Timber looting continues

March 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Timber looting continues'Criminal charges to follow' The standoff between the ministries of agriculture and environment over exports of rare and valuable wood continues. Environment minister Pohamba Shifeta yesterday condemned forestry officials who continue to dish out timber harvesting licences without the required environmental clearance certificates, warning that they were promoting criminal activities.

Shifeta said this had caused “serious conflict” between the environmental commissioner's office and the directorate of forestry in the agriculture ministry.

He said forestry officials should know that logging permits may only be issued after the environmental commissioner's office had received an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and issued a clearance certificate.

“They continue issuing licences without us [environment ministry] knowing,” Shifeta criticised.

Shifeta said without an ECC, the harvesting of timber was illegal, especially on a commercial basis.

He said forestry officials who flouted the law and issued permits in the absence of an ECC were clearly furthering or assisting the commission of a crime.

He said forestry officials were also promoting the misconception that an EIA or ECC was not required.

“They are making our job very difficult, my job and that of the environmental commissioner. That is why I said I would not allow any further cutting of trees.”

Shifeta said the ministry stood by its decision to not issue any clearance certificates until the matter was resolved. Shifeta further warned that ignorance of the law was not an excuse and that everyone involved in the timber trade was responsible for understanding the requirements.





Criminal charges







The minister said the environmental commissioner's office was under instruction to formulate criminal charges against anyone found cutting timber or working with timber already cut.



He said the ministry was working with the Namibian police and the attorney-general's office in this regard.



The minister said some government officials and “powerful people who behaved as if these resources belonged to them” were colluding in the illegal looting of Namibia's natural resources.



He said a number of laws were violated when trees were cut without the necessary paperwork in place, including the Forestry Act, the Environmental Management Act and the Traditional Authorities Act.



“I don't know when we will realise the community is suffering because others are looting these resources.”



The Environmental Management Act, particularly Sections 53 and 27, regulates the activities related to the removal of trees, and holds anyone, be it a government body or official, or a public person, liable for criminal charges if found acting in contravention of the Act.







Forestry mum



Shifeta said his ministry was concerned about the deafening silence of the agriculture ministry in response to the looting of the country's natural resources and the increasing public outcry against this illicit plundering.



He said it was time the ministry's executive director, Percy Misika, provided answers to the public and addressed the behaviour of his officials.



“We are very concerned. Why are they so quiet? The executive director must take action; and if he doesn't, it's a very bad thing. There is serious misconduct by his officials.”



He further said any agriculture officials involved in illegally issuing permits must “explain why they messed up”.



The agriculture ministry has not responded to questions as to why illegally harvested timber was still being transported and exported. The questions were sent two weeks ago.



The spokesperson for the agriculture ministry, Margaret Kalo, said the questions had been forwarded to Misika but he still had “to consider them”.



NMH's reporter at Rundu, Kenya Kambowe, said information on the ground suggested that some of the timber being transported to Walvis Bay originated from Angola.



Kambowe said South African-registered trucks apparently had been stopped on the Angolan side of the Katwitwi border control point because they did not have the requisite papers to enter Namibia. This has not yet been confirmed.



The agriculture ministry announced on 6 February that timber exports could resume, despite the fact that the issuing of logging licences had been suspended on 26 November last year.



The reason why the resumption of exports was allowed remains unclear.



The agriculture ministry stated that the environment ministry had “authorised” it to lift the moratorium on the transportation of timber that had been cut before the November deadline.

The transport and export permits were issued in accordance with the Forestry Act of 2001, the agricultural ministry said.

JANA-MARI SMITH & CATHERINE SASMAN

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Net closes in on SME Bank robbers

March 4, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Net closes in on SME Bank robbers Nearly two years after the SME Bank was closed down, its liquidators are finally moving in on the Zimbabweans who jointly stole no less than N$347 million from the bank in a matter of one year.

In their latest High Court application liquidators David Bruni and Ian McLaren have applied for the attachment of Namibian assets left behind by at least five of the fraudsters.

After Judge Collins Parker granted the order yesterday, advocate Raymond Heathcote, acting on behalf of the liquidators, asked that a lawyer serve the notice on the Zimbabweans because they are “powerful and corrupt”.

They have until 26 April to show cause why their assets should not be attached.

The fraudsters are said to have fled Namibia when it became clear that the Bank of Namibia (BoN) was poised to take over the SME Bank's affairs in March 2017.

They are: former non-executive board director Enock Kamushinda, former CEO Tawanda Mumvuma, former finance manager Joseph Banda, former administrative assistant in the finance department Chiedza Goromanzi, and Lyndon Gaidzanwa.

Heathcote said although the grand theft at the bank might not be the material of a bestselling book, it was certainly a “step-by-step guide” how to steal from a bank.



Kamushinda

Kamushinda is said to have been the mastermind behind the brazen misappropriation of the SME Bank money and is accused of having “actively participated in the dissipation of the funds”.





Two of Kamushinda's companies, Crown Finance Corporation and Heritage Investment Holdings, are alleged to have been “clearly recipients” of the money stolen from the SME Bank and are liable to repay that money to the liquidators.

Kamushinda, while having done everything in his power to stop the liquidators tracing the missing millions, is accused of having acted fraudulently when he received the money.

Crown Finance and Heritage are said to have been used by Kamushinda as vehicles to perpetrate the fraud and theft.

Liquidator Bruni said he intended to institute proceedings against Kamushinda to declare him personally liable for all the liabilities of the SME Bank, as well as his companies Crown Finance and Heritage Investments.

Proceedings will be instituted against Kamushinda for the recovery of the total amount missing from the SME Bank, as well as all outstanding liabilities.

Kamushinda's assets in Namibia include a company called Monsoon Investments CC, of which he is the sole owner.

He is also the owner of an 80% stake in Mid-Way Properties CC, as well as 80% of Azores Business Consultants CC. His wife, Caroline, holds the remaining 20% in Azores.

Kamushinda also has eight ordinary shares in Greytal Investment, eight ordinary shares in Axtro Investments, and is the sole owner of the Windhoek Golf Estate Number Thirty Seven CC.

Capital Finance and Heritage Investments, the liquidators pointed out, no longer own active bank accounts in Namibia. Kamushinda's co-accused have all closed any bank accounts they had in Namibia and the liquidators fear they will dispose of their assets as soon as they are aware of this court application.



MUMVUMA

It is alleged that when Mumvuma left Namibia, he left the keys of one of his desk drawers at the SME Bank office.

The drawer contained personal belongings which included three books, entitled 'Every Day a Friday', 'Fasting – Opening the Door to a Deeper More Intimate, More Powerful Relationship with God', and 'Money Laundering Affects Us All'.

Mumvuma also left in his drawer R4 000 in cash, of which R1 800 mysteriously disappeared. A case of theft would be opened in respect of the R1 800, the liquidators indicated.



BANDA

The young Banda is the owner of Unit 16 in a housing complex known as Guinas Court in Windhoek.



GOROMONZI

Goromonzi, who was an administrative assistant in the SME Bank finance department but also acted as personal assistant to Kamushinda, left four pairs of shoes and a leather-bound diary at her workstation.







GAIDZANWA



Lawyer Gaidzanwa, who is said to be “entrenched” in Kamushinda's businesses and the alleged recipient of stolen SME Bank money, is the sole shareholder and director of FBL Transport.



He is also the sole owner of Flem Corporation Investments CC.







MORE PERPETRATORS INVESTIGATED



The liquidators said they were in the process of issuing summonses against other accomplices in South Africa.



“At this stage, given the amount involved, ... there is no possibility of an over-recovery from wrongdoers. However, it is our intention to over-recover, and this issue will be dealt with in due course,” the liquidators said.







FEAR OF 'BREAK-IN'



The said liquidators in their urgent court application that they did not rule out a “break-in” at the SME Bank to remove movable assets.



“The stakes are high. Burglaries have occurred already in South Africa,” they said.



The liquidators said should Kamushinda and the others involved in the “grand fraud and theft” be allowed to dispose of their assets here, the liquidators would have to follow them wherever they might find themselves and institute fresh action against them.



Such action would, however, place a further burden on the SME Bank.

CATHERINE SASMAN

FNB boost for sport expo

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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FNB boost for sport expo FNB Namibia, with a donation of N$150 000, has become the latest company to join in the sponsoring of country's first-ever sport expo.

The main purpose of the envisaged sport expo is to unite men and women in the sporting sector.

The sports ministry, in conjunction with the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), will hold the expo in September.

It will see different people from all over the country exhibiting their products. The aim of hosting an annual sport expo is to bring together all stakeholders, including government, sponsors, athletes, businesses and fans. FNB Namibia chief marketing officer, Tracy Eagles, said they decided to contribute towards the expo because the bank is aware of the value it will add towards professionalising sport and poverty eradication.

The FNB sponsorship adds to the N$50 000 Ali Dharani of the Rani Group contributed last month.

In November 2018, sports minister Erastus Uutoni also donated

N$2 000 from his own wallet to kickstart the pledges.

Uutoni lauded FNB Namibia for coming on board to support the expo. “When we started, I was worried about the entire plan and how it will work. We are now, however, making progress and it is all thanks to the companies that came on board and the individuals supporting this plan.

“I would like to thank FNB Namibia for also coming on board,” Uutoni said. He urged sport fans and youth entrepreneurs to take stands at the expo. Preparatory committee leader, NSC chief administrator Freddy Mwiya, said he was pleased with the progress the committee has made.

“The team has managed to hold strategic meetings and I can say there has been progress in the planning of the expo.

“I can actually confirm that we have already raised close to N$350 000 for the sport expo,” Mwiya said. The preparatory committee members are currently planning a gala dinner in order to raise more funds. The preparatory committee members are Mwiya, Eagles, Reginald Hinda, Annalisa Jeremia, John Kangowa, Gaby Diana Ahrens, Walter Don, Tangeni Kambangula, Hamuntumwa Ndwulipulwa, Jessica Jacobs, Goldon Pokolo, Lettu Hamholo, Llegellyn Koopman, Nico Mwiya and Armas Shivute. The co-opted members are Sackie Shikufa, Manuel Samuel Carballo and Asser Haradoeb.



Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Epic battle tonight

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Epic battle tonightCitizens, Civics fired up for clash It will be a battle between one of the premier league's oldest clubs against their in-form rivals at the Sam Nujoma Stadium tonight. An MTC Namibia Premier League (NPL) clash tonight will see an in-form Citizens team having the chance to claim second on the log, when they confront Civics at the Sam Nujoma Stadium at 20:00.

At the beginning of the season, no one would have given Civics a chance of being among the top four, but the Katutura-based side have proved their critics wrong so far.

Citizens will go into the match oozing with confidence following their 3-2 victory over Julinho Sporting on Saturday.

The club currently sits in fourth place - just two points behind second-placed African Stars and nine behind log leaders Black Africa - after 13 matches.

Citizens will leapfrog Life Fighters and African Stars and claim second place if they win tonight's match.

Citizens' coach George Ochurub said his team will go in the match seeking maximum points.

“We are mentally and physically ready to take all three points against Civics. I have been impressed with the way the team has been playing lately and I can say that the confidence in the camp is very high.

“We will, however, not take our opponents lightly, given that they can pose a threat to our aspirations,” Ochurub said.

Civics have plans of their own to get further away from the relegation zone, given that they are currently 13th on the log with 11 points.

The Civilians hope they can repeat an impressive display that saw them earn a precious point against Mighty Gunners last weekend.

A win for Civics will give them more relief, given that it will move them two places up on the log.

Victories for the Khomasdal-based have been hard to come by.

They have only won two of their 13 matches so far this season.

The club has dropped two points on five occasions this season, while losing six matches.

The Civilians have found the back of the net 14 times, while conceding 21 goals, leaving them with a goal difference of minus seven. Civics coach Brian Isaacs acknowledged the threat his players will be up against tonight.

“Citizens are a very dangerous team and they have already beaten African Stars and Orlando Pirates.

“That is why it will be a difficult match for us, but we are going to try our best to win because we do need the points.

“The team faces a few injuries but that will serve as motivation for the players to play their hearts out, in order to get the three points.

“There has not been a lot of improvement in terms of results for us, but the team is now playing much better football,” Isaacs added.

Their opponents tonight have scored six more goals than Civics so far this season.

Citizens have won six matches and have only lost twice. Five of their 13 matches have ended in draws.

The only worrying factor for Citizens heading into the match could be the fact that they have conceded 15 goals since the start of their 2018/19 campaign.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Isuzu continues to improve best-selling truck range

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Isuzu continues to improve best-selling truck range‘One size doesn’t fit all' The modern, high-tech, Isuzu N & F-Series cab design has been improved even further in line with the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen. Isuzu Motors South Africa holds the position of the country’s best-selling truck brand in the medium commercial and heavy commercial Vehicle segment for the past six years.

Isuzu offers the widest range of truck models in this market segment and is the leading brand for chassis/cab applications for application of a cargo body suited to the payload and task.

The N-Series range is classed as, and sells into the medium truck market, where a gross vehicle mass (GVM) applies of 3.5-ton up to 8.5-ton GVM. The range offers a comprehensive medium truck range of 28 models ranging from 4 200kg all the way up to 8 500kg GVM. This in turn equates to payloads from around 1.5 ton up to around 4.5-ton dependent on cargo body mass.

The Isuzu F-Series expands on a GVM range for the heavy and extra-heavy vehicle market – 8.5 to 16.5-ton GVM plus the over 16.5-ton GVM segments. There is a very comprehensive range of 36 Isuzu F-Series models.

Trucks are selected for transport tasks according to a matching gross vehicle mass (GVM) – specifically, one size does not fit all. As GVM includes payload and body mass, it is the critical factor in truck selection and finally vehicle price.

Isuzu N & F-Series forward-control models dominate the truck market.

Cab design

The cab design that has achieved this success is a forward-control cab and which utilises common components, such as doors, between Isuzu N & F-Series models. Isuzu forward-control cabs incorporate many advantages that both drivers and fleet owners appreciate:

· Optimum body size for a variety of short and long wheelbase applications;

· Maximum use of axle capacities for ideal payload mass distribution;

· Manoeuvrability in heavy traffic and distribution;

· Ideal driver position for road conditions, traffic and loading bays;

· A full tilt-cab allowing for maximum service accessibility and minimum downtime; and

· Easy exit and entrance for driver and crew on many load-stop-and-drop situations.

Kaizen philosophy

The modern, high-tech, Isuzu N & F-Series cab design has been improved even further in line with the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen – continuous entrenched improvement.

The driver’s seat takes a severe beating in distribution operations – this especially for Isuzu N-Series models such as bakery van fleets with multitudes of stops-and-drops. The N-Series range now comes fitted with a standard heavy-duty driver seat.

The entire N & F-Series range is now equipped with a key-operated central-locking. system. This in turn gives the driver enhanced control over security and passenger safety, including a reduction in the threat of easy access leading to hijacking.

Along with central locking, every Isuzu N & F-Series model is also now equipped with another security feature - power windows.

Top of the range N & F-Series models equipped with Automated Manual Transmissions (AMT) will also be fitted with a 24V radio and speaker system, including a CD player, Bluetooth connectivity and USB port.

RTA regulations

The 13th Amendment to the National Road Traffic Act (RTA) published in Government Gazette 29865 – 4 May 2007 – carried changes to Regulation 247. There’s no restriction on the number of persons that may be carried on the back of a goods vehicle but now it must be empty of tools or goods – apart from personal effects – unless they are separated by a partition.

This is where Isuzu has established a leadership role and being the first in offering standard crew-cab models for both medium and heavy-duty 4 X 2 trucks.

The N-Series offers seven crew cab models – three at 5 200kg GVM, two at 6 200kg GVM (including one 4 X 4 model) and two at 7 500kg GVM

The F-Series offers three crew cab models – all three at 13 500kg GVM which includes one Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) model and one 4 X 4 model

Isuzu crew cabs carry up to seven passengers including the driver and all in individual seat-belted safety. Isuzu has become the municipal standard for transporting people on goods vehicles.

At the start of 2019 Isuzu N & F-Series had sold a cumulative total since initial launch of 3 057 crew cabs, split into 2 601 x N-Series and 456 x F-Series – this represents top-line success for transporting crews in safety and in compliance with the RTA Regulations.

AMT technology

Isuzu AMT has become the industry benchmark for automatic transmissions. As at end of 2018, 14 160 Isuzu AMT models have been sold, split into 9 624 x N-Series and 4 536 x F-Series.

Isuzu N-Series were the first trucks on the South African market to introduce an Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) in 2008. The AMT was designated as ‘Smoother AMT’ at launch into the medium and heavy truck market. Isuzu F-Series was launched with AMT in April 2010.

A seamless Isuzu AMT gear-shift turns an average driver into a good driver. This allows a driver to focus safely with two-pedal control on ever-changing road conditions in heavy traffic. AMT synchronises with engine technologies to further improve fuel consumption through automatic gear selection.

Eliminating clutch replacement also reduces downtime and total lifetime ownership costs. It also means increased safety for driver and crew. The AMT also incorporates a manual shift which can be used from time to time according to road conditions.

Safety features

Effectively stopping a loaded truck is dependent on integrated braking system controls. Isuzu N & F-Series are equipped with:

· Independently operated dual-circuit braking systems – should one circuit fail the other still operates to stop the vehicle;

· A standard exhaust brake across the range – by shutting off the engine fuel supply and inserting a valve into the exhaust system, extra retardation is developed in the driveline without touching the footbrakes for maximum braking efficiency;

· ABS – Anti-lock Braking Systems prevent wheel lock-up under emergency braking conditions. ABS is also now standard across all N & F-Series 4 X 4 models; and

· Isuzu trucks are tested to M3 brake standards as a norm.

Every Isuzu cab is designed with floor stiffener sections to reduce deformation in the event of frontal collision.

The cab tilt mechanism incorporates three lock-down systems against accidental tilt

Isofix mounted seatbelts are standard across all Isuzu trucks.

A strong ladder-frame chassis allows for mounting a great variety of customised cargo bodies that suit every wheelbase resulting in optimum axle mass distribution to enhance safety.

4 X 4

Isuzu N & F-Series success in 4 X 4 trucks is reflected in the cumulative total sales since introduction of 1 133 all-wheel-drive units, split into 778 x N-Series and 355 x F-Series respectively.

Exceptional off-road traction capability on N & F-Series comes from an additional low-range gear-set in the drive train including a limited-slip differential in the rear axle – this operates automatically should one of the rear drive wheels begin to slip without driver intervention.

Focus on the specialised needs of waste collection and refuse management has resulted in 26 000kg GVM refuse compactors for the F-Series, with both manual and automatic transmissions.

An Allison automatic transmission model is ideal for difficult stop-start operations while a lockable third differential on both models provides extra traction in severe underfoot conditions at waste sites.

Fuel efficiency

The entire Isuzu N & F-Series ranges are equipped with common rail, turbo-intercooled, in-line diesel engines that are compliant with SA’s current Euro 2 exhaust emission regulations. This means no power loss at any altitude on Isuzu engines – whether operating in the Lesotho highlands at 3 000 metres or at the coast, Isuzu diesel power delivers maximum torque (Nm) and kilowatts (kW) for the task.

A hallmark of Isuzu powertrain design is fuel economy. Maximum torque at low rpm allows drivers to minimise gear changes and reduce fuel usage. All Isuzu drive axles employ a low-friction hypoid design to return optimum fuel consumption.

Powertrain capacity does not end at GVM – the entire Isuzu N & F-Series are designed to offer a useful trailer capacity in terms of Gross Combination Mass (GCM). A useful GCM is the outcome of an efficiently engineered powertrain which in the case of the F-Series tops out at 36 000kg.

Parts and service

All Isuzu Trucks comes standard with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and many N & F-Series models cover as much as 200 000km in the warranty period with only 10 service days off the road. Isuzu Trucks enjoy a big existing brand population that makes all 37 Isuzu truck dealers viable in terms of parts and service. The current success and volumes of N & F-Series is enhancing parts and service success, an essential component of sustainability in the truck market. - Quickpic

Uprising Stars win anniversary tourney

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Uprising Stars win anniversary tourney Uprising Stars were crowned the winners of their 21st anniversary football tournament held in Groot Aub, after defeating Stones Football Club 4-3 on penalties in the final on Sunday evening.

The tournament, which attracted 14 teams from as far as Stampriet and Witvlei, started on Saturday.

En route to the final, Uprising Stars won their first game 2-0 against Witvlei United before beating Mighty Pirates also from Groot Aub 3-2 in their quarterfinal clash and Namibian Eleven from Stampriet 1-0 in their semi-final. Stones won 4-2 on penalties against Destiny before wins against Morning Stars and Shorty Graffs booked them a place in the final.

The two fierce rivals tested each other, with both teams squandering scoring chances.

The halftime score was 0-0.

Not much changed in the second half as fatigue got the better of both teams and most of the tussles were in the middle of the park.

The final score after the referee's whistle was 0-0 and the match had to be decided on penalties, with Uprising Stars holding their nerve to convert four out of five penalties, while Stones could only muster three spot-kicks out of five.

As winners, Uprising Stars received N$20 000, 20 gold medals and a trophy, while Stones walked away with N$10 000 and 20 silver medals.

Namibia Eleven and Shorty Graffs each received N$3 750.

Organiser Morne Beukes thanked all the teams that were part of the anniversary event.

“A great thank you to all the teams that were part of our anniversary. Without you we would not have held a successful tournament,” Beukes said.

He urged the business community to get involved in rural sports and plough back into the community as part of their social responsibility.

NAMPA

Top performers rewarded

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Top performers rewardedMuesee shines at Khomas Netball Region awards Charlyn Muesee was crowned as the Khomas Netball Region's top player for the 2018 at an awards ceremony held in Windhoek on Saturday. Cherlyn Muesee of Unam Jaguars is the Khomas Netball Region's player of the year for 2018.

Wanderers is the team of the year, while the most improved team was Gomanante Fella.

The most disciplined team for 2018 was Black Africa and the club with the best overall sportsmanship was Nust. Umpire of the year went to Lembi Kutondokwa, with Dimitri Bittler of Afro Cats being awarded the prize for exco member of the year. The premier league coach of the year prize went to Ruwanda Janse van Vuuren of Wanderers, with Morne Pienaar of Tigers being named best coach for the first division, while Bittler took the honours for the second division.

Afro Cats took home the golden hoop (most goals) prize for scoring a total of 611 goals last season in the premier league, while Unam conceded the least number of goals (404), thereby winning the golden glove. In the first division, Tigers were in rampant form, scoring 779 goals, with Unam once again displaying their stinginess by conceding only 458 goals.

In the second division, Wanderers scored the highest number of goals (397), with Afro Cats conceding the least (195) throughout the season.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Wency Ndjitaviua, the technical director at Netball Namibia, applauded the region for leading by example in developing the game.

“I would like to continue encouraging the management of the Khomas Region to continue developing the game. Continue looking for opportunities that will foster greatness in all spectrums of this great game, such as umpiring, coaching as well as technical staff training,” she said.

The medals and trophies were sponsored by First National Bank.

NAMPA

Company news in brief

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Company news in brief SA's Bidvest confirms Madisa as CEO-in-waiting

South African conglomerate Bidvest confirmed on Monday that executive director Mpumi Madisa will succeed Lindsay Ralphs as chief executive from 2021, as it reported rising earnings in the last six months of 2018.

Bidvest, whose business still spans freight, automotive, aviation services and office and print, reported a 9.6% rise in headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the six months ended December to 629.1 cents from 574 cents a year earlier.

Normalised HEPS, which exclude acquisition costs and amortisation of acquired customer contracts, were 635.7 cents, while the group's trading profit increased 6.3% to R3.3 billion.

The results were bolstered by services, freight and office and print divisions, despite a sluggish economy and political uncertainty, the group said, ahead of elections in May.

Bidvest, which also operates in financial services and automotive retailing, declared an interim dividend of 282 cents per share, up 10.6%. – Nampa/Reuters

SA appoints experts to lead Eskom reform

South Africa has appointed 11 industry experts to investigate failures at power company Eskom's ageing coal-fired stations and other breakdowns that have caused the worst electricity shortages in a decade, the government said on Monday.

Problems at Eskom include a R420 billion debt pile, massive corruption scandals, and the latest round of national electricity power outages have rattled investors' confidence in president Cyril Ramaphosa's vow to revive economic growth.

Ramaphosa has promised to split Eskom into three entities to make it more efficient but faces intense opposition from labour unions, and last month's announcement of a R69 billion bailout for the firm has received lukewarm reaction from ratings firms.

On Friday, S&P Global Ratings upped Eskom's outlook to stable from negative but warned the government bailout was not enough to cover the firm's funding requirements, again exposing the threat Eskom poses to the sovereign rating which is one step from junk.

"The technical review team includes academic, engineering and power systems professionals and is required to conduct a rapid but intensive review of the operations, maintenance and the technical environment at Eskom power stations within four weeks of commencing their work," minister of public enterprises Pravin Gordhan said in a statement. – Nampa/Reuters

Newmont rejects Barrick's buyout offer

Newmont Mining Corp rejected rival Barrick Gold Corp's US$18 billion buyout offer on Monday, but proposed a joint venture in Nevada instead, a deal worth billions that would create a major operator in the largest US gold-producing region.

Both the buyout rejection and the JV proposal were expected.

In a statement later on Monday, Barrick CEO Mark Bristow said the JV proposal was "stale and convoluted" and that both companies' Nevada assets would be better run by a single company.

The proposed Barrick deal would combine two of the biggest gold producers in the world at a time when both companies are trying to bolster shrinking gold reserves to boost growth as well as take advantage of rising prices.

Newmont said its Canadian rival's all-stock offer was not in the best interest of its shareholders as it was offered at a discount. – Nampa/Reuters

Morocco's OCP plans African chemical plants

Morocco's OCP Group, expects to reach a deal this year to build a Nigerian ammonia plant and to start production at a US$3.7 billion chemical plant in Ethiopia by 2023/24, the chief executive of its OCP Africa subsidiary told Reuters.

The world's largest phosphate exporter, which is 95% state-owned, is also considering a factory in Ghana in 2020 as it seeks to bring customised fertilisers closer to key African markets, Karim Lotfi Senhaji told Reuters.

Like many other Moroccan firms, including banks and insurers, OCP has been expanding its investments in Sub-Saharan Africa in recent years, boosting the kingdom's economic clout.

Lotfi Senhaji said the Nigerian plant would cost US$1.5 billion and would have a total capacity of 1 million tonnes of ammonia.

The group plans a blending facility in Rwanda, three in Nigeria, one in Ivory Coast, five in Ethiopia and one in Ghana, with each costing between US$8 million and US$12 million. "These will be launched in 2019 and we expect to have them ready in 2020," he said. – Nampa/Reuters

Spotify adds 1 mln unique listeners in India

Spotify Technology SA, the world's most popular paid music streaming service, said it racked up more than 1 million unique users in India across its free and premium tiers since launching less than a week ago.

Spotify launched in India last Tuesday, stepping into a price-sensitive market crowded by well-funded players such as JioSaavn and Apple Music.

The Swedish company is offering a free version that will run with ads, alongside a premium ad-free variant that will charge users 119 Indian rupees (US$1.68) per month. – Nampa/Reuters

Eli Lilly seeks to quell drug price anger

Drugmaker Eli Lilly announced plans on Monday to sell a half-price version of its popular insulin injection Humalog, as it fends off criticism about rising drug prices in the United States.

Major drugmakers including Lilly, a leading producer of insulin, have come under fire from patients and lawmakers over the rising cost of the life-saving medication used to treat diabetes.

Lilly's rebranded product will be called Insulin Lispro, while Humalog, which makes US$3 billion in annual sales, will remain available for those wishing to access it through existing insurance plans.

The cost of insulin for treating type 1 diabetes in the United States has nearly doubled over a five-year period, leading some patients to put their own health at risk by rationing the medication.

Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi SA, two other major insulin producers, told Reuters they were already taking steps to make insulin more affordable. – Nampa/Reuters

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Nudo a hogolola omupresidende gwotango omukiintu

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Nudo a hogolola omupresidende gwotango omukiintuEhogololo ndyoka oli li onkatu onene ya katukwa koNudo Aanongononi yopolotika oya holola kutya ehogololo lya Utjiua Muinjangue onga omupresidende gwoNudo oli li esindano kaakiintu ayehe yaNamibia, na oya pula oongundu dhopolotika opo dhi kale naakiintu oyendji momalelo gopombada. Utjiua Muinjangue, okwa hogololwa onga omupresidende gwoNational Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) konima sho a dhengemo momahogololo Vetaruhe Kandorozu pethimbo lyokongresa yongundu ndjoka, ya ningiwa mOvenduka mehuliloshiwike lya piti.

Pandjokonona yoshilongo, Muinjangue oye omukiintu gwotango ta hogololwa nokuningwa omupresidende gwongundu yopolitika.

Ndumba Kamwanya okwa popi kutya ehogololo lye oli li esindano kaakiintu na otali lundulula onkalo yopolotika moshilongo.

Kamwanya okwa tsikile kutya ehogololo lyomukiintu ngoka ponkatu yuupresidnde otashi ulike woo uudemokoli sho ta ka kala omukiintu gwotango ta kutha ombinga methigathano lyuuleli woshilongo.

Kombinga yimwe natango okwa popi kutya osha pumba omukiintu mongundu yontumba yopolotika a popiwe kutya okwa kutha ombinga muulingilingi okuyeleka unene naalumentu, ta popi kutya osha pumbiwa moshilongo opo aakiintu ya tulwe poompito dhuuleli wopombanda, onga omukalo gwoku yanda uulingilingi.

Nonando ongaaka Kamwanya okwa popi kutya oshindji natango osha pumbwa okuningwa opo aakiintu yendji ya tulwe poompito dhuuleli mongundu ndjoka.

Fanuel Kaapama okwa popi kutya nonando Nudo ota pandulwa omolwa onkatu ndjoka a katuka noku gandja oshipundi shuuleli wongundu komukiintu, shoka itashi ya pe ondjila yoku sindanapo omahogololo mOmutumba gwoPashigwana nenge guuPresidende ngoka taga ningwa nuumvo moshilongo.

Kaapama okwa popi ngaaka konima sho a pulwa ngele ehogololo lyaMuinjangue, otali ka etitha opo Nudo yi mone omawi ogendji pethimbo lyomahogololo ngoka taga ningwa nuumvo.

“Ope na iinima oyindji hayi talika uuna aahogololi taya tokola kutya otaya hogololwa lye, na ihaku talika unene kutya omuhogololwa gwongundu yontumba omukwashike kookantu. Omahogololo gawo ohaga hwahwamekwa kiinima ngaashi uukwamuhoko, iikumungu yopaukashike kookantu, nondjokonona. Ope na iinima oyindji,” Kaapama a popi.

Pahapu dhomuprofesa Nico Horn, okwa pandula Nudo sho a hogolola Muinjangue onga omupresodende gwe ta popi kutya oshi li onkatu ya simana ya katukwa kongundu ndjoka ya kala nokulundilwa kutya kayi na elandulathano.

Peter Kazongominja okwa hogololwa onga omupevi omupresidende gwoNudo, omanga Joseph Kauandenge a hogololwa onga amushanga-ndjai nomupeha gwe oUaraa Uapingene.



KENYA KAMBOWE

Inaku ningwa epuko lya sha- Elelo lyaVenduka

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Inaku ningwa epuko lya sha- Elelo lyaVenduka Elelo lyoshilando shaVenduka olya popi kutya inaku ningwa epuko, shi na sha niifuta yomeya gaakalimo yomoshilando mbyoka ya etitha omanyenyeto okuza moshigwana sho ya londo pombanda noonkondo, naakalimo otaya pula omayamukulo okuza kelelo lyoshilando.

Meyamukulo lyopaufupi ndyoka a gandja koshifokudnaneki shoNamibian Sun mOmaandaha, omunambelewa omupopiliko gwelelelo lyoshilando shoka, Harold Akwenye , okwa popi kutya iifuta mbyoka tayi nyenyetwa koshigwana oyi li mondjila na kape na epuko lya sha lya ningwa mokuyalula iifuta mbyoka. Okwa popi kutya mbyoka iifuta yowina ya nuninwa onkalo yoshikukuta nompumbwe yomeya ndjoka ya taalela oshilando.

Omukalimo gumwe gwomoshilando okwa popi kutya iifuta ye yomeya yomwedhi nguka oyi li poshimaliwa shooN$117 000, okuyeleka nomwaalu gwooN$7 700 ngoka shito ha futu , neyooloko ndyoka olya thika poshimaliwa shooN$100 000.

Gumwe okwa popi kutya pehala lyoshimaliwa shooN$2 500 shoka ha futu shuto, iifuta ye momwedhi nguka oyi li pooN$11 700.

Omukalimo gumwe okwa nyenyeta kutya iifuta yawo oyi li pomwaalu gwooN$18 000 okuyeleka nomwaalu gwooN$5 000, ngoka haya futu shito.

Akwenye okwa yelitha kutya iifuta mbyoka otayi ulike iifuta ya kwatela mo okutameka muJanuari, shiikwatelela kiifuta yodrought step-tariffs mbyoka ya tulwa miilonga kelelo lyoshilando shaVenduka.

MuAguste gwomvula ya piti, oNamibian Sun oya lopota kutya omolwa ompumbwe yomeya oshilando osha tula miilonga omulandu gwa nuninwa okukwata nawa omeya okuza kaalongithi yomeya moshilando, naakalimo oya tseyithilwa opo ya hupithe omeya noopresenda dha thika po 10. Omulandu ngoka oga utha egandjo lyomageelo paifuta kaakalimo mbyoka taya ka pitililitha elongitho lyawo lyomeya ndyoka yuuthwa ya longithe komwedhi. Akwenye okwa zimine kutya nonando aayakulwa yawo oya tseyithilwa, inaya ya komahala agehe nokutseyithila aayakulwa yawo ayehe. Oshifokundaneki shoRepublikein osha lopota kutya omulandu ngoka gwostep-tariff system ogwa nuninwa okufutitha iifuta yi li pombanda aakalimo mbyoka taya ka longitha oolita dhomeya dhi vulithe pe 1 000 mesiku, na otaya ka futithwa oshimaliwa shooN$141 mo m³ okuyeleka nondando yooN$61 ndjoka hayi futithwa shito.

Onzo ndjoka inayi hala okutumbulwa oya holola kutya oshikondo shemona lyoshilando osha li sha pewa elombwelo opo shi tule miilonga iifuta mbyoka muAguste gwomvula ya piti, ihe omolwa omaupyakadhi gontumba oga indike etulo miilonga lyiifuta mbyoka pethimbo ndyoka. Oongeshefa odho owala dha kala tadhi futithwa kwiikwatelela komilandu ndhoka.

Natango okwa hololwa kutya iifuta mbyoka ya halutha aakwashigwana oshiwike sha piti, oya kwatelamo okutameka omwedhi januari nuumvo. Onzo ndjoka oya holola kutya natango ookastoma dhimwe odha futithwa owala omeya gaDesemba muJanuari, molwaashoka oometa dhelongitho lyomeya inadhi kuthwa ko muDesemba.

JANA-MARI SMITH / ELVIRA HATTINGH

China's defence budget rise to outpace economic growth target

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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China's defence budget rise to outpace economic growth targetNearly US$178 bn China’s defence spending ranks as the world's second largest, lagging behind the United States. We are not afraid of a fight and we will not challenge [China], but we are ready to fight at all times. - Su Tseng-chang, Premier: Taiwan Michael Martina and Ben Blanchard - China's 2019 defence spending will rise 7.5% from 2018, according to a budget report issued at the opening of the country's annual meeting of parliament yesterday, a slower rate than last year but still outpacing the economic growth target.

The defence spending figure, set at 1.19 trillion yuan (US$177.49 billion), is closely watched worldwide for clues to China's strategic intentions as it develops new military capabilities, including stealth fighters, aircraft carriers and anti-satellite missiles.

The 2019 defence spending increase comes as China's economic growth target for the year was set at 6.0 to 6.5%.

Last year, defence spending was set to increase 8.1%, in 2017 was set at just 7%, and in 2016 it grew 7.6%. The five years before that had seen double-digit increases.

China would "speed up efforts to make innovations in defence-related science and technology" and maintain "absolute [Communist] Party leadership over the armed forces", premier Li Keqiang told parliament.

Neighbours

China's military build-up has unnerved its neighbours, particularly because of its increasing assertiveness in territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas and over Taiwan, a self-ruled territory Beijing claims as its own.

A government spokesman on Monday said China would keep up a "reasonable and appropriate" increase in defence spending to satisfy its national security and military reforms.

Beijing does not provide a breakdown of its defence budget, leading neighbours and other military powers to complain that its lack of transparency has added to regional tensions.

"China has increased defence spending at a high rate for some time and Japan would like to see a high level of transparency in regard to its defence policy and militarisation," the Japanese government's spokesman, chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga, said yesterday.

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely and at the same time will look to engage further with China in security dialogue in order to seek clarification."

‘True numbers’

Its defence spending ranks as the world's second largest, lagging behind the United States. By comparison, US president Donald Trump has backed plans to request US$750 billion from Congress for US defence spending in 2019.

But diplomats and military experts say China's defence numbers probably underestimate true military spending for the People's Liberation Army, the world's largest armed forces, which are in the midst of an impressive modernisation programme overseen by president Xi Jinping.

Sam Roggeveen, visiting fellow at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at Australian National University, said the budget figure marked a "substantial increase" in the size of China's military.

"China has long maintained its military is for the defence of its borders but that definition has broadened over the years," Roggeveen said. "The West will be very interested to see what the funds are used for, particularly if it used on assets that can project force over great distances."

Taiwan

China's military has been particularly focused on democratic Taiwan recently and is nervous president Tsai Ing-wen wants to move the island towards a formal declaration of independence, a red line for China, which views Taiwan as its territory.

Li said China will "resolutely oppose and deter any separatist schemes or activities seeking Taiwan independence, and resolutely protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity".

Tsai, who has repeatedly warned of the threat from Beijing, says she wants to maintain the status quo with China but will defend the island's security and democracy.

"China repeatedly claims that they won't give up annexing Taiwan by force, so we are always being very cautious," Taiwan premier Su Tseng-chang told parliament yesterday when asked by a lawmaker about the Chinese military threat.

"We are not afraid of a fight and we will not challenge [China], but we are ready to fight at all times."– Nampa/Reuters

Swakop Uranium sued for N$53m

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Swakop Uranium sued for N$53mTwo matters to be combined The two multi-million-dollar lawsuits are identical and the plaintiffs will hear this week if the two matters can be heard as one. One of two multi-million-dollar lawsuits in which workers are demanding overtime payments from Swakop Uranium was postponed yesterday in the Windhoek High Court.

A status hearing on the matter will now be heard on 26 March, pending a decision this week on the consolidation of the two lawsuits.

The first matter, being heard by Judge Hannelie Prinsloo, involves a total of 492 plaintiffs and payments totalling more than N$42 million, while the second matter is being heard by Judge Shafimana Ueitele and involves 229 plaintiffs, who are demanding just over N$11 million. In both matters the claimants are asking for costs and 20% interest per annum.

The matter before Judge Ueitele was postponed yesterday.

In both cases the workers are represented by Jefta Tjitemisa of Tjitemisa & Associates.

According to papers filed at the High Court, Prinsloo is set to decide on the consolidation of the two matters tomorrow.

In their particulars, the workers say they were employed in continuous operations. During their first shift they worked seven days on and one day off; on their second shift they worked seven days on and one day off and on their third shift, seven days on and five days off.

“In each shift, the plaintiffs worked 56 hours per week resulting in overtime of 11 hours per week, in excess of the ordinary hours in terms of the Labour Act,” they state in their claim.

They say the hourly rate to calculate the overtime payments was their basic salary divided by 21.67, which was further divided by eight hours, the number of hours ordinarily worked daily. Furthermore, they say the overtime for each month was paid on the 26th day of the following month.

The workers say that from March 2015 to September 2016, they were not paid any overtime.

Swakop Uranium, through its counsel Gabriel Köpplinger of Köpplinger Boltman, filed a notice of intention to defend in both matters, but has not yet filed a plea or counterclaim.

YANNA SMITH

Rapes, murder abound

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Rapes, murder abound Five cases of rape were reported over the past weekend.

According to the crime report issued by the Namibian police, a 13-year-old girl was raped on Friday at Casablanca Club in Karasburg by a 28-year-old suspect.

The girl is said to have been at the nightclub at the time of the incident, which occurred between midnight and 01:00. The suspect was arrested.

At Epako in Gobabis, a 37-year-old woman was raped, allegedly by a 19-year-old suspect. The police say that the victim, who was “under the influence of alcohol and an epileptic patient, was walking home alone from a bar when she was approached by the suspect who is well known to her”.

He allegedly said her boyfriend was walking just ahead and the two proceeded together. Upon reaching her home, the suspect is said to have hit the woman in the face, causing her to lose consciousness. He the raped her. Two passers-by stumbled upon the man in the act and came to the woman's rescue.

At Talismanus in the Omaheke Region, a cognitively impaired 16-year-old girl was raped, allegedly by a 31-year-old suspect.

The police say “the suspect voluntarily escorted the victim from a neighbouring homestead back to her residence”. It was on the way home that he raped her. He has been arrested and investigations continue.

At Rundu, a 70-year-old pensioner was raped last Wednesday, allegedly by a 39-year-old suspect. According to the police, the victim “was under the influence of alcohol” and was followed home from a shebeen. The suspect was arrested and the police say they are still investigating the matter.

At Mariental on Sunday, a 22-year-old woman was raped during the early hours of the morning. The suspect, age unknown, was arrested and the matter is being investigated.



Killed over liquor

On Saturday morning at Blikkiesdorp in Maltahöhe, a fight over liquor led to the death of Magdalena Engelbrecht (25). According to the police, Engelbrecht and a female friend fought during Friday night over the booze. The fight is said to have ended at around 02:00, but at 06:45 the female suspect returned to Engelbrecht's house with a knife. They fought again, in full view of the community, and as Engelbrecht turned to go back into her home, she was stabbed in the back. She died at the scene. The suspect was arrested and the police are investigating. On Saturday night at Duineveld near Kalkrand, Simon Jagger (22) was stabbed by a 53-year-old man over a memory card which the suspect accused Jagger of selling. The two men began to fight and Jagger was stabbed “with a knife in the neck; the blade broke off”. The suspect was arrested.

At Gibeon around lunchtime on Saturday, Herold Witbooi, 39, was stabbed by a man from whom he had asked a glass. The incident took place inside the Gemsbok bar at the village. “The suspect wanted to know why Witbooi had asked for a glass from him,” the police said, adding the suspect then provoked a fight with a witness at the scene, whom he wanted to stab as well.

“The witness took the knife from the suspect and stabbed him. The suspect ran away.” A case of attempted murder has been opened and investigations are ongoing.

Three suicides by hanging were also reported.



YANNA SMITH

Wildlife Day focuses on human-wildlife conflict

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Wildlife Day focuses on human-wildlife conflict The ministry of environment and tourism will continue to put measures in place to mitigate and prevent human-wildlife conflict.

Speaking at a World Wildlife Day event at Omatjete in the Erongo Region on Sunday, environment minister Pohamba Shifeta said human-wildlife conflict interventions remained on the ministry's priority list.

Shifeta said the ministry had upgraded and rehabilitated water infrastructure and constructed elephant dams to mitigate the impacts of human-wildlife conflict in the region. Eleven boreholes were rehabilitated, eight boreholes were fitted with new solar-powered pumps and four elephant dams were built.

A storage facility where people can safely store fodder was also built. Three elephants were collared to monitor their movements and warn communities when they approach human settlements.

The agriculture ministry assisted in putting up the infrastructure, while the German government, through GIZ, co-funded these interventions.

“We will continue to manage human-wildlife conflict in a way that recognises the rights and development needs of local communities, recognises the need to promote biodiversity conservation, promotes self-reliance and ensures that decision-making is quick, efficient and based on the best available information,” Shifeta said.

Shifeta said the day also celebrated successful initiatives to conserve and sustainably manage wildlife species.

He said the government recognised that living with wildlife often came at a cost.

Increased wildlife populations and expanded ranges into communal and freehold farming areas resulted in more frequent conflict between people and wild animals, particularly elephants and predators.

Shifeta said the ministry therefore dedicated the day to give recognition to human-wildlife conflict management interventions designed to promote wildlife conservation, contribute to improved community livelihoods and poverty eradication.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative, Izumi Morota-Alakija, said Namibia had shown its commitment to protecting wildlife.

“However, human-wildlife conflict is one of the challenging issues that remain persistent. The conflict between wild animals and humans ranges from the destruction of crops and water installations to loss of livestock, homes and in some cases, even unfortunate loss of human lives.”

She said it was necessary, therefore, that mechanisms were created for rural communities and farmers to manage and benefit from wildlife and other natural resources.

“There are a lot of human settlements in the Erongo Region which attract the desert elephant population. When the territories of people and wildlife intersect, human-wildlife conflict is unavoidable.”

She said interventions and mitigation measures were necessary to manage the conflict and protect ecosystems.

One of the main sources of conflict was the sharing of water sources by animals and people, she said. That could be mitigated by providing boreholes that can supply water to multiple water points, in turn leading wildlife away from human settlements.



ELLANIE SMIT

Gendev gears up to scale new heights

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Gendev gears up to scale new heightsMajor investments Gendev has consistently ploughed back to the community through corporate social responsibility initiatives. Gendev, which prides itself as the first ever, in the history of Namibia, to open a state-of-the-art horse mackerel onshore processing plant, has a long presence in the local industry and is still going strong.

Initially starting off in the pilchard industry, the company took the decision to reconfigure the cannery into a wet horse mackerel onshore processing plant to support the government in their struggle to bring prosperity to all Namibians and improve standard of living through on shore employment created by the fishing industry.

“This decision of the shareholders of Gendev has led to major investments in the factory and the acquisition of a specialised wet landing horse mackerel vessel Krossfjord using own shareholder funds and that of local banks,” the company said. The wet onshore processing plant, which is 72% Namibian-owned, was inaugurated in 2014 by Bernhardt Esau, the minister of fisheries and marine resources.

Adding value

Gendev offers ownership in N$220 million worth of property, plant and equipment. The company is also part owner of N$200 million worth of vessels, including a long line hake vessel, a horse mackerel freezing vessel, a vessel to land wet horse mackerel for value addition onshore and two small pelagic vessels.

It has, in addition, offered participation in an experienced fishing, processing, marketing and selling group of companies with established value-added products and markers, creating through its operations 939 Namibian jobs. This is for its wet landing and onshore processing of value addition horse mackerel quota, wet hake catch and processing, as well as sea frozen horse mackerel. The workforce due to onshore processing consists of 55% females versus 45% males.

Gendev uses its N$100 million Namibian-flagged vessel Krossfjord to catch and land wet horse mackerel at its factory to process onshore. Gendev also uses its N$50 million Namibian-flagged vessel Venus I to catch and freeze horse mackerel freezer quota on sea. The vessel owning companies are majority Namibian.

Gendev has spent N$60 million upgrading and expanding its factory to a state-of-the-art onshore processing horse mackerel factory that not only packs frozen products but also adds value onshore to products. “Horse Mackerel 1kg IQF retail bags, Omega Polony made of horse mackerel and horse mackerel sausages are amongst the value-added products that have been introduced to the markets and can already be found in retail stores throughout Namibia and South Africa under the brands of Gendev.”

Sustained prosperity

The company also added that it is committed to support government’s call to bring about prosperity to all Namibians as per the fifth national development plan (NDP5). “…and thus during the 2018 right application process (we) humbly requested Esau and his ministry to grant Gendev a long-term horse mackerel right and to allocate to their right 55 000 tons of horse mackerel quota, which will be applied as to 35 000 tons value addition quota landed as wet fish with their vessel Krossfjord and processed onshore to sustain full employment at its shore based processing plant, as well as to 20 000 tons horse mackerel to be processed and frozen at sea through its investment in the sea frozen vessel Venus 1.”

Other contributions

Gendev has consistently ploughed back to the community through corporate social responsibility initiatives, while along with its related subsidiaries and associates, has come up with measures to ensure access to quality education for children in rural areas that would qualify them to pursue higher education. In also opens markets for the company’s value-added horse mackerel products and creates opportunity for entrepreneurship.

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Risk analysis prepared on bovine TB

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Risk analysis prepared on bovine TB The Meat Board of Namibia has prepared a qualitative risk analysis as part of the Namibian dossier on the status of tuberculosis (TB) in cattle.

This document is a compilation of information and data about the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in Namibia dating back to 1980.

According to the Meat Board, the risk analysis, conducted on the compiled data, indicates that Namibia holds negligible risk with regard to bovine tuberculosis, without the need for individual testing of cattle prior to export. This risk is in alignment with the level of protection for the import of cattle as required by South Africa. The Directorate of Veterinary Services has already been in contact with the Directorate of Animal Health in South Africa in this regard.

“Should negotiations for the termination of testing against bovine tuberculosis be successful, it will lead to significant savings and the improvement of the animal welfare of cattle exported to feedlots,” said the Meat Board.

In other agricultural news, the revision of specifications of small stock ear tags needed for the identification of small stock for export to South Africa by the Directorate of Veterinary Services, rendered the Meat Board the opportunity to obtain official ear tags 66% cheaper than the existing electronic (RFID) ear tags.

The new small stock ear tag is a single visual tag with a barcode, as opposed to the previous ear tags which consisted of a double set of ear tags with an electronic component.

According to the Meat Board, the new barcoded small stock ear tags will be supplied by an international company, Datamars, and will be available at N$3.65 for use in the small stock industry.

Furthermore the Master Agronomist for 2019 has been announced and the winner is Hansie van der Merwe from farm Ludwigshaven outside Tsumeb.

The member meeting of the Agronomic Producers' Association as well as the Master Agronomist Day will take place on 17 April at Schützenverein (shooting club) outside Tsumeb. The day will mainly deal with the more effective management of crops, with the emphasis on maize farming. Speakers are Jaun van Loggerenberg from GeoSpace, Erwin Schimper from Aqualand as well as an expert on effective water consumption. As usual, the day is concluded with a farm visit at Ludwigshaven.

ELLANIE SMIT

N$1.8m raised for Dare to Care

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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N$1.8m raised for Dare to CareFarmers in dire straits supported The Dare to Care Fund has performed very well and will soon start subsidising the feed costs of all farmers in the country. The Dare to Care Disaster Fund which was launched about two weeks ago has already managed to raise N$1.8 million.

The entire agricultural sector, including the Namibia Agriculture Union (NAU), the Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU) and the private sector have decided to join under the Dare to Care Fund which is administered by the NAU.

The fund, which was started on 18 February, aims to support farmers by collecting N$10 million by the end of March.

The initiative aims to subsidise the feed costs of farmers in order to help them fatten livestock for the market, while also assisting them to maintain their core breeding herds.

An important aspect of the assistance is making sure feed is more affordable through subsidising. Agricultural retail outlets such as Kaap Agri and Agra, which have retail branches countrywide, will be used to reach farmers and subsidised prices will be available at all branches.

“The subsidies will be available for all farmers, including communal, emerging commercial and commercial in the whole country where approved retail feed suppliers are available. Four production lines will be subsidised which include whole yellow maize, sheep fattening pellets, cattle fattening feed and lucerne pellets,” said the union.

Any feed supply company interested in taking part, will have to make a contribution to the fund before their products qualify for a subsidy.

Furthermore any retail feed supplier which has registered during the past six months at participating feed companies will qualify to provide subsidised animal feed lines if such retailers contribute financially to the Dare to Care Fund. It is envisaged that this subsidising action will start on 1 April. More information will be given in due course.

Funds can be contributed to the following bank account: Dare to Care, FNB Commercial Suite, branch code: 28 19 72, account number: 6202 111 9509.

Fax the deposit slip to 061 220 193 or evg@agrinamibia.com.na

ELLANIE SMIT

Tech companies scope out Africa surveillance sector

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Tech companies scope out Africa surveillance sectorHuawei big player African countries with lax legislation make tempting partners. All of these systems are being deployed without effective privacy protections in law or in practice, and often people are unaware that their data is being gathered, or how it is used or stored. – Human Rights Watch Sophie Pons - At a security exhibition in Morocco tech companies pushed to convince African officials that their state-of-the-art surveillance tools are the key to stability and development.

The ASEC Expo in Rabat, billed by organisers as the first of its kind on the continent, recently brought together firms from across the world looking to conquer new markets in a region marked by rapid urbanisation and economic growth.

And while Europe has slapped restrictions on an industry eyed with suspicion by many due to civil liberty concerns, African countries with lax legislation make tempting partners.

Chinese communications giant Huawei had a large presence at the event, hyping the success of networks already installed in the capitals of Kenya, Cameroon, Mali and the Ivory Coast.

"When a crime has been committed, thanks to the cameras, we work magic," said Ghanian security minister Albert Kan-Dapaah in a promotional clip for the company.

"My command centre is the envy of many of my colleagues."

Huawei

Huawei has already equipped more than 700 cities in 100 countries, including more than 25 in Africa, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

But the firm is in the spotlight over concerns it could give Beijing a backdoor into sensitive communications and infrastructure, with the United States and Australia to ban its equipment from their future 5G networks.

Just a dozen companies run the booming global video surveillance market, a US$30 billion industry as of 2017 which research firm Stratistics MRC has forecasted will have double digit growth over the next few years.

A representative of South Korea's Hanwha Group said the African market was "very strong ... because there is a lot of opportunity for us to supply our products".

"We had a lot of sales last year and this year," particularly in Egypt and South Africa, Yoonboom Choi said.

‘Safe cities’

The new high-tech command centres of "safe cities" are capable of instantly detecting anything from everyday crimes and accidents to natural disasters and civil unrest -- and to trigger quick responses.

With big data and artificial intelligence, crowds are no longer anonymous.

Facial recognition algorithms coupled with troves of readily available data online can pinpoint the identity of anyone who passes by a surveillance feed.

Vehicles can be identified by their number plates, and ultra-high tech software can even detect human emotions and predict behaviour.

"We can establish anyone's identity without knowing him - his first and last name, academic background ... his family, what he prefers, where he travels," Huawei regional representative Chakib Achour said.

These data sets are useful to police pursuing criminals and to companies looking for potential customers, advocates say.

Civil liberties

But the risk of mass surveillance has sparked concerns among civil liberties advocates.

Authoritarian regimes across Africa are frequently accused of violating rights to stamp out opposition.

In its annual report for 2019 Human Rights Watch singled out Egypt for using counterterrorism measures and security concerns "as a guise to crush all forms of dissent".

Fears over surveillance spurred the European Union in 2018 into enacting a strict new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Europe now has restrictions on "technology that could be developed in the Middle East or Africa", said Francois Levy, regional director of Brazilian software company Digifort.

Morocco, which organised the exhibition, says it needs a strong security policy to fight terrorism and has shown a strong interest in the far-reaching technologies.

"Citizen security has always been the focal point" of Morocco's city planning and "underlies the great project of urban renewal that we continue to lead", said head of Rabat city council Mohamed Sadiki during a visit to the expo.

Marrakesh is working on an app that would allow citizens and tourists alike to "place emergency calls" and send in tips, boasts regional security official Moulay El Hafid Zimirly in a Huawei-sponsored clip.

China

In its commercial material, Huawei openly pushes the "example" set by China, "where all police stations have their own video surveillance unit".

The company offers authorities the chance to tap into troves of images taken in taxis, airports, and stadiums, as well as images taken by ordinary citizens with their mobile phones.

In its 2019 global report Human Rights Watch detailed how the Chinese government at home increasingly uses mass surveillance to "tighten control over society", including through the widespread collection of biometric details including DNA and voice samples.

"All of these systems are being deployed without effective privacy protections in law or in practice, and often people are unaware that their data is being gathered, or how it is used or stored," the report said.

For Africa, adopting the technology on offer would open up a major pool of data - but also questions.

By 2020 more than one out of every two people on the continent will have a smartphone, according to a 2018 study published by Deloitte. – Nampa/AFP

Shocking water bills no mistake

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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Shocking water bills no mistake The City of Windhoek says no mistake was made with this month's huge water bills, which have sparked an outcry from residents.

In a brief response to Namibian Sun this week, City spokesperson Harold Akwenye said the water bills, which some customers say are double their usual monthly bills, were not a mistake.

“No error at all, it was due to special drought water tariffs,” he said. A resident last week claimed on a social media page that her account this month amounted to more than N$117 000, compared to an average of N$7 700.

Another claimed that instead of the usual N$2 500 for water usage, they were billed more than N$11 700.

A third consumer claimed that their bill was N$18 000 this month, compared to the usual average of around N$5 000.

Akwenye explained that the bills were based on the drought step-tariffs implemented by the City, and more than likely also showed outstanding amounts due, as no meter readings were done during the December holiday period.

The City announced drought emergency measures in August last year. Residents were instructed to reduce their water use by 10% and step-tariffs were imposed to penalise excessive use. The latest issue of the municipality's newsletter, Aloe, explains the savings measures in detail. The newsletter states that step-tariffs have been imposed to “maintain a fair and sustainable water supply service to all citizens and to penalise high/excessive water consumers who fail in their duty to manage their water consumption.”

Akwenye said a more detailed communication was being drafted and would be released later this week.

Last week, Namibian Sun's sister publication Republikein reported that residential consumers who used more than 1 000 litres per day were now charged N$141 per cubic metre, compared to the usual tariff of N$61 per cubic metre.

A source, who preferred not to be named, claimed in an interview with Republikein that the municipality's financial department had been instructed to implement the drought tariffs in August last year, but a technical hiccup prevented that.

Only businesses were charged according to the Category-C water saving rates.

It was further claimed that the high water bills were the result of backdating the penalty tariffs to January this year.

It could have been much worse: the penalties could have been backdated to August when the new tariffs were announced.

Furthermore, some consumers were only charged for their December water usage after readings were taken in January, the a source claimed.

The implementation of step-tariffs during this time of water scarcity is crucial, the municipality says, as it is expected that an official water crisis could be declared this year.

JANA-MARI SMITH / ELVIRA HATTINGH

A victory for women

March 5, 2019, 2:00 pm

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A victory for womenMuinjangue new Nudo president Utjiua Muinjangue is the first female president of a Namibian political party. Political commentators have described the election of Utjiua Muinjangue as Nudo president as a victory for all Namibian women.

They have also called on other political parties to elect more women into their top leadership structures.

Muinjangue, an academic and social justice activist, was elected as the new Nudo leader after securing a victory over Vetaruhe Kandorozu during the party's extraordinary elective congress held in Windhoek at the weekend.

Muinjangue is the first female president of a Namibian political party.

This, political commentator Ndumba Kamwanya said, is a significant victory for women as it transforms the country's political landscape.

“From a historical point of view, it is a huge victory for women in general and not just for Nudo. What it means for the nation is that for the first time we are going to have a female presidential candidate that is going to contest (the upcoming national presidential elections, if she contests against the incumbent Swapo's Hage Geingob),” Kamwanya said.

He said this is huge in terms of our democracy, “in a sense that political parties are able to field female candidates to compete for the first position in the country”.

“It's probably good for political parties to put more women in their top structures, simply because they can appeal more to voters than male leaders.

But you also have to remember that when you look at the records in this country, you will realise that the number of male leaders who have been embroiled in corruption-related cases are more than the women,” Kamwanyah

“Hardly have you heard about women in leadership being involved in questionable and unethical issues. From that perspective I think it is good for parties to encourage women to take over party structures.”

Kamwanya, however, pointed out that despite Muinjangue's victory more needs to be done to have more female representation in the party's leadership.

Political commentator Fanuel Kaapama said as much as Nudo should be commended for having elected a woman as party president, this does not guarantee them success during the upcoming National Assembly and presidential polls, slated for later his year.

Kaapama was asked whether Muinjangue's victory would see Nudo gain more votes, because the majority of the electorate are women.

“There are many factors that are involved when it comes to how a voter decides to vote; they do not necessarily look at the gender of a candidate.

“They could be influenced by issues of tribalism, gender issues and historical considerations. There are just so many issues,” Kaapama said.

Professor Nico Horn commended Nudo for electing Muinjangue as party president, saying it was a bold move by the party.

“Thumbs up to Nudo, as they are often criticised for being an ethnic and traditional party. It was a great decision by them. I think she is good choice,” Horn said.

He said Muinjangue's victory will give the party some momentum, as it prepares for the upcoming general election.

Peter Kazongominja was elected Nudo vice-president, while Joseph Kauandenge will serve as secretary-general. He is deputised by Uaraa Uapingene.

KENYA KAMBOWE