Taku ningwa oompangela dhokukondjitha oshikukuta

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Taku ningwa oompangela dhokukondjitha oshikukutaOkwa ngongwa po oompangela dhekwatho lyopaulumomhumbwe opo ku vule okushunithwa pevi omaupyakadhi taga vulu okuholoka omolwa oshikukuta shoka sha taalela Namibia. Omahangano gaanafaalama giikwatelako Ehangano lyoNamibia Agricultural Union (NAU) oshowo Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers' Union (NECFCU) oga ngongopo ompangela ya nuninwa okukondjitha onkalo yoshikukuta ndjoka ya taalela oshilongo na otayi gumu unene aanafaalama.

Pahapu dhawo onkalo yoshikukuta ndjika oyimwe ya nika oshiponga noonkondo okuyeleka noomvula dha piti molwaashoka kape na oshitopolwa shoshilongo shoka sha mono omuloka omuwanawa sigo onena.

Oya popi kutya momvula yo 2016 iitopolwa yimwe po oya li ya mono omuloka omuwanawa naashoka osha li sha etitha aantu ya likole nokuteya omwiidhi okuza komahala ngoka ga lokwa nokugugandja kaanafaalama mboka ya li inaya mona omuloka, ihe ngashiingeyi shoka hasho tashi ka kala.

Omahangano oga popi kutya okuza momvula yo 2013 oshilongo osha kala itashi yakula omuloka omwaanawa, naashoka osha shunitha pevi ompito dhokulonga olusiyana lwiimuna.

Natango omukithi gwekondo nelaka ngoka gwa lopotwa moSouth Afrika muJanuari ogwa etitha eshuno pevi lyoondando dhoonzi oshowo iilongomwa ya za kiimuna mbyoka konyala noopresenda 30, okuyeleka naDesemba gwomvula ya piti. Aanafaalama oya kunkililwa opo ya shonopeke omwaalu gwiimuna yawo kondando yi li pevi.

Omahangano gaanafaalama oga popi kutya kokutengeneka onkalo yomuloka itayi etitha oonkondo moshikako shomuloka shonuumvo onkene osha thiminike omahangano ngoka ga totepo oompangela ndhoka sha pumbwa okutulwa miilonga.

Oya pula woo omutumba gwomeendelelo nominista yUunamapya, Alpheus !Naruseb, opo a tseyithilwe kombinga yonkalo yoshikukuta ndjoka ya taalela oshilongo ye ta pewa oompangela dhoka dha tulwa po tadhi vulu okuhwepopaleka onkalo ndjoka.

Elalakano okukala nomahangano agehe gaanafaalama moshilongo ge li pomutumba ngoka mwa kwatelwa ehangano lyoNamibia National Farmers Union (NNFU). Momukanda gwomuhanga ngoka gwa shangwa koNAU oshowo NECFCU, ogwa popi esimano lyetumo momalanditho lyiimuna kali shonopekwe, opo aanafaalama ya vule okulanditha iimuna yawo mbala yo ya yande onkalo yiimuna tayi si koshikukuta.

Uuministeli wuunamapya oshowo oMeat Board of Namibia otawu ka pulwa wu kuthe po omilandu ndhoka tadhi indike etumo pondje lyiimuna opo ku yandwe ekanitho lyiimuna oshowo iiyemo mokatikaanafaalama.

Omahangano oga pula opo epangelo li pitithe iimaliwa mbyoka ya nuninwa okukwathela metulo miilonga lyooprograma dhomalanditho opo ku tsuwe omukumo aanafaalama ya landithe po iimuna yawo.

Omahangano oga popi woo kombinga yompango yoBiosafety Act, ndjoka ya holola kutya itaku pitikwa eeto moshilongo lyepungu lya tulwa ogenetically modified organisms (GMOs) okuza momasiku ga 6 gaFebruali kakele ongele kwa gandjwa ezimino okuza koBiosafety Council.

Omahangano oga indile opo oNational Council for Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) ya kuthemo aanafaalama mompango ndjoka, opo kaya indikwe oku landa epungu ndyoka okuza pondje yoshilongo opo ya vule okupalutha iimuna yawo.

Natango okwa hololwa kutya ondando yiimuna mbyoka ya tomwa nale otayi ka kala ya nayipala muule woomwedhi ndatu dhili komeho, opo ku gandjwe ompito kanafaalama ya ninge omatokolo kombinga youklongekidha iimuna yawo mbyoka tayi tomwa.

Moonkundathana ndhoka dha ningwa nehangano lyaMeatco, ehangano ndyoka olya pulwa opo li gandje kaanafaalama omulandu gwoondando guule woomwedhi ndatu opo ku kwathelwe aanafaalama ya ninge omatokolo gomondjila, kelongekitho lyiimuna yawo kwiikwatelelwa ondando ndhoka taya pewa.

Omahangano oga popi kutya iimuna oyindji mbyoka yi li miigunda ngashiingeyi kayi li monkalo moka tayi vulu okutomwa, ihe opo aanafaalama ya tsuwe omukumo yo ya vule okupalutha iimuna yawo tayi yi longekithile omalanditho, nena oya pulwa okupewa oondando.

Ehangano lyaMeatco olya tseyitha kutya otali ka shuna miilonga oprograma yawo yokupalutha iimuna. Okondalaka ndjoka oya tulwa miilonga okupitila moBackwards Integration Initiative, na oyi li etsokumwe ndyoka tali pitika Meacto a lande oongombe nokudhitula miigunda yontumba tadhi paluthwa sigo tadhi vulu okutomwa po.

Olutu lyElelo lyOonyama moshilongo olya popi kutya okutala konkalo yoshikukuta ndjoka ya taalela oshilongo unene muumbugantu waNamibia, onga oshitopolwa sho sheep marketing scheme, okwa tulwa miilonga omukalo ngoka tagu ka yambidhidha aaniimuna yoonzi mboka ye na omavi guulithilo moSouth Afrika opo ya vule okutuma oonzi dhawo dhokumuna moshilongo shoka.

Nonando ongaaka etumo lyoonzi moshilongo shoka otali ka kala tali ningwa kwiikwatelelwwa kegwanithe po lyoompango dhetumo lyiimuna pondje yoshilongo dhaNamibia oshowo oompango dhaSouth Afrika dheyakulo lyiimuna okuza miilongo yopndje.

Moshikako shomuloka shomvula yo 2018/19 omvula oya tameke ya lata nomasiku o 30 sigo 60 ngaashi muuninginino waSouth Africa, Lesotho, southern Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Angola, oshowo monooli yaNamibia. Omuloka gwa lata miilongo moka oga endele pamwe nonkalo yombepo ya pupyala ndjoka tayi hwahwameke oshikukuta.



ELLANIE SMIT

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GM cutting 4 000 workers in latest round of restructuring

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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GM cutting 4 000 workers in latest round of restructuringMass layoff notices filed GM is also cutting its executive ranks by 25%. These actions are necessary to secure the future of the company, including preserving thousands of jobs in the US and globally. - Pat Morrissey, Spokesman: GM David Shepardson - General Motors Co on Monday said it was starting to hand pink slips to about 4 000 salaried workers in the latest round of a restructuring announced in late November that will ultimately shrink its white-collar workforce in North America by 15% out of 54 000.

Two people briefed on the cuts said GM is cutting hundreds of jobs at its information technology centers in Texas, Georgia, Arizona and Michigan and more than 1 000 jobs at its Warren, Michigan Tech Center. GM is filing new required mass layoff notices with state agencies and disclosed the cuts to lawmakers.

The largest US automaker announced in November it would cut a total of about 15 000 jobs and end production at five North American plants. The cuts include eliminating about 8 000 salaried workers, or about 15%.

GM cut about 1 500 contract workers in December and said 2 300 salaried workers accepted buyouts, officials said.

"These actions are necessary to secure the future of the company, including preserving thousands of jobs in the US and globally. We are taking action now while the overall economy and job market are strong, increasing the ability of impacted employees to continue to advance in their careers, should they choose to do so," GM spokesman Pat Morrissey said, adding the bulk of the cuts should be completed in the next two weeks.

Morrissey said GM would provide salaried workers with severance packages and job placement services.

GM is also cutting its executive ranks by 25% and last week laid off three senior people in its Washington office and some other small salaried layoffs previously took place.

Trump

President Donald Trump and US and Canadian lawmakers have blasted GM's plans to end production at plants in Ontario, Michigan, Ohio and Maryland. GM said in November it would end US and Canadian production of the Chevrolet Cruze, Volt, Impala, the Buick LaCrosse and the Cadillac XTS and CT6 sedans.

Trump, who made a 2017 speech near GM's Lordstown Assembly plant in Ohio, said in November the company had "better" find a new product for that plant.

But GM chief executive officer Mary Barra wrote last week: "We are more convinced than ever that our strategy is sound and in the long term."

Last month, Comprehensive Logistics said it would cease operations at its facility in Lordstown that provides logistics and warehousing, impacting about 180 jobs. Magna International Inc is also laying off about 120 people at its Lordstown Seating Systems plant that makes seats for GM vehicles. – Nampa/Reuters

South African national dies in airport toilet

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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South African national dies in airport toilet The Namibian police in the Erongo Region are investigating an incident in which a South African national was found dead in a toilet at the Walvis Bay Airport on Sunday.

According to the police's crime investigations coordinator for Erongo, Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu, the man, 70-year-old Mackrill Claude Vernon Hilton, arrived at the Walvis Bay Airport at around 11:20 with Air Namibia from Cape Town, South Africa, with the intention of visiting friends in Walvis Bay.

“It is further alleged that upon his arrival at the airport, he went to the toilet, where he was later found unconscious by airport staff. He was then rushed to the Welwitschia Private Hospital but was declared dead upon arrival,” Iikuyu stated.

No foul play is suspected in the matter and the body was taken to the Walvis Bay police mortuary for a post-mortem to be conducted to determine the cause of his death.

Police investigations in the matter continue.

NAMPA

Oil spill halts Gammams

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Oil spill halts GammamsNamibia Dairies takes action to mitigate A technical error in a pipeline at Namibia Dairies caused a 6 000-litre heavy fuel oil spill into Windhoek's sewerage system. ELVIRA HATTINGH

A spill of roughly 6 000 litres of heavy fuel oil into Windhoek’s sewerage system on Sunday has halted all purification works at Gammams.

It is still unclear when the water purification plant will be up-and-running again.

According to Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group spokesperson Roux-ché Locke, the spill occurred on Sunday morning at the Namibia Dairies plant in Avis due to a technical problem with a pipeline, but they were able to contain the spill, keeping most of it on the premises.

“We took immediate action when we became aware of the spill, working with all relevant stakeholders, including the City of Windhoek, to ensure the situation is not worsened and is contained,” she explained.

A response team comprising of Namibia Dairies and municipal staff members was created to salvage the situation, assess the impact and create a rehabilitation plan.

“Namibia Diaries has assumed the responsibility to ensure that any and all aspects of environmental pollution is managed in a responsible manner,” Locke told Namibian Sun on Monday. In a later media release it was announced that the greatest environmental impact was around the Namibia Dairies premises and that an assessment on the impact downstream was still needed to be undertaken.

Locke explained that heavy fuel oil is used for the boiler system and a technical mishap led to the spill.

“We have already implemented measures to ensure that something like this does not happen and that maintenance to the system is regular and up-to-date. We also have mechanisms installed to prevent a spill like this. However, the volume of the oil was too high. The company is currently busy probing what can be done differently in a case like this, not just at our factories and plants but in Windhoek, in general.”

Completely overburdened

Gammams water purification plant foreman Abner Ambondo explained the waste water system was completely overburdened and the discharge systems were flooded, with water flowing out of manholes.

Attempts to allow the oil to move through the purification process failed, but the water was held within the plant.

Ambondo told Namibian Sun they were concerned that the polluted water could enter river systems around the city, but added that experts from as far as South Africa have been called in to mitigate the impacts.

He said the scale of the damage is still being determined, including the damage to their equipment, which was covered in oil. Fish used in the purification process for the breakdown of phosphates and nitrates have also started dying.

Ambondo said they are unsure about when the system will be up-and-running again.

“At the moment, we are rinsing the system.”

On top of this, he said the fish population would have to be restored before they could start supplying partly purified water to Windhoek.

“At this point in time, the City cannot purify any water.”

Windhoek relies heavily on the recycling of waste water to supply its residents and currently 21 000 m3 of potable water is produced daily using recycling.

Windhoek’s household waste water is treated at Gammams first, after which it is further purified at the more advanced Goreangab plant. Waste water is also treated at Goreangab, but this is mostly used as grey water for the maintenance of sports fields in and around the city. Ujams, north of the city, takes in industrial waste water, which contains metals and is too toxic for Gammams.

School celebrates N$750k bus

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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School celebrates N$750k bus Parents and learners at Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo Senior Secondary School, who attended the school since 2012, have raised over N$750 000 to buy a school bus.

School principal Walde Shapaka said the bus will be used for educational tours and will also be rented out to other schools in the Oshana Region to generate an income.

The bus, which is the first such vehicle to be acquired by the school, was bought at the beginning of the year and was officially handed over to the school on Monday.

Parents and other donors donated N$753 398.31, while the procurement, registration and insurance for the bus totalled N$742 644.

School board chairperson Vilho Shikoha received the bus on behalf of the school community.

Shikoha said the school bus initiative was started in 2012 and parents only started contributing money in 2013.

“The transportation of our school learners to out-of-school activities was a very big challenge for us. Teachers had to use their private vehicles to transport learners; therefore, it was deemed necessary to embark on the school bus project.

“Today we are here to celebrate the hard-earned and successful procurement and official delivery our school bus,” Shikoha said.

Shapaka said each learner who attended the school between 2012 and 2018 paid N$180 each year towards the purchase of the bus.

“We are still requesting parents to assist us with the vehicle maintenance. We are therefore requesting that the parents of each learner now pay N$180 once-off, and not per year, as was the case before.

“We would like to thank the parents and everyone that assisted us in making our dream a reality. We are also requesting for the usual cooperation to continue, especially from those that would like you to help us maintain the bus,” Shapaka said.

Oluno circuit education inspector Levi Vries and Ondangwa Urban constituency councillor Elia Irimari were among those who attended the handover event.

ILENI NANDJATO

Chevron CEO set to earn over US$28 mln in annual pay

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Chevron CEO set to earn over US$28 mln in annual pay Chevron Corp chief executive officer Michael Wirth is set to receive at least US$28 million in total pay this year, the U.S. oil and gas company said on Monday.

His annual base salary was set at US$1.6 million, about US$100 000 higher than a year earlier, a regulatory filing showed.

Wirth, who also serves as chairman of Chevron's board of directors, was named CEO in February 2018 after a more than 30-year career at the San Ramon, California-headquartered oil major.

He is eligible for at least US$28 million of total pay when including 236 900 stock options, according to Reuters calculations. Overall compensation may be higher when other compensation such as performance shares and restricted stock units are considered.

Separately, Chevron also named Pierre Breber as its next chief financial officer, effective April 1, replacing Patricia Yarrington who is retiring after 38 years at the company.

Breber, 54, joined Chevron in 1989, and most recently served as executive vice president of downstream and chemicals. – Nampa/Reuters

Millions in cryptocurrencies frozen after Canadian founder's death

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Millions in cryptocurrencies frozen after Canadian founder's death'Cold wallet' Quadriga filed for creditor protection last week. This really highlights the need for the government to take action and regulate cryptocurrency exchanges. - , Dean Skurka, VP: Bitbuy.ca Quadriga has 363 000 registered users and owes a total of C$250 million to 115 000 affected users.

Tyler Choi - About C$180 million (US$137.21 million) in cryptocurrencies have been frozen in the user accounts of Canadian digital platform Quadriga after the founder, the only person with the password to gain access, died suddenly in December.

Gerald Cotten died aged 30 from complications with Crohn's disease while volunteering at an orphanage in India, according to the Facebook page of Quadriga CX, which announced his death on Jan. 14.

The platform, which allows the trading of Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum, filed for creditor protection in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court last week.

Quadriga has 363 000 registered users and owes a total of C$250 million to 115 000 affected users, according to an affidavit filed by Cotten's widow Jennifer Robertson on behalf of the company.

Robertson said in the affidavit that Cotten's main computer contained a "cold wallet" of cryptocurrencies, which is only accessible physically and not online, and his death left "in excess of C$180 million of coins in cold storage".

Robertson said she was not involved in Cotten's business while he was alive and did not know the password or recovery key.

"Despite repeated and diligent searches, I have not been able to find them written down anywhere," she said.

‘Limited access’

Robertson said that she has consulted an expert who has had "limited success in recovering a few coins and some information" from Cotten's other computer and cell phones, but the majority remains untouched on his main computer.

Quadriga's troubles highlight the unique challenges of cryptocurrencies, Dean Skurka, vice president of rival platform Bitbuy.ca, said in an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

"This really highlights the need for the government to take action and regulate cryptocurrency exchanges," Skurka said.

Robertson said in her affidavit she has received online threats and "slanderous comments", including questions about the nature of Cotten's death, and whether he is really dead. – Nampa/Reuters

Apple briefly regains title as most valuable US company

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Apple briefly regains title as most valuable US company Noel Randewich - Apple very briefly retook its title as the most valuable publicly listed US company on Monday, beating out Microsoft and Amazon.com, while Alphabet was close behind the trio as it prepared to report its quarterly results.

With Microsoft and Apple rallying almost 3%, Apple's market capitalisation for a few seconds was US$806.6 billion, exceeding Microsoft's by US$200 million and Amazon's by about US$1.2 billion.

Microsoft quickly returned to its spot as the most valuable company, but Apple was on track to end the session above Amazon, up 0.4%, taking the No 2 spot.

Average analyst price targets imply Amazon would become by far the most valuable US publicly-listed company at US$1.03 trillion, followed by Microsoft at US$967 billion, Alphabet at US$927 billion and Apple at just US$835 billion, according to Refinitiv data.

Apple's stock has risen 11% since its quarterly report last Tuesday, with investors betting it was oversold following months of concern about a slowdown in iPhone demand, and the company's rare revenue warning on Jan. 2 related to soft demand in China.

After touching a record US$1.1 trillion last October, Apple's market capitalisation fell gradually, and it was overtaken in December by Amazon and Microsoft.

Apple's stock market value hit a low of US$675 billion on Jan. 3 after its revenue warning, but then steadily recovered, helped in part by a quarterly report that was better than feared by investors.

While Apple has gained in recent sessions, Microsoft and Amazon's stocks have fallen after their quarterly reports. Amazon has declined about 4% since Thursday, when it forecast first-quarter sales below Wall Street estimates and warned over new regulations in India.

Since Wednesday, when Microsoft met targets for its quarterly results and forecast, its stock has slipped nearly 1%.

Google-parent Alphabet was up 2.6%, putting its stock market value at US$788 billion. After the bell, the company is expected to post quarterly revenue of US$38.9 billion, up 20%, and a 12% increase in non-GAAP net income to US$7.7 billion, according to Refinitiv data. – Nampa/Reuters

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United against rhino poaching

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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United against rhino poachingHigh-level meeting being held The conservation of the rhinoceros is under the spotlight this week. African countries are joining forces to fight against rhino poachers and come up with new and workable strategies to curb poaching.

Environment deputy minister Bernadette Jagger said this at the 13th meeting of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) African Rhino Specialist Group that is being hosted in Namibia. The weeklong meeting was opened yesterday at the Gross Barmen Resort near Okahandja. The meeting was attended by representatives from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Tanzania, Luanda, Mozambique and Namibia.

According to Jagger, unprecedented levels of rhino poaching are being experienced across Africa and this threatens the existence of rhino in the wild. According to her the increasing involvement of criminal syndicates in poaching and wildlife trafficking promotes corruption, threatens species, strengthens illicit trade routes and destabilises economies and communities that depend on wildlife. “This situation demands our full attention and collective efforts to develop new strategies and implement current strategies and measures to turn the tide.” Jagger said Namibia has been hard hit by rhino poaching since 2012. The country experienced its worst year of poaching in 2015, when 97 rhino were killed by poachers.

Since then the country has lost an average of 50 rhino annually to poaching, said Jagger.

The slowdown since 2015 was mainly attributed to the combined security efforts of the Namibian Defence Force, the Namibian police, private rhino owners and the environment ministry. “The government and rhino owners continuously have to innovate and collaborate to keep poaching levels down.” She said despite the onslaught of poaching both the white and black rhino populations in Namibia have persevered and continue to grow.

According to her the national black rhino population currently exceeds

2 000 animals and the national white rhino population exceeds 1 000 animals. “This must be our goal as rhino conservationists, to continue to grow rhino populations in the wild. This cannot be achieved if we work in isolation. We need to work together across borders, institutions and organisations,” Jagger said.

Dr Mike Knight, the chairman of the IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group, said Namibia has some of the best conservation legislation in the world.

ELLANIE SMIT

Honest cop spurns thousands in bribes

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Honest cop spurns thousands in bribes A police investigator based in the Otjozondjupa Region refused two attempted bribes totalling N$14 000 in December and January by the brothers of men behind bars whose alleged crimes he was tasked to investigate.

One of the men subsequently arrested on corruption charges after he allegedly tried to bribe the police investigator with a N$4 000 e-wallet transfer in December is the younger brother of businessman Tangi Sheefeni Amon Namwandi.

Namwandi, also known as 'Mox', was arrested in 2016 on rhino poaching charges, granted bail, and again arrested in 2017 on fraud charges after he was accused of attempting to steal more than N$1 million from Air Namibia.

He was granted bail of N$50 000 each time.

At the time of the attempted bribe, Namwandi was in custody again at Omaruru after he was arrested last year on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

It was while he was in custody, that his younger brother Mekondjo Namwandi (31) was accused of making a N$4 000 e-wallet transfer to the investigating officer of Mox Namwandi's case in order to secure bail for his brother.

The police officer, whose name has not been made public, alerted the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) at Otjiwarongo, and Namwandi was arrested on corruption charges.

A sting operation was conducted by the ACC and the police, which led to the arrest of the accused on 20 December and after the money had been paid over via e-wallet to the police investigator.

Namwandi was granted bail of N$3 000 on 21 December and his case has been postponed to 6 March 2019 for further investigation.

Meanwhile, NamPol spokesperson, chief inspector Kauna Shikwambi yesterday confirmed Mox Namwandi was granted bail of N$2 000 on 27 December and the case has been postponed to 14 February.

In January, the same investigating officer faced another bribery attempt of N$10 000.

On 22 January, the ACC arrested a second man, Steyn Simasiku Musweu (33), after he attempted to bribe the same police officer with N$10 000 for the release of his brother, Musweu Regan Musweu, and his uncle, Fred Mwabi.

Both were in custody on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The officer again alerted his superiors and the ACC and another sting operation was conducted that led to the arrest of Musweu, a technician employed at Dundee Precious Metal in Tsumeb.

Musweu made his first appearance on 23 January and was granted bail of N$4 000. His case has been postponed to 16 April.

JANA-MARI SMITH

Rainfall outlook improves

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Rainfall outlook improves JANA-MARI SMITH



Heavy rains are expected over Namibia’s interior today and on Friday.

This is in line with a recent report which predicted a better chance of rain for large parts of the country for the remainder of the season.

Chief forecaster Odillo Kgobetsi of the Namibia Meteorological Service (NMS) yesterday said widespread thundershowers are expected over the interior today and tomorrow.

He added that daytime temperatures will drop slightly due to cloud cover and rain.

Further thundershowers are expected to continue over the weekend.

In the extreme west and the Karas Region, sunny conditions are expected today and tomorrow.

Elsewhere, it will be partly cloudy and hot to very hot with scattered thundershowers in the central-north today.

A recent weather outlook published by climatologist and weather expert Johan van den Berg of Santam Agriculture in South Africa predicted a “sharp improvement for rainfall conditions for most of the summer rainfall areas for weeks to come.”

Van den Berg said the probability of rain in central and northern Namibia in February and March has improved notably from previous forecasts.

The chances of in southern Namibia remain poor, though.

The report, which was issued in late January, links the improved outlook to El Niño conditions which have weakened “rapidly since the second part of December 2018 and are now in the neutral range or just outside the neutral range.”

The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) also remained neutral in the past few months, not reflecting any El Niño conditions, Van den Berg explained.

Moreover, the Indian Ocean Dipole Index (IOD) is also now in the neutral range.

“February and March are historically the dominant rainfall months for the central and western parts of the country, and it seems there is a high probability for that to occur in 2019. There is now a sharp, positive chance in the outlook for the rest of the summer season with improved probabilities for rainfall,” he wrote.

For many Namibians the improved chance of rain is welcome news.

Yesterday, Namibian Sun reported on a warning issued by the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) and the Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers' Union (NECFCU), who had released a drought action plan in order to mitigate the ongoing drought in Namibia, which has been described as a “national crisis”.

The NAU and NECFCU warned that the current drought is the worst in recent years, as no part of Namibia has received good rains to date.

The latest NamWater dam bulletin, issued on Monday, indicates the Swakoppoort Dam is currently 20.4% full, compared to 39.2% at the same time last year.

The Von Bach Dam is 49.8% full (54.2% last year); the Hardap Dam is at 31.2% (41.5% last year); and the Naute Dam is at 61.7% (67.7% last year)

Drug suspects' appeal fails

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Drug suspects' appeal failsHigh Court agrees with magistrate The High Court has rejected an appeal by two accused drug smugglers against a magistrate's refusal of bail. High Court Judge Naomi Shivute yesterday dismissed an appeal by Grant Noble and Dinath Azhar against their denial of bail in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court.

Noble and Azhar were found in possession of 412 kg of cocaine to the value of N$206 million on 15 June last year at the port of Walvis Bay and were charged with dealing in cocaine.

The two had created a close corporation, Zeeki Trading, with Noble as the sole member. Azhar is alleged to be a silent partner with access to the company's accounts. He was also the one with the financial means to open a business while Noble is said to have contributed only his labour.

According to Judge Shivute, “It is common cause that the two appellants ordered the container with A4 printing paper through Zeeki Trading. Azhar paid for the cost of the container.”

The contraband was found in the container, allegedly imported from Brazil.

In their appeal papers, Noble and Azhar asserted that the magistrate had erred in denying bail on several grounds, including finding that the State had a strong case against them.

They claimed that the magistrate had based the decision on the public interest in the case, as evidenced by media coverage of the case, a full gallery every time the two appeared before court, a public demonstration and a church petition objecting to bail being granted.

Their lawyers argued that the magistrate had misdirected herself by not considering the validity of the charges. The legality of the search warrant was also questioned. The accused claim that the search was conducted before the search warrant was obtained.

The State responded that these were all issues that should be raised during the trial and not at a bail hearing.

Shivute found that the onus of the State in a bail hearing, which is to show it has a prima facie case against an accused, was met, and that the magistrate had carefully considered the evidence and made her ruling against bail.

“This court has no reason to interfere with the court's decision in this regard as it is of the opinion that it exercised its discretion correctly,” she said.

STAFF REPORTER

A battle we must win

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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A battle we must win Weekly crime reports in Namibia are horrific reads.

From people being attacked over measly amounts of money like N$10 and N$30, to the proliferation of stabbings, robberies, rapes and murder, it is safe to say that Namibians can rightfully feel unsafe in their own country. This feeling of unease permeates across the various strata of society, and a holistic approach is needed to tackle the growing spectre of violent crime.

Criminologists argue that economic anxiety leads to property crime and more domestic violence, as well as a greater consumption of mind-altering substances, leading to more violence in general.

On the other hand, economists tend to argue the opposite. Generally they claim that in better economic times there are more shiny new smartphones and tablets, more new cars sitting unattended in parking lots and more big-screen TVs in homes to steal. Better economic times, economists contend, also mean more of a demand for drugs and alcohol, and the attendant violence that often accompanies their consumption.

Be that as it may, there is a worrying trend of violent crime increasing in Namibia.

Many see alcohol and drugs at the root of this, but what about economic inequality, which is rife in Namibia?

A World Bank study found that crime rates and inequality are linked within countries and also between nations. The correlation is a causation - inequality induces crime rates.

Though, as many have argued over the years, Namibia has comprehensive social safety nets, such transfers only address the symptoms.

The causes of poverty and inequality must therefore be attacked with vigour. This can only happen if the poor have access to quality public services such as education, healthcare, housing, water and sanitation, decent jobs, land and other means of wealth creation.

The so-called Gini coefficient is thus not just a statistical measure of how income or wealth is distributed among a country's residents, it has real impacts in terms of the wellbeing of a nation, especially when it comes to violent crime and its causes.

Euro zone business growth ground to a halt

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Euro zone business growth ground to a halt Jonathan Cable - Euro zone businesses expanded at their weakest rate since mid-2013 at the start of the year as demand fell for the first time in four years, with a manufacturing slowdown spreading to services, a survey showed yesterday.

Forward-looking indicators in the downbeat survey also suggested there will not be any turnaround soon. That will make disappointing reading for policymakers at the European Central Bank, who recently ended their more than 2.6 trillion euro asset purchase stimulus programme.

IHS Markit's Euro Zone Composite Final Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), considered a good measure of overall economic health, dipped to 51.0 from December's 51.1, its lowest reading since July 2013.

While that was higher than an earlier flash reading of 50.7, it was barely above the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction.

"It does suggest the euro zone economy has been weakening for a while now and the anticipated rebound in activity is not really happening," said Peter Dixon at Commerzbank.

"On the whole, we are operating in very low gear and it suggests the ECB is not going to be in any position to tighten policy for some time to come."

Retail sales in the euro zone fell as expected in December, dragged down by the steepest decline in shopping in Germany in 11 years, official data showed yesterday. That reinforced the sense of an economy slowing at the close of the year.

Individual PMI surveys showed while German activity accelerated, it looked tenuous. France's composite reading sank to 48.2, its lowest in over four years.

Britain flatlines

Across the channel, another PMI showed Britain's giant services industry is suffering and risks stalling or contracting as Brexit nears and the global economy slows.

Services firms reported job cuts for the first time in six years amid falling orders, according to the survey which suggested Britain's economy is flat-lining after losing momentum late last year.

The PMI for the euro zone's services industry held steady at December's 51.2, which was its lowest reading since November 2014. Growth in factory activity was minimal in January, a sister survey showed on Friday.

IHS Markit said the composite PMI pointed to first-quarter economic growth of just 0.1% across the 19 countries that use the euro, much slower than the 0.4% predicted in a Reuters poll last month.

Worryingly, some of that scant growth came from firms running down backlogs for a second month as demand fell. An overall new business index sank to 49.5 from 50.7, its first sub-50 reading since November 2014.

In further signs of a slowdown, services firms increased headcount at the slowest rate since late 2016. The employment index dropped to 52.3 from 53.6 in December.

"All in all, it is likely this is not a one-off. It's part of a trend that has been in place for some time and it's kind of difficult to see how we turn around from here," said Dixon. – Nampa/Reuters

Negotiating new WTO rules to rein in China futile

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Negotiating new WTO rules to rein in China futile China retains its non-market economic structure and its state-led, mercantilist approach to trade, to the detriment of its trading partners. – US Trade Representative David Lawder - Negotiating new World Trade Organisation rules to try to rein in China's "mercantalist" trade practices would be largely a futile exercise, the Trump administration's trade office said on Monday, vowing to pursue its unilateral approach to protect US workers, farmers and businesses.

In an annual report to Congress on China's WTO compliance, the US Trade Representative's office said it would be "unrealistic to expect success in any negotiation of new WTO rules that would restrict China's current approach to the economy and trade in a meaningful way".

The report shed little light on any progress made in bilateral talks between the United States and China. The discussions are swiftly approaching a March 2 deadline when the United States has said it will ratchet up tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods, lifting them to 25% from 10%.

Some US allies, including Japan, Canada and the European Union, have begun discussions on the first potential changes and modernisation of WTO rules since the organisation's founding in 1995.

But any WTO rule changes must be agreed on by all of the trade body's 164 member countries, and past efforts have stalled. USTR said it was "highly unlikely" that China would agree to new disciplines targeting changes to its trade practices and economic system.

Chinese officials met with US counterparts in Washington last week for two days of discussions to address US concerns over China's trade and business practices. Those include key structural issues on forced technology transfer, industrial subsidies, market access and intellectual property rights.

The talks showed signs of progress, with US president Donald Trump saying he would meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping. The two countries have been engaged in a tit-for-tat tariff battle since the middle of 2018, when Washington slapped duties on Chinese goods. Those were met with retaliation from Beijing. The escalating dispute has cost both countries billions of dollars and roiled global financial markets.

The two presidents agreed to a 90-day ceasefire when they met in Buenos Aires in late November. It is less than a month away from that deadline.

‘Holding China accountable’

USTR said the United States intends to "hold China accountable" for adhering to existing WTO rules and "any unfair and market-distorting trade practices that hurt US workers, businesses, farmers or ranchers".

"Until China transforms its approach to the economy and trade, the United States will take all appropriate actions to ensure that the costs of China’s non-market economic system are borne by China, not by the United States," USTR said.

The agency reiterated in its report the broad array of concerns it had over key structural issues in China. Those include China's 2025 plan to boost key domestic sectors and its failure to adhere to the market-oriented principles expected of WTO members, the report said.

"China retains its non-market economic structure and its state-led, mercantilist approach to trade, to the detriment of its trading partners," it said. – Nampa/Reuters

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Zim mines hurt by foreign currency shortages

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Zim mines hurt by foreign currency shortagesNew monetary policy tool The Zimbabwean government is also revamping policies for specific minerals, such as lithium and platinum, in a bid to improve investment. The issue of policy clarity and policy consistency is absolutely top. - Winston Chitando, Mining Minister: Zimbabwe CAPE TOWN - Zimbabwe's mines minister on Monday said the central bank governor would soon introduce a monetary policy tool to alleviate foreign currency shortages that have affected mining companies.

Zimbabwe is hoping its mining sector could help drive a moribund economy buffeted by high inflation and unemployment, as new president Emmerson Mnangagwa looks to woo investors following a soft coup last year which usurped former president Robert Mugabe.

But a shortage of cash has hurt industries, with Zimbabwe's gold miner RioZim last year closing its three mines due to a shortage of dollars, the company said in a letter to the central bank seen by Reuters.

"One of the current challenges which the industry is facing relates to foreign currency retention ... The governor will over the next week or two come up with monetary policy intervention which would address that issue," minister Winston Chitando said in a presentation on the sidelines of a mining conference.

"The issue of foreign currency is being addressed as we want to ensure the mining industry continues to grow," he said.

Chitando did not want to be drawn on what this intervention would be but said the government was also revamping policies for specific minerals, such as lithium and platinum, in a bid to improve investment.

Last month, Russian diamond miner Alrosa and China's Anjin Investments were selected by Zimbabwe's government to partner with the state diamond company, a state-run newspaper reported.

"At the end of the day it is an issue of balancing the needs of investors with the needs of the country... The issue of policy clarity and policy consistency is absolutely top," Chitando said. – Nampa/Reuters

'Starved and assaulted'

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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'Starved and assaulted'Police deny claims by awaiting-trial prisoners Institutional neglect and police brutality have been alleged by the South African mother of an awaiting-trial prisoner. The police have denied allegations by awaiting-trial prisoners that they are being starved and assaulted in holding cells at the Windhoek police station.

A South African mother, whose 19-year-old son, Wesley Welgemoed, has been in custody at the police station for the last six months, wrote a desperate letter to NamRights in the middle of January in which she pleaded for intervention following these allegations.

Welgemoed was arrested by the drug-enforcement unit with three others on 19 July 2018, when drugs with a street value of N$200 000 were allegedly found in a house in Kleine Kuppe.

The three co-accused are Lee Jenkins (19), who is a British citizen residing in South Africa, Namibian national Buruxa Buru Butkus (30) and his German fiancé, Verena Salzmann (30).

Salzmann was granted bail of N$30 000, while Butkus was denied bail on the grounds that he might reoffend. The two South Africans remain in custody as they are feared to be a flight risk.

Mother's plea

Welgemoed's mother (name withheld), who is from Port Elizabeth, on 11 January claimed there had been “no food” for the inmates for a number of days. That was allegedly also the situation during November and December.

“It is totally unacceptable to have somebody detained and not feed them; it is inhumane!” the mother wrote. In other correspondence the mother wrote: “They're not even receiving bread, nothing.”

The mother's friend in Windhoek said they had to take food to the prisoners daily.

The friend, who prefers anonymity, claimed the awaiting-trial prisoners often only get porridge or a watered-down soup (when available), and sugar water.

At one point a police officer would throw the food brought in by the friend on the floor and demand the prisoners pick it from there; oftentimes, the food gets taken by other inmates, she claimed.

This source said during winter the prisoners did not have warm water or cleaning utensils or detergents to fight off cockroaches, and no toiletries.





What there seems to be plenty of, the family friend said, is marijuana.





“Drugs seem to be everywhere; the dagga fumes hang thick in the air when you go to the holding cells,” the source said.

The mother expressed worry that the situation in the cells was getting “too much” for her young son, who has been in prison for so long with “no structure, no programme, no councillors and no exercise”.

The family friend also said Welgemoed had complained about muscle cramps from inactivity, while Jenkins has thrice suffered from lung infections.

Jenkins has allegedly also been badly assaulted by fellow cellmates - who often include hardened criminals - and was not taken to hospital, while he had slipped “in and out of consciousness” after one of the assaults.

He is confirmed to be “better” now.

“We had to fight to get Lee to a hospital. Because he is white, one of the wardens remarked that 'Boers' do not die,” the source said.

This warden has reportedly been transferred from the holding cells to the charge office.

The source further claimed that the accused were assaulted when they were arrested in July.

She said while the two South Africans were doing forced push-ups, they were kicked between the legs. Guns were allegedly held against their heads.

It is alleged that Butkus was badly assaulted, presumably because he had tried to run away, and had to spend ten days in hospital.



Police denials

The Khomas regional crime investigations coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Abner Agas, on enquiry from NamRights said he had launched an investigation into the allegation that there is no food.

“Food is available for all inmates in the Khomas Region, including in the Windhoek police holding cells. Food was there in the past and it is still there for every inmate in our custody,” Agas concluded after his investigation.

A police spokesperson, Chief Inspector Kauna Shikwambi, concurred with Agas, saying there was no truth to the inmates' complaints.

“The police are doing everything possible to ensure that all awaiting-trial prisoners nationwide are fed as prescribed and in cases where there is a delay of delivery from, for example, suppliers, arrangements are made to ensure that the prisoners are fed,” Shikwambi said.

She said prisoners were fed in accordance with prescribed international feeding requirements.

This, she said, includes a variety of fruit, vegetables, dry rations, beef, chicken, pork and fish, “just to mention a few”.

Shikwambi said it is unfortunate that some inmates do not like the menu at the holding cells, but added that family members are allowed to take them food.

On the allegations of assault, Shikwambi said she was “reliably” informed that there was no report of assault by fellow inmates reported or registered. Inmates can report any charges of assault to the officers in charge, she said.



Not guilty plea

The four have pleaded not guilty to the drug charges, maintaining that no drugs were found on them at the time of their arrest in July last year.

According to court documents, the drugs found in the Kleine Kuppe home were only bagged and sealed by the police on 26 July. It is also alleged that the police had no search warrants and had not sought permission to enter the house or conduct a search on the night of the arrests.

The case against the four was postponed until 28 February, pending further investigation.

CATHERINE SASMAN

Swapo issues ultimatum

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Swapo issues ultimatum It appears that Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa did not consult with the party's regional coordinators before issuing directives relating to the election and swearing-in of local authority office-bearers.

This comes after Shaningwa's office yet again sent out directives to Swapo Otjozondjupa regional coordinator Susan Hikopua and the party's Kavango East regional coordinator, Otillie Shinduvi, regarding the election and swearing-in of office-bearers at Okahandja and Rundu.

The local authorities of both towns have been in limbo since last year, as infighting escalates over Shaningwa's previous directives.

Shaningwa instructed in November last year that changes should be made to the Okahandja office-bearers, while Rundu's structure should remain the same.

The Swapo councillors have so far defied her.

According to Shaningwa's latest letters, dated 4 February, she indicated to Hikopua and Shinduvi that both matters were discussed during last Wednesday's Swapo politburo meeting, where it was decided her earlier directives should be adhered to.

She said these directives should be implemented by tomorrow.

“The swearing-in for the local authority councillors should take place not later than Thursday, 7 February 2019, as earlier directed by the office of the secretary-general,” Shaningwa wrote.

When contacted for comment, Hikopua and Shinduvi said the letters were passed on to the respective district executive committees.

“Yes, I received the letter and if you read it carefully it states that it is going through the office of the regional coordinator to the district executive. I did that and now it's up to the district executive to facilitate the process,” Shinduvi said.





Hikopua shared Shinduvi's sentiments.

She said it was her third term as a regional coordinator and receiving directives has always been commonplace, but after extensive consultation with the SG's office.

She therefore questioned how her office could now enforce decisions, if there was no prior consultation.

“The funny part of this is that the regional coordinator is not aware of what happened; how can I step in to enforce this, so that it works?”

Hikopua also questioned Shaningwa's directive pertaining to Okahandja, which will see mayor Johannes 'Congo' Hindjou being demoted to an ordinary council member.

She argued that if Hindjou is demoted to an ordinary member, this means one of the two opposition members will have to be sworn in as an additional member of the management committee.

Namibian Sun has been informed that Shaningwa allegedly was involved in a heated debate during last week's politburo meeting over the fact that her deputy SG Marco Hausiku's wife Toini is amongst the councillors defying her directive in Rundu.

Shaningwa also allegedly raised her concerns over Shinduvi's sister, Anastasia Shinduvi-Foya, defying her directive.



Shinduvi-Foya is the current chairperson of the Rundu town council's management committee.

A source said President Hage Geingob, who was present, advised that the office of the SG should visit both regions before taking a decision.

Attempts to get comment from Shaningwa proved futile.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Geingob blasts 'drunk' ministers, media

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Geingob blasts 'drunk' ministers, media President Hage Geingob yesterday unleashed his latest criticism of the local media, accusing journalists of having an agenda against his administration.

The head of state also made startling allegations against senior officials in government, whom he said were seen at “wrong places”, and at times under the influence of alcohol.





Speaking at the first decision-making cabinet meeting of the year at State House yesterday, Geingob appeared irked by critical media reports following his declaration of informal settlements as a humanitarian crisis.

Geingob also dismissed criticism against him by responding to an SMS in a local newspaper which questioned the timing of his informal settlement concerns.

“Don't lecture me about ghettos. I was born in a ghetto. I have family there. I go visit them, my security officials can tell you,” he said.

According to him the government's good intention to be transparent and open to the media is being trampled upon.

“My office is available and some ministers are available and they are interviewed, even for one hour. But when the interview is broadcast, it is one minute – distorted and voice overrun and sometimes your message is not coming out. 'How am I going to get you?' I hear some people say. People come with preconceived notions; (they have already decided what they will put in the paper. They do not even listen to what you say.

“So we are losing confidence in one another. We cannot blame this government that it is not open to the press, definitely not, but what are we getting in return?” Geingob asked.

“In your editorial you have the right to tear me to pieces, but not in news pieces.”

Geingob has come under fire after he declared the mushrooming of shacks in the country a humanitarian crisis, with some saying he is not genuine and serious about addressing the issue, but is instead using it as an election ploy.



'Drunken ministers'

Geingob also lashed out at his cabinet and other government officials for misusing state resources, including travelling abroad with official vehicles. He added that some senior officials were even appearing “drunk” in public.

“Even a minister is drunk in public, which some of you are doing. Drunk in public! Appearing drunk; why don't you run away and hide? Foul language in public, (and) people have to respect you? Sleeping in the bar, going to wrong places. Parking a government car at a nightclub. Taking the government car to cross the border? To go and show off or what?”

He added it is in fact so that government cars are assigned to ministers, and that they pay monthly car allowances and can use the vehicles for their private use, but they must be careful.

“So the fact that you can use your car as you want does not mean you can go and shop with a sedan to load cement bags and so on,” he said.

In 2018, National Council chairperson Margaret Mensah-Williams used her official vehicle for a private trip to Cape Town. At the time the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) defended Mensah-Williams for using a government vehicle abroad.

In the same year, health deputy minister Juliet Kavetuna said there was nothing wrong with transporting bags of cement in her official Mercedes-Benz sedan.

Another thorn in Geingob's flesh was the fact that some ministers avoid local and international investors. “They are sometimes evasive, leaving many entrepreneurs stranded and unable to effectively pursue their business ideas. Sometimes it is best not to make a commitment, but once you have done so, you need to be accountable for fulfilling your end of the bargain,” he said.

Geingob also rapped ministers over the knuckles for not being accessible to the media and reminded them that their behaviour and actions have an impact on how government is perceived at home and abroad.

“Equally, I hear quite often that the press don't get information from ministers. If this is the case, let us change the culture and be more accountable and transparent, when it comes to the provision of information.”

JEMIMA BEUKES

‘Respect the land that provides the riches’

February 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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‘Respect the land that provides the riches’ We should not have to give unusual tax and royalties incentives. - Nana Akufo-Addo, President: Ghana Joe Bavier - Ghana's president Nana Akufo-Addo demanded mining deals be more beneficial for Africa yesterday, calling on governments to end fiscal incentives traditionally used to attract investment to countries long viewed as rife with risk.

Resource nationalism is high on the agenda at the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town as resource-holding governments, aware of the need for international miners to find new exploration territory, increase tax and royalty demands.

Akufo-Addo, leader of Africa's second-largest gold producer, said that the continent's reputation of political instability was outdated and improvements in the rule of law should be reflected in countries' relationships with mining companies.

"I believe we have come of age. We should not have to give unusual tax and royalties incentives. And mining companies should not expect to make extraordinary profits on our continent," he told the conference.

Over the past decade, a number of African governments have reviewed mining contracts, seeking to recalibrate partnerships and increase their share of mining revenues.

African countries

Last year, Democratic Republic of Congo - the world's biggest producer of cobalt - rewrote its mining code, ignoring the objections of miners. It cancelled existing stability clauses in contracts and raised royalty rates across the board.

Neighbouring Tanzania, once one of Africa's most attractive jurisdictions for international investors, has also cracked down on the industry, hitting gold miner Acacia with a US$190 billion tax bill.

The company has disputed the claim and its parent company Barrick Gold Corp is in talks with the government.

But other African nations, including Angola and Ethiopia, are still seeking to use tax breaks to entice investment to their nascent mining sectors.

Akufo-Addo said Africa needed mining investment, but companies needed to understand their role in developing economies.

"We want you to stay here for the long-term. Respect the land that provides the riches and be part of the transformation," he said. "It's time to make Africa prosperous and allow her people to attain a dignified standard of living."

Adding value

He also called on his fellow African states to establish value-added industries on the back of their mineral wealth.

Long a major gold producer, Ghana is now seeking to develop its iron ore and bauxite deposits.

Under a deal approved by Ghanaian lawmakers last year, China's Sinohydro Corp Ltd will provide US$2 billion for government road projects in exchange for refined bauxite exports.

The government has created a state-owned company to help establish an integrated aluminium industry. Akufo-Addo said creation of a similar company to promote an iron and steel industry would be considered in the current parliamentary session.

"We cannot, and should not, continue to be merely exporters of raw materials to other countries," he said. – Nampa/Reuters