returned to Namibia.

“As we speak we encourage people to report cyberbullying and child online exploitation, but we do not have one comprehensive piece of legislation that adequately provides for the prosecution of such case,” she says.



According to Theron the Child Care and Protection Bill is a sound piece of legislation that provides for protection against inter-country adoption, early detection and intervention and mandatory reporting of child-abuse cases, to mention but a few.







Intervention



This question of the Child Care Protection Bill comes at a time when San children complain about violent abuse and racial discrimination by teachers.

Just this weekend, the community at the Drimiopsis settlement in the Omaheke Region staged a protest to complain about poor living conditions in hostels, corporal punishment and discrimination by teachers.

According to a petition issued by the Women's Leadership Centre (WLC) children often drop out of school while others are traumatised to the extent that they wet themselves as a result of such abuse.

The minister of education, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, told Namibian Sun that she was unaware of the Drimiopsis case, but she had been informed of violent punishment of San children at the Donkerbos settlement, also in the Omaheke Region, late last year.

When she intervened she was told by the school management that the learners had broken into a storeroom to steal food.

“I visited Donkerbos and some parents raised the issue of their children being chased away from school and abuse. I went there to see for myself and found evidence of children beaten badly. They apparently broke into the food storeroom,” she said.

She warned that such abuse would not be tolerated.

“I reject it with contempt and will not condone this meting out of violence. People must learn that the San children have the same rights as others.”



JEMIMA BEUKES

Namibia begins world cup onslaught

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Namibia begins world cup onslaughtNamibia begins world cup onslaught A nervous yet confident Namibian team are set to tackle Czech Republic and Germany in their opening two matches today, as they begin their onslaught in the fifth edition of the Women's Hockey Indoor World Cup, which is taking place in Berlin, Germany.

Captain Maggy Mengo said the team spirit is high, even though nerves are starting to kick in ahead of their first match.

“We have set goals as a team but personally I just want to have a great world cup, as it will be my last. I will give it my best,” she said.

The women from the Land of the Brave, who are making their debut at the tournament, join 11 other top national female sides at the tournament, which will wrap up on Sunday.

There are also 12 nations competing in the men's senior tournament, which takes place at the same venue - the 7 500-seater Max-Schmeling-Halle.

The Namibian women are in Group B, with Germany, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Australia and Russia.

Group A consists of Netherlands, Poland, Belarus, the United States, Kazakhstan and Switzerland.

Namibia will play Czech Republic in their opening match today at 11:35 and at 18:20 in the evening they will face Germany.

On Thursday they will clash with Australia at 11:35 and at 18:35 they will tackle Ukraine.

The Friday match will be another test for the Namibian side, when they play against Russia at 14:30.

The team aims to reach the quarterfinals, which kick off on Saturday.

The Namibian side travelled to Germany late last month, and conducted eight training sessions, while also playing six friendly matches.

They won three, lost two and drew one.

The team also played a practice match against the US on Monday, which ended in a goalless draw.

According to Namibian coach Erwin Haindura they did not want to give away too much in terms of tactics, as all the teams had been watching the friendly matches.

It is the third time that Germany is hosting the global tournament, following hugely successful events in 2003 and 2015 in Leipzig.

The Namibian squad is as follows: Maggy Mengo (captain), Petro Stoffberg, Kiana-Che Cormack, Suzanne van Lill, Sunelle Ludwig, Ina Luis, Marcia Venter, Jeani Holz, Jocelle Deysel, Gillian Hermanus, Dure Boshoff and Berencia Diamond.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

NFA exco fires salvos at Mbidi

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NFA exco fires salvos at MbidiNFA exco fires salvos at MbidiPresident's maintains decision on Rukoro 'final' The unfolding boardroom brawl at the NFA is turning ugly, with several senior officials speaking out against SG Barry Rukoro unceremoniously being shown the door. Namibia Football Association (NFA) executive committee members have expressed dismay over the manner in which president Frans Mbidi has decided to remove long-serving secretary-general (SG) Barry Rukoro.

It was reported yesterday in New Era that the football association president will not renew the SG's contract when it comes to an end next month.

Rukoro has served in the position since 2007 and the news of his imminent departure has not been taken well by the majority NFA executive committee members, who felt that Mbidi's decision comes at the wrong time and should not be supported.

However, Mbidi insists that it is solely up to him whether Rukoro's contract should be renewed or not, which seems to be contradicted by Article (35) (i) of the NFA constitution, which says that the executive committee members “shall appoint or dismiss the general secretary”.

However, Article 38 (d) (3) reads that: “Only the president may propose the appointment or dismissal of the general secretary.”

The majority of NFA executive committee strongly believe that Mbidi's decision can be challenged, despite him using Article 38 (d) (3) to justify his non-renewal of Rukoro's contract. “The president in this case is very wrong because this decision had to be discussed with the committee. I must admit many of us have thought about the decision to give a chance to another secretary-general, but things of this nature need time for a proper transition to take place.

“I do believe the exco could have taken the president's decision into consideration if he had come earlier and organised a meeting about what will happen after Rukoro is gone.

“But taking a decision, and informing us in a short period of time, will not work out and therefore the exco members will probably not approve the decision,” NFA executive committee member Rodger Kambatuku told Namibian Sun yesterday.

Another executive committee member, who chose to remain anonymous, also felt strongly that Mbidi had “crossed the line”, as far as making such a decision “in short period of time” was concerned.

However, he admitted that Mbidi had spoken to him about the decision.

“I do not see any rush in order to remove Barry, just months before the congress. I can tell you right now the decision will definitely be opposed for now, given the way in which it was taken.

“Many of us on the exco committee will not be around after the NFA congress and it is for that reason you will still need a person like Barry to be there, just to see through a smooth transition before he leaves,” he said. The executive committee member added that the NFA should not refuse to renew Rukoro's contract based on personal vendettas, but that any decision should be based on performance.

NFA source advised Mbidi to do things procedurally, in order to avoid confusion. He vowed not to take sides, but hopes the laws guiding the NFA can solve the problem.

“I am not here to say anyone must stay or go, at the moment, until a proper meeting has been held. I do believe, just like in government structures, the right thing to do is to work within the rules,” the source said.

It is understood that the executive committee members are also not in favour of Rukoro being given another a long-term contract, but want him to stay until the NFA congress, which is slated for September.



Mbidi adamant

Mbidi maintains that his decision on Rukoro is final, adding that people must shy away from fearing positive change within the NFA.

“I do not know why people want to put pressure on me about this decision. However, as the president of the association, I have the power to decide if I want Rukoro as my employee or not,” he said. Mbidi also denied allegations that he is trying to amend the NFA constitution, to benefit himself. He is currently in his second term as an NFA executive committee, with one of the terms being as president.

He is scheduled to step down in September, as currently the NFA constitution prohibits him from running for a third term. “The amendment of the constitution is not to suit me, but the entire staff and people who have been in the structures of the NFA.

“It is to enable people with experience to be in the executive structures of the NFA, in order to maintain experience within the association,” Mbidi argued yesterday.



Rukoro's replacement

It is also speculated that NFA head of competitions Titus Kunamuene is the frontrunner to replace Rukoro.

Kunamuene served as the acting NFA SG when Rukoro was suspended from his position in February 2016, before being reinstated.

Mbidi denied the allegation that he favours Kunamuene as Rukoro's replacement.



Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Fears of return of 'cold war'

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Fears of return of 'cold war'Fears of return of 'cold war'Concern over nuclear arms race despite US, Russian pledges In spite of a signed treaty, there are fears of a renewed arms race. The United States and Russia are pledging to abide by a treaty limiting strategic nuclear weapons that took effect on Monday, but foreign leaders and experts fear a new arms race may be looming.

Concern over a potential conflict with nuclear-armed North Korea is also growing following a series of bellicose statements between Washington and Pyongyang.

The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) signed in 2010 requires the United States and Russia to have reduced the number of their deployed nuclear warheads to 1,550 each by February 5, 2018.

The State Department said Monday the United States has lived up to the deal and it has “no reason to believe” Russia has done otherwise.

Russia for its part said it was committed to the treaty and would provide Washington with data on its strategic nuclear arsenal in “the near future.”

The New START treaty calls for inspections and for the world's two leading nuclear powers to exchange data on their arsenals to verify compliance.

The New START treaty, the State Department said, is “critically important at a time when trust in the relationship has deteriorated and the threat of miscalculation and misperception has risen.”

Mistrust of Russian intentions was reflected on Friday in a Nuclear Posture Review released by the Pentagon that called for a revamp of the US nuclear arsenal and development of new low-yield atomic weapons.

While the document underscored the administration's concerns about North Korea, Iran and China, the focus fell largely on Russia.

“This is a response to Russian expansion of their capability and the nature of their strategy and doctrine,” defence secretary Jim Mattis wrote.

Moscow denounced what it called the “bellicose” and “anti-Russian” nature of the new US nuclear policy, warning that it would take the necessary measures to ensure its own security.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel warned of the dangers for Europe of a “renewed nuclear arms race”.

“Signs that Russia is re-arming, not only conventionally but with nuclear weapons, are obvious,” Gabriel said.

Rachel Bronson, CEO and president of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, said the Nuclear Posture Review “is a spruced-up Cold War document, responding in dated ways to current threats.”

Among the greatest of the current threats is that of North Korea, and the standoff between Washington and Pyongyang has many uneasy.

“If you believe that nuclear weapons deter and bring peace and stability, then we should welcome North Korea,” Beatrice Fihn, executive director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, said mockingly.

“There are no acceptable nuclear weapons to use,” Fihn, whose organization won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize, told AFP.

“Any use will trigger a nuclear weapons conflict with catastrophic humanitarian consequences for civilians.”

Alicia Sanders-Zakre of the Arms Control Association said she was worried by “a president who repeatedly boasts about the size of his nuclear button on Twitter” and his “loose talk about nuclear weapons.”

The White House last week dropped its nominee to be ambassador to South Korea, Victor Cha, after he publicly criticised a potential pre-emptive strike on North Korea.

Eighteen Democratic senators also came out against what has been called a “bloody nose” strike against North Korea.

“We are deeply concerned about the potential consequences of a pre-emptive military strike on North Korea and the risks of miscalculation and retaliation,” they said in a letter.

The senators noted that in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week, expert witnesses found that “such a 'bloody nose' strategy carried extreme risks.”

NAMPA/AFP

Oshikango otashi pula komeho

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Oshikango otashi pula komehoOshikango otashi pula komehoAaNamibia oyo ya ninga aalandi aanene moongeshefa dhomOshikango Onkalo yongeshefa yomOshikango ndjoka monakuziwa ya kala owala yiikolelela maalandi yopondje yoshilongo ngaashi aakwashigwana yaAngola, oya lunduluka sho ngashiingeyi aakalimo yomoshilongo oyo taya yambidhidha oongeshefa ndhoka. Sho a ningwa naye oonkundathana koshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun, mayola gwondoolopa yaHelao Nafidi, Eliaser Nghipangelwa, okwa popi kutya Oshikango, shoka sha kala shiikolela owala maalandithi yopondje oshowo okutuma iilandithomwa pondje yoshilongo ngaashiingeyi oshiikolele kaalandi ya za miitopolwa ya yooloka moshilongo. Nonando natango ope na aakwashigwana a za pondje yoshilongo mboka ye na oongeshefa mOshikango, AaNamibia oya toto po oongeshefa dhawo muule woomvula dha piti, na otaya humu nawa komeho nonando onkalo yopaliko oya nika iipa yombwa. Oshikango osha kala sha tseyika onga ondoolopa yiipyakdhila noonkondo pangeshefa omanga eliko inali gwa pevi . Nonando ongaaka Nghipangelwa okwa popi kutya onkalo yopaliko mOshikango otayi ende yuuka kuuwanawa ta gandja oshiholelwa shaakwashigwana mboka haya yi kondoolopa ndjoka nokuyambidhidha oongeshefa dhayakwawo.

Mayola okwa popi kutya unene mboka taya endelwa nawa konkalo, oongeshefa ooshona inamu kwatelwa oongeshefa oonene ndhoka hadhi tumu iilandithomwa pondje yoshilongo. Okwa tsikile kutya nonakuziwa omasiku ngaashi Osoondaha ito mono omainyengo mondoolopa ndjoka gaantu taya ningi ongeshefa molwaashoka aakwashigwana yaAngola unene mboka ya kala haye ya okulanda iinima yawo moNamibia ohaye shi ningi mokati koshiwike.

Nghipangelwa okwa popi kutya onkalo ndjoka oya lunduluka nomatompelo ngoka ogo tage mu popitha kutya onkalo yopangeshefa otayi pula nawa komeho unene sho aakalimo yomoshilongo oyo taya yambidhidha oongeshefa nonando onkalo yongeshefa oya gumwa konkalo yopaliko muuyuni.

Mayola okwa holola woo omaiyuvo ge nokukoleka omapopyo neitaalo lyoshigwana kutya ondoolopa yaShikango otayi ke ya owala omwenyo ngele onkalo yopaliko moAngola ya shuna kuuwanawa. Okwa popi kutya Angola aluhe ota kala nehwahwameko enene kepondolo lyondoolopa yaShikango omolwa ehala mpoka tapu adhika ondoolopa ndjoka, oshowo ondjila yoB1 ndjoka ya kwatakanitha Namibia niilongo yilwe yaAfrika.

Okwa gwedha po kutya ngele onkalo yaAngola oya shuna kuuwanawa nena aakwashigwana yaAngola mboka yeli poongamba otaya ka kala taye ya mondoolopa nokulanda iinima yawo mbyoka taya pumbwa mOshikango. Kombinga yaapunguli mboka ya thigi po Oshikango na otashi vulika ya galuke, Ngipangelwa okwa popi kutya ondoolopa ndjoka aluhe otayi kala ehala lyaapunguli omolwa ehala mpoka tayi adhika.

“Otu na ondjila yoB1, otu na elila lyomashina gokolutenda na oshili kutya aapunguli otaye ya mOshikango ngele onkalo yeliko ya shuna kuuwanawa,” Nghipangelwa a popi.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Elelo lyaNdangwa tali ka pataneka etokolo lyompangu

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Elelo lyaNdangwa tali ka pataneka etokolo lyompanguElelo lyaNdangwa tali ka pataneka etokolo lyompangu Elelo lyaNdangwa oshiwike sha piti olya gandja etseyitho kutya otali kapataneka etokolo lyompangu ndyoka lya ningwa opo elelo ndyoka kali kwateko we iimuna mbyoka tayi adhika tayi napa mondoolopa.

Etseyitho ndyoka olya tulwa mo kehangano lyiikwaveta lyoSisa Namandje & Co sha landula etseyitho ndyoka lya gandjwa mOmpangu yaShakati sha landula endilo lya ningwa kOshana SPCA .

Ehangano lyShana SPCA olya ningi eindilo lyomeendelelo mompangu, omolwa onkalo yaaheli pamulandu moka mu na iimuna mbyoka ya tulwa kiigunda kelelo lyaNdangwa. Iimuna mbyoka ihayi pewa iikulya nomeya.Etokolo lyompangu olya pula emangululo lyiimuna mbyoka meendelelo, nokugandja elombwelo opo ondoolopa ndjoka kayi idhilile we iimuna sigo ompango ndjoka tayi pitika etulo lyiimuna kiigunda komalelo goondoolopa ya tulwa miilonga kelelo lyondoolopa nokukwashilipaleka kutya otayi tsu kumwe nOmpango yEgameno lyIinamwenyo oshowo omilandu tadhi ithanwa, Model Pound Regulations.

Pahapu dhaWilmarie Horn, ngoka ta kwatele komeho Oshana SPCA na okuli hahende pamadheulo okwa popi kutya etseyitho ndyoka lya ningwa itali endele pamwe moompango dhompangu yopombanda.

Okwa yelitha kutya etseyitho ndyoka itali endele pamwe nompango onti 65(5) yOompango dhOmpangu yOpombanda molwaashoka omishangelo dhaampoka tapu adhika ehangano lyaNamandje itadhi ulike kutya ehangano ndyoka oli li momudhingoloko gwOmpangu yaShakati.

Oombaapila dhompangu otadhi ulike kutya ehangano ndyoka otali adhika mepandanda eti 11 lyoRobert Mugabe Avenue, mOvenduka nomakwatathano agehe oko taga ukithwa hoka. Horn okwa popi kutya ehangano ndyoka olya tseyithilwa kutya esiku oshikumungu shoka tashi shuna mompangu omomasiku 14 gomwedhi nguka, sho ompangu tayi ka ninga etokolo ngele etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa muuwanawa wOshana SPCA momasiku 26 gaJanuari, otali kalelele.Oshipotha shomuyonena omolwa emonitho lyiinamwenyo iihuna osha tulilwa mo elelo lyaNdangwa.

Momasiku 17 gaDesemba omvula ya piti ehangano ndyoka olya yakula omanyenyeto omolwa onkalo ya nayipala moka tamu adhika iimuna mbyoka ya edhililwa koshigunda kelelo lyondoolopa yaNdangwa.

Konima yomakonaakono ngoka ga ningwa, okwa monika onkalo yanayipala moka mu na iimuna mbyoka ya edhililwa koshigunda kaku na iikulya nomeya ga yogoka, na okwa nyata woo noonkondo, omanga oshigunda shoka sha patwa nomakumba.

Moshigunda moka oya adhamo aniwa ondumetana yimwe, oondoongi heyali, okatana, iikombo iheyali, iingulu omulongo oshowo iikombo itatu ya sa.

Horn okwa popi kutya oya a dha woo oshikombo shimwe noshingulu ya pumbwa ekwatho lyuunamiti meendelelo, pauyelele we mboka a gandja tawu adhika momishangwa dhompangu.

ELLANIE SMIT

Aanafaalama yomOlushandja natango oyeli mompumbwe yomeya

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Aanafaalama yomOlushandja natango oyeli mompumbwe yomeyaAanafaalama yomOlushandja natango oyeli mompumbwe yomeya Anafaalama yomOlushandja onkene natango yeli muupyakadhi womeya nonando ehangano lyoNamWater olya tameke okupombela omeya mondama ndjoka ya li ya kuthwa omeya agehe omvula ya piti. Aaniikunimo mOlushandja oya popi kutya omeya ngoka taga pombelwa mondama ndjoka omashona na itaya vulu natango okutameka niikunino yawo.

Omunashipunddi gwOlushandja Horticulture Producers Association (OHPA), Paulus Amutenya, okwa popi kutya iilonga yiikunino oya kala ya thikama uule wethimbo ele omolwa ompumbwe yomeya nonkalo ndjoka oya etitha ekanitho enene mokati kaanafaalama mboka oshowo eliko lyoshilongo.

Aanafaalama otaya galikana opo omvula yi loke yo yi vule okuudha ondama ndjoka, yo ya vule okutameka niikunino yawo.

Aanafaalama mboka oya popi kutya yo oyiikolelela owala miikunino yawo mbyoka, nasho ya kala ethimbo ele inaya longa nena kaye na we iiyemo ya sha opo ya vule okuhupa nokufuta woo aaniilonga, okulanda oombuto oshowo okufuta omikuli dhaantu ndhoka ye na.

“Ondama oya tameke okupwa omeya nale. Aanafaalama yamwe oya pata muSepetemba omanga yamwe ya hulitha po iilonga muDesemba shiikwatelela kutya iikunino yawo oyi li kombinga yini. Tse ohatu longo iikunino yetu omvula ayihe nangashingeyi otatu ka tamukulula na itashi ka kala oshipu kutse. Aaniilonga yetu oya ya nale shahala okutya otu na okukonga aantu aape nokuya pa omadheulo,” Amutenya ta popi.

Omolwa ondjele yomeya omashona okuza mondama yaCalueque moAngola, NamWater okwali a thiminikwa konkalo opo a pombemo omeya okuza mondama yaLushandja omvula ya piti nokufala mompungululo dhomeya mOshakati, nondama ndjoka hayi longithwa onga oompungulilo dhomeya ngoka haga vulu okulongithwa uuna pe na onkalo yopaulumomhumbwe.

Etokolo ndyoka olya li lya gumu aanafaalama ya thika po 68 mboka ye na iikunino momudhingoloko ngoka na okwa lopotwa ya kuta miilonga aalongi moofaalama ya thika po 2 000. Aanafaalama mboka ohaya kutha omeya mondama ndjoka yuunene wookilometa 2 noshinano shookilometa 17.

Omunambelewa omupopiliko gwaNamWater Johannes Shigwedha okwa koleke kutya oya tameka okupombela omeya mondama yaLushandja ndjoka haya longitha onga oompungulilo. Okwa popi kutya etulo lyomeya mondama ndjoka olya tameka molwaashoka ominino ndhoka dhali dhi na uupyakadhi okukutha omeya kondama yaCalueque odha pangelwa, noshilongo ngashiingeyi otashi mono omeya ga gwana.

ILENI NANDJATO

Omwaalu omunene gwaatembukili moVenduka oguli omukundu

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Omwaalu omunene gwaatembukili moVenduka oguli omukunduOmwaalu omunene gwaatembukili moVenduka oguli omukunduElelo lyaVenduka lya hala okukandula po ompumbwe yomahala gokuza Mayola gwaVenduka Muesee Kazapua okwa holola omaiyuvo ge omolwa omwaalu omunene gwaantu mboka taya tembukile nokuninga aakalimo yomoshilandopangelo. Mayola okwa popi kutya onkalo ndjoka otayi tulitha pombanda ompumbwe yomalukalwa moshilando, nelelo lyoshilando oli na okuninga kehe shoka tali vulu opo li kwashailipaleke kutya olya gandja omahala gomalukalwa kaakalimo.

“Onga mayola gwoshilando shika, onda hala okulongitha ompito ndjika opo ndi indile aakalimo yomOvenduka ya hulithepo omukalo gwokwiikuthila oompango yo taya tameke okulongela kumwe nelelo lyoshilando mooprograma ndhoka dha nuninwa omagumbo.” Okwa pula woo elongitho nawa lyomeya mokati kaakalimo yoshilando unene pethimbo ndika sho kape na omuloka omuwanawa na okwa nyana woo omwaalu guli pombanda gwaalandithi kaye na uuthemba moshilando. “Omiyalu dhetu otadhi ulike kutya aalandithi yaali pamulandu oya londa pombanda noopresenda 191 naandyoka e yo pombanda okuza paalandithi 33 mo 2016 okuya paalandithi 93.”

Aalandithi oyendji mboka ya ningwa nayo oonkundathana koNamibian Sun oya popi kutya kaye na nkene taya vulu okuninga kakele kokutamekela oongeshefa dhawo unene mpoka pahu kala aantu oyendji. Egandjo lyevi oshowo ekaleko lyuuyogoki momahala gaakwashigwana oyimwe yi li pombanda miilalakanenenwa yelelo lyoshilando nuumvo.

Kazapua okwa popi kutya omalalakano ngoka otaga vulu oku adhika uuna aaniilonga yelelo taya longo neitulemo.

Omwaalu omunene gweyo pombanda lyomalukanda moshilando ogwa kala tagu ningi iipalanyolo okutameka novemba gwomvula ya piti, sho embo epe ndyoka lya pitithwa ya holola kutya otaku tengenekwa aantu ya thika poomiliyona mbali taya ka kala haya zi moombashu dha thika po 500 000 okuya momvula yo 2030. Aashangi yembo ndyoka opo lya pitithwa tali ithanwa “Informal Settlements in Namibia: Their Nature and Growth”, John Mendelsohn oshowo Beat Weber, mboka ya indungike kombinga yonkalo ndjoka uule wethimbo li vulithe pomvula yimwe oya kunkilile kutya opo ku yandwe onkalo ndjoka yomwaalu omunene gwaakwashigwana tagu zi moombashu muule woombula 13, nena omagumbo gomakuma oga pumbwa okutungilwa oshigwana. Mboka oya kunkilile kutya epangelo pamwe nomalelo goondoolopa oya pumbwa okugandja evi kondando tayi vulika kukehe gumwe. Mo 1991 oopresenda 86 dhoamgumbo moNamibia ogali ga tungwa noondhopi, okuyeleka noopresenda 12 dhomagumbo ga tungwa noombashu.

Omwaalu ngoka ogwa kala tagu londo pombanda kehe omvula, sho mo 2001, oopresenda 77 dhomagumbo ga tungwa nomakuma omanga oombashu dha li pooprsenda 21. Mo 2011 omiyalu odha ulike kutya omwaalu gomagumbo goombashu ogwa londo pombanda sigo opoopresenda 32 omanga omagumbo gomakuma ga shuna pevi sigo noopresenda taku tengenekwa dhili po32. Okuya mo 2023 otaku tengenekwa kutya omagumbo goombashu otaga ka londa pombanda noonkondo oshowo okuya mo 2025. Aashangi mboka oya popi kombinga yomatompelo gaali kutya omolwashike ooprograma dhokutunga omagumbo ndhoka dhili miilonga ngashiingeyi moNamibia itadhi pondolasha. Otaku tengenekwa kutya oombashu dhili 12 000 ohashi tungwa kehe omvula moNamibia, nonkalo ndjoka otayi thiminikwa unene embombolokelo lyaakwashigwana moondoolopa omolwa okukonga uuhipilo.

Onkalo yokwaahathike pamwe paliko ndjoka yi li ya taalela nale aakwashigwana moNamibia otayi tsikile nokuya pombanda ngele kape na shoka sha ningwapo.

Okwa tengenekwa kutya mo 2011 konyala aakwashigwana ya thika po 380 000 momalukanda kaye na uundjugo nomwaalu ngoka otashi vulika gwa li po 600 000. Etukuko olyomukithi gwohepatitis E ngoka gwa tukuka omvula ya piti moshilandopangelo oshowo omukithi gwocholera ngoka gwa lopotwa oshiwike sha piti, olya hololwa kaatseyinawa oyendji kutya omikithi ndhoka odha hwahwameka konkalo yaahena uundjolowele nuuyogoli unene momakulanda gomoVenduka. Aantu yatatu oya hulitha komukithi gwohapatitis E omanga oyendji taya mono epango moshipangelo shaKatutura. Miipotha ya thika po 600 mbyoka ya lopotwa, oyindji oya lopotwa moHavana. Moompangela dhawo, elelo otali pangele okutunga uundjugo wuli 120 uupe oshowo ominino dhomeya ga yogoka. Oshimaliwa shat sha thika poomiliyona 17 oshiikalekelwa sha nuninwa okukondjitha omatukuko gomikithi ndhoka sigo omwedhi Juni nuumvo.

OMUTOOLINKUNDANA GWOMENI

OLOPOTA YA GWEDHWAPO KUNAMPA

'Grid kids' replace 'grid girls' in Formula 1

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'Grid kids' replace 'grid girls' in Formula 1'Grid kids' replace 'grid girls' in Formula 1 NAMPA/AFP

‘Grid kids’ are replacing ‘grid girls’ in Formula 1 as the motorsport series continues to change ahead of the new season.

F1 says youngsters from motorsport clubs, who for example are already competing in karting, will stand alongside drivers on the grid before races this season.

'What better way to inspire the next generation'

Monday's announcement comes after the series last week ended the long-standing practice of using women on the grid, and on the podium with the top three drivers, because this no longer fits in with F1's values and societal norms.

The latest initiative is joint venture by the FIA — motorsport's governing body — and F1's owners.

FIA president Jean Todt says grid kids give "future champions of our sport the opportunity to stand alongside their heroes".

Sean Bratches, F1's managing director of commercial operations, adds: "What better way to inspire the next generation of F1 heroes."

F1 is owned by Liberty Media, which is changing the way the sport is run since taking over from former commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone in January 2017.

The season starts on March 25 at the Australian Grand Prix.

New Mercedes-Benz A-Class breaks cover

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New Mercedes-Benz A-Class breaks coverNew Mercedes-Benz A-Class breaks coverA look inside this exciting new model All the new A-Class models are powered by new, more efficient engines. WHEELS



Two new four-cylinder petrol engines are available at market launch. Innovations in the M 282 with a displacement of 1.4-litres and up to 120 kW include cylinder shutoff (initially in conjunction with the 7G-DCT transmission) and the delta shape of the cylinder head.

The second new petrol engine is the M 260 with a displacement of 2.0 litres, 165 kW and 350 Nm.

New features include camtronic for the intake camshaft. Both petrol engine series have a particulate filter as standard.

A+ in all aspects

Also new is the four-cylinder diesel (OM 608) with a displacement of 1.5-litres, up to 85 kW and up to 260 Nm. Its highlights are a near-engine mounted emission control system with AdBlue technology, a turbocharger with optimised responsiveness and water intercooling.

A new 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission is also being introduced. Further new engines will follow.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 43 litres as standard, with a 51-litre tank optionally available.

On request the new A-Class is available with the permanent all-wheel drive system 4MATIC with fully variable torque distribution. This sporty all-wheel-drive system has been developed further, and now offers even more driving pleasure and efficiency.

Using the dynamic select switch, the driver is able to influence the 4Matic characteristics even more than before. 4Matic components include the power take-off to the rear axle, which is integrated into the automated dual clutch transmission, and the rear axle differential with an integrated multiplate clutch. This is no longer electro-hydraulically powered, but instead electro-mechanically.

Suspension

There is a choice of suspension systems for the A-Class, depending on engine variant and driver preference. 16-inch wheels are standard equipment. Dynamic Select is standard equipment, and at the touch of a button also provides an individual driving experience in conjunction with the suspension with active damping control (optional).

Like all its predecessors, the new A-Class has a McPherson front suspension. The more powerful versions such as the A 250 and all 4Matic models have a sophisticated four-link rear suspension. The rear axle is mounted on a subframe isolated from the bodyshell by rubber bushings so that fewer vibrations are transferred from the suspension to the body. All in all, the proportion of aluminium in the suspension components is one of the highest in any suspension system in this vehicle class. The entry-level A 200 and A 180 d models have a torsion beam rear suspension.

As standard the new A-Class is equipped with a comfort suspension with steel springs and dynamic select. The comfort suspension lowered by 15 millimetres has specially configured springs and dampers for more sporty characteristics. The suspension with active damping control enables the driver to choose the preferred damping characteristics.

Suffer little children…

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Suffer little children…Suffer little children… The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.

With this adaptation of the now famous Mohandas Gandhi quote in mind, it was shockingly revealed this week that nearly three years after the Child Care Protection Bill was passed in 2015, the gender ministry is still waiting on its justice counterpart to approve regulations contained in this critical piece of legislation.

Among others, the bill provides for the appointment of a child advocate, but due to funding woes, the position is now vacant and frozen.

At the time the bill was passed, there were masses of orphans in the country, and the legislation also proposes residential child care facilities where vulnerable children can be placed.

Violence, exploitation and abuse are often practiced by someone known to a child, including parents, family members, caretakers and teachers, which means that children need to enjoy the utmost protection government can provide. A study by the Legal Assistance Centre indicated that more than one out of five victims of domestic violence say that their children had been harmed or threatened by the abuser. Exposure of these children to violence is not only detrimental to their development, but is also likely to negatively impact their performance in school. As a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Namibia is committed to basing all decisions concerning a child on the principle that the best interests of the child are paramount.

In May 2014 it was reported that at least 814 Namibian children had been abused, either physically or sexually, over the preceding 12 months, while 923 children had been left neglected, or abandoned.

There is no reason to believe that these statistics have not worsened since then, and that at the time, they represented the tip of the iceberg as many cases go unreported.

Namibia, which often claims to be a child of international solidarity, should urgently get its house in order.

Our children are the nation's future and if we do not protect them, then the nation stands on a precipice!

Shot of the day

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Shot of the dayShot of the day SHELTER: A horse is pictured in a stable on the beach in Gaza City on 27 January 27, during a storm. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Company news in brief

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Company news in briefCompany news in brief Capitec denies overstating loan book

South African lender Capitec Bank Holdings on Monday denied allegations in a research report that it had overstated its income and assets and misrepresented its loan book.

Capitec's shares fell more that 20% last week after US firm Viceroy Research alleged Capitec had impairments of R11 billion and had, among other things, fabricated new loans and collections.

Capitec said its loan book was incorrectly portrayed in the Viceroy report and denied overstating its income and assets.

"The Viceroy report presents information that is not clearly comparable and fails to present information that is easily available in the public domain," it said. – Nampa/Reuters

PIC gives loan to Eskom

South Africa's Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has given cash-strapped state power firm Eskom a R5 billion loan to fund the utility's operations in February.

The sole power supplier in Africa's most industrialised economy has said it is not insolvent but was facing serious liquidity issues. Eskom is emerging from a leadership crisis and appointed a new board of directors last month. – Nampa/Reuters

Total to sell stake in SA block

Qatar Petroleum signed an agreement with French oil and gas major Total to acquire a 25% stake in an exploration block, offshore South Africa, in a deal that would strengthen Total's ties with the Qatari energy giant.

Following the sale, the new ownership structure for the block will see Total have 45%, Qatar Petroleum 25%, CNR International 20% and Main Street will own 10%, Total and QP said in statements.

The agreement comes at a sensitive time for Doha, which is in the midst of a protracted crisis with its Gulf neighbours.

OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates cut ties with Doha in June, saying Qatar backed terrorism and was cosying up to rival Iran. Qatar rejected the accusations.

Qatar seeks to expand its gas capacity to 100 million tonnes a year from the current 77 million to cement its position as the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). – Nampa/Reuters

Randgold doubles dividend

African gold miner Randgold doubled its annual dividend after profits rose by 14% in 2017 and said it was fighting to prevent the adoption of a new mining code in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Randgold, which operates in DRC, Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal said full year profit rose to US$335 million with gold output increasing 5% to 1.315 million ounces, beating guidance.

Its cash cost per ounce fell 3% to US$620 while cash reserves rose 39% to US$720 million and the company had no debt.

Randgold said its board had proposed a dividend of US$2 a share, up from US$1 for the previous year. – Nampa/Reuters

Amazon gets tax deal with France

US online shopping giant Amazon on Monday announced it had settled a major tax claim in France and agreed to report all its French income locally in future.

Amazon, one of the US tech giants accused of paying too little tax in Europe, said the deal related to a French claim for nearly 200 million euros (US$249 million) covering the period from 2006 to 2010.

It did not say how much it paid to end the dispute, saying only that it had reached an overall agreement with tax authorities and would now report all the turnover and profit from its French activities in France.

French tax authorities refused to comment on the settlement, saying it was a secret matter.

Amazon is one of the digital economy giants that minimise their tax bill in Europe by routing their income through low-tax nations -- in Amazon's case, Luxembourg. – Nampa/AFP

Overcrowding at Epako

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Overcrowding at EpakoOvercrowding at Epako The Epako Secondary School in Gobabis is facing a critical shortage of desks and chairs, which has left many learners sitting on the floor or do class work while standing, during lessons.

Nampa has learned that all 12 Grade 8 classes at the school are faced with this predicament.

The situation has forced learners to do class work standing, while many others opt to sit on the floor with their books. At least 10 learners are forced to go without desks or chairs in each of the Grade 8 classes. This has been the state of affairs since the beginning of the academic year. While teachers sympathise with the learners, they say there is nothing they can do other than carry out their mandate, which is to teach. Learners, who do not want to be named, told this news agency they are demoralised as they cannot do their school work properly. “How does the school expect us to do well in examinations if we have worked from the floor every day for close to a month now?” one learner asked.

Epako Secondary School principal, Dorcas Ndokosho, confirmed the situation. She attributed the shortage of desks and chairs to the high intake of learners in Grade 8 this year. Each class has between 45 and 47 learners. “The situation is really a cause for concern and we are equally concerned as educators about it,” she said. Ndokosho said the school had been making use of old school furniture, which it repairs, to assist the learners but such efforts have been a mere drop in the bucket in terms of addressing the matter. She noted that the matter has been reported to the Omaheke education directorate, who informed her they will be addressing it as a matter of urgency. “We are now relying on the regional office [of education] to do something about the situation. As for now, the situation remains the same,” she said.

NAMPA

Locals sustain Oshikango

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Locals sustain Oshikango Locals sustain Oshikango The dependency on foreign nationals, mostly Angolans, to support businesses in Oshikango has come to an end as locals appear to have stepped in with their buying power.

Speaking to Namibian Sun, Helao Nafidi mayor Eliaser Nghipangelwa said that Oshikango, historically dependent on business from foreign nationals as well as exports, is currently being sustained by locals from all corners of the country.

Although there are still a number of foreign-owned businesses in the border town, locals over the years have set up businesses which appear to be performing well despite the economic situation the country is in.

Oshikango is well known for having been a hub of trade in the north before the economic meltdown in Angola following the plummeting of the oil price, turning the place into a veritable ghost town in which only the sex trade flourished.

However, according to Nghipangelwa, Oshikango is well on the road to recovery.

Nghipangelwa said that many people will find his sentiment as shocking however he said only the business activity currently taking place at Oshikango is doing fine and not that of the manufacturers who exported their products out of Namibia.

The mayor explained that the town is retaining its activity over weekends where in the past, things were very quiet.

“Some time ago, if you came to Oshikango on a day such as Sunday, you would not find people walking around and you would be forgiven for thinking no one lives here. Today, that has changed,” Nghipangelwa said.

“Things are much better now. Local business activity has never been this strong before and the majority of people you see here are from here which is a good thing. Locals are supporting the businesses of locals,” Nghipangelwa said.

He also shed light on the public perception that Oshikango will only bounce back to being its former self once the Angolan economy normalises.

“Angola will is our neighbour and it is just across the border. Once they are okay they will come back and support our businesses,” he said.

On the issue of investors, the town will always be an attractive destination in this regard, he said.

‘We have the B1, the railway line… of course investors will come to Oshikango once the economy normlises,” he said.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Paper fodder gets nod

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Paper fodder gets nodPaper fodder gets nodTests results indicate good success An experiment in the north, using cardboard as a bulk basis for animal fodder, has been approved after great success was achieved. Cardboard-based fodder for ruminants has received a green light from the country's animal health division, after a post-mortem was conducted on a goat that was fed with the new feed since April last year.

Emmanuel Mateus, the animal health technician in the animal disease control division under the ministry of agriculture water and forestry, said last week a state veterinarian from Outapi conducted the post-mortem under their supervision, and the animal's condition was found to be 100% normal.

“There was no animal health abnormality found in reference to the feed that was provided to the animal. It was just perfect, like an animal that was fed with any other prescribed feed,” Matheus said.

He said no toxic substance was found that could be harmful to animal or human health.

“Our unit has been monitoring this study since its inception and we observed that everything used has gone through laboratory tests or evaluation. If we could have observed anything that could be harmful to animal or human health this research could have been closed already,” he says.

On Friday one of the two goats that has been fed with the new animal feed from discarded cardboard boxes at Oshikuku in the Omusati Region was slaughtered under the supervision of the state veterinarian and the animal health control unit, so that a post-mortem could be conducted.

The meat was also cooked and given to community members to test. Since April last year, Roderick Haraseb, a food technologist has been conducting a study on manufacturing animal feed from discarded cardboard boxes. The study is said to have elicited positive responses from South African laboratories.

On Friday Haraseb said that some of the meat samples will be sent to micro laboratories in Cape Town for nutritional value observations.

“So far we are pleased by the progress. After we send meat samples to Cape Town we will just be waiting for advises on the nutritional component. Around August, when the drought season starts, we will give some feed samples to the local farmers to find out how their animals are reacting. We are almost at the end of the study,” Haraseb said.

He said the study was being conducted since April last year, with the assistance of four local youth.

The study is conducted on two control groups, one with animals strictly fed with grass and lucerne, while the other receives the new feed only. These animals are regularly weighed to monitor the effects, and whether the product is working or not.

“For six months, from the end of April to October last year, we had been strictly feeding two cows and two goats with grass and lucerne and the other two cows and two goats with the new feed only. From the end of October last year until now have swopped the two groups,” Haraseb said.

The chief veterinarian for the north-west division, Dr Kennedy Shoombe, said once the study finds the product to be viable, a factory manufacturing animal feed from cardboard boxes will be established at Oshikuku.

Haraseb, a food technology graduate from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, said the remaining animals are destined for organoleptic analysis, to determine their meat and milk quality.

He said that the research started under the supervision of a state veterinarian and is being funded and technically supported by the Local Economic Development Agency (LEDA) of the ministry of urban and rural development.





ILENI NANDJATO
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