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Five arrested for breaking lockdown regulations

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Five arrested for breaking lockdown regulationsFive arrested for breaking lockdown regulations ILENI NANDJATO

OSHAKATI



Five people were arrested and fined over the weekend in the Oshana Region for contravening the national coronavirus state of emergency and lockdown, while housebreaking has also been on the rise in the region.

On Friday, a Zimbabwean national was arrested, charged and released after paying a fine of N$2 000. The woman (31) was found selling cellphone accessories, belts and cooking sticks at the Oshana Mall at Ongwediva.

On Saturday, three people aged 24, 27 and 36 were arrested at Oshakati for conducting a public gathering of more than 10 people and consuming alcohol.

According to Oshana police spokesperson, Inspector Thomas Haiyambo, the other suspects fled the scene and only three were apprehended.

He said one suspect was released after paying a N$1 500 fine, while the other two remain in custody. On Sunday, a 27-year-old woman was arrested for hindering and obstructing police officers from executing their duties as well as insulting officers. She was released after paying a N$2 000 fine. “Members of the public must adhere to the state of emergency regulations. They must cooperate with law enforcement agencies. Failure to do so will be fined, as stipulated in the Government Gazette of 28 March 2020,” Haiyambo said.

Housebreaking

The Ongwediva police are investigating a housebreaking incident after suspects broke into the Tusk Mobile and Electronics shop at the Oshana Mall and stole items valued at N$50 602.

“The suspects gained entrance to the building by cutting the roof of the business premises.”

Several cellphones, a smart watch and six cameras were stolen, Haihambo reported. “The suspects are not known and no arrests have been made yet,” he said.

Police investigations continue.
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Seven arrested for wildlife crimes

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Seven arrested for wildlife crimesSeven arrested for wildlife crimesFive firearms, ammunition seized Five of the suspects were arrested for rhino poaching and/or trafficking cases, while two wildlife products, five firearms and 63 rounds of ammunition were seized during operations. ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



A total of seven Namibian suspects were arrested for wildlife crimes last week, with three new cases registered.

Five of the suspects were arrested for rhino poaching and/or trafficking cases.

During operations, two wildlife products were seized, five firearms were confiscated as well as 63 rounds of ammunition.

This is according to information provided by the intelligence and investigation unit in the environment ministry and the protected and resource division within the safety and security ministry.

Weapons, ammunition

On 14 April, Michael Aukongo was arrested in Wanaheda for being in possession of three hunting rifles and four rounds of ammunition.

He was charged for contravening the Arms and Ammunition Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. Petrus Ekanga Tangeni was arrested at Oshivelo on 14 April in connection with an old case dating back to March for conspiring to hunt a rhino and theft of rhino horns.

On 19 April, Ludwig Angula Kempkes was arrested in connection with the same case at Oshivelo.

They were both charged with contravening the Arms and Ammunition Act, the Nature Conservation Ordinance and the Riotous Assemblies Act, as well as for conspiring to hunt a rhino and the theft of rhino horns.

They were also charged with contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. A hunting rifle and eight rounds of ammunition were confiscated.



Spotted genet skins

Munango Johannes Muhoko was arrested at Rundu for being in the possession of two spotted genet skins on 15 April. He was charged for contravening the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act.

On 18 April, Simon Elia was arrested at Eenhana for conspiring to hunt a rhino. The following day, three more suspects were arrested. They are Petrus Ekanga Tangeni, Simson Kandume and Salom Josua.

They were all charged with contravening the Arms and Ammunition Act and the Riotous Assemblies Act, as well as conspiring to hunting a rhino. One hunting rifle, 20 rounds of ammunition for a .303 rifle, 30 rounds of ammunition for an AK47 as well as one bullet for a R1 were confiscated.
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Hiccups with income grant

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Hiccups with income grantHiccups with income grantNo IDs, phones or network Beneficiaries have to apply for the grant via SMS and the money is paid out via digital wallets at participating banks. Most people are now home hungry. – Kandas Booi, Acting chief: San The San community in the Epukiro constituency of the Omaheke region feel left out, as they are unable to benefit from the government’s Emergency Income Grant (EIG) of N$750 due to various challenges.

The acting chief of the San people, Kandas Booi, this week said most members of his community have no cell phones and identification documents, required to benefit from the grant.

“We are illiterate and some people didn’t even receive the massage well as no official from the government came to the settlement regarding this grant,” said Booi.

The grant, he said will help his community members during this crisis time as most people lost jobs and are now home.

“There are no tenders to help themselves financially due to the lockdown, most people are now home hungry,” he added.

Booi suggested that government pay the N$750 by hand in order to ease the process saying: “This will be a very easy method and it must be done fast to reach everyone in the country as it is the case with pension payment.”

Erica Kahuure from constituency office and also a volunteering officer for the Namibia Vulnerability Assessment Committee under the Office of Prime Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by the San community regarding the EIG.

“We have requested the Office of San Development to register and receive money on behalf of the San. It is very difficult for them to access their money even through their employers,” she said.

Namibians applied for the grant via small messaging services (SMS) and the money is paid out via digital wallets at participating banks.

Kavango West

The same complaints have also been received from Kavango West.

The senior public relations officer of the Kavango West regional council, Salomo Tenga, said the economic stimuli sub-committee in the region is aware of challenges with ID documents, the absence of mobile phones and poor or unavailability of mobile networks in some parts of the region.

Tenga said the sub-committee indicated that the majority of qualifying persons in the region may not benefit from the grant.

“Qualifying persons in the region may not benefit due to poor or unavailability of mobile networks in some parts of the Kavango West region and some not having mobile phones,” Tenga said.

The due date of 30 April for claims is not sufficient for all to get the money due to the congested network following the high volumes of SMSs, he added.

“Access to commercial banks or automatic teller machines for people to withdraw money was also picked up as many have to travel long distances to Nkurenkuru for such facilities,” Tenga said.

The committee recommended to the ministry of finance to reconsider IDs as a requirement and to include birth certificates and voter cards as well.

The sub-committee is also recommending that the due date of the EIG be extended to at least the end of May.

“Money for the needy should also be released to regional councils, particularly for those who cannot access banks,” it was proposed.

Finance

Meanwhile, the ministry requested regional governors to assist in tracing eligible self-nominated beneficiaries for the EIG without cellphones and mobile telecommunication network connectivity.

The ministry’s chief public relations officer, Tonateni Shidhudhu, indicated that several applications are put on hold or temporarily rejected and payment could not be made as the ministry needs further identification at the regional level.

The ministry has requested regional governors to assist in tracing eligible self-nominated beneficiaries for the EIG without cellphones and mobile telecommunication network connectivity.

Thus far, the ministry received 578 863 applications for the EIG and a total of 148 580 were rejected.

The ministry will provide an opportunity for qualifying rejected applicants of the EIG to reapply, Shidhudhu said. - Nampa

The appeal period as well as the modalities will be communicated at a later stage, therefore the ministry appeals for patience from affected people, he said. - Nampa
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800 000 Namibians in food distress

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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800 000 Namibians in food distress800 000 Namibians in food distressUN warns of global famine A United Nations report says the coronavirus crisis, on top of climate change, will push more than a quarter of a billion people to the brink of starvation. ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



According to the 2020 Global Report on Food Crises, released by the United Nations, 400 000 people in Namibia are estimated to be severely food insecure, while 800 000 were in a stressed food situation.

The report noted that while Namibia declared a state of emergency due to drought last year, improved seasonal rainfall has helped regenerate pasture and water resources, as well as boost crop production prospects in 2020.

“Agricultural production is expected to increase and contribute to an improvement in food security early this year. A slight decrease in acute food insecurity is projected through September in Namibia.”



Africa hardest hit

According to the report, Africa remains the most affected by food crises, accounting for 54% of the total global suffering from severe food shortages.

In 2019, over 30 million people in 11 countries in southern Africa - Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe - faced crises or worse levels of acute food insecurity.

“Southern Africa is experiencing the brunt of the climate crisis; it is warming at about twice the global rate and many countries were buffeted by multiple weather shocks in 2019.

“The region has had only two favourable agricultural seasons since 2012 and many areas have yet to fully recover from the devastating impact of El Niño.”

Global stats

The report said the coronavirus crisis will push more than a quarter of a billion people to the brink of starvation, unless swift action is taken to provide food and humanitarian relief to the most at-risk regions. It stated that more people face acute food insecurity and malnutrition in the wake of the virus. About 265 million people around the world are forecast to be facing acute food insecurity by the end of this year, doubling from the estimated 130 million that suffered severe food shortages last year. Global hunger could become the next big impact of the pandemic, warned the report, which was published this week by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, the World Food Programme and 14 other organisations. The report indicated that in 2019, a total of 183 million people were classified to be in a stressed condition - at the cusp of acute hunger and at the risk of slipping into crisis or worse, if faced with a shock or stressor such as the coronavirus pandemic.
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Informal traders shattered

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Informal traders shatteredInformal traders shattered OGONE TLHAGE

WINDHOEK



Informal traders who have been restricted from doing business are lamenting the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, saying it will be hard to resume normal business practices.

Namibian Sun visited Single Quarters where City of Windhoek workers were cleaning and painting the market in an effort to get operations up and running again. Trader Aina Niiwale said a pause in business meant no money to feed her family.

“We lost money but I admit that I am scared of the coronavirus. There is no money and no food at home. We are suffering too much but we are afraid of the coronavirus.”



Still waiting

Niiwale was still waiting to receive her emergency income grant, which government rolled out to subsidise informal traders who lost income. “Even the ministry of finance's grant, there is nothing. I did not get anything, not even the food parcels that are being given out.” Martha Nelago said it was costly to stay at home and not trade. “I am deeply affected by this lockdown and staying home has been costly. Immediately when the lockdown was announced, we were affected,” she said.

Nelago said people were also less willing to visit the market, as more information about the coronavirus became available.

“The coronavirus is real. There used to be a lot of people here but not anymore. I would usually sell up to 140 fat cakes, but before the lockdown, I could only sell 10 a day,” she said.



No money

A helpless Penehafo Ashipala said suspending her business meant no money for her to feed her family.

“We do not know what we can do because there is no money,” she said. “We need help from our local councillor or even government. We feel very bad.”

Petrus Shikongo, who sells kapana, said the lockdown meant more expenses for them when procuring meat, as they had to discard fresh meat they had in stock. “Don't say lockdown,” Shikongo said when approached by Namibian Sun. “Till today only two people who operate in this market have received their grants. We lost meat and we often buy the meat on credit from cattle farmers.”

Informal traders were supposed to resume business activities yesterday.
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Teacher pay cut fears unfounded - Steenkamp

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Teacher pay cut fears unfounded - SteenkampTeacher pay cut fears unfounded - Steenkamp ILENI NANDJATO

ONGWEDIVA



The ministry of education has denied allegations that government will cut teachers' salaries by 20%, should the coronavirus lockdown continue.

Schools have been closed since 16 March, after government announced an emergency school holiday the day before.

With the directive to provide learning materials to allow learners to work at home, teachers will facilitate online learning until 6 May.

“Our school principals and Namibia National Teachers Union (Nantu) members are encouraging us to comply with government directives, saying these are strategies to ensure that government does not cut our salaries for being at home and doing nothing,” a source said.

Education ministry executive director Sanet Steenkamp has however denied this, adding that government is trying to ensure teaching continues, despite the difficult circumstances.

She said teachers are resourceful and experienced professionals who can create the learning materials needed at this moment.



No salary discussions

“Until now, there is no discussion on salaries. The Office of the Prime Minister is our employer and the ministry cannot just unilaterally make a decision, and we will never do that.

“What the ministry is trying to do is to bring back the sense of productivity, order, purpose and focus for us to work through the challenges of digital material and e-learning,” Steenkamp said.

“We cannot just sit and expect education not to continue. The Namibian Constitution made provision that every child has a right to education and teachers can do a lot to provide solutions.”

Like other public servants, Steenkamp said, teachers are expected to find ways to work from home and make sure that every child receives the best education.



Role of teachers, principals

Principals are expected to be at school to assist teachers with resources, Steenkamp said. “The period until the lockdown is over is a time for preparedness for teachers in terms of teaching and learning. Teachers need to establish learning packages to be used during this difficult time, but before these learning packages are distributed, teachers and parents need to communicate to establish where the children are,” she said.

“We have already established teaching and learning hubs in regions where learning packages can be dropped by teachers and picked up by parents or learners.”

Steenkamp added that at the moment, the ministry is assessing how many principals have returned to duty, so that production can go smoothly.

“This week is dedicated to assessment, preparation and finding workable solutions,” she said.
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Banks brace for bad debt build

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Banks brace for bad debt buildBanks brace for bad debt build China's loan defaults, repayment delays and bad loans all rose in the first quarter as the coronavirus outbreak triggered unprecedented economic challenges, officials at the banking and insurance regulator said yesterday.

The sector's non-performing loan (NPL) ratio climbed in the first quarter to 2.04%, and it will continue to rise at a moderate pace in the second quarter, said Xiao Yuanqi, chief risk officer at the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC).

Huang Hong, a vice chairman of the CBIRC, told a news conference in Beijing yesterday.

Huang said the banking sector deferred principle and interest payments on about 880 billion yuan (US$124.21 billion) of loans extended to small and micro enterprises, a vulnerable group hardest-hit during the crisis, from Jan. 25 to end-March.

Europe, US

Europe's banks are expected to have to set aside billions for potential loan losses as well as take profit hits because of the coronavirus crisis when they start reporting results over the next two weeks.

The region's banks were already under pressure before the crisis with high costs, low returns, and demands to fix outdated technology. Mergers, which could potentially relieve those issues, have been difficult to pull off because of national barriers.

The largest US banks, which reported earnings last week, set aside US$25 billion for credit losses in the first quarter, raising questions about whether European banks would follow suit.

Analysts over the past 30 days have revised upward by almost 130% their expectations for loan loss provisions in 2020 by Europe's most important banks, according to a Reuters analysis of data from Refinitiv.

At the same time, analysts have cut by more than 40% their full-year profit forecasts for those banks, which include global banks like HSBC, BNP Paribas and Deutsche Bank, the data showed. – Nampa/Reuters
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!Gawaxab: ‘Economy needs smart ideas’

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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!Gawaxab: ‘Economy needs smart ideas’!Gawaxab: ‘Economy needs smart ideas’Rand peg safe BoN governor designate brings quite a lot of leadership to the table, as well as an understanding of the financial sector and ideas, he says. The benefits of staying in the peg arrangement works for the country better than staying outside. - Johannes !Gawaxab, Governor designate: BoN The Bank of Namibia (BoN) must contribute towards making sure that the economy protects Namibians by placing them on a prosperous trajectory, its newly appointed governor, Johannes !Gawaxab, has said.

!Gawaxab said this in an interview with Nampa on Tuesday, shortly after his appointment into the BoN’s top post.

The new governor expressed humility and gratitude for the confidence the appointing authority has in him.

“I need to first thank the president [Hage Geingob] for the confidence [and opportunity] bestowed upon me to serve the nation. We are facing difficult times and as the Bank of Namibia, we need to look towards making sure that we have got an economy that is not only protecting Namibia but that we have an economy that is advancing and provides some prosperity for Namibians,” !Gawaxab said candidly.

Asked what he brings to the table, he pointed to his vast experience in the financial sector.

“[I bring] quite a lot of leadership [to the table] and understanding in the financial sector and ideas,” he said.

South Africa

According to !Gawaxab, the precarious financial state that the country finds itself in and other challenges it faces require smart ideas.

“What we need now is smart ideas to advance and protect the nation,” he said.

On Namibia’s continued reliance on South Africa, particularly the current peg that exists between the Namibian dollar and South African rand, !Gawaxab indicated that the peg has worked in Namibia’s interest and sees no need to de-link the local currency.

“My understanding from the previous governor is that currently it [peg] works for us. The benefits of staying in the peg arrangement works for the country better than staying outside,” he said.

A currency peg is a policy in which a national government sets a specific fixed exchange rate for its currency with a foreign currency.

Pegging a currency stabilises the exchange rate between countries, in this case between Namibia and South Africa, from whom the former exports around 70% of goods and services. - Nampa
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Oil hits lowest this century as virus hammers demand

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Oil hits lowest this century as virus hammers demandOil hits lowest this century as virus hammers demand Alex Lawler - Oil slumped to less than US$16 a barrel yesterday, hitting its lowest since 1999, with the market awash with excess supply as the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic hammers demand for fuels.

A glut has been building since OPEC+, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, failed to renew output cuts last month. OPEC+ agreed new curbs this month, but government lockdowns to contain the pandemic have cut fuel demand more steeply.

Brent crude, which fell 24% in the previous session, touched US$15.98 a barrel, its lowest since June 1999. It was trading down 62 US cents, or 3.2%, at US$18.71 by 0950 GMT.

US West Texas Intermediate was down 60 US cents, or 5.2%, at US$10.97.

‘Broken market’

"The oil market is in deep trouble and is unlikely to shake off its malaise any time soon," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. "Demand is low, supply is high and storage is full."

The falls follow two of the wildest days in the history of oil trading, with supply looking likely to outstrip demand for months to come. The nearby US contract fell into negative territory for the first time ever on Monday.

"Be prepared for more surprises in this broken oil market," said Rystad Energy's head of oil markets, Bjornar Tonhaugen.

Brent's low yesterday takes the price back to a time when OPEC was also tackling a supply glut and business and consumers were concerned - unnecessarily as it turned out - about the Millenium Bug affecting computers after the turn of the century.

Shoring up

In the latest sign of excess supply, the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday reported that US crude inventories rose by 13.2 million barrels, against analyst expectations for an increase of 13.1 million barrels.

In an effort to shore up the market, OPEC+ this month agreed to reduce output by 9.7 million bpd. Other nations, including the United States, have also said they will pump less.

Producers are considering further steps. Saudi Arabia on Tuesday said that it was ready to take extra measures with other producers, though the next formal OPEC+ meeting is not until June.

In a development that raises doubt over a formal US supply cut, two of three Texas regulators on Tuesday delayed a vote to force producers to curtail output, predicting the move would land the state in a legal minefield. - Nampa
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WhatsApp education not working

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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WhatsApp education not workingWhatsApp education not working A day into what is now dubbed as WhatsApp education, the country's masses are struggling.

Many teachers are unwilling to use their private phones and data bundles to upload lessons for children on WhatsApp groups. You can't blame them for their attitude, unless they were logistically supported by government.

The dynamics to why this elitist approach won't work are many. Apart from logistics, parents are being asked to 'teach' their children at home.

What this means in practical terms is that even semi-literate parents, or illiterate ones, are now asked to become circumstantial teachers.

A Windhoek parent – who only speaks Oshiwambo and English – was yesterday asked to teach his daughter Afrikaans at home. Afrikaans materials were uploaded on WhatsApp by a teacher, as per the current guidelines.

The parent in question, despite being illiterate in Afrikaans, at least has a smartphone, data and cellular network. Many other parents, especially in remote rural areas, do not have the same privilege and their children are being punished for hailing from poor families.

Teaching is a specialised indulgence. Parents – even those who possess the required logistics – cannot just wake up one morning and, bingo, they are schoolteachers.

If it was that simple, no parent would take their children to school and sometimes pay ridiculous education fees.

The reason why teachers undergo four years of training to obtain a degree at Unam is because that is exactly what is required to become a schoolteacher.
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Africa Briefs

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Africa BriefsAfrica Briefs Chad repays Angola debt with cattle

Angola has received a herd of more than 1 000 cattle from Chad, a government official said Monday, the latest shipment of an unusual debt repayment deal.

The landlocked central African country, impoverished despite its oil revenues, contracted a US$100 million debt with Angola in 2017.

As repayment, Angola agreed to take 75 000 cattle, for delivery over five years from 2020, to help it develop its beef industry.

Since the first batch arrived a month ago, Angola has taken delivery of 4 500 cattle.

After oil, livestock is Chad's second largest source of export earnings. – Nampa/AFP

Naira slides to 3-year low

The Nigerian naira fell to its lowest level against the US dollar in three years on the black market on Tuesday, traders said, a day after a historic oil price rout pushed US crude futures below zero.

The naira touched 420 per US dollar on the black market, for the first time since February 2017, 14% weaker than the official market rate.

The currency has been hitting new lows on the over-the-counter spot and black markets on thin volumes since last month after the central bank adjusted the naira's official rate, implying a 15% devaluation. It was quoted at a low of 388.92 on the spot market on Tuesday.

A lockdown of Nigeria's main cities this month to stop the spread of the coronavirus has slowed activities in the economy and the currency market particularly with the central bank running scanty operations and traders working from home. A crash in oil prices will also hurt the oil-producing country.

"It's all about the corona pandemic and until the lockdown is lifted, we don't expect improvement in liquidity," one trader said. – Nampa/Reuters

Algeria fear fresh economic turmoil

Algerians are watching the collapse of oil prices with alarm as the energy markets on which the North African nation relies for most of its export revenues have been plunged into turmoil by the coronavirus crisis.

The oil and gas producer has burnt through more than half its foreign currency reserves since 2014, when an earlier oil price rout began, while this year's budget outlined a 9% cut in spending but was based on oil prices double today's levels.

Algeria's Saharan Blend is now trading at less than US$20 a barrel, while this year's austerity budget was based on a price of US$50 a barrel. Benchmark international crudes are trading at their lowest in about two decades.

The presidential spokesman said on television on Tuesday that the situation was under control because of "spending cuts and postponing some projects".

Algeria has frozen much of its state housing construction, halted some energy projects and cancelled other development plans to reduce spending and bring deficits under control. – Nampa/Reuters

Senegal bans single-use plastics

A ban on single-use plastics came into effect in Senegal on Monday, although the government has said it will allow the sale of plastic water sachets until the coronavirus pandemic ends.

The West African country won plaudits from environmentalists when it issued a law in January banning the import and sale of single-use plastics such as drinking straws, small bags and coffee cups.

The move was a response to the large volumes of pollution across Senegal, where streets and beaches are often littered with plastic waste.

The ban also originally included water sachets - which are ubiquitous in the country - but environment minister Abdou Karim Sall said that these would be exempt until the end of the coronavirus pandemic.

The new law also bans imports of plastic waste, and provides for sanctioning wrongdoers. People who dump plastics can face up to a month in jail, for example. – Nampa/AFP
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Corona Watch

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Corona WatchCorona Watch South Africa

South Africa's president Cyril Ramaphosa announced a R500 billion rescue package on Tuesday, equivalent to 10% of the GDP of Africa's most industrialised nation, to try to cushion the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic.

The relief comes as more than 40% of South African companies fear they may not survive the coronavirus pandemic. An official survey, carried out during the first two weeks of the lockdown, released the figures on Tuesday as the country struggled with a five-week lockdown.

The study sampled 707 companies, each with an annual turnover of at least R2 million, covering a range of sectors from manufacturing and construction to utilities.

Ramaphosa plans to deploy more than 73 000 extra troops to help implement a nationwide coronavirus lockdown, the defence minister yesterday said. – Nampa/Reuters

Nigeria

Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari has asked the chief judge to free prison inmates who have been awaiting trial for six years or more to ease overcrowding as the novel coronavirus spreads, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

A statement quoted Buhari as saying 42% of Nigeria's 74 000 or so prisoners were awaiting trial. He urged chief judge Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad to reduce that number "since physical distancing and self-isolation in such conditions are practically impossible".

Buhari said inmates with no confirmed criminal cases against them, elderly prisoners and those who were terminally ill could be discharged. – Nampa/Reuters

Morocco

Sixty-eight people, mostly staff, have come down with the coronavirus at a prison in the southern Moroccan city of Ouarzazate, prison authorities said on Tuesday, without reporting any deaths.

Earlier this month Morocco released 5 645 prisoners – some of them in poor health - to help reduce the risk of the coronavirus spreading in its prisons as has happened in other countries.

At the Ouarzazate facility, at least six inmates were among those to have contracted the coronavirus and all were now undergoing testing, a prison statement said. – Nampa/Reuters
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SCC to roll out N$700m stimulus package

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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SCC to roll out N$700m stimulus packageSCC to roll out N$700m stimulus package JEMIMA BEUKES

WINDHOEK



The Social Security Commission (SSC) has announced a N$700 million stimulus package for nine sectors believed to be the hardest hit by the outbreak of Covid-19.

These sectors are construction, farming, entertainment, manufacturing and retail, transport, tourism and hospitality, and domestic work.

This was announced by the chief executive of the SSC, Milka Mungunda, who added that the door would not be shut to other sectors affected by the economic downturn. This follows finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi's announcement of an N$8.1 billion stimulus package which included a one-off N$750 grant for people who have lost their income as a result of the lockdown.

She added that this would include wage subsidies provided to employers in an attempt to keep them from retrenching their workers or cutting salaries by more than 30%.



Safety net

“Our objective is to provide a safety net. One of the conditions will be that you should not be earning more than N$50 000 per annum and must be registered with the SCC. You will benefit for three months of salary,” she said.

Mungunda added that the informal sector too would be catered for, adding that discussions were under way to see how that could be done.

However, potential beneficiaries must satisfy some conditions before they can be eligible for these benefits.

“We are trying to assist where we can. It may not be a perfect system.
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Govt bans corona retrenchments

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Govt bans corona retrenchmentsGovt bans corona retrenchments• Labour ministry, stakeholders hone in on job security New directives will soon be rolled out that take into account employment security, wages, health and safety to protect labourers from job losses. Ester Kamati & DENVER KISTING

WINDHOEK



Employers may not dismiss, retrench or send employees home on unpaid leave during the lockdown period.

Legitimate layoffs and retrenchments, according to government, may not take place before 1 June - 28 days after the 4 May lifting of the countrywide lockdown. It is uncertain whether restrictions will be extended.

To reduce wages and salaries, trade unions and or employees' consent will be needed in writing. It is also prohibited to reduce people's compensation if they work a full day - whether in the office or at home.

New minister of labour, industrial relations and job creation Utoni Nujoma, upon inquiry, said: “You (the employee) must agree.”

He also believes that the salary of full-time workers can be limited, provided that the trade union and employees agree and it is “reasonable”.

“We encourage conversation,” Nujoma said. “We (employers and employees) need to see how we can compare. The aim is to discourage unilateral action (by employers),” he stressed.

The Labour Act prohibits a reduction of more than 50% in employees' pay. Any reduction in benefits must, by law, be reflected by a reduction in working hours.
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City cop rape suspect fights for bail

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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City cop rape suspect fights for bailCity cop rape suspect fights for bail ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



Windhoek City Police spokesperson Fabian Amukwelele claimed yesterday in his bail application in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in Katutura that if the complainant had not fallen pregnant, there would be no rape case against him.

Amukwelele was arrested on 8 April after he was accused of raping a 29-year-old City Police colleague in January.

The 37-year-old Amukwelele pleaded not guilty to the charge of rape, saying the sex was consensual.

The rape charge stems from an incident that occurred on 11 January this year at Amukwelele's Rocky Crest home.



Accused's version

Amukwelele said in his testimony that had there not been a pregnancy there would not have been a case, state prosecutor Rowan van Wyk told Namibian Sun.
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Covid coming down like ton of bricks

April 22, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Covid coming down like ton of bricksCovid coming down like ton of bricksConstruction on brink of collapse Namibia’s construction industry needs work urgently or there will be mass retrenchments and company bankruptcies in the sector. We are extremely worried that most of our businesses will not survive the lockdown period. - Bärbel Kirchner, GM: CIF Jo-Maré Duddy – More than 72% of construction companies in Namibia have been running at a loss so far this year, a precarious situation worsened by the lockdown and the extension thereof.

Most of them have to rely on bank overdrafts to keep their businesses running.

A total of 61 companies recently survey by the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia (CIF) said the Receiver of Revenue owed them about N$8.4 million in total in refunds of value-added tax (VAT).

In addition, government owed them a total of N$192 million in unpaid invoices.

Launching government’s economic stimulus and relief package on 1 April, finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi pledged to accelerate the repayment of overdue and undisputed VAT refunds. He further said government would “immediately speech up” the payments of overdue and undisputed invoices of goods and services.

The ministry of finance yesterday couldn’t tell Market Watch how much of this money owed to the private sector has been paid yet. However, the ministry’s chief public relations officer, Tonateni Shidhudhu, said these figures would be available today.

“We are extremely worried that most of our businesses will not survive the lockdown period,” the general manager of the CIF, Bärbel Kirchner, yesterday said.

The chances of retrenchment and closure of businesses is huge, Kirchner told Market Watch.

An estimated 15 500 people currently work in the construction sector following massive lay-offs since Namibia first fell into a recession in 2016.

“Considering that one income supports at least eight persons – probably many more now – that would mean that 124 000 individuals would be affected,” she said.

Survey

About 68.3% of construction companies included in the CIF survey said they suffered losses in the 2019/20 financial year. Year-to-date, 72.13% are in the same predicament

About 17.65% of those lucky enough to make profits, have to use it to cover their expenditures. Nearly 57% need overdrafts to pay for expenses, while nearly 5.9% make use of loans and about 13.7% of personal finance.

“If we bear in mind that close to 70% are already operating at a loss, it means that the scope is extremely limited for companies to continue operating if there will not be any scope to generate any income soon.

“Companies are already heavily indebted due to recessionary environment since 2016. They have obligations to meet with their financial service providers,” Kirchner said.

Four tough years

The industry has been suffering huge losses already over the last four years, she said.

“Since 2015, the average contraction of the construction sector was 12%, with a massive 34.4% contraction in 2016. This had led to extensive business closures in the industry. Four years ago the industry contributed 7.2% to Namibia’s GDP [gross domestic product]. This has dropped to 2.7% in 2019,” Kirchner explained.

This has left “all the companies in the sector extremely vulnerable, many of which are at the brink of collapse”, she added.

Many businesses have already closed as a result of reduced spending by government, as well as the lack of domestic investment by the private sector and foreign investment.

The CIF survey suggests that without any income in the near future, many more businesses will close down, irrespective of any financial support by Government that will be extended to the employees in the sector, Kirchner warned.

‘Open the sector’

“We appreciate the enormous effort taken to contain the spread of the virus and the support extended to individuals and businesses, where possible,” Kirchner said.

However, the CIF is “extremely worried about the impact on our businesses that we can foresee now as result of measures taken in response to Covid-19”.

“We therefore feel that through commencing with work soonest and a carefully deliberately strategic approach we can stop the tide of further increasing unemployment,” Kirchner said.

This will not only also help to alleviate the current strain on government in supporting the most vulnerable through the replacement or supplementation of income, but also will ensure that the construction sector is able to immediately start contributing to the economy, she continued.

The construction sector is vital sector and can also be a catalyst for growth in other sectors, the CIF believes.

‘Essential service’

“If the construction sector were to be considered as an essential service and were to be opened up immediately, it can essentially contribute to the creation of employment and contribute to the much needed revenue by government,” Kirchner said.

She added: “The construction sector not only contributes to building the much-needed emergency infrastructure and the roads and facilities needed by those that provide essential services, but is also can assist with alleviating the strain on government’s financial resources.

“If businesses in our industry are engaged immediately, obviously with strict measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, we can start to effectively contribute to Namibia’s economy in the interest of us all.”

“For example, we can look at securing that already priced infrastructure related tenders are finalised as soon as possible and that new infrastructure project that had been considered for the 2020/21 financial year will be sped up and that procurement-related restrictions are lifted with related procurement regulations,” Kirchner said.

‘Comprehensive approach’

“We need a comprehensive approach,” Kirchner urged.

“Through a careful strategically mustered approach by actively engaging and focusing on the Namibian construction sector, we can make big strides forward in view of saving not only the industry, but also securing the survival of parts of our economy.

“We simply cannot have a scenario that our industry will collapse and Namibians will no longer be able to build their own infrastructure in the future and massive resulting unemployment.

“This will increase our dependency on resources not available in Namibia, at a much bigger cost, to the detriment not only of ourselves but the detriment of future generations,” Kirchner said.
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Bank Windhoek launches free essentials delivery service during lockdown

April 23, 2020, 3:23 am
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Bank Windhoek launches free essentials delivery service during lockdown Bank Windhoek launches free essentials delivery service during lockdown Bank Windhoek customers can now comfortably stay in their homes while the new Hey Jude Rider Service shops on their behalf and delivers groceries and other essentials on their doorstep free of charge With the current COVID-19 pandemic, leaving home to get groceries and essentials has become a daunting task for many The Rider Service was launched on Thursday, 16 April 2020 and is an add-on service to the Hey Jude for Bank Windhoek App, an exclusive mobile application for Bank Windhoek customers that connects them to their very own Personal Assistant available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Bank Windhoek customers can now comfortably stay in their homes while the new Hey Jude Rider Service shops on their behalf and delivers groceries and other essentials on their doorstep free of charge. The service which previously assisted customers with various tasks such as finding cost-friendly plumbers or sourcing quotes for hard to find items, for example, now includes a free essentials shopping and delivery service to assist customers during the lockdown.
When asked what inspired the launch of this service, Bank Windhoek’s Executive Officer of Marketing and Corporate Communication Services, Jacquiline Pack said, “This service has been introduced to enable our customers to adhere to the social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic and give them peace of mind during these unprecedented times.”
To ensure the health and safety of customers making use of the service, Bank Windhoek has implemented strict health protocols for their Rider. One of these protocols is the impressive “leave at door” delivery policy, which ensures that the Rider has no physical contact with customers. They simply place the customer’s purchases at their gate or door and then wait for them to collect their package before leaving to ensure that the customer safely receives their order. Store receipts are also delivered digitally through the Bank Windhoek Mobile App.
The Rider Service vehicle is also disinfected at regular intervals to ensure that all deliveries are as sanitary as possible and the Rider is supplied with gloves, masks, hand sanitiser, and wipes to ensure their safety while carrying out shopping trips on behalf of Bank Windhoek customers.
Those who wish to make use of the service are encouraged to download the Hey Jude for Bank Windhoek App from their respective App stores and upload their shopping lists or requests for medication and other essentials 24 hours in advance.
Payments for these goods can be made through various channels such as the Bank Windhoek EasyWallet service, cash or by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
While the delivery service is only currently available in Windhoek, the Hey Jude for Bank Windhoek App and the services of its Personal Assistants are available to Bank Windhoek customers nationwide for only N$99.00 per month, 50 percent off the Normal Retail Price of N$199.00.
For more information on the Hey Jude for Bank Windhoek App and its additional Rider Service, customers can send an email to bankwindhoek@heyjudeapp.com.

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Ministry of Education sets the record straight

April 23, 2020, 8:03 am
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Ministry of Education sets the record straightMinistry of Education sets the record straight The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture wishes to assure the nation at large that so far no final decision has been taken after a working file, highlighting some options for the schools calendar has been leaked and circulated. The have not reached a decision but will be promptly sharing information once they have it.
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Ministry of Education sets the record straight

April 23, 2020, 8:09 am
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Ministry of Education sets the record straightMinistry of Education sets the record straight The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture wishes to assure the nation at large that so far no final decision has been taken after a working file, highlighting some options for the schools calendar has been leaked and circulated. The have not reached a decision but will be promptly sharing information once they have it.
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Lack of football causing anxiety – Neymar

April 23, 2020, 4:00 pm
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Lack of football causing anxiety – NeymarLack of football causing anxiety – Neymar NAMPA / REUTERS



Paris St Germain and Brazil forward Neymar says not knowing when football will be played again is making him anxious.

The 28-year-old is preparing for an eventual return at his home in a gated community in Brazil under the supervision of Ricardo Rosa, his long-standing physical trainer.

Despite Rosa's best efforts to keep him active with a varied daily routine, Neymar said the absence of football due to the coronavirus pandemic is weighing on him.

“Not knowing when we will play again is causing anxiety. I miss playing, competing, the atmosphere of the club and my PSG teammates. It's a real longing for football!” he said on his website.

“I'm sure that the fans want to see everyone back on the pitch, the earlier the better. I hope the decision is made as quickly as possible,” added Neymar, who scored 18 goals in 22 appearances for PSG before the season was halted in March.



No extra pressure

Rosa said that his main job was not to add to the pressure Neymar is already under.

“You need to understand the environment that this player lives in,” he said. “I try to relieve this by controlling the training load and nutrition. Everything is done so his performance improves and evolves all the time.”

“I try to vary the methods, volume and intensity of work, dividing them between general exercises and specific training with the ball.”

In physical terms, he said Neymar was a cut above most players.

“In all those years of working with him, what I would highlight, in the physical part, is that he's a privileged athlete, always at or above the average for football players,” he said.

“Besides being an agile and quick athlete, he has a lot of stamina. It's very difficult to find an athlete with these three skills together, but in Neymar's case, he's outside the curve because he has all three”.
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