Namibian Sun

Dams more than 50% full• Flood warnings issued Communities in Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Kunene and the eastern Zambezi floodplains should be on high alert for possible flooding.

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

The average dam level has risen to 56.9%, nearly twice as high as last season when the dams were only 31.1% full.

Central

The average dam level in central Namibia has increased to 82.5% in comparison to last season's 22.9%.

The Swakoppoort Dam is now 86.7% full (16.7% in 12019).

Von Bach Dam is 99.4% full (45.3% last season) and the Omatako Dam is 61.9% full (0.2% last year).

The small Friedenau Dam west of Windhoek was the only dam that recorded an inflow last week. Its level rose from 43.5% to 46.2% (29% last year).

The polluted Goreangab Dam is more than 100% full, the same as last season. Neither Friedenau nor Goreangab supplies water to the public.

South

The average level of the dams in the south stands at 55.8% in comparison to last season's 40.1%. The Hardap Dam is now 44.8% full (25.1% last year).

The level of the Naute Dam stands at 84.5% (95.7% last year). The Oanob Dam is 97.2% full (52.3% last season).

The Dreihuk Dam is 17% full (0.8% last year) and the Bondels Dam is 61.6% full (0% last year).

The giant new Neckartal Dam was 10.5% full on Monday.

East

The average level of the dams in the Gobabis area has risen to 42.9% in comparison to last season's 2.2%.

The Otjivero Main Dam is 42.7% full, the Tilda Viljoen Dam is at 38.5% and the level of the Daan Viljoen Dam is 65.1%.

Last season the levels of these dams were 3.7%, 4.1% and 2.1% respectively.

North and west

The Olushandja Dam in the north is currently 28.5% full in comparison to last season when the level stood at 14.7%, while the level of the Omaruru Delta Dam in the west stands at 1%. It was empty last season.

River levels

According to the latest river bulletin issued by the hydrological department of the agriculture ministry, the water levels in the Cuvelai oshanas remain high and are expected to rise due to good rains received in the catchment.

The levels of the Okavango River continue to rise rapidly at Nkurenkuru and Rundu, with water levels on Tuesday standing at 4.64 m and 6.74 m respectively.

The Zambezi River level continued to drop at Katima Mulilo and on Tuesday it measured 6.63 m. “However, the water level remains above normal and is expected to rise. The eastern floodplains of the Zambezi continue to rapidly fill up and there is strong backflow towards Ngoma Bridge and Lake Liambezi,” the department said. It warned that communities in Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Kunene and the eastern Zambezi floodplains should be on high alert for possible flooding.

Meatco to restart slaughtering

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

Meatco will restart slaughtering activities at its factory next week following a declaration that the agriculture value chain is an essential service.

The company announced this week that it had put all slaughtering on hold until 20 April, when staff will report back for duty due to the coronavirus lockdown.

However, Meatco later said consultations were held with line ministries after the declaration and management reconsidered opening the factory sooner.

The factory will now open this coming Monday, with slaughtering resuming two days later.

Robust measures

This followed after various land scenario mappings were done to ensure that robust measures are in place to safeguard staff and balance the performance of the economy over the lockdown period, Meatco said.

“In view of the aforementioned declaration, Meatco reciprocally reconsidered its initial decision to suspend slaughter for 21 days, which was aimed at mitigating potential risks across the business.”

According to Meatco, producers are requested to take note that all its activities will continue as normal next week, subject to coronavirus safety measures.

The Meatco management is currently implementing a number of safety procedures to conduct business efficiently, while mitigating the impact of the pandemic, the company said.

“Slaughtering will be maintained, subject to any directives and laws that may be passed by the government, Meatco added.

“All producers affected by these arrangements will be contacted within the next two days regarding slaughtering and the reallocation of slaughter dates.”

Squatters get water amid pandemic

ILENI NANDJATO

OSHAKATI

North West Plastic Manufacturers (NWPM) has donated three 500-litre water tanks to the Ondangwa town council to aid water provision to informal settlements.

Council CEO Ismael Namgongo, who received the donation, applauded NWPM for the gesture, saying it came at a time when the council is reconnecting households.

Water was disconnected due to outstanding debts.

NWPM production manager Kalimba Lukas said they realised that during this difficult time, when authorities are fighting against the coronavirus, they are struggling with water storage facilities, hence the donation.

The tanks are valued at N$14 160.

Water for the people

“People need clean water to wash their hands, but there are no facilities to supply enough water.

That is why, as part of our corporate social responsibility, we decided to donate these water tanks to the council. We know they will be of good use,” Lukas said. Namgongo said many of the Ondangwa suburbs and locations have piped water, except for the informal settlements. He said the donation will be used to supply water to Onguta, Omashaka Reception and Katutura.

“We have a programme of supplying water to each and every resident of the town, but we have a challenge to supply water to illegal settlements.

“This donation came at a very good time,” Namgongo said. During this time, we have to make sure that every person has access to water.”

Costly exercise

Without assistance from the local business community, the council would not be able to fulfil its mandate, Namgongo said. He said the exercise of reconnecting water is costly.

“This might be free to the residents, but for the council, we have to cover all the costs involved,” he said.

Hefty lockdown violation fines revealed

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

People who flout the lockdown rules during the coronavirus state of emergency could be fined up to N$2 000.

This is in accordance with new criminal charges announced by the office of the prosecutor-general.

Namibia is currently in partial lockdown for three weeks, with travel restrictions in the Khomas Region (plus Okahandja and Rehoboth) and Erongo. Other emergency regulations apply to the entire country.

Under the new charges a person can be fined up to N$2 000 for organising a public gathering during the lockdown period.

The same fine is payable for failing or refusing to obey the instructions of an authorised officer dispersing a public gathering.

The maximum fine of N$2 000 will also apply to people charged with entering or leaving a restricted area such as the Khomas and Erongo regions without a permit, and for traveling from one restricted area to another without a permit.

Other charges a person can face are: failure to confine oneself in a place of residence without lawful justification, selling alcohol during the lockdown period, operating a business that is not classified as critical, and operating informal trade such as shebeens, bars, pubs or nightclubs.

Restaurants, cafes, or coffee shops will also be fined if they serve anything other than take-aways.

Furthermore, a person will be charged for falsely impersonating an authorised officer, hindering or obstructing an officer in the performance of their duties, improperly attempting to influence an officer in the performance of his duties, furnishing false or misleading information to an officer and doing anything to improperly influence an officer in their functions.

For any of the abovementioned charges a person can be fined a maximum amount of N$2 000.

Emergency regulations

According to the state of emergency regulations published in the Government Gazette, alcohol may not be sold and no bars, shebeens, nightclubs, open markets and informal trading activities may operate during the lockdown period.

Furthermore, all shops and businesses except those classified as critical services must stay closed.

People may not leave or enter the Khomas and Erongo regions during the lockdown period, except to transport goods, distribute food or other necessities for life, perform medical and health services, perform an action necessary for the enforcement of laws or public order, to maintain or repair water, electricity, communication or financial services infrastructure or to perform other critical services.

According to the regulations everyone must be confined to their homes, except if they have to perform critical services, obtain essential goods or services, need medical attention, or if they need to visit pharmacies, food shops, banks or courts.

20 000 Jack Ma corona testing kits on ice• Consumables still scarce Additional consumables and validation information are necessary before the donated test kits can be used locally.

JEMIMA BEUKES

WINDHOEK

Namibia may only start using the 20 000 coronavirus testing kits donated by Chinese billionaire Jack Ma by the end of April.

The government is also still waiting for validation information for the additional 1 000 test kits donated by the Chinese embassy.

This was confirmed by the chief executive officer of the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), Dr David Uirab, who said they were sourcing some additional consumables for these kits in the meantime.

Uirab compared the availability of these consumables to “putting candy on a table and calling kids to come and grab some”.

“The donation by Jack Ma, I must say, is a great donation. It will make a huge difference, but the problem is that we need other consumables for the tests to be used. We are sourcing the other consumables but we are only looking at the end of April,” he said.

According to Uirab both the additional consumables and the validation information are essential before the test kits can be used locally.

Delays

“This is neither the beginning nor the end. There are lots of rapid tests in the world, but we must be able to compare these tests to the PCR, which is the gold-standard testing protocol, to see if they produce reliable results. We have now also requested the production company from China to send some additional information before we can finalise the validation process,” he said.

Promises

According to the health minister, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, the ministry will in the coming weeks expand coronavirus testing, especially for those people with respiratory ailments.

“We will undertake active case detection by expanding the scope of work of community health workers. We do this in order to determine the extent of community transmission in Namibia.

“Our focus will be on the three regions with confirmed coronavirus cases, namely Khomas, Erongo and //Karas,” he said.

Worrisome

Globally experts believe that comprehensive testing is crucial to control the coronavirus pandemic.

President Hage Geingob has repeatedly said he believes more widespread testing will show that many more Namibians are infected.

According to Geingob, Namibia may be sitting on a timebomb because the country does not have the proper means to test all suspected cases.

“We only have about 13 cases because we do not have the means to test properly. So, once we test, we may have a serious crisis.

“Let us cooperate and listen to suggestions and orders given to people assigned to be the spokespersons,” he said.

Latest cases

Namibia now has 13 confirmed coronavirus cases, the latest being the husband and baby of a 36-year-old South African woman who had tested positive over the weekend.

Shangula added that the third reported case in the country, a German tourist, has since recovered. The man has had two consecutive negative tests and will soon return to his country.

“The team responsible for contact tracing is actively following up with all contacts of all positive and suspected cases to ensure proper quarantine and monitoring for symptoms,” Shangula said.

jemima@namibiansun.com

Geingob needs support to lead successfully President Hage Geingob often gets the stick for all the challenges that the country faces, but perhaps unfairly so at times.

While he arguably did not help matters with his actions at times, it is also a fact that his tenure has been besieged by external challenges of monumental proportions.

There is no doubt that even with these external factors, Namibia still should have done better in a number in a number of areas – including how the country's scarce resources are managed.

But also true is the fact that the lion's share of Geingob's first term was characterised by severe droughts. A lot of state resources had to be channelled towards efforts to save lives from hunger and famine.

His inauguration for the second term was held at State House, and not the usual soccer stadium, because another calamity, called coronavirus, has descended on the world.

Government announcing an N$8.2 billion stimulus package this week to help prevent businesses and households from collapsing points to why no one would wish to be Hage Geingob in this hour.

Against this background, it is important that the nation rallies behind the President as he negotiates his way out of the quagmire we all find ourselves in.

If Geingob's second term is rated a success five years from now, it would mean that there are noted improvements in all our lives.

Mariental flooded after cloudburst• 120 mm of rain in two hours The sandbanks supposed to protect Mariental from flooding gave in after a two-hour cloudburst yesterday morning.

ELLANIE SMIT

MARIENTAL

Major flooding was experienced at Mariental yesterday morning after 120 mm of rain fell within a two-hour period.

The rain started at about 08:00 and lasted until 10:00. By early yesterday afternoon the sun was shining brightly once again over the town.

Mariental CEO Paulus Nghiwilepo told Namibian Sun that the Aub River came down and broke its banks.

That resulted in the collapse of the sandbanks that had been built to protect the town from flooding.

“We are now just trying to manage the situation and warning people to evacuate if it is needed,” Nghiwilepo said. According to him the people that might have to evacuate are those living west of the railway. “It has stopped raining now, but if need be we can accommodate people in school hostels as these are currently empty.” He further said that rental houses at the former ostrich farm were flooded and the council was considering where to accommodate the people living there. Nghiwilepo said the damage caused by the flooding had not been assessed yet. He said it is a priority to build a dyke to protect the town from future flooding.

30 000 tourism jobs in jeopardy

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

The tourism industry is already feeling the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic, and predictions indicate it will only get worse.

About 30 000 job losses are expected in the next two to three months.

The total expected revenue loss within the industry could be anything from N$15 billion to N$18 billion, while the number could be even higher should the crisis continue for longer than three months.

This is according to a document submitted to finance minister Ipumbu Shiimi this week by the chairperson of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (Fenata), Bernd Schneider.

“The total expected job losses will be approximately 30 000 directly from the tourism industry alone if no significant incentives and economic stimuli are introduced as a matter of urgency,” Schneider said.

The association said the impact on indirect employment will also be significant, but at this stage, this is difficult to quantify as other business opportunities might arise.

According to the document, revenue generated from tourism in 2019 was between N$22 billion to N$25 billion, contributing between 11% to 15% to the Gross Domestic Product in the country.

It said approximately 47 000 people are directly employed in the sector, and tourism contributes to about 20% of the country's total labour force.

Schneider pointed out that when the coronavirus first appeared and international media warned it could reach a global pandemic level, many potential tourists put their travel plans on halt.

This resulted in significant booking reductions for the months of January and February, where tourism entities saw a booking decline of approximately 40% in comparison to last year.

Travel ban

He further stated that now that Namibia has restricted travel for 21 days, most tourism enterprises will be without income.

“Since travel bans both locally and internationally affect the movement of people, the best assumption is that tourism enterprises will see customers returning again at best in June, but probably only much later than that.”

Schneider added that for most tourism enterprises, the biggest operating cost is staff related.

“The sad reality is that many companies have already started retrenching staff or will still do so as they simply no longer have the capital to support their staff structures for one additional month.”

According to Schneider, the most affected tourism employees include tour guides, waiters and cleaners.

Several measures have been proposed to government for urgent implementation to assist the industry. These include zero-interest loans, flexible employment conditions, temporarily dropping company tax and introducing high dividend tax, amongst others.

Shiimi evades debt trap• N$8bn stimulus package to come from reserves, Sacu Government has poured cold water over fears it would plunge the country further into debt by borrowing money to finance its new stimulus package.

JEMIMA BEUKES

WINDHOEK

Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi has allayed fears the government will have to borrow to finance its N$8 billion stimulus package announced this week to carry the country and its people through the devastating coronavirus outbreak.

Shiimi told Namibian Sun yesterday that the government had “money in the kitty”, referring to its reserves which stands at N$8 billion, and wanted to avoid loans for the time being.

“Part of the money is coming from our savings, which are basically the reserves. So, the Eurobond is going to be repaid towards the end of next year. Our feeling is that we have money in the kitty now, and we are in a crisis right now, looking for money,” he said.

“But running around looking for money when we have money does not make sense. So, we are going to take from that money. That fund has about N$8 billion in it so we can actually deplete it if we need to,” he said.

He added that Namibia's Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) income this year was about N$1.6 billion more than the previous year, which provides Namibia an additional source of revenue.

“What we are trying to avoid is to borrow a lot for this purpose and actually use our own savings and our own revenue. That is the principle we want to follow. We are really trying to avoid in carrying too much debt.

Depending on how the situation unfolds if it doesn't end soon and we must take out a loan when it will be on the basis of limited debt.” A Eurobond is an international financial instrument (loan) issued, and is denominated in a currency not native to the country where it is issued.

By May 2019, Namibia had two of these bonds – a US$500 million and US$750 million one – to mature in 2021 and 2025, respectively, tallying to US$1,25 billion.

Stimulus package hailed

The economic stimulus and relief package announced by Shiimi at State House on Wednesday, ranging from business to households, has been hailed as a great intervention.

“We must applaud government although it still remains to be seen how the measures are implemented,” said labour and economic policy expert Herbert Jauch.

The package is comprised of N$5.9 billion in direct support to businesses, households and cash-flow acceleration payments for services rendered to the government and N$2.3 billion off-balance sheet government liabilities.

To avoid further retrenchments in the hardest-hit sectors, the government will provide a wage subsidy to aid businesses in keeping employees on board in the tourism, travel and aviation and construction sectors.

Details will vary between sectors. Government is setting N$400 million aside for this subsidy.

VAT refunds, suppliers

Government will immediately speed up such repayments to enhance the cash flow of enterprises paying value-added tax, Shiimi said.

The total amount of the refunds to be settled within one week of the implementation of these measures stands about N$3 billion, he said.

Government will immediately speed up such payments to boost the cash flow of its suppliers. This amount stands at about N$800 million.

jemima@namibiansun.com

High jumper Zhang Guowei retires

NAMPA/AFP

China's world silver-medallist high jumper Zhang Guowei, renowned for his flamboyant twerking celebrations, has stunned fans by announcing his retirement aged 28.

The colourful Zhang won silver at the Beijing 2015 World Championships and also competed at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics.

"I'm sorry, I really can't jump any more, I've decided to retire," Zhang told his 3.4 million followers on the Twitter-like Weibo last Sunday.

However, his form and fitness tailed off after his 2015 triumph and his season's best performance of 2.28m, set in Italy's Siena in February, was some way short of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifying standard of 2.33m.

The Tokyo Games were last week moved to the summer of 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Suspended

Zhang was suspended last March for an undisclosed amount of time for breaking Chinese athletics' strict rules on commercial activities.

His return to the national team was blighted by more mediocre form and bursitis, an inflammation of the joints, the People's Daily said.

But Zhang still had many fans in China because of his quirky character, celebrating successful jumps in an exuberant fashion, twerking and striking poses, before sprinting towards spectators.

His surprise retirement was a trending topic on Weibo yesterday, with many expressing shock and disbelief.

The hashtag "Zhang Guowei retires" was read 260 million times as of Monday afternoon on Weibo.

"Big brother, April's Fool Day has passed," wrote one fan.

German clubs resume trainingTight virus restrictions Clubs in the German Bundesliga have been given a ray of hope during the darkest days of world football.

NAMPA/REUTERS

Bundesliga clubs were allowed to return to team training yesterday, with some opting to train players in small groups amid strict measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Soccer in the country has been suspended for almost a month and the German Football League (DFL) has said the ban will remain in place for the top divisions at least until 30 April.

Cleared

Clubs, however, were given the all clear to resume training this week, with champions Bayern Munich deciding to train players in small groups to minimise the risk of infection.

"Obviously all health guidelines are being adhered to," the club said in a statement.

"The training is closed to the public. FC Bayern are asking fans to continue following guidelines and please do not come to the team's training centre."

Numbers rise

Germany has seen the number of infected people rise above 100 000 this weekend and nearly 1 600 have died after testing positive for the virus that has forced the country into lockdown.

Despite the training resumption, the DFL made it clear last week it was not known if or when the season would resume, and the stop in play has also had major financial effects on clubs.

Two weeks ago, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen came together to create a 20-million euro (N$410 million) solidarity fund to help clubs in the top two tiers.

Dortmund have also provided part of their Signal Iduna Park stadium for the treatment of suspected virus cases.

No entry for foreigners at Noordoewer

OGONE TLHAGE

Noordoewer

No foreign nationals are being allowed into the country unless they are transporting critical items.

This is according to acting chief immigration officer at the Noordoewer border, Paulus Shiimi. Namibian Sun visited the border post to assess the passage of trucks and people in and out of Namibia.

Shiimi pointed out that foreign nationals were not being accepted into Namibia and that only Namibians and returning permanent residents would be allowed into the country.

No entry

“Up until the start of the state of emergency, we did not take any Americans, Europeans and Ethiopians,” Shiimi said.

South Africa was placed on lockdown on 25 March, restricting movement into and out of that country, save for the movement of essential workers or those seeking medical assistance, its president Cyril Ramaphosa announced last month.

Shiimi explained that truck drivers who have to leave the country as well as those seeking medical attention in South Africa apply for such passage, while South Africans stuck in Namibia are required to apply through their high commission to leave the country. Shiimi added that South Africans were not being allowed back into their country but that Namibians were being allowed to come back.

“The last Namibian we received was last week Tuesday [from South Africa],” he said. “From the 25th, entry was cut off completely, with us only allowing Namibians and permanent residents back into the country.”

Slowdown

Shiimi noted that while movement at the border post had slowed, vehicles carrying essential freight were being allowed to pass.

People entering Namibia were also being screened for fever before being handed over to officials, Shiimi said.

Namibian Sun witnessed a low number of trucks at the border post, while no private vehicles were present.

Illegal border crossing rife in Zambezi

KENYA KAMBOWE

KATIMA MULILO

Illegal border crossing has become commonplace in the Zambezi Region since the closure of border posts under the coronavirus state of emergency.

At the Wenela border post on the Zambian border and Ngoma on the Botswana border officials are strictly enforcing the ban on Namibians leaving the country and foreigners entering.

The only movement of people allowed is that of Namibians who want to return to Namibia, and they are quarantined at Katima Mulilo for two weeks.

Only trucks carrying essential products are allowed to enter or leave the country.

Officials have expressed concern about the number of people crossing illegally at non-designated points, though. The northern borders are porous, consisting of the Zambezi River or a simple cutline that people can cross on foot or by vehicle.

Daily patrols

The Zambezi police commander, Deputy Commissioner Evans Simasiku, says the border control is very strict.

“We are allowing Namibians who are returning under whatever circumstances but the condition is, even if you crossed the border this morning and went to Zambia and came back within 30 minutes, we will quarantine you,” Simasiku said.

Simasiku said all efforts are being made to curb the illegal crossing of persons into and out of Namibia through ungazetted entry points.

He said the police, the army and customs officials patrol the 110-kilometre cutline between Wenela and Kamenga on the border with Zambia daily, but it is impossible to prevent illegal border crossing.

The Zambezi River is patrolled with a hover boat, whose engine noise alerts the culprits and gives them enough time to escape.

Simasiku said the two governments have agreed to clear the overgrown cutline to make it easier to patrol the border.

Cooperation

Zambezi regional governor Lawrence Sampofu has also expressed concern over the illegal crossing of people into and out of Namibia through his region.

Sampofu appealed to those living along the border to inform law-enforcement agencies when they see people crossing the border illegally.

“The borders are closed and they should just wait until they are open. This disease is very dangerous,” Sampofu said.

Sampofu said 68 people are now quarantined at the waterfront facility in Katima Mulilo.

Reconnected water consumers still have to pay

ILENI NANDJATO

OSHAKATI

Households whose water was reconnected following a recent government instruction will still have to settle their outstanding debts after the coronavirus pandemic has ended, NamWater says.

Local authority users will also have to pay for water used during the national state of emergency.

This is according to NamWater spokesperson Johannes Shigwedha, who said there are a number of local authorities who disconnected water due to high bills.

He said the automatic water reconnection ordered by government do not apply to private customers and those under the rural water supply system.

'We need money'

Despite heeding the directive, NamWater still needs money to continue carrying out its functions, Shigwedha said.

“We supply water to three categories of customers.

“These are local authorities, private water connections and rural water supply. In the past, we use to suspend water supply to local authorities that owe us a lot of money, but due to the Covid-19 outbreak, we have stopped that and we are giving water full-time,” Shigwedha said.

“These water debts will still be paid. There are special arrangements on how this water will be paid once the situation gets back to normal.

“If we just supply water like that without it being paid for, NamWater will not be able to supply water in future.”

Not part of arrangement

Shigwedha said private customers are those who went to NamWater and applied to have their water supply reconnected, and are not part of this arrangement.

“Private water customers are people who can afford to pay their water consumption bills.

“They must make efforts to honour their agreements with NamWater and make sure that their water bills are taken care of to avoid disconnection,” he added.

Rural water supply customers whose water has been disconnected are advised to get in touch with regional councillors and take their cases to the chief of the NamWater business unit in their area.

“In most cases, these are rural people who travel long distances to get water. Sometimes their lines can be cut off due to high debts.”

Company news in brief

Rolls-Royce scraps targets, dividend

Rolls-Royce is scrapping its targets and final dividend to shore up its finances as the British aero-engine maker's customers around the world ground planes due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rolls, one of Britain's most historic industrial names, which before the coronavirus crisis struck was trying to emerge from a multi-year turnaround plan, has suspended its dividend for the first time since 1987.

The company's engines power Airbus and Boeing's widebody jets but more than 60% of that fleet is now grounded, according to aviation data provider Cirium.

Rolls-Royce is paid by airlines based on how many hours they fly. Over the last six weeks, the headwind from coronavirus was about 300 million pounds, Rolls-Royce said, on flying hours which were 50% lower in March and expected to deteriorate further in April.

Rolls-Royce said yesterday it had secured an additional 1.5 billion pound revolving credit facility, bringing its overall liquidity to 6.7 billion pounds, to give it headroom during a potential prolonged downturn. – Nampa/Reuters

Carmaker PSA secures further loans

French carmaker and Peugeot-owner PSA announced yesterday a further 3 billion euro ($3.3 billion) worth of loans to strengthen its financial position in the wake of the hit to the global automotive industry from the coronavirus crisis.

The latest syndicated loans come on top of an existing 3 billion euro worth of undrawn credit lines, making available a total amount of 6 billion euro.

The new syndicated loan has an initial maturity of 12 months with two optional 3-month extensions, added the company.

"This operation reinforces our ability to face up this exceptional situation and prepare the future. It also proves the confidence of our partner banks in the financial strength and recognised resilience of Groupe PSA," said PSA chief financial officer Philippe de Rovira.

PSA shares were up 7.3% amid a broader global equity market rally, while Renault shares also rose 10.5%. – Nampa/Reuters

Tesla show ventilator prototype

Engineers at Tesla Inc showed a prototype for a ventilator on Sunday evening in a video published on the company's YouTube channel, as hospitals around the country overwhelmed by coronavirus patients face device shortages.

The design for the ventilators relies heavily on Tesla car parts, one of the engineers said, enabling the company to redeploy existing stock and produce the devices quickly.

The video comes two weeks after chief executive Elon Musk said Tesla planned to reopen its New York factory to produce ventilators.

The timeline for production was not specified in the video.

"There's still a lot of work to do," said one of the engineers, "but we're giving it our best effort."– Nampa/Reuters

Emaar suspends construction projects

Emaar Properties, the largest listed developer in the United Arab Emirates, has suspended work on major projects in Dubai, sources familiar with the matter said, as the coronavirus pandemic exacerbates a real estate slowdown in the business hub.

Emaar has suspended projects at Dubai Creek Harbour, a new development touted as offering homes to 200 000 people, four the sources said.

That included suspending work on the Dubai Creek Harbour Tower, billed as being higher than Dubai's Burj Khalifa, which is now the world's tallest building, they said.

Emaar had said last month said it had suspended work on a luxury residential tower in a prime Dubai district and had temporarily closed several hotels due to the impact of the virus on tourism.

In a letter seen by Reuters and confirmed by a source, Emaar said chairman Mohamed Alabbar had forfeited his salary and other staff would have had their salaries cut by as much as 50%. – Nampa/Reuters

Norwegian Air's March traffic tumbles

Norwegian Air's passenger volume fell by 60% year-on-year in March as it grounded planes amid efforts to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, and will book a hedging loss of US$102 million as the cost of fuel has plunged.

A pioneer in low-fare transatlantic air travel, Norwegian's rapid expansion has left it heavily in debt. It has repeatedly raised cash from shareholders in order to stay in business and its Oslo-listed shares have plunged 78% so far this year.

Norwegian has said it will cancel 85% of its flights and furlough 90% of staff while seeking financial aid from Norway's government.

The company last month also said it would start talks with creditors on postponing payments in order to qualify for a government rescue package requiring, among other things, that debt repayments must be put on hold for the time being.

The group said it estimated losses on fuel hedging positions of 1.07 billion Norwegian crowns (US$102 million). Europe's largest budget carrier Ryanair, one of the few others to so far disclose its fuel hedging losses, last week said it would book a charge of 300 million euro (US$324 million). – Nampa/Reuters

Ministry turns to online classes

ELIZABETH JOSEPH AND

OCTAVIA TSIBES

WINDHOEK

No child will be forced to return to school when the new term starts on 20 April, education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp has said.

Parents had started panicking about the safety of their children once school resumes after the Covid-19 lockdown.

“No learner will go back to school; however, teachers will assist with a structured online system that would make it easier for learners to take part in lessons and submit assignments,” Steenkamp said yesterday.

Lessons on online platforms would start on 20 April, she said.

Steenkamp said parents, teachers and learners must assist one another during the lockdown.

She outlined steps taken by the ministry to keep education going during the school closure.

The education ministry has urged teachers to be innovative and proactive during this time.

Digital library

Namibia has received a donation valued at US$1 million which grants children free access to a digital library for a year. The digital reading app, called Namibia Reads, is available for free to primary and high school learners.

Teachers are also urged to make use of a programme initiated last year, called Kopano Education Forum. The programme, funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), can be used by teachers to support and improve their pupils' examination results.

Namcol tutorials

The education ministry has negotiated with the Namibia College of Open Learning (Namcol) to open its online tutorial lessons to all learners.

Namcol managing director Haroldt Murangi says the introduction of the Notes Master platform has made a great impact.

“I have looked at the platform statistics for Notes Master and currently we have 5 600 students that have signed up. This is a step in the right direction. I urge both students and teachers to sign up for this platform,” he said.

Academic calendar

Steenkamp further said that the academic calendar would not change drastically.

Initially it was announced that schools would resume on 14 April, but the subsequently announced lockdown will only end on 17 April.

Nanso secretary-general Patience Masua said the organisation's main objective is to ensure that whatever decision is taken, it is made equally accessible to every student and learner.

Alcohol flowing at Katima

Kenya Kambowe

KATIMA MULILO

Zambezi authorities are having their hands full as residents ignore the countrywide state of emergency by loitering in the streets and illegally selling alcohol.

Namibian Sun witnessed non-compliance with the state of emergency regulations in Katima Mulilo recently, which were imposed to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Residents could be seen loitering in the streets, with some forming groups seated under trees.

In supermarkets, patrons could be seen queuing close to one another, snubbing calls for social distancing.

All informal vendors in the town have, however, closed up shop.

Not complying

Zambezi police regional crime investigations coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Evans Simasiku, said despite the business community and vendors having responded positively to the restrictions and regulations, the police are faced with residents who are not fully complying.

Simasiku said people, especially youth, continue to loiter in the streets, something he attributes to a lack of parental supervision. He warned that people should not take the coronavirus lightly.

“People in this town must not take the coronavirus as a joke. People are loitering in the streets and they must know that it is because of the coronavirus that a state of emergency was declared,” he said.

Illegal sale of alcohol

Simasiku said all shebeens and alcohol outlets in the region are expected to be closed, however, the police have learnt that the illegal sale of alcohol continues in communities.

He said the culprits will be dealt with once caught.

“The police are aware of those elements who are trying to manipulate the system. However, we are warning them to stop, because selling alcohol during this time is prohibited, and once caught, you are liable to be arrested and fined,” Simasiku said.

Amushelelo demands assets backChallenges seizure warrants A forex trader accused of money laundering wants the police to return vehicles, cellphones and computers seized as evidence in the case against him.

OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK

Forex trader Michael Amushelelo has made a renewed effort to have assets, which were seized from him, returned.

This has been revealed in court applications lodged this week.

Amushelelo is also challenging the validity of the warrants used to seize his assets and for investigations related into his conduct as a trader to be set aside.

In papers filed, Amushelelo, through lawyers Sisa Namandje Incorporated, requested an order directing the Namibian police and the inspector-general of the Namibian police to return vehicles, cellphones and computers that are in the possession of the police.

Charges

Amushelelo and his business partner, Gregory Cloete, are charged in terms of the Banking Institutions Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act on four counts, including conducting unauthorised banking business and money laundering.

Amushelelo wants these charges set aside as well.

They are set to return to court next week on 14 April.

Amushelelo has in the past failed to have the charges he faces dismissed and his assets released back to him.

In a ruling delivered last November, acting judge Eileen Rakow dismissed an urgent application by Amushelelo against the police, the prosecutor-general, a Windhoek magistrate and the Bank of Namibia, and ordered Amushelelo to pay the legal costs of the respondents in the case.

The judge indicated that the application was dismissed because it did not meet the requirements to be heard on an urgent basis.

Amushelelo and Cloete are both out on bail of N$35 000 each.

Africa could lose 20 mln jobs due to pandemicEntire continent in recession African governments could lose up to 20 to 30% of their fiscal revenue. … the tourism and travel sector in Africa could lose at least US$50 billion … - African Union

Joe Bavier and Giulia Paravicini - About 20 million jobs are at risk in Africa as the continent's economies are projected to shrink this year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according an African Union (AU) study.

So far, Africa accounts for just a fraction of total cases of the disease which has infected more than one million people worldwide, according to a Reuters tally.

But African economies are already facing an impending global economic downturn, plummeting oil and commodity prices and an imploding tourism sector.

Before the onset of the pandemic, continent-wide gross domestic product (GDP) growth had been projected by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to reach 3.4% this year.

However, in both scenarios modelled by the AU study – seen by Reuters and entitled "Impact of the coronavirus on the Africa economy" - GDP will now shrink.

Under what the AU researchers deemed their realistic scenario, Africa's economy will shrink 0.8%, while the pessimistic scenario said there would be a 1.1% dip.

Mind-blowing figures

Up to 15% for foreign direct investment could disappear.

The impact on employment will be dramatic.

"Nearly 20 million jobs, both in the formal and informal sectors, are threatened with destruction on the continent if the situation continues," the analysis said.

African governments could lose up to 20 to 30% of their fiscal revenue, estimated at US$500 billion in 2019, it found.

Exports and imports are meanwhile projected to drop at least 35% from 2019 levels, incurring a loss in the value of trade of around US$270 billion. This at a time when the fight against the virus' spread will lead to an increase in public spending of at least US$130 billion.

Africa's oil producers, which have seen the value of their crude exports plunge in past weeks, will be among the worst hit.

Sub-Saharan Africa's biggest oil producers Nigeria and Angola alone could lose US$65 billion in income. African oil exporters are expected to see their budget deficits double this year while their economies shrink 3% on average.

Tourism

African tourist destinations will also suffer.

Africa has in recent years been among the fastest growing regions in the world for tourism. But with borders now closed to prevent the disease's spread and entire airlines grounded, the sector has been almost entirely shut down.

Countries where tourism constitutes a large part of GDP will see their economies contract by an average of 3.3% this year.

However, Africa's major tourism spots Seychelles, Cape Verde, Mauritius and Gambia will shrink at least 7%.

"Under the average scenario, the tourism and travel sector in Africa could lose at least US$50 billion due to the covid-19 pandemic and at least 2 million direct and indirect jobs," the AU study said.

Remittances from Africans living abroad - the continent's largest financial inflow over the past decade - are unlikely to cushion the blow.

"With economic activity in the doldrums in many advanced and emerging market countries, remittances to Africa could experience significant declines," the analysis found. – Nampa/Reuters

EU to step up virus help for continent

Brussels - EU countries agreed Friday to boost help for Africa in its coronavirus fight, as the bloc's top diplomat warned that poor countries with weak healthcare could become sources of reinfection.

During talks held by video link, foreign ministers from the 27 EU countries approved a plan to step up assistance, with details to be worked out by development ministers next week.

The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who chaired Friday's meeting, said the bloc was keenly aware it could not solve the Covid-19 pandemic on its own.

"Even if you solve the problem in Europe it will not be solved if it is not solved everywhere," he said.

"Africa is of particular concern to us because the pandemic there could get out of control very rapidly."

The meeting of development ministers on April 8 aims to put together a "Team Europe" financial package based on contributions from EU institutions as well as member state governments.

But with EU budgets already nearing their limits and national governments focused on fighting the epidemic at home, it remains to be seen how much spare capacity is available for Africa. – Nampa/AFP