Wife stabbed, husband commits suicide

August 19, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Wife stabbed, husband commits suicide A woman is in a critical condition after she was stabbed several times, allegedly by her husband, who then committed suicide in the Ohangwena Region.

The incident occurred at Etambo village in the Epembe constituency on Saturday.

The woman was transported to the Onandjokwe hospital, where she is in a critical condition. After the stabbing incident, the husband was found hanging from a tree with a rope around his neck.

The deceased was identified as Immanuel Nehale.

The police said it is not known what prompted the stabbing.





In another incident, a 21-year-old man was killed on Sunday in a brawl over a comb inside the Keetmanshoop police station holding cells.

The fight started with some insults and then turned physical.

The police officers on duty went to the cells when they heard noises and found one of the inmates, Ernesto Jahrs, injured.

He was immediately taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead. Jahrs had been detained for assault by threat.

In another incident, a mentally challenged woman was raped on Friday in Mariental.

According to the police, the suspect apparently lied to the victim, saying he would take her to her caregiver, but then dragged her into a house and raped her.

The suspect has not been arrested.

In a separate incident, a 24-year-old woman was raped, allegedly by an 18-year-old man, in the Otjomuise area on Saturday. The suspect was arrested.

Another rape case was reported at Okuryangava in Wanaheda on Sunday, when a 20-year-old man allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl. The suspect has been arrested.

In another incident, a woman was raped in the presence of her child and mother, when a man broke into their home on Friday in Wanaheda.

According to the police the incident took place in Kariba Street in the Goreangab Dam area, when the three victims were overpowered by the suspect, who broke into their house while they were sleeping.







The man threatened them with a gun and then raped the woman.



The suspect wore a balaclava to cover his face and was armed with a firearm and knife. He demanded money from the victims and later took a TV and two cellphones valued at more than N$29 000. No arrest has been made.







Crash claims seven



Seven people were killed in an accident on Sunday along the Trans-Kalahari road near the Otjivero Dam.



A Ford Bantam bakkie travelling from Gobabis towards Windhoek collided with a fuel tanker that was driving in the opposite direction.



According to the police, the driver of the bakkie apparently swerved into the oncoming lane and collided with the loading box of the tanker. Six bakkie passengers died on the scene and another died in a Gobabis hospital.



The tanker driver was treated for shock. Both drivers were tested for alcohol and the driver of the bakkie tested positive and was arrested. He was admitted to the Windhoek Central Hospital.



Several other culpable homicide cases involving negligent driving and driving without a licence were also reported over the weekend.

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Zim deploys security forces

August 19, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Zim deploys security forces Troops and police were out in force in Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo yesterday to prevent a planned opposition march, days after brutally dispersing a similar banned protest in Harare. Soldiers and armed police on horseback and in trucks were seen patrolling the central business district and most of the high density suburbs. One of the city's usually busy areas, the precincts of Tredgold Magistrate Courts, where illegal forex changers ply their trade, was cordoned off by police. Police have also set up checkpoints on most roads leading to the city centre. Photo Nampa/Reuters

Risks to growth 'increasing by the day'

August 19, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Risks to growth 'increasing by the day'African economy threatened African nations need to boost trade with each other and add value to agricultural produce to cushion the impact of external shocks, the AfDB says. The challenges cannot be solved unless all the barriers come down. – Akinwumi Adesina, President: AfDB Nuzulack Dausen - The US-China trade war and uncertainty over Brexit pose risks to Africa's economic prospects that are "increasing by the day," the head of the African Development Bank (AfDB) says.

Akinwumi Adesina, president of the AfDB, said the bank could review its economic growth projection for Africa - of 4% in 2019 and 4.1% in 2020 - if global external shocks accelerate.

"We normally revise this depending on global external shocks that could slowdown global growth and these issues are increasing by the day," Adesina told Reuters late on Saturday on the sidelines of the Southern African Development Community meeting in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam.

"You have Brexit, you also have the recent challenges between Pakistan and India that have flared off there, plus you have the trade war between the United States and China. All these things can combine to slow global growth, with implications for African countries."

The bank chief said African nations need to boost trade with each other and add value to agricultural produce to cushion the impact of external shocks.

China

"I think the trade war has significantly impacted economic growth prospects in China and therefore import demand from China has fallen significantly and so demand for products and raw materials from Africa will only fall even further," he said.

"It will also have another effect with regard to China's own outward-bound investments on the continent," he added, saying these could also affect official development assistance.

Adesina said a continental free-trade zone launched last month, the African Continental Free Trade Area, could help speed up economic growth and development, but African nations needed to remove non-tariff barriers to boost trade.

"The countries that have always been facing lower volatilities have always been the ones that do a lot more in terms of regional trade and do not rely on exports of raw materials,” Adesina said.

"The challenges cannot be solved unless all the barriers come down. Free mobility of labour, free mobility of capital and free mobility of people."– Nampa/Reuters

The world is her stage

August 19, 2019, 4:00 pm

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The world is her stageFierce, stunning and unapologetic After returning from her nine-month course at New York Film Academy next year, Naledi Kunene plans to establish an acting academy for less privileged, yet passionate, individuals. Ester Kamati



Dancer, MC, entrepreneur, personal assistant and actress.

These are the hats that Naledi Kunene, popularly known as Nay-Nay, wears when she is not occupied with her full-time studies at the University of Namibia (Unam).

The third-year media and drama student describes herself as independent and loud. She is also a talented and passionate dancer. “Dancing interprets what I can’t say with my mouth,” she said.

Her advice to fellow youth is: “Get out of your comfort zone.”

Kunene, who was born in South Africa, developed a love for the performing arts while in the seventh grade, after she was named as the overall winner of an inter-school arts and culture competition in Mpumalanga, South Africa, where she performed a monologue. She, however, started acting in the third grade.

On 7 July she travelled overseas for a two-week competition hosted in Los Angeles and competed in the acting category.

Out of the 66 participating countries at the world championships for performing arts, Kunene was one of the eight actors who made it into the semi-finals.

Kunene was discovered by the director of the Namibian Championships of Performing Arts, Lomine Brynard, at a fundraising event where she was emceeing.

Brynard approached her after noticing her great talent and stage presence, and invited her to the audition for the Namibian championships, which was held at the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) last year.

However, Kunene realised the application fee of N$900 was a bit too steep for her and considered auditioning only in 2019.

Brynard offered to pay the fee for the actress, due to her potential, on the condition that she makes her proud.

The rest is history, as Kunene returned home with medals and a scholarship.

During her journey, she has encountered mainly financial problems, as in Namibia and South Africa, nobody wanted to sponsor her trip to the United States, which amounted to about N$87 000.

This was because she is South African, but was representing Namibia, which caused a bit of a stir. After a fruitless search for sponsors, Kunene then decided to raise her own funds for the trip.

Her strong support system, comprising of friends and family, chipped in and also assisted her with her fundraising activities. Kunene received the rest of the funds from her parents. She had to spend this on transport, accommodation and a team tracksuit, as well as pocket money.

“The fact that my friends believed in me is what inspired me. My mom told me that even if it means selling the cars at home, I have to go because she also saw the potential that everyone else saw,” she said.

Because of the sponsorship rejections and the financial burden, she almost gave up, but kept going due to the support of her inner circle.

“Receiving support from somebody who doesn’t expect you to pay them back really keeps you going. That is what helped me give my best in Los Angeles, because I felt like I owed it to the people who helped me get there.”

Her audition at NTN was mediated by four judges, whereas in Los Angeles, 21 professionals judged the competition, which she admitted was a bit scary, in addition to the 17 cameras.

“For me, I’ve already won, by just making it to an international stage,” she said.

After being recognised at the international competition, Kunene’s first thought was: “Am I really that talented?”

That was the moment that she realised the talent that other people saw in her.

“My friends always told me that I can pull off anything and at that point when I won (the scholarship), that’s when I comprehended that they were not lying.”

During her trip, Kunene had the experience of a lifetime and got to visit Hollywood and Disneyland, and even had her name written on a star.

“I went to a selfie museum because I am obsessed with pictures,” she added.

Universal Studios was also one of the places she visited, which she described as the craziest experience, as she met Eddie Murphy and Steve Harvey, among other big Hollywood names.

She is currently on a mission to raise funds for her tuition next year, because her scholarship only covers 25% of the fees.

After returning from her nine-month course at New York Film Academy next year, she plans on establishing an acting academy for less privileged, yet passionate, individuals. “I see people who have a drive for performing, but there are no funds, and thus no school to take them in,” she said.

“I really want to do this to give back to a place I call home, even though I am not originally from Namibia.”

Naledi fun facts:

She is not an open book, as people may think.

She has the loudest laugh.

She’s extremely adventurous.

She is part of a royal family.

She is tremendously fashion conscious.

Massive expo boost

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Massive expo boostNBL unveils N$300 000 sponsorship NBL is sponsoring the upcoming Namibia Annual Sports Expo to the tune of N$300 000. Limba Mupetami



Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) has joined a growing number of corporates and individuals, who are generously sponsoring the upcoming Namibia Annual Sports Expo (NASE).

The first-ever expo will be hosted from September 4 to 7 at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek and yesterday received a N$300 000 boost from NBL.

The expo is a joint effort between the sports ministry and the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC).

Government officials and businesses have pledged financial support and in-kind contributions towards the event.

To kickstart the pledges, in November 2018 sports minister Erastus Uutoni, who is also the patron of the expo, donated N$2 000 from his own pocket.

NamPower pledged N$100 000 and FNB Namibia N$150 000. Ali Dharani of the Rani Group has so far also contributed N$50 000. Now NBL has joined as the main sponsor.

NBL’s James Maswahu said it is common knowledge that sport improves the efficiency and quality of life of every citizen, while at the same time giving opportunities for Namibians to forge a national identity of oneness.

“In the essence of team spirit, we recognised the opportunity to connect the NBL brand with the national sport expo event, aimed at bringing people together, while at the same time fostering relationships and bringing unity to the sporting fraternity,” said Maswahu.

NSC chairperson Joel Mateus said these are exciting times.

“Thanks for the opportunity and decision to join the expo. It’s overdue, as we have been speaking of professionalising sport for a long time. However, we cannot speak of professionalising sport, if we isolate the involvement of other sectors.

“NBL is indeed involved with a lot of sport codes in the country and we are honoured to have a corporate company that is willing to step forward and help where needed,” Mateus added.

The sport expo, which will be a first for Namibia, will be the country’s biggest international show dedicated to the sport, fitness and health industries.

It will also place special emphasis on local manufacturers, with the aim of showcasing and connecting them with potential investors at the event.

The expo aims to unite men and women in the sporting sector.

People from all over the country will exhibit their products at the venue. The aim of hosting an annual sport expo is to bring together all stakeholders, including government, sponsors, athletes, businesses and fans.

New brooms at SON

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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New brooms at SON LIMBA MUPETAMI

The Special Olympics Namibia (SON) board of directors has appointed Emilia Nzuzi as the organisation’s new national director and Werner Jeffery Jr, who will occupy the position of national sport director.

The two will be responsible for all operational and administrative matters of the SON.

For the remainder of the year they will run the Healthy Athletes and Healthy Smile programme, starting from 20 September, with a venue still to be confirmed.

They will also see to it that the Law Enforcement Torch Run takes place on 19 October. The venue for this event will also be announced.

On 2 November there will also be a family fun day at the Katutura sport complex.

In a statement, the board of directors thanked former national director Simon Muinjo for his contribution to the SON and also encouraged others to get involved with the organisation.

Taming China's Dong

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Taming China's DongShonena set to light up Ongwediva trade fair The stage has been set for Mika Shonena to light up Ongwediva with a bout against China's Youli Dong. Mikka Shonena says he has studied his opponent and that his camp has the perfect plan for Chinese welterweight boxer Youli Dong.

Dong arrived in Windhoek and met his opponent for the first time at the MTC headquarters yesterday.

The Chinese fighter is set to battle Shonena on Saturday at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF).

It will be Dong's first fight on the African continent and Shonena has promised him a rude awakening.

“The time is here and I have to thank my promoter and MTC for making this possible. My coaches have prepared me well, because I am fit and ready to fight in the north.

“I would like people to come in their numbers in order for them to witness a great fight,” Shonena said.

The boxer acknowledged the fact that he will be up against a tough opponent, but remains confident of emerging victorious.

Rated number five in the world by the WBO, a win for Shonena could leapfrog him to third in the rankings, which will get him closer to a world title fight as a mandatory challenger.

“People must understand that I am not only fighting for myself, but the whole of Namibia.

“I will definitely not allow Namibia to get beaten by China,” Shonena said.

The Chinese boxer is ranked 15th by the WBO and will have to be at his best to tame the Namibian.

Dong and his camp, however, believe they can spoil the party for Namibia.

The Chinese pugilist said he has seen a two-minute video of Shonena and will be prepared to work on his opponent's weaknesses.

Speaking through an interpreter, Dong assured Namibia of a titanic boxing night.

“It is my first time coming to Namibia and I am coming here to win the fight. I am still young, but ready to put up a great fight against a strong Namibian boxer,” Dong said.

It has been five months since Shonena last fought, but his camp is confident.

Shonena represented the MTC Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy at the Legacy Fight Part 2, where he dispatched his Tanzanian opponent Shadrack Ignas via a fourth-round technical knockout (TKO).

The Namibian will, however, be well aware that he is coming up against a man with a record of 15 fights, 13 wins, one loss and a draw.

Shonena will be comforted by the fact that he boasts a better record of 14 fights and 14 wins in his professional career.

Promoter Nestor Tobias said he is happy that the fight will take place.

“Staging such a big fight is not easy, but we have managed to bring in a man from as far as Asia to fight here in Namibia.

“It takes hard work and commitment to produce these top boxers from grassroots level.

“All this would have not been possible if it was not for our main sponsor, MTC, who has worked closely with us.

“Fights of this nature always come with a heavy price tag and I am happy that it is going to happen,” Tobias said.

Both the WBO Africa and WBO Asia Pacific titles will be on the line.

There will also be nine undercard fights, including one featuring the academy's top prospect, Harry Simon Jr.

Standard tickets are selling for N$100, while VIP tables that seat 10 people cost N$10 000.

Tickets are available at Computicket at Shoprite and Checkers outlets countrywide, and will also be on sale at the venue. The fight will be broadcast live in Namibia and China.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa

Aayelele ‘oye li aapika’

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Aayelele ‘oye li aapika’Ya hala okwiikwalela po yoyene momalelo Amushanga gwomukunda Onamatanga, Mpepo Festus, okwa popi kutya otaya lyatelwa pevi kwaamboka taye ya kalelepo meningo lyomatokolo kombinga yawo pankatu yapalelo lyopamuthigululwakalo. ILENI NANDJATO

Okwa popi kutya ngashiingeyi oya ninga aapika yaamboka ya kala inaya talika nale, mboka taye yakutu miilonga koohambo dhawo.

Festus ngoka a li ina pewa ompito yokupopya nomupresidende pethimbo lyomutumba gwomupresidende noshigwana ngoka gwa ningwa mOutapi oshiwike sha piti, okwa popi kutya ethimbo olya thikana opo yiikalelepo yoyene pankatu yomalelo gopamuthigululwakalo.

Okwa popi kutya oya mona oonzo dhawo dhopaushitwe tadhi kuthwa po komalelo gopamuthiglulwakalo ihe kaye shoka taya vulu okuninga molwaashoka kaye na ookansela naakalelipo melelo, ya za mokati kayo.

Okwa popi kutya oonzo dhoka haya kuthwa ongaashi evi oshowo omakuti ngoka taga kondololwa komalelo gopamuthigululwakalo.

Festus okwa tsikile kutya nonando oye na ooyene yomikunda, kaye na oonkondo dhasha mokuninga omatokolo.

Okwa tsikile kutya aantu ohaye ya momukunda dhawo nokwiikuthila evi, nokutameka okuya kondolola.

“Otu na evi naantu mboka ohaye ya nokutula moloogolo evi nokutulapo oohambo dhawo ngashiingeyi otatu thiminikwa opo tu kale twiikolelela muyo. Ohaye tu kutu miilonga nenge aanona yetu onga aalithi yiimuna yawo nenge aasilishisho yomagumbo. Ooskola momidhingoloko dhetu odha hulila owala poondondo dhopetameko naanona otaya ningi aalithi yiimuna nenge aasilishisho yomagumbo. Otwa li woo tu na omakuti ihe ngashiingeyi oga tetwa po kaantu oyo tuu mboka.”

Okwa tsikile kutya mboka oya pewa evi komalelo gopamuthigululwakalo naashoka osha guma oonkalamwenyo dhawo molwaashoka aakomeho yomikunda dhawo kaye na oonkondo dha sha dhokutinda, sho evi li li tali kondololwa komalelo gopamuthigululwakalo.

Pahapu dhe, onkalo ndjoka itayi inyenge owala mOmusati ihe konyala omiitopolwa amuhe yomonooli, moka mu na aakwashigwana mboka yomuhoko gwAayelele.

Okwa tsikile kutya omupyakadhi ngoka oga taalella aakwashigwana yomuhoko gwawo monooli yoshilongo, na oya li ya gandja omanyenyeto ngoka pethimbo lyomutumba omutiyali gwevi ngoka gwa ningwa muKotomba omvula ya piti, ihe kape na shoka sha ningwa po.

Okwa holola woo okuuva nayi kwe sho a li ina vula okupewa ompito okutya sha moshigongi shomupresidende shoka sha ningilwa mOutapi, nonando aakwashigwana yomomudhingoloko gwawo oye mu pe oshinakugwanithwa e ke ya kalelepo moshigongi shoka.

Okwa popi kutya okwa shangithwa kombelewa ya ngoloneya ihe ina pewa ompito molwaashoka ethimbo olya pwa po.

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Frustration, anger at Hoachanas

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Frustration, anger at HoachanasNo development, no maintenance Time at Hoachanas appears to have halted with residents saying nothing is happening at all except that everything is falling apart. Hoachanas residents are fed up with the Hardap regional council and have broken the locks of the half-completed toilets at the settlement.

They said a dozen elderly people are being “held prisoner” in their homes by a three-metre-wide sewer line that has been under construction for the past five years.

According to community activist Dawid Gurubeb their pleas to the regional council for a meeting to discuss their problems have fallen on deaf ears over the last two years.

A community meeting had been called by constituency councillor Simon Dukuleni on Friday, but was cancelled at the last minute.

“He did not even have the decency to call us personally. We heard about the cancellation of the meeting over the Kaisames FM radio station,” said Gurubeb. Pensioner Sylvestor Marau and his wife Susanna live in a one-room shack with no water connection, even though they paid the connection fee five years ago.

“We are begging water from other people around here,” Marau said.

They also cannot make use of a toilet, because it has not been officially handed over by the council.

Their mobility is limited because the three-metre-wide ditch for the sewer line runs right in front of their gate, making it impossible for a car to park there or a person to walk in.

“When we get sick, which happens often, we must climb through the fence,” said Sylvester.

He added that it is always a struggle because the holes in the fence are not big enough and they are both very frail. Just three houses away from them lives an elderly woman who walks with a walker who has to be transported to the bucket toilet in a wheelbarrow.

“I broke the lock of this toilet in my yard. Why must I struggle like this when I can use the toilet? Our people do not have toilets, we only have shacks,” she said.

At times she must crawl to the bucket toilet because there is not always someone to help her.

She is also confined to her yard because of the sewer line and cannot even go to the clinic unless someone assists her. Axab Skrywer, the acting deputy director for administration in the Hardap regional council, promised that a meeting would be held today.

He said the council had received numerous petitions from the community and would give feedback on their complaints today. He could not say why development projects such as the allocation of plots, the completion of toilets and the sewer line have not been completed yet.

“We have done phases one, two and three. Tomorrow we will go there with the planners who will explain everything,” he said.

According to him it took them so long to return to the community because they needed to consult with politicians first.

Constituency councillor Simon Dukuleni was not reachable on his phone.

JEMIMA BEUKES

APP pins its hopes on Electoral Tribunal

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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APP pins its hopes on Electoral Tribunal On Friday the Oshakati Electoral Tribunal will decide whether the Oshakati East by-election will go ahead on Saturday without the APP candidate.

The Electoral Tribunal has set 23 August for the hearing of the matter between Tangy Mike Tshilongo of the All People's Party (APP) and Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) Oshakati East returning officer Efraim Iiyambo.

The APP approached the Electoral Tribunal after its candidate, Edward Kambwali, failed to register in time because party representative Tangy Mike Tshilongo showed up late.

The APP is now looking at the court to stop the by-election scheduled for this Saturday.

The deadline for registration was at 11:00 on 15 July, but Tshilongo showed up an hour later, while returning officer Iiyambo was presenting the candidates to the media.

Swapo, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), the South West Africa National Union (Swanu), Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) and the Congress of Democrats (CoD) have registered candidates, while an independent candidate is also taking part.

Tshilongo bases his legal argument on section 81(1) of the Electoral Act, which stipulates that a session for the submission of the nomination of candidates should be from 09:00 until 11:00, “but if at the last-mentioned hour any person present is then ready to submit the nomination of a candidate or a person has so submitted the nomination, but it has not been completed, the returning officer for the constituency must continue the sitting to enable the candidate to be duly nominated”.

Earlier, Iiyambo had told Namibian Sun that the registration time was sufficient and he had made sure that all those who declared an interest were registered.

“Shilongo first started complaining about the road to Ompundja, that it was not good so that he could come collect the registration form. About two weeks ago I took the form to their house. This morning [15 July] I called him again that he must make sure he registers before 11:00,” Iiyambo said.

The by-election was necessitated by the death of Oshakati East constituency councillor Lotto Kuushomwa on 27 May.

Swapo is represented by Shikongo Abner, while Iiyambo Ilias is the CoD candidate.

The PDM has selected Kamati Teophilus as its candidate, while Rebecca Kambayi is the Swanu candidate and Shaduva Festus Damamomwene will stand for the NEFF. The five are joined by independent candidate Fiina Kuutondokwa.

ILENI NANDJATO

APP youth want Hage to resign

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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APP youth want Hage to resign The All People's Party Youth League (APPYL) has joined the chorus of those who have condemned President Hage Geingob's remarks about how the Kavangos voted during the 1989 elections.

The APPYL has also called on the president to resign.

Youth league president Sebastian Ntjamba said Geingob's utterances during last week's town hall meeting at Khorixas answered the ultimate question about why the two Kavango regions remain poor and underdeveloped, and why Kavangos remain under-represented in top government positions. Geingob was quoted as saying: “We googled; we like to do research and just to look at the first elections, the results for the Kavango, who claim they voted for Swapo, it's not true, it was terrible. We lost Kavango basically, terribly,” Geingob reportedly said. However, the election results in Kavango showed that 27 256 people had voted for Swapo, while 22 046 had cast their ballots for the then DTA in 1989.

Ntjamba argued the Kavango regions have been neglected intentionally because of what transpired in 1989.

“That confession from the head of state speaks volumes; it has answered all our doubts as to why Kavango has been the poorest region in Namibia since 1990,” Ntjamba said. “The region (which has since been divided into east and west) has been and is still top in all the negative issues, such as poverty, teenage pregnancies and the high unemployment rate.

“All our research to curb all these problems have been a waste of resources and time for it addressed the symptom, but not the cause; the cause is a deep hate from the Swapo leadership… the current head of state, who spilled their secret conspiracy against fellow Namibians to subject them to oppression, because of the hallucination and baseless allegation of the 1989 vote.”

Ntjamba said Geingob should resign from his position, based on the remarks he made.

“It is against this background upon which we call on the head of state to do an honourable thing to resign as the president of the Republic of Namibia.”

The APPYL's statement follows similar statements by the Kavango-based pressure group known as the Muzokumwe Volunteers Organisation (MVO) and the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), which is the rebranded DTA.

Meatco's communal producer plan

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Meatco's communal producer planEngaging the unions Meatco has introduced a plan to secure the value chain that communal farmers bring into the cattle industry. Meatco last week invited key leaders from the Otjozondjupa Communal Farmers Union (OCFU) and the Omaheke Regional Farmers Union (ORFU) to share with them its plans to establish beneficial business communications with communal producers in Namibia.

At the meeting, Meatco presented three options under which it aims to sustainably conduct business with communal producers going forward.

The basis of all three options is to form a contractual beneficial partnership with marketing structures in the communal areas in order to develop, capacitate and empower those structures to be relevant within their own communities.

According to Meatco's manager for communal livestock procurement, Patrick Liebenberg, the benefits of animals from communal areas should go directly to the producers and the structures organised from within these areas.

“Communal farmers are important to the entire cattle value chain and that should be taken into account from the initial purchasing of animals.

“The magnitude of communal farmers is just massive and it needs to be coordinated properly.

“Therefore, farmers and Meatco must take hands and meet each other halfway.

More so, when it come to the choice between the production systems of weaner or oxen,” said Liebenberg.

In response, the two farmers unions concluded that they would take the options presented and deliberate on them and thereafter, seek an audience with Meatco, before October.

This is after they have done a study to identify the strengths and weaknesses of all the options and decided on the most beneficial and practical one for the members they represent.

According to Meatco the meeting was an open conversation centred on how the company and the Namibian communal producers can take each other's hands and move towards a common goal.

Furthermore, Meatco outlined and established the significant value communal producers can add to its business model through the Meatco Foundation.

It also considered how this could be realised by keeping Meatco's doors open and how communal farmers can provide adequate numbers of cattle for the coming financial year (2020/21), taking into consideration the current persistent drought situation.





STAFF REPORTER

Grootfontein fraud investigation drags on

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Grootfontein fraud investigation drags on KENYA KAMBOWE

The police have made no arrests yet in a fraud case involving N$150 000 that was transferred from the Grootfontein municipality’s bank account.

This was confirmed by Otjozondjupa police spokesperson Inspector Maureen Mbeha, who said the matter was still being investigated.

The case has been under investigation since March.

Fraudsters submitted a letter to the local authority indicating that the banking details of Rubicon Security, the company that provides security services to the municipality, had changed.

The municipality then made payments into the bank account given by the fraudsters.

According to copies of proof of payment seen by Namibian Sun, Grootfontein municipality acting CEO Arnold Ameb and chief accountant Martha Hamunyela authorised payment requests submitted by the town’s accountant, Serah Hialulwa, on two separate occasions.

The first payment of N$74 923.23 was authorised on 29 January and the second, for same amount, on 27 February.

The matter came to light when Rubicon Security enquired in March why it had not received its payment.

Ameb approached the Grootfontein police on 6 March and opened a case of fraud.

However in a letter dated 3 July to mayor Abisai Haimene, the municipality’s finance executive, Ileni Hainghumbi, accused Ameb of being responsible for a number of transactions made by the municipality while he was on suspension. These transactions included the fraud case that is under investigation.

“The acting chief executive prudently authorised the fake bank details of Rubicon Security from the correct bank details to the made-up bank account. The acting chief executive officer has on two occasions authorised payments to the made-up bank account to the amount of N$149 846.40,” the letter reads.

When contacted for comment in May, Rubicon Security director Christo Groenewald said the company never instructed the municipality to change its banking details.

He added that Rubicon’s headquarters are in Tsumeb, while letterheads used by the fraudsters indicated they were in Henties Bay, which he said should have raised alarm.

“So many people are trying their luck to inform a specific debtor that your banking details have changed; we see that a lot in the industry,” he said.

“What you do when you receive such a letter is to phone that office and make sure you speak to the person that you know to confirm whether the banking details have changed.”

Domestic workers ‘fear’ joining unions

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Domestic workers ‘fear’ joining unionsAlso fail to take full maternity leave Among the challenges highlighted was the lack of maternity benefits experienced among many of Namibia’s more than 71 000 domestic workers. JANA-MARI SMITH

Many domestic workers fear joining trade unions or taking full maternity leave, because they believe this could cost them their jobs.

A study commissioned by the Labour Resource and Research Institute (LaRRI) Namibia underlined that the “fear of losing employment if they join a trade union is rife” amongst some of the 203 domestic workers who took part in the research.

The study, titled 'When the minimum wage is not taking the worker home', was launched last week.

Trade unions informed the researchers further that determining the growth of union membership was hard, following the implementation of the minimum wage order in 2015, because “some employers threatened to release [domestic workers] from their duties, thereby compromising their right to associate and belong to trade unions”.

The study also found that the registration of domestic workers with the Social Security Commission (SSC) “remains low”, a concern highlighted by trade union representatives.

Moreover, it was found that “some employers were habitual defaulters, as they were not remitting the mandatory social security contributions to the commission”.

Another challenge highlighted by the study was the lack of maternity benefits experienced among many of Namibia’s more than 71 000 domestic workers.

The study underlined that a “significant number” of domestic workers surveyed said they are now allowed time off during their pregnancy and “even after delivery they are still expected to return to work within a short period of time”.

The study concluded that most domestic workers don’t enjoy Namibia’s legally stipulated maternity benefits and don’t spend “enough time with their babies after birth for fear of loss of income in the absence of registration with the Social Security Commission”.

Another concern highlighted by the trade unions is that a number of people employed as domestic workers are in fact providing “unpaid family labour”. The unions claimed that many work and live on the premises of an employer and “as a result rely on their employer for feeding and are irregularly offered second-hand clothing and sometimes toiletries in lieu of payment”.

The unions further expressed concern that the current minimum wage is inadequate to cover the cost of living and that the bargaining ability of domestic workers is limited.

Nevertheless, they agreed that the introduction of the minimum wage order has helped to enhance the lives of most domestic workers, who do have better protections in place and “are not as vulnerable as they used to be in the absence of the wage order”.

The study includes recommendations to government and trade unions, among which are suggestions for unions to develop campaigns for domestic workers to improve union membership.

Moreover, unions are encouraged to campaign for a living minimum wage, while using the cost of basic needs as a yardstick.

The study further recommends a toll-free line and complaint boxes for members to alert them to abuse and other queries.

A legal and information centre should also be considered.

Government is advised to implement continuous programmes to promote greater public awareness and an understanding of the domestic worker minimum wage, and the continuous reinforcement of domestic work as paid work.

Moreover, labour inspections should not be the domain of the labour ministry alone, but routine checks on domestic workers should be strengthened with the creation of a specialised tripartite multi-sectoral and inter-ministerial committee.

The study also recommends that “it is about time to get a better understanding of the needs and expectations of employers”.

It recommends engaging them in discussions that can help both sides and lead to a more practical strategy to ensure greater recognition and respect for the minimum wage order, and greater protection for domestic workers.

The shame of child marriage

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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The shame of child marriage President Hage Geingob’s plea around child marriages should be commended.

Speaking at the opening of the 22nd annual meeting of the Council of Traditional Leaders this week, Geingob also called on traditional leaders to do more to root out violence, discrimination and crime in the country. Tellingly, he urged them not to allow child marriages and labour, and to report such incidents. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Namibian constitution state that a person must be at “full age” when married and that a marriage should be entered into freely and with full consent. The 2011 census findings revealed that child marriage affects both girls and boys, noting that 3 828 girls and 1 699 boys were living in traditional marriages or consensual unions. The incidence of teenage pregnancy is also of great concern in Namibia, with approximately 26% of girls aged 18 having started child-bearing, as revealed by the Namibia Demographic and Health Survey of 2013.

Unicef data released in 2014 in the report ‘Ending Child Marriage: Progress and Prospects’, showed that more than 700 million women who were alive all over the world at the time were married before their 18th birthday. Many of them were forced into these unions before the age of 15. While the median age at first marriage is gradually increasing, this improvement has been limited primarily to girls of families with higher incomes while girls from resource-constrained families suffer profound, permanent and utterly unnecessary harm from child marriages. Geingob reiterated this week that traditional authorities and their leaders have a huge role to play in terms of the promotion and creation of conditions for the empowerment and protection of women and children in society. Child marriages strike at the heart of efforts to uplift the girl child. Committed efforts to end child marriage must therefore include the adoption of strategies for the economic empowerment of families, the promotion of access to social protection, inclusive education and sexual and reproductive services for vulnerable girls.

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Killer gets two life sentences

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Killer gets two life sentencesWomen killed in 'gruesome, brutal manner' Judge Christie Liebenberg stated the convicted killer showed no remorse at all in respect of his wrong actions. Lukas Nicodemus, who was earlier this month found guilty of killing two women and burning their bodies in the capital in January 2016, was yesterday sentenced to two life imprisonments.

Nicodemus, 49, was sentenced by High Court Judge Christie Liebenberg for the deaths of Windhoek residents Johanie Naruses, 29, and Clemensia de Wee, 23.

On the two charges of murder, he was found guilty with direct intent to kill both women and was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the two counts.

Nicodemus was also sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in respect of a third count of defeating the course of justice when he dumped and burned the victims' bodies at a dumpsite in the Pionierspark residential area during the period between 6 and 7 January 2016, in an attempt to conceal the crime. In addition, Nicodemus, in terms of the provisions of Section 35 of the Criminal Procedures Act of 1977, was declared unfit to possess a firearm for a period of five years upon the completion of his custodial punishment.

Lastly, his personal registered firearm (pistol) he used during the commissioning of the brutal crime was forfeited to the State.

Namibia's prison authorities regard a life term of imprisonment as a sentence of a minimum of 20 years in jail, and according to the Prisons Act, a prisoner has to serve half of his sentence before being considered eligible for release on parole.

“The two women lost their lives in a gruesome and brutal manner when Nicodemus shot and killed them while they were both seated inside his car. Nicodemus' decision not to give evidence in mitigation of sentencing shows that he has no remorse at all in respect of his wrong actions,” the judge said.

Judge Liebenberg continued: “The two women died cruel and undignified deaths and jealousy led to the deaths of the two women. The circumstances of this case call for the removal of the convict from the society for a lengthy period of time. In my view, the appropriate punishment in this case is direct imprisonment.”

The court rejected as false, and as afterthoughts, Nicodemus' defence claiming that a certain Bennie was the real person who killed the two women. At the beginning of the trial in 2018, Nicodemus denied committing the brutal offences and told the court he had no knowledge of the incident. He will serve his two life sentences at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility. Nicodemus is a first-time offender with no record of previous criminal offences.

He was employed at the works ministry as an investigator at the time of the commissioning of the offences.

Legal Aid-funded defence lawyer Kalundu Kamwi represented Nicodemus while Advocate Cliff Lutibezi appeared for the State.


NAMPA

San 'are slaves'

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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San 'are slaves' Village secretary of the Onamatanga community Mpepo Festus says they are being marginalised by the previously disadvantaged, who are representing the San on decision-making bodies at traditional authority level.

He said they have now become the slaves of the previously disadvantaged, who are employing them at their cattle posts.

Festus, who was not given an opportunity to address President Hage Geingob during a town hall meeting at Outapi last week, said it is high time that marginalised communities have representatives in traditional authorities, especially in the northern regions. He said they have seen their natural resources being given away by traditional authorities, but they do not have any power, because there are no traditional councillors from their communities.

“Resources such as land and forests are managed by traditional authorities. They have the power to allocate land to individuals.

“The majority of marginalised communities in the northern regions used to reside in bushy areas, but over the years we have seen our land being given away and fenced off; our forests are being deforested by groups of previously disadvantaged people. All this is happening with the permission of traditional authorities,” Festus said.

“Communities of marginalised people are large, but they have no representatives in traditional authority governance structures, as councillors.

“There is nobody to represent their interests, because previously disadvantaged groups representing them are only concerned about their own needs. We need our own people in traditional authority governance structures to represent our needs and interests.”

Festus said they have village heads with no decision-making powers.





He said people came into their communities, took their land and started to control them.

“We had the land; these people came, fenced off our land and established their cattle posts and we are now forced to depend on them. They employ us or our children as cattle herders or house caretakers. Schools in our communities only end at primary level, because that is the dropping out level before they become cattle herders or house caretakers. We also had forests; they have been deforested by these same people cutting down the trees.

“They are being allocated land by the traditional authorities and this has impacted our daily living situation. Our village heads have no objections, because the land belongs to the authorities governing the areas,” Festus said. According to him, this is not only happening in Omusati, but in all the northern regions were marginalised communities live.

“These issues are all over the northern regions. We raised them during the second land conference in October last year, but nothing happened; until now we have people coming to take our land. I have visited other marginalised communities and they are having similar complaints.”

Festus said he is disappointed after he was delegated by Onamatanga residents to talk at the town hall meeting, but was not given an opportunity.

He said he was registered at the governor's office to speak.

“Apparently the time was up.”

Many marginalised communities live in isolation. They prefer to live in bushy areas, because they depend on natural resources for their survival.

ILENI NANDJATO

Vaccination deaths haunt govt

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Vaccination deaths haunt govtN$5 million in claims against health ministry The vaccination-related death lawsuits are based on allegations of gross negligence and breach of duty by health staff. Nine cases in the High Court, in which parents are suing the health ministry for close to N$5 million after their children died following routine vaccinations, may be grouped together.

The Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) confirmed last week that it is handling nine vaccine-related lawsuits, most of which were filed in 2017.

The cases are based on claims of gross negligence by healthcare workers.

The LAC's Corinna van Wyk says they are considering joining some of these cases at the instruction of the presiding judges and a decision is still pending.

Cases have been postponed to this month and September for a status hearing on the issue.

“The deputy judge president and the case management judges requested the parties to cluster together these cases with similar facts and that may use the same experts to see if we can deal with more than one case at a time,” she told Namibian Sun.





She said the LAC has provided the High Court with a list of cases that could be heard together and is waiting for the court's feedback.



Tragedy

Martha Shikongo and Denny Mwanyekange are suing the health ministry for N$718 000 after their son, Paulus Jona Mwanyekange, died in January 2015 when he was less than two months old. The parents claim he died shortly after he had been vaccinated.

“The minor child was gasping for air and passed away soon thereafter. The minor child had white foam and blood coming out of his eyes, nose and ears at the time of death,” they state in court papers.

Johanna Julien Mouers filed a N$546 140 lawsuit after her baby died in July 2016 shortly after a routine vaccination. The child was just over two years old.

As in the other lawsuits related to vaccines, Mouers bases her claim for damages on the health ministry's failure to ensure that the vaccines and other medication were stored properly and safely.

Moreover, the plaintiffs claim that healthcare staff failed to comply with their duty of care, including providing the relevant information to parents.

Lina Kangala is suing the ministry for N$742 840 after her baby, born in January 2015, died in November that year following a routine vaccination.



Gross neglect

Bernice Soetmelk and Linus Festus are suing the ministry for N$545 000, after the death of their daughter Natasha Soetmelk shortly before Christmas in December 2018, barely a month after she was born.

Angelina Veronika Lasarus is suing the health ministry for N$535 000 after her baby boy died at the age of two months in May 2016.

Lasarus claimed that after the baby was vaccinated he was crying non-stop but despite voicing her concerns she was sent home. He died later that day.

The health ministry is being sued for N$225 000 by Lynette Rizelda Morkel, whose one-and-a-half-month-old baby died in June 2016 following a vaccination at Rehoboth.

Another lawsuit was brought by Hilde Namhadi and Frans Nangolo, who are suing the health ministry for N$545 000 for the death of their baby in January 2017.

Victoria Kangala is suing the ministry for N$710 000, after her two-month-old baby died following a vaccination in February 2017.

Loide Imongwa's baby died two months after being born, and she filed a N$225 000 lawsuit against the government of Namibia and health ministry in March 2018.

In 2018, Van Wyk told Namibian Sun that although several cases on the LAC's books are related to vaccines, there are many factors that contribute to babies' deaths.

“It is not the LAC's intention to take these matters on because we are against vaccines. In fact, we advocate for the right to health, but this includes the pre-administration procedures that are required to be above average in order to ensure that the vaccines administered are safe for humans, especially for infants who generally have weaker immune systems than older children or adults.”

She said what happens before immunisation is a crucial factor.

This includes safe storage and transport of vaccines, their expiry dates and any underlying health conditions infants or children present with.

Moreover, she said public awareness is important to empower people to make informed decisions.



JANA-MARI SMITH

Airport will get Ya Toivo statue

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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Airport will get Ya Toivo statue A statue of the late anti-apartheid stalwart Herman Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo will be erected at the airport in Ondangwa at a later stage.

In the meantime, the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) will go ahead with the renaming of the Ondangwa airport to coincide with Ya Toivo's birthday on 22 August.

This was said by NAC chief executive Bisey /Uirab in response to a complaint by Ya Toivo's nephew, Shali Kamati, that the government had gone back on an agreement with the family to erect a statue at the airport.

According to Kamati, the family was invited to a meeting with the NAC in June to discuss the renaming of the airport in honour of Ya Toivo.

He said the family requested that a statue of the late politician be erected at the airport. They also wanted an information corner where visitors can learn about Ya Toivo's life and achievements.

Kamati said they were informed that the renaming would take place on 22 August, but there would be no statue. The information corner would be replaced by an electronic display, which would also not be ready in time for the inauguration.

“To set the record straight, the public should be informed that NAC is honoured to have come this far with preparations for the renaming of the Ondangwa Airport as per the cabinet directive of 2018 and that the Ya Toivo family, represented by Madam Vicki Ya Toivo, have been engaged ever since,” /Uirab responded.

“To say that the statue will not be erected is devoid of any truth and as the family through Madam Ya Toivo were informed, the renaming will go ahead to coincide with the late Ya Toivo's birthday on 22 August, while we finalise the proper sculpting of the statue to be unveiled at an appropriate time.

“We wish not to dilute this momentous honouring of an outstanding liberation struggle icon by raising issues that could potentially distract advanced preparations.

“I urge that all relevant causes for concern be raised with NAC through the appropriate communication channels, as so to protect the integrity of this significant event scheduled for Thursday, 22 August 2019 at the soon-to-be renamed Ondangwa Airport,” said /Uirab.

ILENI NANDJATO

The new Ford Tourneo Custom Limited

August 20, 2019, 4:00 pm

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The new Ford Tourneo Custom LimitedMoving in luxury The Tourneo Custom Limited adds five-star luxury to Ford’s versatile people-mover. It’s easy to see why the Tourneo Custom is one of the top-selling people-movers in Europe. - Doreen Mashinini, Marketing GM: FMCSA Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) is adding a luxuriously appointed range-topping model to the Tourneo Custom line-up in South Africa, introducing a high level of exclusivity to its versatile people-mover.

The New Tourneo Custom Limited is available in short-wheelbase configuration only, and joins the existing Ambiente and Trend long-wheelbase derivatives that were launched last year with fresh new styling.

“It’s easy to see why the Tourneo Custom is one of the top-selling people-movers in Europe, as it offers exceptional flexibility with outstanding levels of space and comfort for a wide range of applications,” says Doreen Mashinini, general manager, marketing at FMCSA.

“The Tourneo Custom Limited adds a luxurious dimension to this model range, making it ideal as a practical and spacious vehicle for active families, or to serve as an upmarket shuttle providing first-class travel.”

As with the existing Tourneo Custom range, the Limited features a classy five-bar trapezoidal chrome-finish grille, accompanied by slim headlamps that are purposefully styled to seamlessly flow into the eye-catching crease lines of the bodywork, adding dynamic flair to the overall design.

The headlamps incorporate daytime running lights, automatic headlight activation and manual headlamp levelling. Rectangular front fog lamps, housed in a chromed bezel, are positioned on the outer edges of the front bumper to give the Tourneo Custom an athletic stance.

Full colour-coding sets the Limited model apart from the rest of the range, incorporating body colour finishes for the side mouldings. The polished look is complemented by 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.

Cabin

The cabin is equally sophisticated, with high-class ‘Salerno’ partial leather trim unique to the Limited model and used for the front seats and well as the second and third-row seats. Both front seats benefit from a heating function for cold days, manual lumber adjustment for the front passenger seat, while the driver seat offers 10-way power adjustment for optimal comfort.

The Tourneo Custom Limited benefits from the wide range of interior refinements that were introduced with the new range in 2018, including improved trim throughout – from the headliner to the side panels and carpets – with a greater emphasis on craftsmanship and appearance. The upscale materials reinforce the overall impression of quality and attention to detail.

It also gains the enhanced sound reduction package in the rear cabin, ensuring outstanding ride comfort and overall refinement regardless of where the passengers are seated. An extremely effective air-conditioning system with vents for all three rows guarantees optimised heating or cooling for all occupants.

Tourneo Custom owners enjoy the ultimate flexibility and convenience in configuring and using the spacious cabin to suit their particularly needs. Both rear seat rows can be folded flat, tumbled, stowed in multiple positions or removed completely. This allows the vehicle to be easily adapted to maximise people-moving ability or load-carrying capacity.

The Limited is exclusively offered in short-wheelbase configuration, with a 2 933mm wheelbase and 4 972mm overall length – 367mm less in both cases compared to the long-wheelbase Ambiente and Trend variants – which makes it easier to manoeuvre in everyday driving situations. Common to the Trend and Limited derivatives is a rearview camera, while front and rear parking sensors are provided across the range to assist with positioning the vehicle in tight spaces.

Advanced technology

The Tourneo Custom range incorporates an extensive range of advanced driver assistance features as standard, including ABS brakes, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Hill Launch Assist (HLA), Load Adaptive Control (LAC) and Roll-Over Mitigation (ROM).

In Limited guise a towbar is fitted as standard, which incorporates Trailer Hitch Assist as well as Trailer Sway Control that mitigates against a loss of control when towing.

In the event of a collision, occupants are protected by dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags. Additionally, ISOFIX child seat mounting points are provided in the centre of the second and third-row seats, as well as on the driver’s side in the middle row.

All models are equipped with a six-speaker audio system incorporating Bluetooth, USB and Aux connectivity and steering wheel-mounted controls. Electronic cruise control is standard across the range.

Engine

The Tourneo Custom Limited is equipped with Ford’s top-specification 2.2-litre four-cylinder Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel engine paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, which assures gutsy performance and superb fuel economy.

Power is rated at 114kW at 3 500 r/min, upping the ante compared to the 74kW and 92kW units that power the Ambiente and Trend models respectively. The maximum torque output is 385Nm from just 1 600 r/min versus the 310Nm and 350Nm outputs of the lower-spec models.

This makes the Limited ideally suited to carrying a full complement of passengers, or exploiting its gross payload rating of 939kg, 24kg more than the LWB models. It is approved to tow a 1 600kg braked trailer or 750kg for unbraked trailers. - Quickpic