'Rule of law flouted'

March 18, 2019, 3:00 pm

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'Rule of law flouted'Venaani wants Iyambo to cough up rent for govt house Commentators have argued that privileges being handed out without any legal provision, open the door to despotism and arbitrariness. Government's decision to implement provisions of a draft bill, so it can accommodate former Vice-President Nickey Iyambo, flies in the face of the rule of law, commentators say.

Iyambo resigned from public office in February last year due to ill health, but has been living in a government house, despite there being no legal basis for this.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has asked Ombudsman John Walters to investigate the saga.

Political commentator Henning Melber said on Twitter it was a “tricky situation”, because the absence of a law does not by implication make it illegal.

He, however, added that if privileges are handed out without any legal provision, it opens the door to despotism and arbitrariness, turning the rule of law into “the law of the rulers”.

“I would say it was at best very ill-advised favouritism. It reinforces the message that the self-privilege of the political elite knows hardly any limits, despite an economic crisis of epic proportions affecting the well-being of ordinary people,” said Melber.

Presidential affairs minister Martin Andjaba admitted last week that interim arrangements in one of two draft bills relating to former and sitting vice-presidents were implemented to take care of Iyambo.

The two bills were birthed out of consultations with Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and aim to regulate the upkeep of incumbent and former vice-presidents.

Iyambo, whose retirement package is still under wraps, was living in a government house in the interim, Andjaba admitted.

“We will get ample time to debate the merits of the proposals contained in the bills when I present them for adoption. It is what we determine in this august house, which will be the basis for any dispensation which we offer the current and future former vice presidents,” he said in parliament.



Shocking

Constitutional expert Nico Horn made it clear that government cannot just make a law.

“The issue that we need to understand is that legislation can only be passed by legislative bodies,” said Horn.

He added while the president has legislative powers, these are limited and that any proposed law must eventually go through parliament.

Social commentator Fredericko Links said government's actions are “shocking” and shows an attitude of disrespecting the rule of law.

According to him this reeks of a “patronage network” for Swapo buddies.

“This government keeps on doing these things that sends out the wrong message. It is quite clear that they are willing to suspend the rule of law when it comes to senior party leaders,” he said.

Meanwhile, Venaani has demanded that Iyambo pay rental fees for the government house, commensurate to the standard of the property.

He also asked that proof of payment be made available to him through the Office of the Ombudsman.

JEMIMA BEUKES

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Chieftaincy battle heads to Supreme Court

March 18, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Chieftaincy battle heads to Supreme Court The Uukwangali Traditional Authority will turn to the Supreme Court this week in the hope of overturning a Windhoek High Court ruling that relieved Eugene Siwombe Kudumo of his chieftaincy.

Judge Harald Geier ruled on 6 March that Kudumo's designation as chief of the traditional authority by then minister of urban and rural development, Sophia Shaningwa, on 15 February 2017 be set aside.

Geier declared his designation “invalid and of no force or effect”.

Kudumo and the traditional authority's legal representative, Kadhila Amoomo, told Namibian Sun he has received instructions to launch an appeal in the Supreme Court.

“It will be done next week,” Amoomo said.

The chieftaincy wrangle follows the death of Kudumo's grandfather, Chief Sitentu Daniel Mpasi in 2014.

Despite Mpasi having chosen Kudumo as his heir and even announcing his selection in public, a pressure group led by Rudolf Ngondo and Severinus Siteketa refused to accept Kudumo as chief of the Vakwangali traditional community, saying he had not been appointed procedurally.

They argued that the process in which the Vakwangali elders evaluate a number of candidates from the different royal families was not followed.

It was on this basis that Ngondo and Siteketa, as well as 20 others, turned to the courts.

Geier's judgment was not the first time that the High Court set aside Kudumo's designation as chief. In October 2016, deputy judge president, Hosea Angula, also aside Kudumo's designation.

Kudumo, however, remained defiant and refused to relinquish his powers, despite the court order.

Shaningwa entered into the fray on 15 February 2017 when she designated Kudumo as chief despite the court decision.

On 15 August 2017, President Hage Geingob announced Kudumo's designation via the Government Gazette.

However, this did not unite the different royal family groupings, but instead fuelled the conflict, which resulted in the High Court matter heard on 19 February.

Current urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga told Namibian Sun that the ministry accepts the court's verdict and it was up to the Uukwangali Traditional Authority to designate their chief.

“The decision of the court was effective the day the decision was taken. It is up to the traditional authority to designate a chief,” Mushelenga said.

“The chief is not designated by the minister, as you have read from the judgment... It is for the traditional authority to follow the correct procedure for designating a chief. It is not up to the ministry.”

KENYA KAMBOWE

Ghana bets on rejuvenated railways for growth

March 18, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Ghana bets on rejuvenated railways for growthInvestment of US$21.5 billion China seems more interested in investing in infrastructure in Ghana than those in the West. It's a matter of sustainability - they have done it, so are they going to continue to maintain it? – Kofi Asare, Supervisor: Ghana Railway Stacey Knott - As Ghana's urban landscape gently slides by the train window, Shaibu Amoah swells with pride.

The 37-year-old has been helping to renovate railway lines in Accra since June, clearing debris and shovelling ballast in the hot sun.

When the short line from Accra to the port of Tema finally reopened in January, Amoah was on the first public run.

"I am feeling proud of my work because I am helping my country to move ahead," he told AFP as the train eased out of the capital.

The head of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Richard Diedong Dombo, said the transport sector was crucial for the country's development, pointing to railways as historic "engines of growth".

President Nana Akufo-Addo established the railways development ministry in 2017 to restore existing lines dating back to British colonial rule - and build new ones.

‘Master plan’

Ghana's railway network comprises three lines with some branch extensions, totalling 940 kilometres of track.

Only about a sixth of this is actually in use, and much of the rolling stock is out of date or in disrepair.

Even though the section between Tema and Accra has been renovated, the 30-kilometre trip takes an hour and a half.

But under a 2013 "Master Plan," the country aims to have 4 000 kilometres of track by 2048.

It would connect Accra with Sekondi-Takoradi in the southwest to the central city of Kumasi, and to Tamale in the north, and link Tema to Burkina Faso, Ghana's northern neighbour - a 1 200-kilometre endeavour in itself.

The total cost is estimated at about US$21.5 billion (19 billion euros).

That's a big ask for any country, let alone a developing country in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the authorities say they are cautiously taking a phased approach in the project, based on funding.

Diedong said "a mixed bag" of financing, including local sources, was helping with rehabilitation work, but foreign firms were likelier to build new lines, which are far more costly.

No contracts have been awarded for new lines, but China and Chinese companies seem more interested in investing in infrastructure in Ghana than those in the West, he said.

In December, Akufo-Addo termed neglect of the railway infrastructure one of Ghana's "greatest tragedies" since independence in 1957.

The Accra-Tema line was shut down in 2017 following a derailment.

Cheap

With service now restored, carriages painted in the national colours of red, yellow and green rolled along the renovated line, though people squatted close to the tracks and onlookers did a double-take as the train passed.

The line connects diverse communities that comprise Ghana's capital, passing shanty towns and glitzy apartment blocks, new suburbs, a polo club and mosque, vegetable gardens, the expanding port and the seafront.

Each train can carry 600 people at a cost of just five cedis (90 US cents) one way.

Grace Amihere, 38, a hostess on the line, remembers taking trains when she was younger.

"People will patronise it because it's less costly," she forecast.

"The view is nice, the buildings ... You can see the sea when you get to the harbour. It's quite interesting."

Neglected

Dombo said that in the past, the railways had become a "dead sector".

Infrastructure had been neglected because railways were previously part of the transport ministry, whose budget failed to cover maintenance or building new lines, he said.

Train driver supervisor Kofi Asare, 52, is a more-than 20-year veteran of Ghana's railways.

While he was pleased with the renewed focus on railways, he was concerned about whether the support would be sustained.

In his long experience, he said, he had seen an "off and on" approach to the railways - during "off" periods, this often meant months without pay.

"It's a matter of sustainability - they have done it, so are they going to continue to maintain it?" he asked.

"Railways are cash-strapped ... so if the government does not come to our aid we will be struggling in five or 10 years" once more, he said.

Asare remembered a well-managed rail sector as he grew up in Ghana and said that was the case until about 2002, when maintenance faltered.

He and others who have dedicated their working lives to the railways are now just hoping for the best.

"We are still putting our faith high, our hope and expectations. We are expecting things will go well," he said. – Nampa/AFP

The rantings of a teenager

March 18, 2019, 3:00 pm

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The rantings of a teenager Evany van Wyk

Do you sometimes just feel sick to your stomach? That’s how I feel right now. And I’m wondering why this is happening to me. The truth is that bad things happen to good people and the sooner we accept that, the less time we will be spent on feeling sorry for ourselves.

But isn’t it just tons of fun feeling sorry for yourself?

My answer to that is a definite yes. I wish other people would notice too, though. I could literally be dying and nobody will notice. Why are we all caught up in our own little world? Why are we oblivious to the fact that there are people out there that could use our help? All I need is a little interest, maybe some advice and a shoulder to cry on.

Some say crying is for babies, but the last time I cried was last Thursday. Yes, sue me, but crying is a necessity. Why are babies the only ones allowed to cry? Sometimes letting go of your emotions can be strangely therapeutic. I believe in expression, and when I feel like the world is about to collapse, writing is where I find peace. Peace: what an amazing thing to aspire to. The world could certainly do with a little bit of that.

If we all just focus on our own problems, when is change ever going to become a reality? People are dying and suffering and we’re all turning our heads in ignorance. And we all know being ignored is a horrible feeling that no one wants to experience.

Being a helpful person and living selflessly can be quite a challenge. These days’ people don’t even know how to help themselves, let alone others. How can we get out of this bubble and get more involved? I, for one, have been in a slump since last year. Finishing school is such an emotional and mentally challenging rollercoaster that I was sometimes too dizzy to notice the world around me. The void left by school will never be filled and dealing with that void can be an immense burden to carry.

Feeling depressed was a full-time job, along with constant pressure to pursue a college degree. My point of view is: That degree won’t guarantee you a job. You can obtain as many degrees as you’d like, but at the end of the day, you’re probably going to be unemployed for quite a while. Our economy is in such a dire state that finding and keeping a decent job is like finding chicken teeth - basically impossible. So if you currently have a job, be grateful and give it your all. Life doesn’t require that we be the best, only that we try our best. Although sometimes our best just doesn’t seem good enough. Criticising ourselves and our achievements is what the world teaches us to do. Nothing is good enough if it’s not better than that of the next person. Why do we always choose to compare ourselves to others? We are all different and unique, yet we forget this and would rather live our lives trying to be someone we’re not. It’s exhausting and utterly stupid, because you will only excel in being yourself and living your own life.

The most upsetting part about being a teenager, is not being taken seriously. The decisions you make are being undermined, your opinion is regarded as worthless and you’re always being discriminated against because of your age. I’m 18, I think logically and I have new and innovative ideas. Give me a chance to open my mouth and enlighten your mind. Why do you think we spend so much time on social media, ranting and giving our opinion? Because it is the only platform we’re being given. The motivational speeches I listened to recently made me more determined to make my voice heard. That is the reason I’m writing this column about everything that’s bothering me, and that I believe needs to be said. I’ve decided to take a page out of Kanye West’s book and just go off. We are dealing with real life, just as much as anybody else.

I have experienced every single thing I write about and I still have about a hundred things spinning in my mind. It honestly feels like a maize up in here, and sometimes I wonder if I will I ever reach the end. “Life’s a game, but it’s not fair. I break the rules, but I don’t care,” those are the wise words of one of my favourite artists, Rihanna. Breaking the rules and overstepping boundaries are the only way we are ever going to open people’s eyes. What we need is more people who specialise in the impossible and we are those people. Don’t put a limit on what you can do.

The one thing I don’t believe is that curiosity killed the cat. Questioning the world we live in is how new discoveries are made, so if you have any unanswered questions or conspiracy theories that are gnawing at you, don’t hesitate to raise your opinion, because the odds are that you’re probably not the only one wondering about the same thing. Speaking out is really hard, I can relate to that. Don’t let a few challenges stand in your way!

evany@myzone.com.na

The stink of elitism

March 18, 2019, 3:00 pm

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The stink of elitism This Thursday we will be reminded once more of the important task of nation-building, with Namibians likely being implored to guard against tribalism, racism, nepotism, ethnicity and other social ills that do not promote peace, stability and tolerance.

This the type of unbearable hypocrisy that Namibians have become been subjected to over the years. The glaring inequality between rich and poor is there for all to see. The poor of this country are left out in the cold while the elite are well-sheltered at the expense of the taxpayer. A case in point is the rushed bill to address the upkeep and security of the vice-president and former vice-presidents after it came to light that government is still paying for the accommodation of former vice-president Nickey Iyambo, despite no law being in place to regulate such benefits and his retirement package. New Era reported on Monday that Iyambo has been staying in a government house despite there being no bill to authorise his stay. It has since been confirmed by presidential affairs minister Martin Andjaba that cabinet crafted two bills to deal with the upkeep and security of vice-presidents and former vice-presidents, which will be ushered through the National Assembly. It is almost certain that Swapo will use its two-thirds majority to vote in favour of these bills. Again we say well done to the Swapo lawmakers who will ensure the unequal distribution of privilege, resources and power, just as it was evidenced with the rushed third constitutional amendments in 2014, which gave rise to a top-heavy executive structure, and increased members in the National Assembly and National Council. It is really unbelievable to see our leaders coming up with bills that have little or no consequence when it comes to addressing bread and butter issues and the many problems that Namibians are grappling with, such high unemployment, the thirst for land and effective service delivery. Deepening democracy and improving the lives of all Namibians should be the cornerstone of this government and not elitism and privilege.

Shattering stigmas

March 18, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Shattering stigmas Botha is one of two female rugby referees in the country Anri Botha, a grade 12 learner at Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool, is one of only two female rugby referees in the country. Mariselle Stofberg

Eighteen-year-old Anri Botha is one of only two female rugby referees in Namibia.

She completed a level 1 referee course, which allows her to referee games at school level.

She is a grade 12 learner at Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool (WAP) and is an only child.

“Because our family is so small, we have a very strong bond with one another. We have a very close relationship, and we tell each other everything,” she said.

“Being an only child probably brought out the tomboy in me. I used to have more male friends growing up, and two of my best friends are guys.”

Growing up, Botha eagerly traded her dolls and tea sets for playing ‘open the gate’ and ‘touchies’ with the boys.

At the age of two, her family moved to South Africa, where they stayed for 13 years. They then returned to Namibia and she started her grade 8 year at WAP.

Around the time Botha was in grade 6 or 7 she told her parents that she loved rugby, and wanted to start playing the game.

“As any mother would react to her only daughter asking to play a contact sport like rugby, she said that that would not be possible.”

The opportunity to eventually become a part of the sport she adored presented itself during her grade 10 year at WAP.

A rugby referee course was being held at the school, and Botha immediately signed up.

“I fell in love with it from the start and this gave me the opportunity to become a part of the sport; just from a different perspective. Every Saturday I would be the first in front of the television to watch rugby, and this gave me the opportunity to become a part of the sport I loved so much.”

Botha says that her first game as a referee was one of her highlights thus far.

“It was a game for the under-13s and I can remember what a nervous wreck I had been. What the hell was I doing? I was a girl standing on field waiting to tell a bunch of boys how they should play a game they clearly knew how to play.”

The moment the game started she felt at ease, knowing she was doing something she was meant to do. “I learned so much in that game, and even though I was still nervous, I felt excited and fantastic.”

Botha says the referee community has become like her family, and suddenly this only child had a bunch of new brothers in her life.

One of the challenges for Botha has been the perception that being a referee for a sport like rugby is only meant for men.

“Some people will challenge you and say you have no idea what you are doing, just because you are female. If anyone comes up to you and questions your credibility because of your gender, you need to take a stand. Stand firm, lift up your chin and say: I am a human just like you. I have the right to be here and I have the necessary skills to finish the job.”

Botha strongly believes that if you have the skills that are needed, you will prove to everyone that you are equipped and qualified to be a referee; and through this you will earn their trust.

She believes that respect is a two-way street, and that you need to return the same respect given to you by others.

Finding a balance in everything she does proved difficult in the beginning; it required a strong support network.

“You need to prioritise to allow yourself to allocate your time accordingly.”

Botha emphasises that you should never be afraid of making mistakes, but rather use your mistakes and learn from them.

“It’s all about how you recover. Come back stronger and keep fighting for what you love.”

Botha plans to complete her level 2 course in the future and also plans to study in Bloemfontein next year; preferably something within the medical field.

Anri Botha fact box:

She is a huge Marvel fan.

She prefers walking around in socks rather than walking barefoot.

Her favourite book is ‘Into the water’ by Paula Hawkins.

She did ballet.

Her favourite fruit is a kiwi.

Authorities still can’t do own financials

March 18, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Authorities still can’t do own financialsAG wants Finance to intervene Twelve village councils, 12 town councils, six regional councils and six statutory bodies have not even submitted their financial statements as required by the law. Despite being exempted from paying audit fees and to use this money to develop skills, the majority of local authorities still fail to draw up their own financial statements.

The “Special Report of the Auditor General on the Non-Submission of Financial Statements”, issued by AG Junias Kandjeke, says little if any progress has been recorded at local authorities in terms of meeting their fiduciary duties.

This pertains specifically to the preparation of financial statements.

At present, many local authorities are dependent on consultants to draw up their financial statements. However, this is a costly exercise. As a result, the AG’s office stepped in five years ago.

“The Office of the Auditor General obtained Treasury approval to exempt all local authorities from paying audit fees for a period of five years starting 01 April 2014 on the condition that local authorities utilise the savings towards capacity building with the aim that local authorities should be able to draw up their own by 31 March 2019,” Kandjeke said in the report.

Due to little progress the AG has recommended that the ministry of finance should formulate a training programme to train staff at local authorities in the drafting of financial statements.

Non-complaint

Further in the report, it was found that 12 village councils, 12 town councils, six regional councils and six statutory bodies did not submit their financial statements as required by the law.

The non-complaint regional councils are Zambezi, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke and Kavango West.

The statutory bodies also breaching their respective acts by not submitting financial statements up to the 2017/18 financial year are the Film and Video Development Fund (2016/17 and 2017/18) and New Era Publication Corporation (2017/18). Community Courts have not been accounted for since 2004.

The National Emergency Disaster Fund did not submit its statements for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 financial years.

As for the Marine Resources Fund, the body failed to make its financial statement submissions for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 financial years.

For three consecutive financial years from 2015/16, the Minerals Development Fund failed to make any submission to the auditor general.

“Non-submission of financial statements hampers the execution of my mandate and causes unnecessary delays and as such I express my concern to the National Assembly,” Kandjeke said.

The financial statements referred to include a balance sheet showing assets and liabilities, a statement of income and expenditure and any other statement that may from time to time be required by the auditor general. - Nampa

Audit to determine local stake in construction tenders

March 18, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Audit to determine local stake in construction tenders We have to name and shame, because people want to use this issue for political games because of the 2019 elections. – James Sankwasa, Deputy minister: Works and transport ONHUNO – The ministry of works and transport is currently undertaking an audit process to identify Namibian-owned companies which was awarded tenders in the last decade, its deputy minister, James Sankwasa, has said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of Okatana-Onhuno road on Friday, Sankwasa said the audit will determine which Namibian companies which received tenders, delivered en which didn’t.

The audit was prompted by accusations that government is not allocating tenders to local contractors but to foreign-owned companies, especially Chinese companies.

“We are busy at the ministry addressing the issue, because some local contractors are not delivering complete services and a foreign company or another firm should always finish the project,” he said.

Once the audit is completed, it will advise government on which local companies to award tenders to and which not to.

“We have to name and shame, because people want to use this issue for political games because of the 2019 elections,” Sankwasa said. - Nampa

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'Give back the land if you can't farm'

March 18, 2019, 3:00 pm

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'Give back the land if you can't farm' Northwest division chief veterinarian Dr Kennedy Shoombe says Mangetti agriculturists must stop calling themselves farmers, and instead call themselves livestock keepers for weddings and funerals.

“If you cannot farm, give the land to those who want to farm. You have enough land and boreholes.

“Why can't you also establish gardens? You cannot only be concentrating on cattle,” Shoombe said.

“Some of you must also consider producing livestock feed for others and some must de-bush others' farms to prevent bush encroachment and produce charcoal.

“Those are all elements of true farmers. You must also make time to be with your cattle.” According to Shoombe, there are 200 000 cattle in the area that are not being put to any economic use.

He said the Mangetti farmers are also partly to blame for the country's economic woes because they are keeping hundreds of cattle on their farms without contributing to Namibia's GDP.

Shoombe said this on Saturday during the handing over of cattle-handling facilities by the agriculture ministry to the Mangetti Farmers Association (MFA) at the Okapya Livestock Development Centre (LDC)

About 100 farmers gathered to receive the facilities.

The centre's caretaker, Tuhafeni Sheuyange, told the farmers that government had provisionally approved that they use the facilities.

“The approval is only for the association to use the facilities during the auction on 6 April. It will be after this auction that the ministry will decide your fate,” said Sheuyange.

“You therefore need to prove to the government that you are serious and that you are also able to maintain the facilities. You indicated in your application that the aim of the auction is to reduce pressure on pasture on your farms during this drought.”

Shoombe said with the number of cattle in the Mangetti area, farmers are not supposed to be crying foul, but that they should be the ones assisting government during the current economic hardships.

“I am looking at millionaires as I am looking at you, but in reality you are all poor. You are having a lot of cattle, but you do not have asset value for your cattle. None of you earn an income from your farms, but you all spend money from your pockets on your farms,” said Shoombe.

“We need to change so that the money that is in your Mangetti farms can get into your pockets. You must stop with your current culture of farming for weddings and funerals.”

He said there are no farming activities at these farms. He said they are encroached by bush and he wonders what the farmworkers are doing.

MFA chairperson Ismael Shailemo said the association has over 200 members.

He said in the Mangetti area there is a block of 96 farms that were allocated by the government in the 1980s, while four were kept by the agriculture ministry for the Okapya LDC.

There are also farms in the area that were allocated by the Ondonga Traditional Authority.

Many prominent Namibians are farming in the area. After the second national land conference, the ministry of lands started allocating leasehold rights to farmers in the Mangetti area.

Shoombe said the area is just a settlement like many others, but farmers have not paid any fee for the land for the past 40 years, yet they are crying to the government for help.

Shoombe also told the Mangetti farmers that during the coming auction he does not want to only see them selling cattle amongst each other.

A 12-member committee has been appointed to facilitate the auction and help the association to maintain the cattle-handling facilities.

The committee is chaired by Veiko Namwoonde and the secretary is Sunday Shalli.

Other members are Julius Ambondo, Silvanus Haufiku, Paulus Shilongo, Daniel Ngesheya, Padelia Nghishongwa, John Shilongo, Veiko Andjamba, Kamukwatange, Itoolwa Josef and Kennedy Iyambo.

The farmers were requested to take their cattle to Okapya for the auction, accompanied by the relevant documents, on 5 April.

ILENI NANDJATO

State House won't stop us

March 18, 2019, 3:00 pm

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State House won't stop usAR threatens 'mass occupations' in six months AR is also demanding that the City allocate “low-cost and social houses” in some of its more affluent areas, including Eros, Avis, Klein Windhoek, Auasblick and Kleine Kuppe. The City of Windhoek has six months to comply with a list of housing and land demands by the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement or else face mass land occupations.

In reference to a 2015 intervention by State House, which averted a previous threat to occupy land, AR said a “failure to respond will result in mass land occupations that will not be stopped by State House meetings”.

Hundreds of AR supporters joined activists yesterday for a march, which culminated in the handing over the list of demands to City CEO Robert Kahimise and National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi.

AR activist Job Amupanda told Kahimise the fight for land and houses has been ongoing for five years and AR and its supporters are gearing up to take the fight to the next level.

“We are really tired CEO. We have been here for five years. We have no plans of coming back. What is going to happen, we will just occupy and occupy and occupy and solve our own problems,” Amupanda said.

He said the handing over of the memorandum signalled a last opportunity for the City to respond. It also described the City as being “in intensive care” and “in urgent need of an operation to save its soul”.

The memorandum's first demand is for the City to immediately put a stop to the demolition of houses, which the AR described as a “ridiculous and barbaric” practice.

It warns that if homes continue to be destroyed, AR activists and their supporters will “retaliate to put a final stop to the continued demolitions”.



Act now or else

AR's list of demands include an immediate stop to the demolition of shacks, the handing over and finalisation of empty houses in Otjomuise, the servicing of erven in Goreangab, and responding to thousands of land applications.

It is also demanding that the City starts allocating “low-cost and social houses” in some of its more affluent areas, including Eros, Avis, Klein Windhoek, Auasblick and Kleine Kuppe. The memorandum accuses the City of having “dismally failed in addressing the housing situation, prioritising elite areas and maintaining the apartheid colonialism urban settlement policy”.

The memorandum's first demand is for the City to cease destroying shacks, which the AR noted “demonstrates the arrogance of the City [and] the cannibalistic levels to which the City has degenerated”.

AR further demanded that the not yet completed houses standing empty in Otjomuise be “allocated and occupied within six months”, otherwise it will step in and “allocate these houses”.





Another demand is for the finalisation of 300 houses in Goreangab. Unless the houses are completed within the six-month timeframe, AR warned it would begin the “final process of servicing and allocating these plots”.

Another demand is for the City to urgently act on the 14 000 applications for land that were submitted in 2014.

AR said the City should begin pre-allocations within the next six months, warning that “failure to respond will result in mass land occupations that will not be stopped by State House meetings”.

Kahimise yesterday thanked the protestors for their input and said the City has a transformational strategy in place intended to address the issues on land and housing, but added that “unfortunately good strategies and plans sometimes take time”.

He added that on the issue of student housing, land was allocated to the ministry of higher education and “is currently out of our hands”.

Moreover, Kahimise said “mass land servicing is a government project, and even empty houses are a government project”.

On the other issues, Kahimise said the municipality has taken note and will deal with them in due time.



The legal route

AR legal counsel Kadhila Amoomo confirmed they were preparing to submit a High Court application challenging the constitutionality of the Squatter's Proclamation.

Amoomo said AR believes the proclamation is a legal framework that “has no place on our law books”.

He said while parts of that law have been challenged before, AR aims to take a “holistic approach to have the entire proclamation struck down”.

He added the application will be submitted before the next scheduled court appearance on 4 June of AR activist Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, who was arrested in January alongside community members while attempting to rebuild a shack that police had torn down during a demolition of illegal structures.

Following the stop at the City of Windhoek the march then continued to parliament, where AR handed over its proposed Regulation of Land Ownership by Foreign Nationals Bill.

The primary objective of the bill is to regulate the foreign ownership of land in Namibia. The document seeks to regulate the acquisition of ownership of land, both urban and rural, by foreign nationals.

The bill states that all agricultural land owned by foreigners will be expropriated once the document is enacted “within three years”.

The bill says that no foreigner shall be allowed to make use of communal land for any purpose, and if any such agreements exist, they will be regarded as illegal and shall be repudiated.

Moreover, the bill, once enacted, is to be regarded as primary legislation, if it is in conflict with any other laws, and it shall be “the subject of proceedings in any foreign court or tribunal, with any disputes to be adjudicated in Namibia”.

Nust announces acting VC

March 19, 2019, 4:39 am

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Nust announces acting VC The council of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) has announced the appointment of Morné du Toit as its new vice-chancellor, effective 1 April. The announcement was made by chairperson of the council, Esi Schimming-Chase. Du Toit is currently serving as the vice-chancellor for administration and finance at the institution.
"Nust wishes to inform all staff that Morné du Toit will commence duties as acting vice-chancellor commencing on 1 April 2019, while the search for a substantive vice-chancellor continues," Schimming-Chase said in a memorandum issued to staff members.
Du Toit currently serves as deputy vice-chancellor for administration and finance and holds a Masters in Commerce from the University of Johannesburg. Outgoing vice-chancellor, Professor Tjama Tjivikua steps down on 29 March. Tjivikua is the founding vice-chancellor of Nust.

OGONE TLHAGE

Namibia pledges fish to Cyclone Idai victims

March 19, 2019, 6:40 am

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Namibia pledges fish to Cyclone Idai victims President Hage Geingob has pledged quantities of fish in humanitarian aid to people affected by Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. In a statement, Geingob also extended sympathies to families and friends of those who lost their loved ones during Cyclone Idai and related floods. “The Namibian government will provide quantities of fish as part of the relief contribution, and I call on the public and the business community to offer assistance to our brothers and sisters who are affected by this unbearable natural disaster,” said Geingob. Cyclone Idai tore into the centre of Mozambique on the night of 14 March, before barrelling on towards neighbouring Zimbabwe, bringing flash floods and ferocious winds, and washing away roads and houses. “I appeal to member states in SADC to stand in solidarity with the people of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, and see how our sister countries can be assisted,” said Geingob.
STAFF REPORTER

There is hope - Mensah

March 19, 2019, 3:00 pm

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There is hope - Mensah Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) president Corrie Mensah says there is still hope for Namibian rugby, despite the current storms.

Concerns have been raised about the future of the game in the country after the national team failed to participate in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge and Currie Cup last year.

Doubts remain about whether the team will participate this year.

The NRU president is, however, confident that Namibian rugby's pride will be restored.

“All I can say at the moment is that there is progress and we do have hope that things will get better for the union.

“I can also confirm that not everything has been resolved but we are heading in the right direction,” Mensah said.

Rugby has always been one of the few sport codes in the country to excel over the years.

The problems, however, started when the NRU and business wing Namibia Rugby Limited (NRL) began to fight over who should be in control of the country's rugby affairs.

The NRU argued the NRL was trying to exert control, given the financial influence it has.

The NRL is said to have influenced the appointment of coaches and management committees for the national team.

The disagreements were fuelled by the fact that the two parties signed a contract that favoured the NRL, and which gave it more control over local rugby.

Mensah said Namibians should be more excited about the upcoming 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, where the country will participate.

“I think there has been too much negative news about Namibian rugby, but it is time we focus on the positives.

“We have the Rugby World Cup coming up and that will be a good thing for our rugby,” he added.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

No gifts for Warriors

March 19, 2019, 3:00 pm

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No gifts for WarriorsChipolopolo rope in strong squad for do-or-die Afcon qualifier If Namibians thought Zambia would roll over and play dead in Saturday's Afcon qualifier, they should think again. The Brave Warriors, who are on the verge of qualifying for the 2019 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt, can expect no favours from Zambia, when they face off on Saturday at Heroes Stadium.

Chipolopolo's caretaker coach Aggrey Chiyangi says there will be no gifts when his side takes on Namibia.

Chiyangi told Zambian media that Chipolopolo's pride will be at stake in the game and they have to protect their reputation.

Guinea-Bissau and Namibia are top of Group K on eight points each, with Mozambique in third place on seven points.

Zambia are on four points and are out of the race for Afcon 2019.

Chiyangi also revealed that he will summon six to seven foreign-based players for the qualifier against Namibia.

He is also considering roping in Mwape Musonda, who is a known danger man.

The Black Leopards striker will return to the fold for the first time since 2017, and is currently the front-runner in the 2018/19 South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) golden boot race with 12 goals.

Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates duo of Justin Shonga and Augustin Mulenga and Zesco United striker Lazarus Kambole are also believed to be strongly in contention to start for Zambia.

Power Dynamos goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga will be Kennedy Mweene's understudy for the match.

Brave Warriors coach Ricardo Mannetti, however, remains undeterred.

His charges are currently training at the Highlands Park training facilities in South Africa before they head to Lusaka tomorrow.

“They will be at home and they need to salvage their campaign. We won't go there to hope for a miracle in Guinea- Bissau (where the home team is playing Mozambique), but we want to be masters of our own destiny. We are in charge,” Mannetti told Namibian Sun.

Chipolopolo are the 2012 African champions, whereas Namibia last qualified for the Afcon tournament in 2008, where they crashed out in the group stages in Ghana.

They also bowed out in the group stages of their only other appearance back in 1998, when the competition was hosted in Burkina Faso.

In order to qualify, Namibia need to avoid a defeat to Zambia.

The Warriors can also qualify if they lose to Zambia and Mozambique loses to Guinea-Bissau or if they lose to Zambia and Mozambique draws against Guinea-Bissau, as Namibia have better head-to-head record against Mozambique in the qualifiers.

The Warriors training squad consists of Virgil Vries, Maximillian Mbaeva, Loydt Kazapua, Petrus Shitembi, Tiberius Lombard, Ananias Gebhardt, Willy Stephanus, Denzil Haoseb, Peter Shalulile, Marcel Papama, Riaan Hanamub, Dynamo Fredericks, Emilio Martin, Ronald Ketjijere, Benson Shilongo, Ivan Kamberipa, Edmund Kambanda, Muna Katupose, Sadney Urikhob, Joslin Kamatuka, Charles Hambira, Treasure Kauapirura, Itamunua Keimuine, Immanuel Heita, Absalom Iimbondi and Deon Hotto.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

CFC on top in fistball league

March 19, 2019, 3:00 pm

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CFC on top in fistball league Cohen Fistball Club 1 (CFC 1) won the first round of the Bank Windhoek National Fistball League, after they defeated hosts Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) over the weekend.

CFC 1 ended on 12 points followed by SKW 1 and CFC 2 on ten and eight points, respectively. As expected, current champions, CFC 1, who have been in exceptional form, started off as the stronger team in Group A. They swept aside Swakopmund Fistball Club 2 (SFC 2), Deutscher Turn- und Sportverein (DTS) and CFC 3.

However, SKW 2, also part of Group A, refused to be dominated by CFC 1. They came back stronger and inflicted CFC 1's first defeat since June 2018.

SKW 2, however went down 2-1 to DTS in their previous game. CFC 3 then beat DTS 2-1. SKW 2 beat CFC 3 and SFC 2 and secured second place in Group A by winning one more set compared to other contenders in the group. In third place are CFC 3, followed by DTS and SFC 2.

SKW 1 dominated Group B as they won all their matches with a 3-0 scoreline. Behind them were CFC 2, who could have won all their matches except for a tough encounter against SKW 1 in which they eventually succumbed. SFC 1 and CFC 4 finished third and fourth in the group.

Cohen's second team put up an impressive performance against SKW 2 in the third and fourth place match.

CFC 3 lost 2-0 against SFC 1 in the fifth and sixth place battle. DTS, CFC 4 and SFC 2 competed for the remaining seventh and ninth spots in the round-robin stages.



Finale

Spectators were offered a high-quality final between CFC 1 and SKW 1.

SKW 1 got off to a better start in the game and quickly gained ground.

CFC 1 had to call a timeout to regroup after trailing 7-3 in the first set. The decision paid dividends as CFC 1 started to recover some ground but eventually lost as SKW 1 pressed harder to win the set. CFC 1 came back stronger in the second set with an improved performance, but had difficulty finishing the set with a score of 10-5. However, their main attacker Rico Kühnle-Kreitz brought the set to an end with a powerful serve to bring the score to 11-9 in favour of CFC 1.

In the third set, the reigning champions left SKW 1 with no chance and won 11-4. The fourth set was exciting with spectacular rallies and terrific defensive action.

CFC 1 once again kept the upper-hand and finished the set 14-12, winning the game 3-1. SKW 1 defender Gernot Helm was named player of the day.

Sport Reporter

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AR a ningi ehololomadhilaadhilo

March 19, 2019, 3:00 pm

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AR a ningi ehololomadhilaadhiloKape na ngoka te ke tuya moshipala - AR Elelo lyoshilando shaVenduka olya pewa oomwedhi hamano opo li gwanithe po omaindilo ngoka ga ningwa kehwahwameko lyoAffirmative Repositioning (AR) nenge iilyo yehwahwameko ndyoka yi kiikuthile omahala gokukala. Kwa gandja oshiholelwa sheidhopo mo lyegumbo lyepangelo momvula yo 2015, ndyoka lya yi moshipala oompangela dhokwiikuthila evi okuza koAR, ngashiingeyi ehwahwameko ndyoka olya popi kutya ngele inaya yamukulwa nena otaku kiikuthilwa evi, negumbo lyepangelo itali ka vula okuya ya moshipala.

Aayambidhidhi yoAR omathele oya wayimine aakwateli komeho yehwahwameko ndyoka, mboka ya ningi omunyanyo nehololomadhilaadhilo nokugandja omusholondondo gwomaindilo gawo kOmunambelewa Omukuluntu gwoshilando shaVenduka, Robert Kahimise.

Job Amupanda gwoAR okwa lombwele Kahimise kutya olugodhi lyevi nomagumbo olwa kala talu pula komeho uule woomvula ntano ngashiingeyi noAR pamwe naayambidhidhi yawo oya hala ya tule olugodhi ndoka pondondo ya gwedhwa po.

“Otwa loloka noonkondo. Otwa kala nokuya mpaka uule woomvula ntano. Katu na we oompangela dhokugaluka. Shoka tashi ka ningwa ngashiingeyi okwiikuthila owala omahala gokukala nokukandulapo omaupyakadhi getu tseyene,” Amupanda a popi.

Okwa popi kutya omukanda ngoka ya gandja kelelo lyoshilando ogu li ompito ya hugunina opo oshilando shi yamukule.

Omukanda ngoka ogwa pula elelo lyoshilando li hulithepo ehanagulo lyomagumbo gaakalimo,moka AR a popi kutya omukalo ngoka oguli uuhwapindi na kagu li pauntu.

AR okwa kunkilile kutya ngele ehanagulepo lyomagumbo olya tsikile nena AR otaka katuka oonkatu nokuya moshipala ehanagulepo lyomagumbo ngoka.

AR okwa pula woo egandjo lyomagumbo koshigwana ngoka ga tungwa mOtjomuise, ihe sigo onena kage na aantu, oshowo ewapaleko lyooplota momudhingoloko gwaGoreangab, oshowo eyamukulo komaindilo gevi ngoka ga li ga ningwa.



Oya pula woo oshilando shi tameke okugandja omagumbo gondando yopevi kaakwashigwana momahala gokuza ngaashi Eros, Avis, Klein Windhoek, Auasblick oshowo Kleine Kuppe.

AR okwa popi kutya ngele omagumbo ngoka geli mOtjomuise inaga pewa aakwashigwana muule woomwedhi hamano twa taalela nena oshigwana otashi kiikuthila omagumbo ngoka.

AR ota pula natango omayamukulo kombinga yomaindilo gevi ge li po 14 000 ngoka ga ningilwe nokugandjwa kelelo lyoshilando momvula yo 2014.

AR okwa kunkilile kutya oshilando nashi tameke okugandja omayakmukulo muule woomwedhi hamano ngele hasho nena AR otaka tokola okwiikuthila omahala gokukala negumbo lyepangelo itali ka vula okuya moshipala eikuthilo ndyoka nomitumba.

Kahimise okwa pandula aaningihololomadhilaadhilo omolwa omagwedhelepo gawo, ta popi kutya oshilando oshi na omilandu dhomalunduluko dhi li miilonga ndhoka dha nuninwa okukandulapo ompumbwe yomagumbo nomahala gokukala moshilando ihe okwa gwedha po kutya olundji omilandu ndhoka omiwanawa ohadhi kutha ethimbo.

Okwa gwedha po kutya kombinga yomagumbo gaailongi, okwa gandjwa evi kuuministeli welongo lyopombanda noshikumungu shoka ngashiingeyi kashi li momake gawo.

Kahimise okwa popi kutya ewapaleko lyevi oli li opoloyeka yepangelo oshowo omagumbo ngoka kage na ooyene naatango ogeli oshitopolwa shopoloyeka yepangelo.

Kombinga yiikumungu yilwe omunambelewa ngoka okwa popi kutya oshilando otashi ka ungaunga nokutala kutya otashi kandulapo ngiini omaupyakadhi ngoka.

OLUGODHI LWOPAVETA

Hahende gwoAR nomugandjimayele miikwaveta gwehwahwameko ndyoka, Kadhila Amoomo okwa koleke kutya otaya longekidha okuya kOmpangu yoPombanda opo ya pataneke ompango yoSquatter’s Proclamation.

Amoomo okwa popi kutya AR okwiitala kutya ompango ndjoka kayi na mo ehala momambo gwiikwaveta yaNamibia.

Okwa popi kutya eindilo ndyoka otaye ke li tulamo omanga esiku lyokuya kohofa lyoshilyo shoAR inali thikana momasiku ga ne gaJuni, moka Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, kwa tegelelwa a holoke ishewe mompangu omolwa oshipotha sheyo moshipala iilonga yopolisi, sho ya li tayi hanagulapo ombashu yomukwashigwana.

Nauyoma okwa li a tulwa miipandeko pamwe naakwashigwana yalwe muJanuari.

Ehololomadhilaadhilo lyoAR olya tsikile kOpaliamende hoka ya gandja ontotwaveta yawo tayi ithanwa Regulation of Land Ownership by Foreign Nationals Bill.

Elalakano lyontotwaveta ndjoka okukondolola uumwene wevi moNamibia okuza kaazaizai.

Ontotwaveta ndjoka otayi popi kutya omavi agehe guunamapya geli momake gaazaizai otaga ka kuthwa ko uuna ondokumende ndjoka ya tulwa miilonga muule woomvula ndatu.

Ontotwaveta ndjoka otayi yi woo moshipala egandjo lyevi kaazaizai ngaashi tashi ningwa ngashiingeyi moshilongo.

Idai wreaks havoc

March 19, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Idai wreaks havocMozambique on its knees Not taking into account the toll Cyclone Idai had on Zimbabwe and Malawi, Mozambique has a long road to recovery. More than 1 000 people were feared dead in Mozambique four days after a cyclone slammed into the country, submerging entire villages and leaving bodies floating in the floodwaters, the nation's president said.

“It is a real disaster of great proportions,” President Filipe Nyusi said.

Cyclone Idai could prove to be the deadliest storm in generations to hit the impoverished southeast African country of 30 million people.

It struck Beira, an Indian Ocean port city of a half-million people, late Thursday and then moved inland to Zimbabwe and Malawi with strong winds and heavy rain. But it took days for the scope of the disaster to come into focus in Mozambique, which has a poor communication and transportation network and a corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy.

Speaking on Radio Mozambique, Nyusi said that while the official death toll stood at 84, “It appears that we can register more than 1 000 deaths.”

Emergency officials cautioned that while they expect the death toll to rise significantly, they have no way of knowing if it will reach the president's estimate.

More than 215 people were killed by the storm in the three countries, including more than 80 in Zimbabwe's eastern Chimanimani region and more than 50 in Malawi, according to official figures. Hundreds more were reported injured and missing, and nearly 1 000 homes were destroyed in eastern Zimbabwe alone.

Doctors Without Borders said rivers have broken their banks leaving many houses fully submerged and around 11 000 households displaced in Nsanje, in southern Malawi.

UN agencies and the Red Cross helped rush emergency food and medicine by helicopter to the stricken countries.

The United Nation's humanitarian office said the government issued flood warnings and said heavy rains were forecast until this morning, including in areas already hit hard by Idai.

The Red Cross said 90% of Beira was damaged or destroyed. The cyclone knocked out electricity, shut down the airport and cut off access to the city by road.

UN officials cited reports that Beira Central Hospital's emergency room was flooded and without power, and that much of the building's roof had collapsed. Doctors Without Borders said it had completely ceased operations in Beira hospital, local health centres and throughout the community.

The destruction in Beira is “massive and horrifying”, said Jamie LeSueur, who led a Red Cross team that had to assess the damage by helicopter because of the flooded-out roads. The UN also warned of devastation outside Beira, in particular of livestock and crops.

“As this damage is occurring just before the main harvest season, it could exacerbate food insecurity in the region,” the UN OCHA office said.

NAMPA/AP

Ford Ranger claims top honours at awards

March 19, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Ford Ranger claims top honours at awardsCar Magazine’s Annual 12 Best Buys The victory is a fitting tribute to the current Ranger, which has consistently featured among the best-selling vehicles in South Africa. It is a great honour to have four Ford nameplates named among the best vehicles currently on sale in South Africa. - Doreen Mashinini, Marketing GM: Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa The Ford Ranger claimed top honours at Car Magazine’s annual Top 12 Best Buys Awards held in Johannesburg recently.

The win marked the Ranger’s eighth consecutive win in the hotly contested Double Cab Bakkie category.

Ford rounded off a successful evening with three more podium finishes for the Everest, EcoSport and Fiesta, which were all named runners-up in the Large SUV/Crossover, Small SUV/Crossover and Small Car categories, respectively.

“It is a great honour to have four Ford nameplates named among the best vehicles currently on sale in South Africa,” says Doreen Mashinini, general manager marketing at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. “It is, however, particularly gratifying to have the locally-built Ranger named the best Double Cab Bakkie for the eighth year in a row.”

The victory is a fitting tribute to the current Ranger, which has consistently featured among the best-selling vehicles in South Africa, and has dominated local double cab sales since 2014. It is also the country’s top light commercial vehicle export, and the best-selling pick-up in Europe.

“What’s especially noteworthy is that the Ranger won this title once again, when the New Ranger is about to go on sale in South Africa,” Mashinini adds. “The latest model will introduce even higher levels of performance, efficiency, technology, refinement and comfort to the pick-up segment.”

The Car Magazine Top 12 Best Buys is one of the longest-running awards in South Africa’s automotive industry. - Quickpic

Public urged to give input on laws

March 19, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Public urged to give input on lawsCommission to review newer legislation The law reform commission is forging ahead evaluating the impact laws have on the citizenry and has asked for public inputs. The Law Reform and Development Commission (LRDC) has urged members of the public to come forward and share their experiences with laws that have already been passed such as the Maintenance, Rape, Domestic Violence and the Electoral acts.

LRDC chairperson Yvonne Dausab said their aim is to make the law accessible and to be responsive to the needs of the people.

“We recommend review and reform based on whether a law affects people positively or negatively.”

The LRDC, through the justice ministry, recently repealed of a swathe of obsolete laws and regulations linked to the racist apartheid regime. The commission reviewed the entire body of 557 laws in force in Namibia in order to reform and develop Namibian laws for an independent Namibia.

This exercise led to the Repeal of Obsolete Laws Act, 2018 (Act No. 21 of 2018), which came into force on 1 March this year.

According to Dausab, the project on repealing obsolete laws is further complemented by another project which looks into laws that may be considered as impeding development, particularly socio-economic development.

This project is currently being undertaken and a report will be published when finalised.

Dausab told Namibian Sun that the commission will also soon visit justice minister Sacky Shanghala to discuss projects they intend to continue with or introduce for his consideration.

“But for the moment, the LRDC has just finalised its report on Divorce and the Red Line Matrimonial Property Regime and we hope to publish these reports soon.”

She said other on-going projects for the LRDC are include the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework, Laws Impeding Development, Review of the 1936 Insolvency Act, Administrative Justice, Customary Marriages, and Locus Standi. The commission also provides assistance to stakeholders on the Road Safety Management, Mental Health, and the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund bills.

According to Dausab there will always be laws that need to be repealed, but the question is perhaps rather whether they foresee a similar once-off repeal approach to laws in the future and she said they in fact do.

“Based on the exercise that led to the current repeals, we have come across some laws which needed further study to determine their current status and as the LRDC, we intend on following up on some of the leads we established in the last exercise.”

According to her the idea is to have a second phase of identifying outdated laws and to recommend these for repeal at the appropriate time.

She said the courts in Namibia also continue to shape the legal landscape of Namibia by pronouncing their views on laws that may be considered obsolete for reasons of being archaic and outdated.

“A case in point is around the issues of grounds for divorce. Other work that the LRDC is busy with is the proposal for the repeal of the native administrative proclamation that deals with the so called red line marriages.”

Dausab said the identification of obsolete laws and the recommendations for repeals thereof is thus something that various stakeholders can play an active role in and these laws can and continue to be repealed on an on-going basis.

“We would like the public to share their engagements with the laws and how they were, or are, affected.

We must remember that not every law that is from the apartheid dispensation is obsolete. Some continue to be useful and unless there are glaring contradictions with the constitution or other pieces of legislation, they are still being used. In those instances it may only require slight textual amendments to meet the needs of the people.”





ELLANIE SMIT

Agri ministry sidesteps timber issues

March 19, 2019, 3:00 pm

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Agri ministry sidesteps timber issues The ministry has sidestepped key questions on whether it will re-implement the ban on the export of unprocessed timber until a local value addition processing factory is established.

It did however say, weeks after being sent questions relating to a State House meeting between President Hage Geingob and the Swapo Youth League (SPYL), that the moratorium was one of the things that they were looking at. Executive director at the agriculture ministry, Percy Misika, confirmed that the ministry did not attend the meeting during which it was agreed with Geingob to forthwith cease the exportation of unprocessed timber and to establish a timber processing plant and value addition plant to create jobs and optimise the creation of a sustainable local enterprise.

“The ministry did not attend the meeting. However, it is the right of each and every citizen of this country to enjoy the freedom of speech as provided for in the constitution. The ministry acknowledges and appreciates the position of SPYL in this regard.” Misika further said that the ministry and other stakeholders are in consultation to find a sustainable solution to the timber issues when asked whether the halting of unprocessed timber exports will therefore be implemented immediately due to the decisions taken at State House.

“The media and general public will be apprised of developments in this regard in due course,” he said.

According to Misika the subject is still under discussion and a moratorium is just but one of the options that could be considered. He however said the ministry can and is ready to play a facilitating role together with the trade ministry in the establishment of a timber processing plant in the country.

“However, the ministry will also continue monitoring the forest resources and regulate the flow of timber from forests to wood factories, if and when they are established.”



ELLANIE SMIT