Namibian Sun

We care This week we carried a chilling picture on the front page of a woman who was severely beaten by her lover and later succumbed to her injuries. On social media we were castigated by some readers for being insensitive and unprofessional. It is the democratic right of our readers and we respect everyone’s view. But we laud the family for giving us the picture and its good intention to expose the seriousness of gender based violence in this country. A picture says a thousand words. If this terrible picture tugged at the hearts of our readers, what about the children who witness such brutality in real life? Let us not be too quick to judge and castigate, but learn to appreciate the good intentions of the media. The good intention of the family was to expose the gravity of gender based violence in this country. The picture will no doubt serve to save the lives of many women and men who may be suffering silently in abusive relationships. GBV is a challenge that requires serious intervention and not the milquetoast attitude from the gender ministry and other stakeholders. In any storm we face individually or, as a nation, we must learn to look for the silver lining in the cloud. Statistics indicate that many of the GBV victims meet their fate because, for social and cultural reasons, they chose to stick in the abusive relationships. What couples in abusive relationships must realise is that, violence of this magnitude seizes to be a domestic or personal issue but a national heartache. It calls for the need to intensify awareness campaigns to urge victims to end abusive relationships. Calls have been made in campaigns for the public to speak out and to report to the police the people they know are enslaved in abusive relationships. The people caged in abusive unions need encouragement to break these chains of their “love” bondage. Many laws and policies that didn’t recognise the repertoire of gender based violence have been amended or introduced. We are just fulfilling our roles as watchdogs and we will bark where there is transgression for the transformation to take place.

Ongwediva dumpsite fencing complete

There will be no more scavenging for food at the Ongwediva dumpsite after council replaced the fence, which was allegedly stolen by community members.

Last year September, Namibian Sun reported that due to the stolen fence children and adults would visit the dumpsite to scavenge for food and other items.

Ongwediva spokesperson Jackson Muma said the open dumpsite was a serious hazard to the community.

He added the erection of the new fence would also reduce the unauthorised entry of animals and people.

“The situation has improved a lot and we are just pleading that the community also takes responsibility for the dumpsite and avoid vandalising the fence,” Muma said.

According to Muma, the construction of the fence commenced in April and was completed in 15 June with a contract valued at just over N$550 000. “We are busy organising measures to remove the plastic [waste] that is seen outside the fence.

“These plastics went out of the dumpsite when the fence was vandalised and got stolen,” Muma said.

Muma says the site is managed by council's Environmental Development and the Community Service Departments.

KENYA KAMBOWE

Hospital murder shocks //Karas

//Karas Regional Health Director Barth Mutenda expressed his distress over an alleged murder that took place at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital Wednesday morning.

Speaking to Nampa, Mutenda said he was shaken by the fact that the lives of patients and medical personnel were at risk in a place that is meant to be a safe zone.

Although Mutenda could not give full details about what exactly happened at the alleged murder scene due to ongoing investigations, he confirmed that a young man was stabbed at the entrance of the hospital. “He died while being attended to by doctors and nurses in the theatre after being brought in from the procedure room where his condition was established as critical.”

The deceased has meanwhile been identified as 20-year-old Johan Jansen by Nampol's Regional Crime Investigations Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Chrispin Mubebo.

Both Mutenda and Mubebo said the victim was brought to the hospital after he was stabbed multiple times in a fight between two groups around 02:00 at a bar in Tseiblaagte.

It is suspected that those fighting the deceased followed him to the hospital and stabbed him there again.

“I can tell you now, I am not okay, my medical personnel are not well and my patients are uneasy. We are seriously pondering immediate safety measures to put in place,” Mutenda said. He said it was not the first time that the lives of those at the hospital were put at risk by members of local communities.

“We live in a violent environment in //Karas; it is a genuine problem. We have security guards at the hospital specifically because of the actions of drunken people in the hospital corridors in the past.” Mutenda said it was not unheard of for members of the public to harass patients and medical staff at the health facility.

“It is worrisome. A hospital is a place of safety and it does not discriminate against anyone, including [the] perpetrators of violence outside our gates who come to seek medical assistance,” he said. However now, the facility will have to seriously consider the way forward, he reiterated.

Mutenda said the directorate would look into immediate temporary measures, possibly barring certain movement, followed by the involvement of police as well as violent members themselves to help shape a safer environment.

Seven suspects arrested in the alleged murder and appeared in the local court on Friday.

NAMPA

Dippenaar crash survivor grilled Witness accused of fabricating story

The evidence in chief delivered in the Swakopmund Regional Court last week by the survivor of an accident, which claimed the lives of six people, came under heavy fire on Thursday during the defence's cross-examination.

Advocate Louis Botes, who is representing the accused, Jandré Dippenaar, questioned the witness, Antonia (Toni) Klara Joschko repeatedly about her version of the events, which transpired on 29 December 2014, the day of the accident.

Joschko testified last week Wednesday that she was traveling with her father, Walter Helmut (48), mother, Stephanie Dorothea Schemick (49), and her older sister Alexandra (19), to Swakopmund from Cape Cross when the accident occurred.

“On our way to Swakopmund, I was speaking to my sister who was sitting on the back passenger seat with me. I was sitting behind my father who was driving and my mother was sitting in the front passenger seat. As we were driving up a small hill a big white vehicle suddenly appeared right in front of our car,” she said.

Her father, she told the court, had no time to react to avoid a collision as the accused's vehicle was too close and was travelling at a very high speed.

When questioned about discrepancies between her testimony, her statement to the police and other evidence before the court relating to which side of the road they were traveling on, Joschko said she was sure her father was driving in the correct lane.

“It was important for me to make that clear from the start, because I knew it would have been easy for people to blame my father for the accident because we are from Germany where we drive on the other side of the road,” she said.

Botes further questioned the witness about her testimony that she did not see the approaching vehicle of the accused until it was right in front of their vehicle.

“I put it to you that the reason you did not see the vehicle is because you were not looking at the road and if this horrific accident occurred on a hill the investigating officer would have mentioned it in his report,” Botes insisted.

He also submitted photographs to the court depicting the accident scene.

“These photographs indicate that there is no hill in the vicinity of the accident scene,” he said.

Joschko responded by saying that the photographs only show one perspective of the road and that she was sure that the hill would be visible on other photographs.

Botes, however, stated that her evidence does not correspond at all to what happened.

“I am sure that an expert must explain the marks not me, and every witness will have his own perspective and yesterday and today I explained mine,” she answered.

In his closing statement, Botes further lambasted the 19-year-old's evidence, claiming it was not adding up to other statements.

“Having regard to the real evidence we will argue that you are fabricating your story for two reasons. One, you want to exonerate your father for his wrongdoings. Two, you did not fully observe what happened that day. Or perhaps it is for a little bit of both these reasons,” he said.

It is alleged that the accused, Jandré Dippenaar, was in the process of overtaking another vehicle when he smashed into the Joschko's oncoming vehicle.

The vehicle which Dippenaar was driving burst into flames while the passengers were still trapped in the vehicle.

The other victims and the accused's passengers, were Dinah Pretorius (30), Charlene Schoombe (24) and J C Horn (27).

Dippenaar faces six charges of murder, reckless and negligent driving, fraud and non-possession of a valid driver's licence.

After Botes concluded his cross-examination and magistrate Gaynor Poulton postponed the case to 21 November for continuation of trial.

JESSICA BOTES

Kosie Pretorius is no more

Veteran politician and ex-Member of Parliament Jacobus Willem Pretorius, popularly known as Kosie, died in Walvis Bay Friday morning at the age of 81.

The late Pretorius had moved to the coastal town after retiring from active politics in June 2013.

Pretorius served as a member of the Constituent Assembly, which drafted and adopted Namibia's Constitution, after the country's pre-independence election in November 1989.

Thereafter, he continued to serve as a member of the National Assembly from 1990 to 2005.

For the first 15 years in Parliament, Pretorius represented Action Christian National until the formation of the Monitor Action Group (MAG). He served as MP on the ticket of MAG for two terms.

Former president of the DTA of Namibia, Katuutire Kaura, also a founding member of the Constituent Assembly with the late Pretorius described him as someone who fully and completely stood for the protection of white interests.

According to Kaura, who now is an advisor to the Governor of the Kunene Region, Angelika Muharukua, the late Pretorius was very precise on motions he presented to parliament.

“At times his motions would not be well-received by some members of the house, but he would never back off to present it, as most of time his motions were well-researched,” Kaura narrated.

Burial arrangements are yet to be announced.

NAMPA

Seven finance officials dismissedSchlettwein warns staff against corruption The finance minister has warned treasury staff against engaging in corruption.

Minister of Finance Calle Schlettwein last week warned his staff from engaging in fraudulent activities.

This follows the dismissal of seven ministry officials who were found on the wrong side of the law in January this year.

“I am worried that this year we have discharged seven officials because of unethical behaviour, three from management. That is a bad statistic. That is worrisome,” said Schlettwein who was addressing his staff in Windhoek.

He warned would-be fraudsters that their actions would eventually catch up with them. “That is only those that have been caught, [but] the good thing is that we've caught them. Maybe the wheels of justice are turning slowly, but they are turning and they will catch up with those cheating the system.”

He encouraged ministry staff to come clean and not look away at incidences of corruption. “If you suspect bad behaviour, report it, the better we deal with it the better our system will be,” said Schlettwein.

He also used the opportunity to implore his staff to use ministerial funds prudently. “We work not only with our own money, but the money of others. Don't do with public money what you will not do with your own money,” said Schlettwein.

Recounting an experience, he said that it was not fair that ministry officials were using government funds to merely pay for goods and services procured.

“If you go to buy a printer cartridge, you will go around to several shops and compare [prices]. We bought cartridges with our eyes closed, we bought cartridges that were three times the market price. That cannot go on and no one must tell me that they did not know better,” he said.

“It is not a difficult thing to improve at, let us behave in a way that is high-value for money and ethical behaviour.”

Schlettwein also took issue at ministry officials who ask for kickbacks to accelerate payments made to service providers and referred to a text which was sent to a local newspaper recently.

“If the public complains, we must make sure that our system detects this unethical behaviour. I hope and I am confident that it is not one of you,” Schlettwein warned.

OGONE TLHAGE

Faulty pumps to blame for Husab waste leak

Investigations into a leak in the Husab Mine's tailings dam located in the Namib Naukluft Park in May, has finally been completed.

Photos of the leak surfaced on social media, which sparked fears that dangerous waste material was leaking into underground water sources. Particular concerns were raised that groundwater in the Kahn and Swakop rivers will be contaminated.

The vice-president of human resources at Swakop Uranium, Percy McCallum, however, said that investigations by the department of environmental affairs, the National Radiation Protection Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and an external environment consultant, found that the spillage took place in a small localised area.

“The pumps at some of the lined seepage collection ponds partially failed and with the continuous inflow of the seepage water, resulted in the lined seepage ponds overflowing onto the unlined surroundings,” said McCallum.

The spillage area is still within the perimeter of the tailings storage facility fence, which is not accessible to the public or animals according to him.

McCallum also confirmed that the incident was reported to the authorities within days and inspections were conducted.

“The inspections confirmed that the spillage incidences were directly caused by the pump failures at some of the seepage ponds. When the external regulators examined the area, there was no longer any overflow of the seepage ponds as corrective action had already been taken to repair the pumps timeously, and additional mechanical pumps were used to pump the water back over the wall into the tailings dam.”

“In addition to the water analysis done by the mine itself, the ministry of agriculture also took independent samples for verification purposes. The company also continues to frequently monitor the tailings storage facility and surrounding boreholes. Rehabilitation measures were taken by the company to neutralise the sand patches where the spills occurred, and subsequent rehabilitation of the areas started and is continuing. The company also reviewed reasons for the pump failures and has ordered new pumps,” said McCallum.

The president of the Namibia Uranium Association (NUA), Hilifa Mbako, said that the NUA concurred with the findings of the regulators.

According to McCallum the tailings dam contains the treated slurry from the processing plant. The bulk of the water from the slurry is returned via the decant system to optimise water recovery.

“Due to commissioning activities at the storage facility initially higher seepage rates can be expected which it was designed for, which is subsequently drained into lined seepage collection ponds from where it is pumped back to the processing plant via the return water ponds or over the wall into the tailings dam for re-using purposes to save water,” he said.

JESSICA BOTES

Shaningwa reads riot actSlams 'boetie-boetie' relationships at city The days of corrupt activities are over, minister Sophia Shaningwa warned on Friday.

Minister of Urban and Rural Development Sophia Shaningwa has read the riot act to “corrupt” City of Windhoek officials, saying maladministration will no longer be tolerated.

Calling the city out on several issues, Shaningwa said she is not sleeping on the job and “boetie-boetie” relationships will not be tolerated as it does not benefit the country.

“My office is inundated with complaints [from] residents that are being treated unfairly and mistreated by the municipal council. Residents have approached my office in the hope that there will be administrative justice,” she said during the launch of the City of Windhoek's strategic plan for 2017 to 2022 on Friday morning.

She said that the success of the plan depends on its implementation and if its execution goes wrong everything will fail.

Shaningwa castigated the city's officials, accusing them of taking decisions on their own accord, which resulted in unnecessary legal action.

Shaningwa urged the municipal leadership to take charge and make sure that accountability prevails.

She further said she had been informed about restructuring and deployment of city officials.

“While this is taking place with good intentions, I caution that this should be done within the laws of the country and financial resources available,” she said. She further stressed that it should not be a situation where restructuring is done with a “friends and foes” system in mind.

“I know what is going on in all 57 local authorities in the country. I am on the ball.

“I do not sit in the office with the air cons and what happens in Windhoek also reaches my ears. I am not sleeping,” she said. According to Shaningwa, sometimes things are not healthy at local authorities, because there is no administrative justice and too little resources.

She further highlighted the slow pace at which the city has been providing serviced land, saying that the delivery of serviced residential land in Windhoek has been very disappointing.

“Yes resources are an issue, but the city should not struggle alone, it should be assisted.”

Shaningwa said although the topography of Windhoek makes it difficult to provide serviced land, more should be done. According to her the city should enter into public-private partnerships (PPPs) for assistance.

“None of this “boetie-boetie” business. This will not help our country.”

She said that the majority of the country is swimming in poverty while a few individuals are benefiting.

“When are they going to get satisfied? To address these challenges it can no longer be business as usual. The answers to these challenges are in the strategic plan. It just needs to be implemented.”

According to her, most local authorities of today are faced with many challenges, such as the scarcity of land, sanitation, housing and finances, and she says that Windhoek is no exception.

“Windhoek attracts many migrants that are seeking to improve their living standards with better jobs.

“This large scale migration has proved to be a challenge for the city and resulted in a mushrooming of informal settlements,” she noted.

No duplication

Meanwhile, Khomas governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua said Windhoek represents more than 98% of the region's populace and the strategic plan is therefore important to ensure that no duplications take place. According to her, one of the goals of the plan is to formalise the informal settlements around Windhoek. “This will be a mammoth task.”

A total of N$25 million has been budgeted during this financial year for servicing informal settlements.

City of Windhoek CEO Robert Kahimise said the needs of the residents are increasing and different solutions are necessary to address the challenges faced.

“We have to change our approach to the challenges out there, if we can achieve that, then service delivery in Windhoek will be transformed,” he said.

Among others, the city furthermore aims to become fully financially accountable by providing clean audits.

“There are leakages [financial] in the city, there is a lot of money lying on the ground and a lot of money lying in people's pockets. It is time to regroup and collect what belongs to the city.”

According to him, the N$500 million debtors' book needs to be dealt with.

ELLANIE SMIT

Grieving family kept dead relative in freezer A grieving family had the police turn up at their door last week, seeking answers after their relative's body was found in a freezer on their guest farm near Omaruru.

Rumours started circulating after an employee on the guest farm stumbled upon the body of a woman in the freezer on Wednesday and informed the police.

Members of the community in Omaruru who spoke to Nampa on condition of anonymity claimed that the farm owner had murdered an employee and hid her body in the freezer, with some speculating that the “murder” was racially motivated.

The Namibian Police on Friday, however, cleared the misunderstanding, with Detective Inspector Daniel Gurirab saying the body was that of a 93-year-old woman who stayed on the guest farm north-east of Omaruru.

The deceased was a family member of the owners.

He clarified that the elderly woman died of illness and that she was not black, nor an employee at the farm.

Gurirab explained that after the employee informed them of the find, police officers went to the farm to investigate the matter, where they were informed that the woman had been sick and was pronounced dead by a private doctor. The family decided to keep her body in the freezer while preparing for her funeral.

“They wanted to bury her on the farm that is why they kept the body there. So please, it is not a racially motivated murder as you were informed,” said the detective.

He said people should report the deaths of family members to the police because they need to establish the actual cause of death before someone is buried.

Gurirab said in this specific case, the family was not in the wrong for not reporting the death, because they had a private doctor who confirmed the woman's death and informed them what she died of.

When approached on Saturday, the farm owner refused to comment.

“We just buried her, now you are bothering me with such questions.” I do not wish to comment,” he said.

NAMPA

Union to sue SME Bank directors

The Namibia Financial Institutions Union (Nafinu) is in the process of instituting a class action lawsuit against the former directors of the bankrupt SME Bank, according to its general secretary Asnath Zamuee.

According to her, the SME Bank's directors should be made to pay the ultimate price for the demise of the former lender.

“We are of the view that the insolvent situation of the bank was as a result of gross negligence and carelessness on the part of those who were entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring prudent administration of public funds deposited at the bank,” she told Namibian Sun. According to Zamuee, it was only fair that the directors be sued for their role in the mismanagement of the SME Bank. “The board failed miserably in its oversight function and now innocent employees have to pay with their jobs. Those responsible for the mess at the bank are waiting for the dust to settle on this issue and to simply move on to their next project. This will not happen. The fight has just begun,” said Zamuee.

Ian Mclaren and David Bruni were appointed by the Master of the High Court to manage the affairs of the SME Bank in the interim as liquidators and moved quickly to issue a statement pertaining to the final pay packages of the 208 employees.

“Your claim against the bank which has absolute preference above any other claims will accordingly be as follows; one month full salary as notice pay, leave pay according to the leave records of the bank [and] severance pay allowance as calculated for each completed year of service and arrear wages and salaries,” the SME Bank liquidators said last week.

Speaking on liquidation matters, Zamuee said Nafinu would engage Ian Mclaren and David Bruni positively.

“While we will continue to engage the liquidators, we wish to state that we fully understand their role and function and have no desire in making their task difficult.

“Our fight is not against the liquidators, but against government and the former executive management as well as the board of directors of the bank,” said Zamuee.

The SME Bank was a joint venture between the Namibian government (65%), the Metropolitan Bank of Zimbabwe (30%) and controversial Zimbabwean businessman Enock Kamushinda (5%).

SME Bank's previous board was made up of cabinet secretary George Simataa as chairman, Petrina Nakale, Theofelus Mberirua, Milka Mungunda, Kamushinda and Ozias Bvute.

Zimbabwean national Tawanda Mumvuma served as CEO.

“We believe that we are the sacrificial lambs in this process that involves Zimbabwean nationals who messed up the bank and are now back in their country, leading normal lives,” said Zamuee.

Judge Hannelie Prinsloo last week ruled that the bank be placed under the control of the Master of the High Court for provisional liquidation.

OGONE TLHAGE

Aupindi's appeal dismissedSupreme Court rules against businessman, co-accused The former NWR boss was unsuccessful in his bid to have corruption charges against him and a co-accused set aside.

Former CEO of Namibia Wildlife Resorts Tobie Aupindi’s bid to review and set aside the contravention of provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act charges levelled against him was dismissed with costs by the full bench of the Supreme Court.

Aupindi had appealed against the judgment of the High Court after it dismissed his and his co-accused, Antonio Di Savino’s, application to review and set aside criminal proceedings before the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.

The full bench was made up of Judges of Appeal Sylvester Mainga, Elton Hoff and Acting Judge of Appeal, Theo Frank.

“The refusal by the prosecutor-general to terminate the proceedings against the appellant and Savino, who is cited in the application as tenth respondent, could thus not be faulted,” the court found.

The highest court further held that the statements containing the alleged untoward conduct of the first respondent amounted to inadmissible hearsay evidence.

It concluded that Aupindi and Savino had failed to establish the facts necessary for them to either infer bias or a reasonable apprehension of bias.

“The appeal is dismissed with costs,” the Supreme Court ruled.

The criminal trial has not been finalised because it was interrupted by a recusal application.

Aupindi and Savino are both on trial for various charges under the Anti-Corruption Act.

They have both pleaded not guilty.

The trial was presided over by Magistrate Helvi Shilemba.

The State led evidence to establish that the appellant had not paid the costs involved in the installation of a swimming pool at his residence.

At the conclusion of the state case, both accused applied for discharge on all charges.

However, Shilemba dismissed the application and postponed the trial to a later date.

At the resumption of the trial, Aupindi called a certain Mr MacKay who is a former policeman and detective who he had requested to do certain investigations on his behalf.

In his testimony, the witness produced statements that he had procured from certain persons with allegations that Shilemba and the prosecutors were plotting to convict him on the charges he is facing, prompting Aupindi and Savino to make an application for recusal of the magistrate, saying they would not get a fair trial.

Shilemba after hearing the evidence dismissed the application on the basis that the duo failed to establish facts to prove that there was reasonable apprehension of bias on their part.

Aupindi and Savino dissatisfied with the ruling, brought a review application in the High Court to set aside Shilemba’s ruling.

However the High Court dismissed the review application and referred the case back to the Magistrate’s Court to proceed with the criminal trial against the two.

Aupindi in his appeal argued that the investigation by an official of the Anti-Corruption Commission was flawed and that the official failed to take a statement from the owner of the entity, a certain Mr Kühn, who had installed the swimming pool and who corroborated his version and Savino’s.

He further argued that the prosecutor should not have proceeded with the trial because the prosecutor-general was unaware of the corroborating version of Kühn when she decided to proceed with the prosecution.

In the recusal application the bone of contention was that the statements presented were sworn statements that indicated untoward conduct of the first respondent and this in itself was sufficient to create a reasonable apprehension of bias.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Cash squeeze has Air Namibia sweating

It never rains but pours for Air Namibia.

The beleaguered national airline has been dealt another blow as the Ministry of Works and Transport informed its management that it is unable to honour its subsidy this month.

The news came on the same day that Air Namibia found out that the four aircrafts it leased from a French firm have been sold to Westair, reportedly without the management’s knowledge.

Westair is Namibia’s biggest private aviation company.

Works and Transport permanent secretary Willem Goeiemann last week wrote to the Air Namibia management, saying government was unable to honour the July subsidy due to the national airline.

“The Ministry of Works and Transport would like to inform Air Namibia that due to a very limited ceiling (fund allocation) for July received from treasury, the ministry is unable to pay for your government subsidy allocation. The ministry therefore advice Air Namibia to kindly makes other financial provisions to pay its leases, maintenance and fuel for July 2017,” Goeiemann wrote.

The ministry further requested in the letter that Air Namibia provide a table of all government funding and disbursements for the financial year 2017/18.

Contacted for comment yesterday, Goeimann told Namibian Sun that the matter is under discussion. He could not provide the exact subsidy amount due to Air Namibia.

The airline’s spokesperson Paul Nakawa said they have acknowledged receipt of the government communication. “Air Namibia is busy engaging the ministry, and the way forward will be shared at a later stage,” he said.

The airline too remained mum on questions about how much it pays for leases, maintenance and fuel and how it impact its operations.

Uncertainty

Meanwhile, Air Namibia also learned on Wednesday that the four planes, leased since 2011 from Air France, are now owned by Westair.

The transaction between Westair and Air France transpired without the knowledge of Air Namibia's board or management.

Nakawa last week issued a notice to the airline's staff, saying it was not aware of the sale of the planes to Westair until Wednesday last week.

He said the company from which Air Namibia leases the four Embraer aircrafts for domestic and regional routes sold the planes to Westair.

“Management is busy attending to the matter therefore management request all staff to remain calm and it is hoped that operation will continue undisturbed while engagements are ongoing,” he said.

Nakawa said in the notice that there is a possibility that Westair will be substituted as the new lessor.

Meanwhile, Nakawa told Namibian Sun that Air Namibia has a valid and legally binding lease agreement with Air France/ HOP for the utilisation of the four Embraer Jet aircrafts.

According to him, the lease agreement with HOP ends early next year.

“Upon the expiry of the agreement the status will be assessed. Air Namibia expects the operations to continue as normal, without any interruptions. Due to obligations pertaining to confidentiality, the airline is not in a position to elaborate further.”

He did not respond to questions whether there was a breach in contract and if legal action would be considered.

It is reported that there are claims of several top ministers who are pushing for a private aviation company to benefit from Air Namibia deals.

Westair Group managing director Gustav Holz could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The Minister of Works and Transport, Alpheus !Naruseb, said he was informed by Air Namibia board chairperson Gerson Tjihenuna about the planes that were sold last week Wednesday.

“Other than that I have no clue what is going on with these deals,” he said.

ELLANIE SMIT

Malaria outbreak claims 63

The health ministry announced last week that from a total number of over 38 000 malaria cases, 63 deaths were reported countrywide between January and April this year.

Briefing the National Assembly, deputy health minister Juliet Kavetuna said 38 243 malaria cases were reported during the recent outbreak.

“This reflects a 51% decline in deaths from malaria compared to the same period in 2016,” she said.

An additional N$12.3 million was also requested from treasury by the health ministry towards an effective malaria response for the current financial year. Kavetuna told lawmakers that since the outbreak, the ministry embarked on a robust response campaign, targeting the affected areas through mass testing and treatment.

High malaria cases and deaths were reported in the Ohangwena, Zambezi, Omusati, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa and Oshana regions.

“During the outbreak a total number of 181 373 people were tested as part of the campaign, of which 13 080 tested positive for malaria and were also treated,” she said.

The deputy minister said the importation of malaria from neighbouring Angola was also major issue contributing to the disease outbreak.

She added that health relations between Namibia and Angola have been revitalised to tackle malaria.

“Spray operator training will begin on 1 September 2017, with spray operations ending no later than 30 November to provide maximum protection during the transmission season. Logistical arrangements, including the procurement of insecticides and equipment have been plotted and planned and structures to implement and monitor [the disease] have been established.”

In April this year, the Angolan health minister Dr Luis Gomes Sambo attended the commemoration of World Malaria Day at Omafo in the Ohangwena Region with his Namibian counterpart Dr Bernhard Haufiku.

During the event an agreement was launched at Oihole in Angola’s Cunene Province to combat common diseases such as malaria.

At the event, Sambo confirmed the transmission of malaria had increased in his country, adding that the disease was being transmitted by the Angolans visiting Namibia on a daily basis.

ILENI NANDJATO

Schoolgirl pregnancy shocker900 schoolgoing mothers, 109 pregnant in Ohangwena Young girls continue to become pregnant at unacceptably high rates in the Ohangwena Region.

Education authorities in the north are grappling with rising teenage pregnancy and many girls of schoolgoing age are dropping out of school due to the problem.

Alarming statistics provided to this newspaper by the Ohangwena Education Directorate, about 109 pupils fell pregnant in the first trimester this year, which includes 16 primary school learners.

These staggering figures were announced by Ohangwena regional education director Isack Hamatwi.

“Teenage pregnancy is high, but learners are not leaving schools any more. During the first school trimester this year, 109 learners fell pregnant. This includes 16 primary school learners - one in grade 5, three in grade 6 and 12 in grade 7,” Hamatwi told Namibian Sun.

“After giving birth, these learners are expected to return back to school. The schools are busy implementing the learner-mother programme for those who fall pregnant to return back to school,” Hamatwi said.

He added the majority of teenage pregnancies reported in the region are at schools in the rural areas.

The Forum for African Women Educationalists Namibia (Fawena) has stepped in to support pregnant and schoolgoing mothers, while protecting them from discrimination.

Fawena is a non-governmental organisation working in partnership with the ministry of education.

Programme director Happy Shapaka said they only assist vulnerable and those from marginalised communities.

At the moment, 3 000 schoolgoing mothers from all 14 regions are receiving support from the organisation.

Ohangwena has one of the highest rates of teenage of pregnancies.

“Currently only 670 are attending the Fawena mother-learner workshops that are underway in Ohangwena Region. But we are informed that there are other schools that have expressed interest in sending their learners to the workshops so that they can start benefiting. If we are to register all these learners, Ohangwena will have the highest number of schoolgoing mothers under the Fawena programme,” Shapaka said.

“We do not take all the schoolgoing mothers, but the number we have is high already. We are not sure how many have not met our requirements.”

Namibian Sun understands that only 670 learners are registered under the Fawena programme, as various schools failed to respond to the request.

According to Shapaka, Ohangwena is followed by Omusati with 427 schoolgoing mothers, Kavango West (395) and Kavango East with 296 schoolgoing mothers.

Shapaka said the organisation gets financial assistance from the Global Fund and each learner is allocated N$1 884. The money is used to provide school uniforms, stationeries, toiletries and transport.

“We only take vulnerable and marginalised pupils because they have no one to offer them support to continue with their studies. We empower them through workshops were they are motivated and encouraged to continue and finish their studies. We would like these learners to rise and not to repeat what they have done. We would like them to become responsible citizens in future.”

However, despite the assistance rendered by Fawena, young learners are still dropping out of school due to teenage pregnancy.

ILENI NANDJATO

World athletics suspends Fredericks

Track and field's governing body, the IAAF, has provisionally suspended its council member and Namibian legend Frank Fredericks while he is investigated for alleged corruption suspected of being linked to the 2016 Olympics hosting vote. The independent Athletics Integrity Unit says its request for an interim ban on Fredericks, was granted by the IAAF disciplinary panel. Fredericks, an International Olympic Committee member, is also being investigated by the IOC ethics panel over a near US$300 000 payment he received on October 2, 2009 on the day Rio de Janeiro won the 2016 Olympic hosting vote. Fredericks has denied wrongdoing, though previously offered to step aside from his IOC work and his IAAF duties except his council position. He plans to contest the suspension at a hearing, the integrity unit says.
SBS.com.au

Indongo spars with the bestIndongo spars with the best Namibian boxer Julius 'Blue Machine' Indongo is training intensively for a boxing showdown with Terence Crawford on 16 August. Julius Indongo has pulled out all the stops in preparation for the showdown with Terence Crawford of the US on 26 August in a super lightweight unification title fight in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Indongo's camp has called in big names in Namibian boxing circles to help prepare the boxer for the toughest fight of his career.

'Blue Machine' is sparring with the likes of Paulus 'The Hitman', Mike Shonena, Max Ipinge, Jeremiah Nakathila and Jatoorora Tjingavete: boxers who are highly respected in boxing ranks.

'The Hitman', Namibia's former World Boxing Association lightweight champion, is a hard puncher who remains one of Namibia's most accomplished and experienced fighters of all time.

'Silent Assassin' is also known for his hard punching and quick feet in the ring.

Ipinge brings flavour to the table with his feistiness and attitude. Nakathila is skilful too and is rising fast in boxing circles, whereas Tjingavete is an unorthodox fighter, making it difficult for boxers to face him in the ring. All of these traits will push Indongo forward.

Internationally acclaimed boxing promoter Nestor Tobias from MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing Academy says they are using experienced boxers with different traits in order to prepare the fighter.

“I picked these boxers for various reasons. Each brings something special to the ring and that will help Indongo. He is fit and has a heart but those are not the only things he needs. There is technique as well. Even though we will not change his style of boxing, we want to get him ready for whatever comes.

“Crawford is a southpaw, which means that he fights with his left hand. But he also sometimes fights as Orthodox which is the opposite. Sometimes he uses a style of running in the ring. So, whatever he brings to us, we will be ready,” Tobias said.

He emphasised that it will not be an easy fight for either boxer. “It will not be easy, but all we can do is to prepare well and do the right things in the ring. If we need more manpower as time goes on, we will call in more people to help the champion,” Tobias said.

The fight will take place at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, and 15 000 spectators are expected to fill the seats.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

Top elite cyclists win again Namibian cyclists Michelle Vorster and Xavier Papo successfully defended their titles as the reigning champions in the Nedbank national cross-country championship on Sunday.

Vorster, who has won the title for three years in a row, said she was honoured to win the race as she had trained hard. “The trail was of world-class standard. It was well organised. From here I will focus on preparing myself for the world championship in Cancun in September.”

Nedbank Namibia sponsored the event to the tune of N$68 000.

“Cycling is as steadfast and resolute today as it was when we introduced the first edition of the renowned Nedbank Cycle Challenge in November 1986,” said Gernot de Klerk, Nedbank's head of marketing and communication.

De Klerk said cycling had grown by leaps and bounds in recent years and the achievements of Namibian cyclists at local and international events were proof of their commitment and perseverance.

Some of the Nedbank-sponsored cycling events this year include the Nedbank national mountain-bike championship, the Nedbank Cycle Challenge held in February, the Nedbank road cycling and mountain-bike series that ended recently, as well as this Nedbank national mountain-bike cross-country championship. This involvement will culminate in the popular Nedbank Desert Dash to be held in December.

The competition was open to anyone who has a UCI licence to compete.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

South Africa take on EnglandWomen cricketers contend for final spot South Africa and England clash in the Women's World Cup semi-final today. England can book a place in the Women's World Cup final if they beat South Africa today as they go in search of a first major cricket trophy in eight years.

The pair meet in the first semi-final at Bristol, a ground on which they played out a record-breaking encounter earlier in this tournament.

Both sides surpassed the 300 mark on that occasion, going on to make 678 runs in total, and the highest cumulative score in women's one-day international history.

Opener Tammy Beaumont top-scored with 148 and will once again be the key threat for England.

Beaumont and Sarah Taylor (147) shared a 275-run stand in a match where England beat the Proteas by 68 runs.

But it was captain Heather Knight who led from the front with a valuable 62 as England defeated the West Indies at Bristol last Saturday to finish top of the group table, having won six straight games since a surprise opening loss to India.

“The best part about our squad is that someone steps up every single game,” said Beaumont.

“Heather had a crucial knock with the bat and then everyone did their bit with the ball and that's really important.

“We all need to be on form heading into a semi-final.”

Their latest victory meant England could stay put to enjoy two full days of preparation in southwest city Bristol ahead of playing again in front of the loudest home support they've experienced during the World Cup.

They will, however, have to once again overcome new-ball duo Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail, described as the “best opening pair in the world” by South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk.

Whoever wins this contest will play either reigning champions Australia or India in Sunday's final at Lord's.

Australia captain Meg Lanning is expected to return in the semi-final at Derby on Thursday, after being rested for the concluding group win over South Africa in an attempt to prevent her aggravating a shoulder injury.

Lanning, the No.1 ranked ODI batsman, missed two of the group stage matches yet still struck 328 runs.

NAMPA / AFP

Shaningwa a gunu aanambelewa yelelo lyaVendukaOvenduka ya tula miilonga oompangela dhawo dho2017-2020 Ominista yEyambulepo lyOondoolopa nIitopolwa, Sophia Shaningwa okwa popi a kunkilile kutya omasiku gokulonga uulingilingi oga thika pehulilo. Shaningwa okwa popi ngaaka ta lombwele aanambelewa yelelo lyoshilando shaVenduka.

Shaningwa okwa popi kutya omakwatathano guukombunda ngoka itaga gandja uuwanawa washa koshilongo itaga idhidhimikilwa.

“Ombelelwa yandje oyuudha omanyenyeto okuza kaashigwana mboka ye wete taya ihumbatelwa shaaheli pauyuuki kelelo lyoshilando. Aakwashigwana oya kongo ekwatho kombelewa yandje neinekelo kutya otaku monika uuyuki,” minista a popi pethimbo kwa tulwa miilonga oompangela dhelelo lyoshilando shaVenduka dhomvula yo 2017 sigo 2022.

Okwa popi kutya epondolo lyoompangela ndhoka olyiikwatelela ketulo miilonga dhalyo nongele elelo olya ndopa nena oompangela ndhoka itadhi tis ha.

Shaningwa okwa popi kutya oku na owino yaashoka tashi inyenge momalelo goondoolopa geli 57, molwaashoka iha kala owala a kuutumba mombelewa ye naashoka tashi inyenge melelo lyaVenduka okwe shi uva.

Okwa tsikile kutya ethimbo limwe iinima itayi ende nawa momalelo goondoolopa molwaashoka kape na uuyuki miilonga oshowo oonzo inadhi gwana.

Okwa nyana woo omukalo tagu ende kashona ngoka elelo lya kala nokulongithwa mokuwapaleka evi lyomalukalwa, ta popi kutya omukalo ngoka otagu uvitha nayi.

Okwa popi kutya oshilando osha pumbwa okuyambidhidha nokuya momatsokumwe gwopublic-private partnerships (PPPs).

Okwa popi kutya omatsokumwe ngoka otaga yambulapo oshilongo shoka shi na aakwashigwana oyendji taya mono iihuna koluhepo omanga oohandimwe taya mono uuwanawa.

Pahapu dhe omalelo goondoolopa ogendji moshilongo oga taalela omikundu ngaashi ompumbwe yevi, uuyogoki, omagumbo niiyemo, nOvenduka oyi li momusholondondo ngoka. Ngoloneya gwoshitopolwa shaKhomas, Laura McLeod-Katjirua okwa popi kutya Ovenduka oyimwe yomoondoolopa dhina omwaalu omunene gwaakwashigwana onkene osha simana noonkondo opo ka ku endululwe egandjo lyomauwanawa kwaamboka ya pewa nale.

Iimaliwa yathika poomiliyona 25 oyiikalekelwa mokuwapaleka omalukanda moshikakomvula shika.

Omunambelewa Omukuluntu gwoshilando shaVenduka, Robert Kahimise okwa popi kutya oompumbwe dhaakwashigwana otadhi londo pombanda nomakandulepo gomikundu ga yoloka oga pumbiwa.

Okwa popi kutya omukundu gumwe gwa taalela oshilando, ompumbwe yiiyemo oshowo oongunga dhoka dhi ninwe kaakalimo dha thika poomiliyona 500.

ELLANIE SMIT

Eteyo ewanawa moshilongo nuumvo Nuumvo oshilongo osha mon eteyo tali shambula okuyeleka neteyo lya monika omvula ya piti.

Okwa lopotwa kutya eteyo lyonuumvo olya yi pombanda noopresenda 84 okuyeleka neyo pombanda lyoopresenda 16 ndyoka lya dhidhilikwa omumvo gwa piti.

Nonando ongaaka iitopolwa owala ngaashi Oshikoto nOshana ya mono eteyo li li pombanda yaandyoka lya tengenekwa oshowo oofaalama dhopangeshefa.

Palopota yoCrop Prospects and Food Security Situation Report ndjoka ya pitithwa kuuministeli wuunamapya eteyo lyepungu etokele, iilyaalyaka, iilya noshostuu otayi tengenekelwa pootona 140 000.

Shoka osha kwatelamo ootona dhepungu etokele dhili po-68 100 ootona 57 600 dhopearl millet, ootona 2 800 dhiilyaalyakaa oshowo ootona 11 500 dhiilya.

Eteyo lyepungu moofaalama dhopangeshefa moshitopolwa (Zambezi, Kavango East noKavango West) olya lunduluka noopresenda 175 okuyeleka neteyo lya piti, ihe oli li pombanda noopresenda 50.

Palopota ndjoka, omalunduluko oga monika noopresenda 91 moshitopolwa shaZambezi omanga miitopolwa yaKavango mwa monika omalunduluko goopresenda 9 ndhoka dha hupako.

Omalunduluko ngoka ogeli oshizemo shomuloka omuwanawa ngoka gwa dhidhilikwa, okuyeleka nomimvo dha piti sho kwa kala oshikukuta.

Okwa dhidhilikwa eteyo tali shambulwa lyiilya moshitopolwa shaShikoto naShana, oshowo eteyo lyiilyaalyaka miitopolwa mbyoka iyali, ndyoka lya yelekwa noopresenda 85, ihe oli li e yo pombanda noopresenda 63.

Nonando ongaaka okwa hololwa kutya momalanditho goshilongo omuna owala oopresenda 52 dhomausila nootona dha thika po-167 100 odha pumbiwa okuthitika omwaka ngoka. Pethimbo onkundana ndjika ya pitithwa uuyelele kombinga yetumo momalanditho neeto moshilongo lyomausila inawu hololwa natango.

Aalandithi yomausila oya holola kutya itaku ka ningwa e yo pombanda lyoondando muule woomwedhi twa taalela kakele ongele okwa dhidhilikwa egwo pevi lyongushu yiimaliwa yaSouth Afrika.

Onkalo yegamenene po lyoondya okwa lopotwa ya lunduluka momagumbo nopethimbo lyomakonaaakono ngoka, aanamagumbo oyendji oya holola kutya oyiikolelela keteyo lyonuumvo na oyiinekela kutya otali ya titha koshikogo ano kuMei gwomvula twa taalela.

ELLANIE SMIT