Baby Warriors secure favourable draw

June 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

Baby Warriors secure favourable drawWill face Botswana, Seychelles and Mauritius in Group A Namibia's u-17 side is aiming to repeat the magic of 2016, when they emerged as the winners of the regional showpiece.

The Baby Warriors have been handed a favourable draw for the upcoming uner-17 Cosafa Cup championships, and will face Botswana, Seychelles and hosts Mauritius in Group A.

The tournament will be played in Mauritius from 19 to 29 July.

Reacting to the draw, coach Pauhl Malembu described it as fair, as Namibia aims to replicate the magic of 2016, when their under-17 side were crowned regional champions.

“To be honest, it's a very fair draw. Anything can happen and we all stand on equal footing. At this level, a lot can come into play and the youngsters are always motivated to do well. We will now plan better, knowing who we will face,” Malembu said.

The Baby Warriors were crowned the 2016 champions after beating South Africa in the final. The team could not defend their title last year, because of financial constraints.

South Africa is in Group B, together with Lesotho, Zambia and Mozambique, while Group C consists of Angola, Swaziland, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

The Namibian players will resemble on 11 June for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans and for all the necessary documents to be sorted out ahead of the final round of preparations.

The MRI scans use large magnet and radio waves to look at organs and other structures inside the players' bodies.

The 26-man squad is as follows:

John Muronga (Kavango East), Ingo Barthlemous, Erastus Ambambi and Erastus Nginoshiho (Omusati), Mutani Boois, Gerald Goroseb, Mbitjita Kaeka and Bradley Hanixab (Otjozondjupa), Pascal Matende, Promis Gurirab, Steven Damaseb, Thomas Bantam, Ja-Rule Awaseb, Prince Tjiueza and Tyrone George (Erongo), Denzel Narib and John-Paul Beukes (Khomas), Mekere Nganjone (Omaheke), Amazing Kandjii and Prince Appolous (//Karas), Jamol Somseb (Oshikoto), Mandela Kudumo and Djorkaeff Stein (Hardap) and Richard Stuseb, Byron Eiseb and Mayambelo Simasiku (Kunene).

-NFA

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Nekundi wins big

June 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Kamseb enjoys 19 months paid 'special leave'

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Nekundi wins bigStars player dominates NPL awards African Stars striker Panduleni Nekundi's name is on everyone lips, after he scooped all the top honours at the NPL awards ceremony held on Friday in Windhoek.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Panduleni Nekundi has been rewarded for his phenomenal playing skills, winning the 2017/18 MTC NPL player of the season award, as well as the top goal scorer and golden boot awards on Friday. He netted 15 goals during the league and brushed past Marcel Papama of Unam FC and Black Africa's Dynamo Fredericks to scoop the awards. Nekundi won N$30 000 for the player of the season award, N$15 000 for the top goal scorer award. The golden boot award does not come with a cash prize.

Fredericks walked away with the players' player of the season award, which has a cash prize of N$20 000. This award is decided on by the NPL players alone.

The referee of the season award went to Nehemiah Shoovaleka from the Ohangwena Region, who received a cash prize of N$10 000. Willem Haitembu and Jackson Pavaza were also nominees for the award.

The assistant referee of the season award went to Sem Singeve from the Otjozondjupa Region, who walked away with N$5 000. Mathew Nevonga and Eneas Shikongo were the other nominees. As champions, African Stars received a trophy and N$1 million, while second-placed Black Africa took home N$600 000.

Third-placed Mighty Gunners walked away with N$300 000, while Gobabis outfit Young African received N$100 000 for their fourth-place league finish.

The coach of the season award went to African Stars mentor Bobby Samaria. He took home N$20 000. Samaria left Marley Ngarizemo from Young African and Gerhard Hengari of Mighty Gunners in the dust.

The chairman's award was shared by Bobby Sissing and Bethuel Hochobeb.

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Kamseb enjoys 19 months paid 'special leave'

June 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Kamseb enjoys 19 months paid 'special leave'

Kunene chief regional officer (CRO) George Kamseb remains on “special leave” after 19 months, while earning his full salary and benefits. He has since turned to farming, while raking in government money each month.

Urban and rural development minister Dr Peya Mushelenga told Namibian Sun his ministry has submitted its report and recommendations to the regional council and is waiting for a feedback.

“The truth is that we conducted an investigation into various suspected irregularities at the Kunene regional council and submitted a report to that regional council on 2 March for the council to take action.

“We are still waiting for a feedback from the regional council on action taken. The investigations were done by a team consisting of our internal auditor and others who physically went to table the report to council,” Mushelenga said.

He, however, could not divulge what action had been recommended.

Kunene governor Marius Sheya confirmed the council has received the report.

He did not say what action had been decided.

“The issue is being dealt with by the members involved. However, we cannot talk about it through the media. The regional council is facilitating the process and we hope it will yield good results, so that things can get back to normal,” Sheya said.

Kamseb told Namibian Sun he is enjoying special leave granted to him by the regional council in October 2016 and made it clear he is not on suspension.

A source informed Namibian Sun that after the council investigation was completed Kamseb was informed to report for work.

However, he allegedly refused to come back without being given a reason why he was forced to take leave in the first place.

After being out of work for a year and seven months, Kamseb has now become a fulltime farmer.

He said since he left his office nothing was communicated to him on paper by the council.

“I am not suspended, but I have been put on leave from the council. I am still waiting to hear from them. Until now I am out of the office,” Kamseb said.

On 19 October 2016, the council served Kamseb with a letter ordering him to stay away until further notice. However, his suspension or special leave was ruled as illegal by the Public Service Commission (PSC) two months later.

Last year PSC chairperson Marcus Kampungu told Namibian Sun the council made a mistake by suspending Kamseb without consulting them.

“We received the suspension request from Kunene in November 2016, a month after they had suspended him. However, we rejected the request to suspend him. For us to suspend there must be grounds that the official in question could interfere with investigations, but in their request there were no grounds for this,” Kampungu said.

He added they advised the council to charge Kamseb while he was still on duty, but it never reverted. According to a well-placed source, Kamseb was suspended after allegedly failing to provide the council with his employment contract, and he is now enjoying his salary and benefits at his farm.

The Regional Council Act No 22 of 1992, read together with the Public Servant's Act No 2 of 1980, do not specify an official's term of suspension.

Various directors in the regional council have been acting in Kamseb's position.

ILENI NANDJATO

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124 land invasions in Khomas

June 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

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124 land invasions in Khomas

The Khomas Region experienced an overall decrease in crime of 2% in 2017/18 compared to the previous year, with the murder rate declining by 27% and rapes decreasing by 44%.

However, land invasions increased by 75%, with 124 cases reported, compared to 71 in 2016/17.

Governor Laura McLeod Katjirua said during her State of the Region Address (SORA) last week the region is faced with many challenges, which are hampering proper service delivery in terms of crime prevention, detection and investigation.

She said sites have also been identified to set up possible additional satellite police stations in the region, to bring services closer to the community, as well as to enhance proactive police responses to crime.

The sites identified are Pioneers Park, Hochland Park, Otjomuise, Goreangab Dam, Havana, Okuryangava, Brakwater, Lafrenz, Kloppersdal and Eros Park.

“Crime, especially armed robbery, has reached alarming levels, but members of the police have been equally tasked to apprehend criminals, as well as recover stolen property.”

According the governor, the most common challenge is the influx of people coming from rural areas to seek employment, better living conditions and tertiary education.

McLeod-Katjirua said this puts a tremendous strain on police manpower, infrastructure and general resources.

According to her the police have, however, committed to achieve the clearance rate of 50% of all cases annually, through effective crime investigations

Giving a breakdown of crimes in the region, she said assault/grievous bodily harm decreased by 11% in 2017/18 compared to the previous year, while housebreakings decreased by 19%.

Break-ins at businesses increased by 25% and general theft decreased by 9%.

Theft out of motor vehicles decreased by 5%, while overall property crime decreased by 10%.

General robberies decreased by 2% while armed robberies increased by 17%.

Although still a concern, the vehicle accident rate in the Khomas Region decreased by 11%.

“With over 90% of the Khomas Region falling within the municipal jurisdiction of City of Windhoek, we are equally concerned about compliance to by-laws as a way of preserving public safety and order.”

McLeod-Katjirua said even although noise pollution decreased by 5%, the general noise levels remain alarmingly high.

Reported cases of illegal traders have increased by 191% and dog complaints decreased by 78%.

McLeod-Katjirua said they will continue with the crime combatting strategy, through conducting regular patrols in identified areas and strengthening relations via community policing.

Clean-up operations will also be conducted to address social crimes, such as assaults, gender-based violence, illegal hunting and road traffic violations.

“There is a need to establish more neighbourhood watch groups, women and men network groups and to recruit more reservists and informers.”

ELLANIE SMIT

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Oshakati blocks Huang

June 3, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Oshakati blocks HuangGeingob's former business partner denied council 100 plots Jack Huang may have lost out on plots in Oshakati, but anger continues to rage over the decision to instead give 200 erven to another Chinese company.

The Oshakati town council has blocked a recommendation to give fraud and money laundering suspect Jack Huang's company 100 serviced erven on which to construct houses.

Huang's company, Sun International Group, had submitted a proposal in which it was eyeing 100 plots from the council, but this proposal was overwhelmingly rejected by councillors last week during a heated meeting.

The plots have instead been given to First Wall Property, a company owned by Stina Wu, who is a Chinese businesswoman.

Wu, who also submitted a proposal to the Oshakati town council to construct houses, will now receive 200 plots.

The erven are situated at the Ekuku and Ehenye townships and were serviced under government's mass urban land servicing programme.

According to a town official who attended the council meeting, the reason why Huang did not receive the 100 plots was because of last year's N$200 million property deal at Ondangwa, where Sun International was given over 500 plots to service and construct houses.

“The councillors decided that they will not give Huang the plots, because he already has 500 of them in Ondangwa, which they said were not developed, and it would not make sense if he is given plots in Oshakati, which is good,” the source said.

Namibian Sun is informed that the Ondangwa project has not kicked off yet.

Oshakati mayor Angelus Iyambo yesterday confirmed the recommendation by the management committee to grant Huang the 100 plots was overwhelmingly rejected and that the plots in question were then given to Wu's company.

“On that matter, all I can say is that we, as councillors, deliberated on it and a decision was taken that the plots should be rather given to First Wall Property, which is a Namibian-registered company,” Iyambo said.

Huang, who is a friend and former business partner to President Hage Geingob, was arrested in 2017 in connection with a tax evasion, fraud and money laundering case involving N$3.5 billion, which is currently before the Windhoek Magistrate's Court.

The Chinese national was released on N$1 million bail.

He is the fifth accused in the case in which Walvis Bay businessman Laurentius Julius and three other Chinese nationals are also facing charges.

Haung and Geingob, through Africa Sunrise Investment, had submitted a proposal to build more than 400 apartments in Windhoek.

The Dr Hage Geingob Family Trust had a 20% in Africa Sunrise Investment, while Geingob's ex-wife Loini reportedly owns 20% and Huang the rest.

Geingob announced late last year he was no longer involved in the deal.

“I have sold it and I am going to be out of it. I am not prohibited from making money. I was making money before you were born. Money is not new to me,” Geingob told journalists at the time.

Why Wu?

Meanwhile, some stakeholders and council officials have also expressed their disappointment over the Oshakati town council's decision to grant Wu the 200 plots.

They say the deal is an insult to construction companies owned by Namibians, who were being disempowered.

“Does council mean that we do not have locals that can built houses? If you look at the 200 plots given to an individual company and that is owned by a foreign national, it means that we are creating wealth for that person, who will not spend the profits in Namibia, but in her native country,” a source, who preferred anonymity, said.

A highly-placed council official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said it is unacceptable for councillors to make such a decision, while adding it is not fair to fellow Namibians, who are operating in the construction sector.

However, Iyambo said there is nothing wrong with Wu getting the 200 plots, as locally owned construction companies have failed them many times.

“I am happy that Wu got the plots, because she presented well and she has also proven to us she has the capacity to take on the project,” Iyambo said.

He said thus far council has entered into public-private partnerships (PPPs) with about 30 locally owned construction companies, but only four have delivered.

“We have given about 30 of our local companies land to construct on, and if we go to those areas, the land is still idle. Only a few houses were constructed and that is not what we want. We get our income from rates and taxes, but if people are sitting on plots, where will we get money from?” Iyambo asked.

He added local companies that are given plots to construct houses are turning to bigger and more successful firms, mostly foreign-owned, and sell their plots to these bugger companies.

Iyambo said council is appealing to developers to surrender the plots they are not building on or face legal action.

“Those that are sitting on plots must just surrender them back to council.”

KENYA KAMBOWE

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Wooden spoon Warriors

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Wooden spoon WarriorsPlate semi-final now team's focus Namibia will attempt to salvage some pride at the 2018 Cosafa Cup today, by at least advancing to the plate final - the wood spoon section of the tournament.

The Brave Warriors will face Bafana Bafana at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane today in a match that will decide who moves on to contest the plate final at this year's Cosafa Cup.

The clash is expected to thrill, after both teams were knocked out of the Cosafa Cup main draw over the weekend.

Namibia exited after losing 4-3 on penalties to Zambia in their quarter-final on Saturday, while Bafana Bafana also fell at the first hurdle, by losing by the same margin on penalties to Madagascar.

Namibian coach Ricardo Mannetti made no bones about the fact that the Zambians deserved their victory.

He said poor decision-making in attack led to his side's downfall.

Warriors captain Ronald Ketjijere and Riaan Hanamub missed two crucial penalties for the home side, while Emilio Martin, Itamunua Keimune and Denzil Haoseb scored.

After the loss, the atmosphere in the Namibian camp is again cheerful, according to Ketjijere, who said the players have picked themselves up.

“After their first training session following Saturday's defeat, the players said they were disappointed, but vowed to bounce back. We understand such disappointments. We have to put the defeat aside and focus on the match. The spirit in camp has greatly improved from what it was,” he said.

Ketjijere said the way the team is being managed has also helped young players deal with defeat easily, as all the players know each other from club level and from the junior national teams.

Hanamub said playing from the quarterfinal stage had perhaps contributed to them losing their first matches in successive tournaments.

“This is the third year we are losing at the quarterfinal stage. Maybe it takes time for us to get going. But excuses aside, we must always aim to win,” he said.

Vitapi Ngaruka said while they are all disappointed, they have spoken amongst themselves and have vowed to do better.

Mannetti said he was impressed by how the players reacted following the defeat.

“Normally a day after the defeat, you expect things to be slow. But clearly these boys have character and they have picked themselves up. They know you cannot become a bad player or team over night,” he explained.

“It is a derby (against South Africa) and we all know what comes with it. The expectations are clear - both teams will go for victory and we are not afraid to go for that victory,” Mannetti said.

Keimuine will miss the match due to a sore hamstring. He joins Panduleni Nekundi on the sidelines, who suffered a foot injury against Zambia on Saturday.

Willem Pinehas will lead the attack for Namibia. Wangu Batista Gome has joined the camp from his club Platinum Stars, adding some strength to the midfield.

“Wangu will definitely feature today. We trained on Monday to finalise the preparations. We want to surprise them,” Mannetti said.

The match against South Africa is a repeat of last year's plate final in Moruleng, where the hosts beat the Brave Warriors 1-0.

This is the third year running that Namibia is contesting the plate final following their success in this section of the competition in 2016 in Windhoek, before ending as plate runners-up last year.

The Cosafa Cup competition comprises of 12 teams and started on 27 May, with the final to be played this Saturday.

-Additional info by Nampa

LIMBA MUPETAMI

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Ariya wins US Women's Open

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Ariya wins US Women's Open

Ariya Jutanugarn parred the fourth playoff hole to beat Kim Hyo-joo and win the 73rd US Women's Open title on Sunday.

She is the first player from Thailand to lift the trophy.

The 22-year-old Ariya captured her second major championship as she parred all four playoff holes at the Shoal Creek course in Alabama.

She finished with a one-over par 73 and a 72-hole total of 11-under 277, making it into the playoff despite a monumental back-nine collapse that saw her seven-stroke lead evaporate.

South Korea's Kim closed with a five-under 67 to force the playoff and had two long putts to win in the extra session, but couldn't get them to fall.

Both parred the third hole and they returned to the par-four 18th, where Ariya's superb bunker shot left her with a tap in for the win.

She had appeared to be headed to victory hours earlier, after a birdie at the ninth hole moved her to 16-under and a seven-stroke lead.

But her lead had dwindled to just one as she headed to the final hole of regulation, where her long putt to win failed to drop.

Ariya's collapse began with a triple-bogey seven on number 10 and continued with a bogey at 12.

She carried the meltdown through with back-to-back bogeys on 17 and 18.

She righted the ship in the playoff, which went to a sudden death format after the two-hole aggregate start failed to produce a winner.

Not only does Ariya become the first Thai to win a US Women's Open title but she is the first champion from a country other than South Korea or the US since Sweden's Annika Sorenstam in 2006.

She is also the first multiple winner of the 2018 LPGA Tour season having already won the Kingsmill Championship.

Kim, chasing a second major title to go with her 2014 Evian Championship, had five birdies in her bogey-free round.

Spain's Carlota Ciganda shot a three-under 69 to finish alone in third place, four strokes back of Kim and Ariya.

American Danielle Kang (69) was four shots back of Ciganda in solo fourth.

NAMPA/AFP

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PKC concludes round of 16

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

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PKC concludes round of 16 The round of 16 in the annual Petrus Kavhura Cup (PKC) was played over the weekend, with teams booking their places in the quarterfinals.

The first match of the round of 16 was between Hoha FC and Katere Benfica.

Hoha FC managed to beat Katere 4-0 to secure a place in this year's round of eight.

The second match saw Makuni FC trouncing LEMC FC 4-2, while Rucara Brave Fighters solitary goal was enough to beat Sashiapapo United 1-0.

“All the matches went well, and as a chairperson, I am happy with the attendance and the performance of the teams was perfect.

“I can also confirm that there was no reported match-fixing involved at the games,” chairperson of the tournament Poulus Ngula said.

The Petrus Kavhura Cup is an annual football competition played in the Ndonga-Linena and Ndiyona constituencies, with the purpose of keeping the youth active. It is associated with incentives and the winning of prizes.

The cup competition is also aimed harmonising the people of the two constituencies, politically. They fall under one traditional authority.

The 2018 PKC competition started in March and is playing on knockout basis.

The organisers now shift focus to the quarterfinals.

“In the conclusion there are no serious challenges on the ground that can hinder the flow of our matches.

“We are hoping for the matches go well, as planned. The 2018 PKC is expecting to finish by the end of July,” Ngula added.

The quarterfinals draw is as follows:

Makuni FC vs Power Stars

Rucara Brave Fighters vs Hoha

Gumma Golden City vs Kanyumara

Makandu FC vs Karutci

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

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//Karas tops talent hunt

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

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//Karas tops talent huntSuperstar Coleman offers support The beautiful game has proven that all genders are eager to play and some of the finest girl talent was on display over the weekend.

The //Karas Region were crowned champions of the 2018 national under-17 girls' talent identification tournament played over the weekend.

The tournament saw 10 teams, including clubs from Windhoek, challenge for top places at the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Technical Centre on Saturday.

Smalls Windstaan, Indira Jacobs and Lee-zen Rooi scored for the

//Karas Schools Regional Team to guide them to a 3-1 win over Galz and Goals from Khomas Region. Diana Kock scored the consolation goal for the Galz and Goals team.

//Karas, who had Keetmanshoop home girl and national football hero Zenatha Coleman as their number one supporter, were ruthless throughout the tournament and brushed aside Erongo in the semi-finals 3-0, thanks to goals by Riwany Hendricks, Jacobs and an Erongo own goal.

Galz & Goals reached the final thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Otjozondjupa.

The tournament, another brainchild of women football general manager Jacky Shipanga, brought together 10 teams that were divided into two groups of five, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals, following round-robin action.

Each team had eight players, with an unlimited number of substitutes allowed, to give the girls enough time to run around and an opportunity to be scouted.

Amazing Kids Primary School, Galz & Goals Academy and Martti Ahtisaari Primary joined the

//Karas Region and Swallows u-15 in Group A, while Group B consisted of Namibia Primary School, Erongo Region, Otjozondjupa Region, St George's and St Paul's College.

The tournament was used to select players that will be considered for the national team that will represent Namibia at the upcoming Confederation of School Sport Association of Southern Africa (COSSASA) Ball Games in August.

The competition also gave a platform to girls ahead of the Unicef u-15 national championships to be played in October.

NFA

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Nine Moz 'insurgents' shot

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Nine Moz 'insurgents' shot Police in Mozambique said on Sunday that they killed nine “insurgents” in the country's far north after ten people were decapitated by suspected jihadists in the region last weekend.

Cabo Delgado province, which is expected to become the centre of the country's nascent natural gas industry after several promising discoveries, has seen a number of deadly attacks by suspected radical Islamists since October.

“Nine insurgents were killed” on Saturday, said a police official who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that more details would be given on Tuesday.

On May 27 a group of radicalised Muslims, known locally as “al-Shabaab”, attacked two small villages near the Tanzanian border and killed 10 residents who were found decapitated.

The same group hit the headlines in October when it took control of the town of Mocimboa da Praia, also in Cabo Delgado province.

The nine insurgents were killed close to the site of last week's beheadings.

The group, which has no known link to the Somali jihadist group of the same name, was described by witnesses to AFP as a radical jihadist faction allegedly been responsible for a number of attacks in Cabo Delgado since becoming active.

According to a police spokesperson interviewed on state-run TVM, security forces killed two members of the group, preventing them from attacking a local village, before killing a further seven.

Assault rifles and Arabic-language documents were recovered from the scene, the spokesperson added.

More than 300 people suspected of having ties to the group have been arrested since October, with more than a third still held, according to the authorities.

The country's north has largely missed out on the economic growth of the last 20 years, and the region sees itself as a neglected outpost, giving the radical Al-Shabaab-style ideology a receptive audience.

NAMPA/AFP

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The pardon and the Russian connection

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

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The pardon and the Russian connectionDonald Trump essentially can pardon himself Allusions to Russian meddling in the 2016 American elections have now caused President Donald Trump a few challenges.

An attorney for President Donald Trump stressed Sunday that the president's legal team would contest any effort to force him to testify in front of a grand jury during the special counsel's Russia probe but downplayed the idea that Trump could pardon himself.

Rudy Giuliani, in a series of television interviews, emphasised one of the main arguments in a newly unveiled letter sent by Trump's lawyers to special counsel Robert Mueller back in January: that a president can't be given a grand jury subpoena as part of the investigation into foreign meddling in the 2016 election.

But he distanced himself from one of their bolder arguments in the letter, which was first reported Saturday by The New York Times, that a president could not have committed obstruction of justice because he has authority to “if he wished, terminate the inquiry, or even exercise his power to pardon”.

“Pardoning himself would be unthinkable and probably lead to immediate impeachment,” Giuliani told NBC's “Meet the Press”. “And he has no need to do it, he's done nothing wrong.”

The former New York City mayor, who was not on the legal team when the letter was written, added that Trump “probably does” have the power to pardon himself, an assertion challenged by legal scholars, but says the president's legal team hasn't discussed that option, which many observers believe could plunge the nation into a constitutional crisis.

“I think the political ramifications would be tough,” Giuliani told ABC's “This Week”. “Pardoning other people is one thing, pardoning yourself is tough.”

Trump has issued two unrelated pardons in recent days and discussed others, a move that has been interpreted as a possible signal to allies ensnared in the Russia probe.

The letter is dated January 29 and addressed to Mueller from John Dowd, a Trump lawyer who has since resigned from the legal team. Mueller has requested an interview with the president to determine whether he had criminal intent to obstruct the investigation into his associates' possible links to Russia's election interference.

Giuliani said on Sunday that a decision about an interview would not be made until after Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12 in Singapore, and he cast doubt that it would occur at all.

A long nightmare

“I mean, we're leaning toward not,” Giuliani told ABC. “But look, if they can convince us that it will be brief, it would be to the point, there were five or six points they have to clarify, and with that, we can get this - this long nightmare for the - for the American public over.”

Trump's legal team has long pushed the special counsel to narrow the scope of its interview. Giuliani also suggested that Trump's lawyers had been incorrect when they denied that the president was involved with the letter that offered an explanation for Donald Trump Jr's 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Russians who offered damaging information on Democrat Hillary Clinton.

“This is the reason you don't let the president testify,” Giuliani told ABC. “Our recollection keeps changing, or we're not even asked a question and somebody makes an assumption.”

If Trump does not consent to an interview, Mueller will have to decide whether to go forward with a historic grand jury subpoena. His team raised the possibility in March of subpoenaing the president, but it is not clear if it is still under active consideration.

A court battle is likely if Trump's team argues that the president can't be forced to answer questions or be charged with obstruction of justice. President Bill Clinton was charged with obstruction in 1998 by the House of Representatives as part of his impeachment trial.

And one of the articles of impeachment prepared against President Richard Nixon in 1974 was for obstruction.

Waging a public relations campaign

Giuliani suggested Sunday that, despite the president's broad powers, a theoretical charge of obstruction may be possible in some cases. Topics of Mueller's obstruction investigation include the firings of FBI director James Comey and former national security adviser Michael Flynn, as well as Trump's reaction to Attorney General Jeff Sessions' recusal from the Russia investigation.

In addition to the legal battles, Trump's team and allies have waged a public relations campaign against Mueller and the Justice Department to discredit the investigation and soften the impact of the special counsel's potential findings. Giuliani said last week that the special counsel probe may be an “entirely illegitimate investigation” and need to be curtailed because, in his estimation, it was based on inappropriately obtained information from an informant and Comey's memos.

In reality, the FBI began a counterintelligence investigation in July 2016 to determine if Trump campaign associates were coordinating with Russia to tip the election. The investigation was opened after the hacking of Democratic emails that intelligence officials later formally attributed to Russia.

Trump, who was spending a rainy Washington weekend at Camp David, also unleashed a new attack on the Justice Department, which he has repeatedly painted as corrupt and biased against him.

NAMPA/AP

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Fuego causes panic and chaos

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Fuego causes panic and chaos

At least 25 people were killed when Guatemala's Fuego volcano erupted on Sunday, belching ash and rock and forcing the airport to close, the country's disaster agency said.

“The toll was 25 dead as of 21:00 on Monday,” the spokesperson for the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) said in a WhatsApp group.

Search and rescue operations for the missing and dead have been suspended due to low light and dangerous conditions, and will resume early on Monday morning, the spokesperson said.

The eruption sent ash billowing over the surrounding area, turning plants and trees grey and blanketing streets, cars and people.

Farmers covered in ash fled for their lives as civil defence staffers tried to relocate them to shelters during the event.

Earlier, Conred chief Sergio Cabanas and President Jimmy Morales held a news conference, saying that the eruption left seven dead, 20 injured and affected more than 1.7 million people.

Morales announced a red alert for Escuintla, Chimaltenango and Sacatepequez, the areas most affected by the eruption, and an orange alert throughout the country.

The president said he and his government would determine whether to ask Congress to declare a state of emergency in the areas, while at the same time appealing to the population for calm.

Hundreds of personnel from the police, Red Cross and military have been dispatched to support emergency operations, Morales said.

Cabanas said that the dead included a civil protection official and others trapped by muddy material that descended from the 3 763m volcano.

Twenty people suffered burn injuries, and more than 3 000 were evacuated due to the eruption, which affected rural communities around the volcano as well as Antigua Guatemala, a colonial-era town very popular with tourists in the Central American country, he said.

There are also “missing persons, but we do not know how many”, Cabanas said, adding that lava had blocked entry to several communities.

Dense ash blasted out by the volcano shut down Guatemala City's international airport, civil aviation said.

People were working to clean ash off the runways to get the airport operating again.

It is the second major eruption this year from the peak, following another that subsided at the beginning of February after sending ash towering 1.7km into the sky.

Guatemala has two other active volcanoes, Santiaguito in the west and Pacaya just south of the capital.

NAMPA/AFP

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World Environment Day 2018: A platform for action

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

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World Environment Day 2018: A platform for action

World Environment Day is the United Nations most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment.

Since it began in 1974, it has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in over 100 countries.

World Environment Day is the "people's day" for doing something to take care of the Earth. That "something" can be focused locally, nationally or globally; it can be a solo action or involve a crowd. Everyone is free to choose.

World Environment Day is organised around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern. The theme for 2018 is ‘Beating plastic pollution’.

World Environment Day has a different global host country, where the official celebrations take place. The focus on the host country helps highlight the environmental challenges it faces, and supports the effort to address them. This year's host is India.

In recent years, millions of people have taken part in thousands of registered activities worldwide.

World Environment Day is held on 5 June every year. It is sometimes also unofficially called Eco Day or Environment Day. The day focuses on environmental concerns ranging from pollution to global warming and sustainable food production to protection of wildlife.

For more details, visit the World Environment Day website.

In Namibia, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Environment Investment Fund (EIF) invite the public to the commemoration of the World Environment Day today.

The commemoration will be held at Government Office Park at 10:00.

World Environment Day was established by the United Nation General Assembly to mark the opening 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Since its inception, it has grown to become a global platform for action in which the UN promotes worldwide awareness on the environment and the importance of taking care for it. It is the day that stimulates and encourages political attention and action towards the environment.

World Environment Day is also recognised as the “people’s day” to remind us that humans around the world are an integral part of the environment and therefore we should take ownership of the environment and actively engage in the protection of our earth.

The theme this year speaks to beating plastic pollution, and urges that if you can’t reuse it, refuse it.

The theme urges governments, industries, communities and individuals to come together and explore sustainable alternatives and urgently reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastic polluting our oceans, damaging marine life and threatening human health.

Namibia being part of the UN and global community at large will join the entire world in commemorating the World Environment Day under the local theme ‘Namibia, healthy and clean’.

For more information, contact UNDP communications consultant Margretha Kampulu on 061 204 6242 or the Ministry of Environment and Tourism’s public relations officer Romeo Muyunda on 061 284 2840.

STAFF REPORTER

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Ondoolopa ya Shakati ya tindi okugandja ooplota kuHuang

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Omulongiskola a tulwa miipandeko sho a adhika niingangamithi

≪ Previous: World Environment Day 2018: A platform for action

Ondoolopa ya Shakati ya tindi okugandja ooplota kuHuangHuang okwa ndopa okutunga ooplota 500 dhoka a pewa mOndangwa Jack Huang okwa kanitha ompito yokupewa ooplota dhi li 100 kelelo lyondoolopa yaShakati, ihe ongeyo otayi tsikile moshigwana sho ondoolopa ndjoka ya tokola okugandja ooplota dhili 200 kehangano limwe lyaChina.

Elelo lyondoolopa yaShakati olya tindi omagwedhelelo po ngoka ga ningwa opo ku gandjwe ooplota dhi li 100 kehangano lyomukwashigwana gwaChina omunangeshefa Jack Huang ngoka e li woo omufekelwa moshipotha shuulingiingi neholokeko lyoonzo dhiimaliwa.

Ehangano lyaHuang lyedhina Sun International Group, olya gandja eindilo opo li mone ooplota dhili 100 okuza kelelo lyondoolopa ndjoka, ihe eindilo ndyoka olya tindwa kelelo momutumba ngoka gwa ningwa oshiwike sha piti.

Ooplota ndhoka odha gandjwa kehangano lyoFirst Wall Property, ehangano lyaStina Wu, omunangeshefa omukiintu omuChina.

Wu, ngoka a ningi eindilo kelelo lyaShakati opo a a pewe ooplota a tunge omagumbo, ngashiingeyi otaka mona ooplota dhi li 200.

Ooplota ndhoka odhi li mEkuku oshowo Ehenye na odha wapalekwa kohi yopoloyeka yepangelo lyomass urban land servicing programme.

Gumwe gwomomunambelewa ngoka a kala momutumba ngoka gwa ningi etokolo ndyoka, okwa popi kutya Huang ina pewa ooplota ndhoka a li a pula omolwa ooplota dha thika po 500 ndhoka dha li dha pewa hangano lyoSun International mOndangwa omvula ya piti.

“Ookansela oya tokola kutya itaya gandja ooplota kuHuang molwaashoka oku na nale ooplota ndhoka a pewa mOndangwa ihe inadhi longwa natango, na itashi kala mondjila a pewe ooplota natango mOshakati, naashoka oshiwanawa,” onzo ya popi.

Namibian Sun okwa tseyithilwa kutya ooplota dhomOndangwa ndhoka dha pewa ehangano lyomunangeshefa ngoka, inadhi tamekwa natango okutungwa.

Mayola gwaShakati, Angelus Iyambo okwa koleke kutya eindilo ndyoka lya li lya ningwa kuHuang opo a pewe ooplota dha thika pe 100 keleo lyaShakati, olya tindwa nooplota odha pewa ehangano lyaWu.

Mayola okwa popi kutya oya tokola okugandja ooplota ndhoka kehangano lyoFirst Wall Property, ndyoka lya shangithwa moNamibia. Huang, ngoka e li kuume oshowo kuume kopangeshefa gwOmupesidende Hage Geingob okwa li a tulwa miipandeko momvula yo 2017 shi na sha noshipotha shekengelelo, eyando lyokufuta iishoshela yepangelo oshowo eholeko lyoonzo dhiimaliwa, shongushu yoobiliyona 3.5, shoka natango shi li mompangulilo yaMangestrata gwaVenduka.

Huang okwa li a mangululwa komboloha yoomiliyona yimwe.

Omunatamanekwa omutitano moshipotha shoka omunangeshefa OmunaNamibia gwomOmbaye, Laurentius Julius oshowo aakwashigwana yaChina yalwe yatatu.

Huang naGeingob, okupitila mongeshefa yedhina Africa Sunrise Investment, oya gandja eindilo lyawo opo ya tunge omahala gomalukalwa geli po400 mOvenduka.

Dr Hage Geingob Family Trust oli na mo oopresenda 20 moAfrica Sunrise Investment.

Omolwashike Wu?

Nonando ooplota ndhoka odha pewa ehangano lyaWU, aakuthimbinga yamwe po naanambelewa yelelo lyondoolopa oya holola okuuva nayi kwawo omo etokolo lya ningwa kelelo lyaShakati opo li gandje ooplota ndhoka dhi li 200 kuWu.

Oya popi kutya etokolo ndyoka oli li etukano enene komahangano gAaNamibia ngoka ihaga pewa ompito.

“Elelo lyondoolopa yaShakati olya hala kutya ka tu na omahangano gomoshilongo ngoka taga vulu okutunga omagumbo ngoka. Ngele owa tala kooplota adhihe o 200 dha pewa omuntu gumwe ngoka e li omuzaizai nena otashi ulike kutya otaku gandjwa uukengeli komuntu owala ngoka gumwe, ngoka itaka longitha iimaliwa mbyoka moNamibia ihe oteke yi longitha moshilongo shaandjawo,” onzo yimwe ya holola.

Omunambelewa gumwe melelo ndyoka okwa popi kutya kashi li mondjila sho elelo tali gandja ooplota adhihe ndhoka komuntu gumwe, omanga omahangano gaNamibia ngoka haga tungu kage na shoka ga pewa.

Nonando ngaaka, Iyambo okwa popi kutya inashi puka okugandja ooplota adhihe ndhoka kuWu molwaashoka omahangano gaaNamibia oga ndopa monakuziwa.

“Onda nyanyukwa kutya Wu okwa mono ooplota ndhoka molwaashoka okwa gandja eindilo li li nawa na okwa holola kutya ota vulu okutamekitha iilonga yopoloyeka ndjoka mbala.”

Okwa tsikile kutya elelo olya yi metsokumwe lyopublic-private partnerships (PPPs) nomahangano gomoshilongo ge li po 30 ihe omahangano owala gane geshi pondola okumana iilonga.

“Otwa gandja komahangano gomoshilongo ge li 30 omavi opo ga tunge omagumbo ihe ngele owa yi komahala ngoka inaga longwa natango na omagumbo owala omashona ga tungwa naashoka hasho twa hala. Ohatu mono iimaliwa okuza kiifuta yomayakulo ngoka haga pewa ooyene yomagumbo nena ngele omagumbo itaga tungwa otatu mono iiyemo ngiini,” Iyambo a pula.

Okwa tsikile kutya natango omahangano gomoshilongo ngoka ga pewa ooplota otaga landitha po ooplota ndhoka komahangano omanene gopondje yoshilongo.

Okwa pula omahangano ngoka ga pewa ooplota ihe inaga tamaneka natango iilonga opo ga shunithe ooplota ndhoka kelelo lyondoolopa nenge ga taalele oonkatu dhopaveta.

KENYA KAMBOWE

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Omulongiskola a tulwa miipandeko sho a adhika niingangamithi

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

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≪ Previous: Ondoolopa ya Shakati ya tindi okugandja ooplota kuHuang

Omulongiskola a tulwa miipandeko sho a adhika niingangamithi

Omulongiskola poskola yedhina Monica Geingos Junior Secondary School mOtjiwarongo okwa tulwa miipandekosho a adhika niingangamithi yocannabis.

Omukiintu gwoomvula 40 oshowo kuume ke gwoomvula 54 omulumentu oya tulwa miipandeko pegumbo lyawo momudhingoloko gwa Orwetoveni mEtine lyoshiwike sha piti.

Omupipiliko gwopolisi yaTjozondjupa, Maureen Mbeha, okwa popi mOlyomakaya kutya uupakete uwali wu na ocannabis owa adhika wa holekwa mokandjugo kopondje megumb ndyoka.

“Iingangamithi mbyoka oyongushu yooN$18 000,” Mbeha a popi.

Aafekelwa mboka otaya tamenekelwa oshipotha shokukala niingangamithi na okwa li tegelelwa ya holoke mompangulilo yamangestrata gwaTjiwarongo, ohela.

Omakonaakono gopolisi otaga tsikile. Moshipotha sha yooloka, omulumentu gwoomvula 24, okwa tsuwa sigo omeso pondunda yomanwino moMalinda mOlyomakaya ya piti.

Deputy Chief Inspector Simon Muhinda, gwoshikondo shekonaakono lyiimbuluma moshitopolwa shaHardap okwa popi kutya nakusa okwa dhimbululwa kutya oFillipus Sheuyange.

Okwa popi kutya okwa tukuka olugodhi komeho yondunda ndjoka, naalumentu yaali oya tsuwa.

“Sheuyange okwa hulithile pehala lyoshiningwanima omanga omunamimvo 33 Joseph Lazarus e li monkalo ohwepo moshipangelo,” Muhinda a popi.

Kakushiwike kutya oya tsuwa kulye. Aakwanezimo yaSheuyange oya tseyithilwa, nomakonaakono gopolisi otaga tsikile.

Muhinda natango okwa lopota oshipotha shokuhinga nuuhasha omuntu e li kohi yodhungo, shoka sha lopotelwa opolisi yaAranos, konima sho ohauto ya gu nokugalangata lwopotundi onti 23:00, mEtitano momudhingoloko gwoNew Extension.

“Omufekelwa okwa li ta hingi ohauto ontokele yoVolkswagen Polo yi na onomola yaRehoboth nondjele ye yiikolitha oya li ya pitilila noopresenda 0.67. okwa lopotwa a nyengwa okupangela osheenditho na okwiidhenge mopala yolusheno nohauto oya galangata.”

Omuhingi gwohauto ngoka e na owala ombaapila yokwiilonga okuhinga okwa tulwa miipandeko.

mOmbaye omwa lopotwa oshipotha shedhipago lyaashi lyoshiningilawina.

“Lwopotundi onti 20:20 mEtitato, omulumentu gwoomvula 19 ngoka a zi mondunda yomanwino yedhina African Moto bar popepi nepandanda lyaKabeljou okwa pumwa koshiyenditho omanga a li ta kambadhala okutaaguluka opate. Okwa gupo sho a pumbwa kohauto yoToyota Corolla nasho a giwle pevi okwa lyatwa kohauto yoVolkswagen Jetta, ndjoka yemu kokolola oshinano oshishona,” omunambelewa omukwatakanithi gwiimbuluma moshitopolwa shEongo, Erastus Iikuyu a popi.

Omulumentu ngoka okwa hulithile pehala lyoshiponga naahingi yiihauto ayehe yaali oya adhika pehala mpoka kopolisi. Kape na ngoka a tulwa miipandeko.

Aakwanezimo ya nakusa oya tseyithilwa nomakonaaakono gopolisi otaga tsikile.

“Oshinano shookilometa 1 okuya mUsakos, ombesa oya thikama inashi tegelelwa pomunkulo gwondjila, nomuhingi gwombaki ngoka a li a landula ombesa ndjoka okwa kambadhala okuyanda okwiidhenge mu yo ihe okwiidhenge mumwe omutse nomutse nohauto ndjoka yali tayi zi komeho ge. Omulumentu gwoomvula 31, omuhingi oshowo omufaalelwa gwoomvula 45 oyeehamekelwa moshiponga.”

Okwa gwedha po kutya ohauto ontitatu oyiidhenge konima yayimwe yomiiyenditho mbyoka, nomulumentu gwoomvula 32 omuhingi oshowo omufaalela oya ehamekwa.

Oonakweehamekwa ayehe oya falwa moshipangelo shaUsakos. - Olopota yagwedhwapo komutoolinkundana gwetu.

NAMPA

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Shot of the day

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

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Shot of the day

UP, UP AND AWAY: A Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft is mounted on the launch pad at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday. The launch of the Soyuz MS-09 with the members of the International Space Station (ISS) expedition 56/57, NASA astronaut Serena Aunon-Chancellor, Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev and German astronaut Alexander Gerst is scheduled for tomorrow. PHOTO: NAMPA/AFP

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No plasters, no antiseptic

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Motor Heads tackle ‘The Monster’

≪ Previous: Shot of the day

No plasters, no antiseptic It is that time of the year again when the winter chill settles firmly over our country, and so it should be in terms of the natural cycle. For many of us, we celebrate chilly nights and share updates on social media about how we are enjoying hot chocolate, marshmallows and bingeing on some or other series.

But for many, if not by far the majority of our countrymen and women, winter is a torrid time.

There is very little in the way of shelter and blankets are far and few between. Fires are the only real relief many of our people have and that too, brings with it its own health challenges.

For those who live in shacks, that metal is cold comfort and there is no protection from wind or the chill of the soil.

We will see fires again with candles and lamps that are forgotten or left in dangerous places.

And what of our elderly? How do they stay warm during these coming months?

More cold is set to arrive with forecasts of snow as far as the Northern Cape in South Africa. No doubt, those citizens too, have very few places they can go.

This country needs shelters and it needs many of them. And yes, there are those who will say that shelters are much like food banks and do nothing to get people out of poverty. However, while we are at 'war' with poverty, one of our government's favourite lines, we certainly need to provide people with a dignified place where they can sleep.

What of our homeless? What of the children that are sleeping on cardboard paper under bridges?

Or does our government find it in order to leave that responsibility, and that of soup kitchens and the like, to the churches and the NGOs?

Just last week, the National Council held their heads high and donated 50 blankets. Yes. 50 blankets. A good effort but a little meagre in our view.

They say we should stop sticking plasters on a festering wound and rather work to the clean the wound… but we seem to have no antiseptic at all. Or plasters for that matter.

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Motor Heads tackle ‘The Monster’

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: DHPS learners “On Air”

≪ Previous: No plasters, no antiseptic

Motor Heads tackle ‘The Monster’Car enthusiasts take on big challenges The three-day car challenge the Motor Heads worked on was a Lexus v8 4.0l non-vvti with dictator management system. We are creating a beast in our garage too, to put our name out there more. – Motor Heads Cobie Bok - “One for all and all for one, the three stand together as one.”

This could be the motto of the Motor Heads musketeers Jody Greyton (owner), Leroy Greyton (assistant mechanic) and Bennett Eiseb (assistant mechanic).

The Motor Heads team had a three-day car challenge: the project was Peter ‘Most Wanted’ Opali's spin car called ‘The Monster’.

The Motor Heads is a very hard-working and dedicated team.

“Our aim is not only to satisfy our clients and give them the best service, but to give them convenience, financially as well. We are deep car enthusiasts that are not afraid to take on big challenges because that is our passion: to build and repair vehicles,” says Jody.

“I have been a mechanic for three years and when it comes to spinning cars, I am what you call the stunt guy,” says Leroy.

“I would like to own my own workshop in the future.”

Leroy has been a spinning stunt guy for more than a year and says he would like everyone to get a chance to experience how it feels to spin a car.

“Spinning cars is a nice sport; it can keep you away from drug activities,” says Leroy.

Bennett is a young man who loves to work with his hands and adores cars. “It’s my passion and I simply love what I do,” he says.

He helps with the tow-in department when he is not assisting with car building.

Challenge

The three-day car challenge the Motor Heads worked on was a Lexus v8 4.0l non-vvti with dictator management system.

“The rest are our secret spices that we included to make it as powerful as it is,” says Jody.

“Our aim was not only to build power but reliability. We all know Most Wanted is a very aggressive spinner, so we specifically built the motor to match his driving style.

“Yes, we have many more challenges to come in the near future. Not only with Most Wanted but other clients as well and personally, we are creating a beast in our garage too, to put our name out there more,” he adds.

“Building a car is definitely a challenge, not just for car builders but for everyone. It’s a lifestyle for all ages and genders. Motorsport in general, but more specific spinning, has brought people closer like families and I can see more of them getting into the sport.”

The Motor Heads Workshop is located at the Brahman Street Industrial Park in Windhoek’s northern industrial area. If you need someone to rebuild or tune up your car, contact Motor Heads at +264 81 2325054.

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DHPS learners “On Air”

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Global crunch benefits beef

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DHPS learners “On Air” Exciting May Holiday Programme at the Child and Youth Centre

Co-produce an own radio programme, conduct interesting interviews, select music to your taste and compile reports and news - radio sounds pretty versatile and very exciting!

This is what leaners experienced during the May holiday programme of the Child and Youth Centre. In cooperation with NBC Funkhaus Namibia, one of Namibia’s German radio stations, the small presenters went “on air”. After in-depth researches, compiling interviews, reports and radio plays, they visited the NBC studios where, at the end of the project, they finally had the opportunity to go on air themselves.

The project was exciting, right from the preparation of the reports and interviews: At the SPCA, the Windhoek animal home, they did not only visit cats and dogs, but above all, conducted an interesting interwiew. Another highlight was the interview ralley at Hotel Thule, which was topped with delicious cookies and hot chocolate.

Thanks to the outstanding support of NBC hosts Heide Grassmann and Ralf Boll, our upcoming moderators easily managed to present their contributions. Then there was the grand final: the broadcast of their own production had them all listening spellbound and attentively.

After the "job” was done, games and treasure hunts were scheduled on the holiday programme and the two weeks just flew by.

We herewith would like to thank the team of NBC Funkhaus, SPCA and Hotel Thule for this unique opportunity, the great cooperation and exiting project days at the Child and Youth Centre.

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Global crunch benefits beef

June 4, 2018, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Time to get your jab

≪ Previous: DHPS learners “On Air”

Global crunch benefits beefCompetitive environment boosts exports Global economic conditions and a shortage of weaners in South Africa are bringing relief to the Namibian beef industry.

Economic slowdowns internationally are creating a more competitive environment in the global market for Namibian beef exports.

According to the Meat Board of Namibia, internationally there is an increase in the production of beef and a decrease in consumption, due to the economic slowdowns.

This creates a more competitive environment globally for Namibian beef exports, says the Meat Board.

Furthermore, the average Namibian weaner price is expected to increase due to a shortage in the supply of weaners to South African feedlots.

During the period January and February the cattle sector experienced an increase in total production compared to the same period last year. This includes the number of cattle, mostly weaners, exported, as well as the cattle slaughtered at local abattoirs.

Comparing year-on-year, a 23.7% increase in total cattle production was observed - from 51 655 to 63 918.

“Limited rainfall experienced towards the end of 2017 and the beginning 2018 was the contributing factor, as producers tried to reserve grazing for available breeding stock,” the Meat Board said.

An increase in total production is expected, as more and more cattle will become available for slaughter and export.

The Meat Board says of the cattle produced between January and February 2018, 77% were exported, while 14% were slaughtered at export abattoirs and 9% at other local abattoirs.

The prices of weaners at auctions remain competitive, compared to the same period last year, as well as the B2 (middle grade) beef prices offered at export abattoirs.

Month-on-month, a N$2.80/kg reduction was observed in the average weaner price, from N$37.26/kg in January to N$34.46/kg in February 2018.

The average South Africa Red Meat Abattoir Association beef price, at N$44.66/kg, was higher than the N$43.33/kg paid by the Namibian export abattoirs.

A 15.4% increase was observed in the Namibian B2 (middle grade) beef producer price between 2017 (N$33.90/kg) and 2018 (N$39.14/kg) over the same time.

According to the Meat Board drought conditions in Namibia forces producers to market livestock and therefore an increase in the number of sheep to be marketed is expected in the coming months. There has been an increase in the utilisation of the 'too lean, too small' marketing arrangements, due to drought marketing.

There was a reduction in the total number of sheep produced in the country, compared to previous production figures.

“The sector players need to identify long-term strategies that will improve the advancement of the sector. The 1:1 local slaughter-to-export ratio will remain in place to ensure a balance between local slaughtering and sheep exports are maintained,” said the Meat Board.

It said competitive pricing by export abattoirs in Namibia would encourage local slaughter, as exporting incurs additional costs in terms of transport, VAT and animal welfare risk.

Comparing year-on-year, 84 348 sheep were marketed in 2017, compared to 62 244 in 2018, thus representing a 26.2% decrease in the total number marketed.

During January and February 2018, 33 985 sheep were exported, accounting for 54% of the total marketing. Sheep slaughtered at export abattoirs accounted for 33%, with 20 323 animals slaughtered, while those slaughtered at other local-class abattoirs accounted for 13% of the total sheep marketed, with 7 936 sheep slaughtered.

The export of sheep was a result of the fat tail and the 'too lean, too small' marketing arrangements applied by the Meat Board, as well as those sheep that were not in demand by local abattoirs, at competitive prices.

The higher prices offered by South African abattoirs is the main pull factor for exporting sheep.

South Africa remains the main export destination for Namibian sheep or lamb meat.

The gap for February 2018 between the Namibian export abattoirs (N$65.41/kg) versus the Northern Cape abattoir prices (N$70.25/kg) increased on a month-to-month basis from N$2.22 for January 2018 to N$-4.84/kg for February 2018.

According to the Meat Board a price difference of more than N$3/kg discourages local slaughter, as producers are able to obtain higher prices through exporting to South Africa.

Sheep producer prices are driven by demand and supply and the price of the skins in South Africa.

ELLANIE SMIT

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