Shot of the day

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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I DID IT: Burkina Faso's Marthe Koala celebrates after winning women's 100m hurdles at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan during the 8th Francophonie Games on 25 July 2017. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

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Reho mess absolutely disgraceful

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Reho mess absolutely disgraceful The mess at the Rehoboth Town Council has been allowed to spiral out of control for many years now.

The same challenges of maladministration persist as the authorities continuously fail to rein in the troublesome officials.

The Rehoboth mess is a classic example of how some local authorities are being managed in our country and in most cases without regard for the interest of the residents.

Councillors are doing as they wish, while town council officials are also just as guilty for creating this terrible state of affairs.

Rehoboth has been in the news for all the wrong reasons and this has partly to do with the unending infighting rocking the town's political leadership. The town's CEO Christophe Uirab recently admitted to Namibian Sun that the town was on the brink of collapse.

He claimed there was rampant mismanagement and corruption, which has resulted in piled-up debts. According to him he is forced to run council affairs on an ad-hoc basis since there is “no money” in reserve and the council can only deliver services such as water and electricity with the daily payments from residents.

With residents owing over N$100 million for services rendered, both immediate and long-term projects have to be put on hold simply because there is no money.

Even the line minister Sophia Shaningwa is distraught over the situation at the Rehoboth Town Council and this week warned councillors to address the countless problems at the town.

So many investigations have been conducted at the town council but there has not been any meaningful action taken against the culprits. Corruption of any kind and at any level should not be tolerated. There must be consequences for those responsible for the mess if we are indeed serious about tackling corruption in our country. We have bemoaned enough the terrible financial state as well as the poor controls in place at the town and it is high time the authorities take action.

Councillors and town council officials cannot continue to run the town as their personal fiefdom.

Enough is enough.

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Rand Water to equip local boreholes

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Rand Water to equip local boreholesSecond phase of Zuma donation Some N$50 million of the N$100 million drought relief donation from South Africa will now be put to use at 104 boreholes in the north.

The South African High Commission has announced that Rand Water has been mandated for the N$50 million rehabilitation of the 104 boreholes as part of that country's N$100 million donation to Namibia in 2013.

Rand Water is South Africa's largest water utility and supplies water to Gauteng.

The deputy head of the South African High Commission, Eli Bitzer, informed Namibian Sun that the company was busy with the preparation of the sites, training locals and other tasks before they kick off operations.

Bitzer said that a memorandum of understanding between South Africa and Namibia was concluded and signed on 15 June 2015.

“The drought relief project envisaged two phases the first of which was a delivery of maize and drought-resistant seeds and which was successfully concluded mid-2016. The second phase, namely the rehabilitation of existing boreholes and the sinking of some new boreholes in five regions of Namibia that had been identified by the Namibian government (Kavango, Kunene, Omaheke, Ohangwena and Zambezi), commenced in 2016 with the establishment of both a joint steering committee and an implementation committee in terms of the agreement,” Bitzer said.

He said that throughout both phases, the Namibian government was invited to indicate its needs and priorities and this has remained the point of departure.

This has necessitated various rounds of discussion, planning and fine-tuning as well as an allocation of responsibilities and a sharing of capacity, which includes the involvement of the local communities that are to be served.

Bitzer added that in the case of the boreholes it has been necessary to first consider local circumstances and feasibilities.

For example, the possibility to use solar power instead of diesel, the need to protect the boreholes from both wild animals (elephants) and theft, and the essential requisite to train the locals in both the use and maintenance of the facilities.

The agriculture ministry spokesperson, Margaret Kalo, said their ministry in conjunction with the prime minister's office, drilled a total of 104 boreholes: 25 in Zambezi, 14 in Kavango East, 17 in Kavango West, 16 in Ohangwena, 21 in Kunene and 11 in Omaheke because the condition of the funding agreement was for the installation of boreholes only, and not for the drilling of boreholes.

“Work has commenced at two borehole sites close to Rundu, namely at Kahururu, where civil works and concrete slabs for the tank stands and a trough for animals is already completed; and at Ncamahoro, where the construction of concrete slabs for the tank stands and the trough for animals is under way. Now that a start has been made, the whole programme will gain momentum and be able to accelerate meaningfully,” said Bitzer.

“In short response to your questions, it is hopefully clear that South Africa has undertaken this drought relief programme in great earnest and with a desire to address the needs identified by the Namibian side itself, as best we are able within our means - in a spirit of warm neighbourliness. South Africa has herself been experiencing severe drought conditions and we also see this endeavour in its regional context. If this has proven to be somewhat time-consuming, that has primarily been because South Africa wanted to take on board all those needs identified by Namibia. This necessitates on-going consultations and site visits which still continue and problem-solving as these arise.”

He said the first N$50 million was delivered in 2015 while the second N$50 million, covering provisions in the water, health and agricultural sectors to drought-stricken communities, is yet to be completed.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Woman dies after being shot in the head

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Woman dies after being shot in the head A 36-year-old man appeared in the Ohangwena Magistrate's Court on Monday for allegedly killing his girlfriend by shooting her in the head on Sunday.

The victim, Hileni Salom, 28, died instantly around 13:30 at Ongonga village, where the incident occurred.

Sergeant Abner Kaume Iitumba said the suspect Fillipus Mutumbulwa first shot his cousin, Erastus Shikemeni, 44, in the hip.

Shikemeni had attempted to intervene in an argument between Salom and Mutumbulwa.

Salom was reportedly then shot in the head while running away.

“The suspect was on the run since Sunday and was arrested on Monday at Eenhana, where he was found buying medicine at a pharmacy,” Iitumba said.

The court postponed the case to 25 October this year for further police investigations.

Mutumbulwa was not asked to plead and he remains in police custody until his next court appearance.

Salom was originally from Onhuno village, also in the Ohangwena Region.

Man commits suicide

Meanwhile, a man from Ekara village in the Kunene Region on Monday allegedly committed suicide after he saw the body of his 21-year-old daughter hanging from a tree at an unknown time.

In a crime report issued Tuesday, Chief Inspector Kauna Shikwambi said Mbuini Tjindunda, age unknown, allegedly shot himself with a hunting rifle.

The daughter was identified as Utandura Tjindunda and their next of kin have been informed.

Police investigations continue.

In a separate incident, a 51-year-old man from Oshakati in the Oshana Region died Monday after his 33-year-old nephew allegedly stabbed him in the back.

Shikwambi said the nephew allegedly robbed Shihengo Edward of his wallet before stabbing him at about 20:00.

The nephew was arrested and was due to appear in the Oshakati Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The deceased's next of kin have been informed.

In Ohangwena Region on Monday, an 18-year-old man allegedly raped a 31-year-old mentally challenged woman at an unknown time.

She was allegedly on her way home from a cuca shop before the incident occurred at an unknown place.

Police arrested the man and investigations continue.

NAMPA

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Pensioner says BH stole land

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Pensioner says BH stole landClaims he was short-changed in property deal A 96-year-old man wants the businessman to build him a brand new home as the one constructed eight years ago is falling apart.

Eenhana pensioner Fillipus Ndaoya has accused prominent businessman Ben Hauwanga of stealing his plot, where he built a multi-million business complex at the town some eight years ago.

Ndaoya, 96, is now bitter and has no kind words to describe Hauwanga.

He said Hauwanga was supposed to pay him N$2.5 million as compensation for the plot in question, but opted not to honour their written agreement which he said burnt in a fire sometime back.

“But he only compensated me with a four-room house of poor standard, no strong foundation and it is already falling apart as a result,” Ndaoya claimed.

The old man said he had abandoned the house, believing it would collapse soon.

“I want him to build for me a house of good standard, otherwise he should pay N$2.5 million as per agreement reached between him and I,” Ndaoya demanded.

He noted his house, which Hauwanga demolished on the plot where the business complex is built, was of good quality and consisted a business building and a 12-room house.

According to Ndaoya, the Eenhana Town Council in 1999 paid him just N$70 000 to vacate the plot so that the development of Hauwanga's complex is not delayed.

In an interview with Nampa on Monday, Hauwanga denied the private transaction with Ndaoya and agreeing to pay him N$2.5 million compensation.

“I bought the plot from the town council and I paid more than N$100 000 for it. I did not negotiate or sign an agreement with Ndaoya in connection with that land, as it belonged to the council the time I bought it,” Hauwanga claimed.

Hauwanga, however, admitted that he built a house for Ndaoya and paid him a sum as a token of appreciation and not compensation.

Hauwanga said he built a N$40 000 house for Ndaoya and gave him N$80 000 after the senior citizen informed him that he had no other place to live in Eenhana.

However, Ndaoya denied Hauwanga gave him any money and spoke about the house that is falling apart.

Eenhana CEO Walde Ndevashiya confirmed that the council on 23 April 1999 paid over N$70 000 as compensation on the same property.

Ndevashiya also confirmed Ndaoya and Hauwanga had a private transaction agreement regarding the plot without the involvement of the council.

Ndevashiya could not provide proof of the deal between Ndaoya and Hauwanga saying it was “purely a private deal”.

Ndaoya insisted he had paper proof of the agreement but it was burnt when one of his sons torched his house.

Ndaoya was also a businessman in the town and owned several business outlets at Eenhana, Omundaungilo, Oshuuli, Okongo, Oheti yaShikambe, Onambutu and Onakalunga branded as Carry Brothers in the colonial era.

NAMPA

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Namibia 30th largest beef exporter

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Namibia 30th largest beef exporter

Namibia is currently the 30th largest exporter of beef in the world with 24 countries importing Namibian beef and six countries importing sheep and goat products.

This year, new markets are being pursued in countries such as Tanzania, Mauritius, DRC, Kenya, Zambia and Saudi Arabia.

The value that the Namibian livestock and meat industry contributed last year was estimated at N$3.9 billion, while its estimated contribution to the GDP is 3.6%.

This is according to figures released by the Meat Board of Namibia that says the country has about 2.8 million cattle, 2 million sheep, 1.9 million goats and 300 000 pigs.

According to the Meat Board, compared to 2016, the total cattle marketed between January and May this year have decreased by 0.9%, reducing from 145 900 to 144 620.

Year-on-year slaughtering decreased with 28.85% at export abattoirs.

Of the total cattle marketed, 74% were live exports, 20% from export abattoirs while the B and C class abattoirs accounted for 6%.

Out of the total of 36 768 cattle slaughtered during the reporting months, 170 of those cattle were slaughtered at the Meatco mobile abattoirs in the Northern Communal Areas (NCA).

“It is clear that the inability of the NCA market to take up these products, remains a challenge,” said Meat Board.

Due to high weaner prices as a consequence of the low cost of maize prices in South Africa there was a notable increase in live export with 12.4% recorded year-on-year.

“After the previous drought, producers in South Africa are rebuilding their herds and slaughter-ready cattle are becoming limited. This artificially increases the demand for slaughter cattle and the extension of feedlotting and subsequently explains the increased demand for Namibian weaners,” the organisation said.

Namibian weaner prices followed an upward trend between January and May this year, moving on average from 16.96/kg in January to 21.07/kg in May.

According to the Meat Board livestock producer prices are expected to remain sideways for the second quarter of 2017.

However, the slaughter industry will be under pressure as result of herd rebuilding after the herd liquidation during the 2014/15 drought years.

“Weaner prices are expected to increase steadily in the short term but are expected to stabilise during the last quarter of the year. This situation might push the export figures to a disadvantage for the slaughter industry.”

Meanwhile the total production of sheep increased by 4.63% from 336 187 in 2016 to 352 490 this year, comparing year-on-year figures during the period under review.

This increase was mainly driven by the live exports of sheep, which increased by 20% from January to May this year.

According to the Meat Board, increased live exports can be attributed to the increase in South Africa's Northern Cape sheep prices, as well as the utilisation of the accumulated sheep quota.

“The unavailability of slaughter-ready sheep (16kg and above) is one of the factors that contributed towards the 4.7% reduction in sheep slaughtered at the export abattoirs. The quality of the sheep desired by export facilities in terms of their weight and conformation, had been greatly affected by the continuous drought in some of the predominately sheep producing areas.”

According to the Meat Board, the strenuous grazing conditions coupled with severe penalties on fat grade, weight (below 16kg) and conformation ranging between N$7-10/kg, will cause mutton markets to retain the current momentum.

“This in itself is a significant amount that producers experienced. In order to address this problem amicably, the standing drought arrangement of the “too lean and too small” still stands and therefore producers that are affected are encouraged to export under this arrangement as per the standard operating procedures.”

Furthermore the total weight of pork imported from January to May this year stood at 1 049 tons. This represents a decrease of 38% from 1 700 tons in 2016.

ELLANIE SMIT

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KK: Don't use me as scapegoat

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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KK: Don't use me as scapegoat'Country is sliding into darkness' Former MP Kazenambo Kazenambo says the Swapo Party is being used by certain people for convenience, not out of conviction.

Vociferous former cabinet minister Kazenambo Kazenambo says it is “breaking news” to him that he has ever been recalled from parliament or reshuffled due to alleged controversial statements.

Kazenambo yesterday took a swipe at vice-president Nickey Iyambo, who was quoted in the media as having said that deposed Swapo MP Bernadus Swartbooi was not the first representative the ruling party had recalled from parliament, citing Kazenambo as having been recalled.

“This is a man I respect. I hold him in high regard. But this one I cannot take because it is pure fabrication and lies. It is hallucination of the highest order,” Kazenambo said of the reported remarks by Iyambo.

Kazenambo insisted that Iyambo “do the honourable thing” and produce proof that he had been recalled. He claimed he was being used as a “scapegoat for autocratic, authoritarian and dictatorial leadership style” party members are allegedly now subjected to.

“In a democracy like Swapo and the government, Iyambo must tell the public where the meeting was held which decided that I must be reshuffled. Or was it a mafia secret meeting I am not aware of?” asked Kazenambo.

Kazenambo was omitted from former President Hifikepunye Pohamba's cabinet in a reshuffle in December 2012 when he was replaced by Jerry Ekandjo as minister of youth, national service, sport and culture.

Kazenambo, however, is adamant that he was not left out because of controversial statements, but rather because he had asked Pohamba to be relieved from his duties on several occasions because of lies being peddled against him.

He said he had on several occasions been called by Pohamba to explain alleged controversial, including tribal, remarks he was accused of having made.

That interview

One of the controversies was when Kazenambo was called to State House to apologise for a statement he had made during an interview in early 2012 with then Insight journalist Tileni Mongudhi.

In that interview Kazenambo reportedly called fellow ministers “stupid Owambos” who are “just like the Boers, worse, because you are hungry and stupid”.

Kazenambo said the story was “twisted and distorted to feed into a tribal hegemonic psyche”.

“It was a set-up; it was not an interview,” Kazenambo said of that interview.

Kazenambo said Mongudhi told him that certain cabinet ministers had accused him of having behaved “more like a Herero than a national leader” as head of the delegation to Germany that received the first batch of human remains repatriated to Namibia in October 2011.

Kazenambo was also accused of having overspent the budget for that event.

“Mongudhi came with a tribal agenda to me to mock and ridicule the return of the skulls; that was the agenda,” Kazenambo insisted.

He said he and Mongudhi started trading insults, and during this exchange he called the journalist “stupid and hungry”.

Kazenambo says from then on, the story was distorted and manipulated by a strong lobby in cabinet that wanted him removed from office.

He said then prime minister Nahas Angula, after the conclusion of the meeting at State House chaired by Pohamba, wanted him to apologise to the Aawambo community, presumably because he had placed Pohamba in a dilemma.

Kazenambo refused, insisting that he had not done anything wrong.

Kazenambo said he also confronted Angula over an apparent bias because Angula did not insist that he apologise to the Ovaherero community since he [Kazenambo] was accused of having brought disrepute to the Ovaherero community over his alleged offensive behaviour in Germany.

“I have never made any tribal remarks against the Oshiwambo or Ovaherero or any other community,” Kazenambo said. “My quarrel was with Mongudhi, which was never put into context.”

More controversies

Kazenambo was also accused of addressing a meeting at Gam where he allegedly said that no “non-Oshiwambo” persons had ever been in a ministerial position during the first 20 years of independence.

Kazenambo, himself a 'non-Oshiwambo' minister at the time, categorically denied that allegation as well.

Kazenambo said the recent remarks by Iyambo were like “comparing apples with oranges”.

“He is comparing darkness to light,” said Kazenambo. “These are political ghosts talking in the darkness. The forces of darkness and reaction must not try to compare the era of Pohamba – the era of democracy, of light, of consultation and consensus – to the era of personal hatred, pettiness and childishness. Namibia is drifting, sliding, it is on a cliff falling apart because there is no respect for the rule of law.”

According to him his apparent recall from parliament or the loss of his ministerial position could not be compared to Swartbooi's recall.

He said Swartbooi's recall was illegal because no due processes as stipulated in the Swapo constitution had been followed to “make him hungry, to silence him [Swartbooi]”.

“There is a belief in some quarters in this country that if you are out of a government job and Swapo then that is the end of you,” said Kazenambo, adding: “Some people are now using Swapo not out of conviction but for convenience to get access to tenders and government positions. I do not need it. I am not a Swapo member for positions. I volunteered and put my life on the line before.”

Vice-president Iyambo was in meetings yesterday and could not be reached for comment.

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DTA slams Geingob's remarks

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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DTA slams Geingob's remarks

The DTA of Namibia has slammed a media briefing held by President Hage Geingob on Monday, saying that his message lacked real substance and value.

On the issue of the SME Bank, the DTA described the president's remarks as laughable and inappropriate.

In a statement issued yesterday, DTA member of parliament Nico Smit said he believed the press briefing was not held because Geingob had anything meaningful to say, but rather because he wanted to be seen saying something.

“The president's response to public questions regarding his silence on matters of national importance in recent times has, in my opinion, fallen woefully short,” Smit said.

With regard to the SME Bank saga, Smit said it was shocking that the president suggested that the former chairmen of the SME Bank, Frans Kapofi and George Simataa, should not be blamed for the “calamitous exercise” in the mismanagement and misappropriation of a public institution and resources.

He pointed out that both Kapofi and Simataa had a fiduciary duty towards the SME Bank. “It is laughable that President Geingob would regard it as the responsibility of the Bank of Namibia to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the management and board of the SME Bank as set out in law, and one has to question whether President Geingob is familiar with the contents of the Companies Act. This is nothing short of an exercise to protect the politically connected.” Smit said it was even more disturbing how inappropriate the president's comments about the SME Bank were. Smit pointed out that the Speaker of the National Assembly had recently ruled a motion to discuss the SME Bank out of order, citing that the matter was sub-judice. DTA president McHenry Venaani intended to table in the National Assembly.

“If parliament, the highest law-making body in the country, is prohibited from debating a matter because it is before the courts, then similarly the president is required to show restraint despite the fact that his political lieutenants are the ones under the spotlight. It is also ironic that the president would continually make reference to the importance of allowing justice to take its course, yet he sees it fit to intervene in the process and prescribe outcomes.”

With regard to the Geingob's assessment that the economy was doing better than what was being projected in the media and discussed in public, Smit said much of Geingob's optimism about Namibia's economic outlook was based purely on hope.

“His reference to a recovery in the agriculture sector and Windhoek's water stocks is based on good rainfall during the recently ended rainy season. However, the president conveniently does not address the question of where we will find ourselves should we suffer poor rains in the coming rainy season.”

According to Smit, he also found little comfort in the president's optimism about economic recovery in South Africa and Angola. According to him, economic forecasts South Africa remain subdued and in Angola there are likewise no concrete signs of recovery.

“While a loan from the African Development Bank has eased the [Namibian] government's liquidity crisis and has no doubt alleviated the dire situation we face, this action alone is not sustainable,” the DTA politician asserted.

Smit said borrowing money to pay off debt could never be seen as a viable long-term solution.

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Tweya mum on NBCbailout

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Tweya mum on NBCbailoutGovt will 'assist' public broadcaster, minister says The information minister was vague this week when asked what would be done to ease the NBC's money woes.

Information and communication minister Tjekero Tweya could not be drawn into commenting on the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation's finances during an information-sharing session held at State House this week.

The state broadcaster has experienced budget cuts following fiscal consolidation efforts initiated by the ministry of finance.

For the current financial year, the NBC received a government subsidy of N$179 million, down from N$252 million the previous year.

Without explicitly mentioning the word bailout, Tweya said his ministry remained committed to assisting the broadcaster.

“We shall deal with the NBC in terms of how it deals with its mandate. We are not talking about a bailout but [rather] how they can carry out their mandate,” Tweya said when asked to comment on the NBC's financial position.

Its director-general, Stanley Similo recently raised concern about the broadcaster's finances when it came to light that Namibia Medical Care had suspended medical aid coverage to NBC staff due to non-payment of contributions.

According to Similo, government funding provided to the NBC did not match what was required from the broadcaster to carry out its operations.

“The financial reality bestowed on us through means not of our doing is a far cry from what the NBC is attempting to achieve given its history of inadequate funding as a principle,” said Similo.

The NBC boss also noted that the budget cuts constrained NBC operations.

“It is indeed very sad that the current recessionary economic climate and the unexpected reduction of the government subsidy to NBC from N$252 million to N$179 million with a cash value of N$139 million for the same period is causing serious cash-flow challenges which hamper our monthly commitments to our creditors, including the medical aid fund,” Similo said.

According to Similo, the NBC could not align its cost structures to absorb budget cuts optimally, adding to its cash-flow woes.

“The fixed cost structure of this entity in its current form naturally is not amenable to cuts, hence the current cash-flow strain. It is equally disheartening to note that the NBC has to experience these budgetary cuts despite its immense measures around cost-cutting, the digital terrestrial rollout and the addition of programmes as well as improvement in the quality thereof,” Similo said.

OGONE TLHAGE

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Elderly couple tortured by robbers

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Elderly couple tortured by robbers A 79-year-old woman died yesterday after she and her husband were viciously attacked and tortured in their Swakopmund home by three men.

The couple were tied up, while the woman was hit in the face and choked.

The attack happened between 08:00 and 09:00 in Richthofen Street, Swakopmund.

One suspect has been arrested. By late yesterday afternoon the police were still on the hunt for two more suspects.

According to a police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi, three men forced their way into the house through the kitchen door.

Kanguatjivi said the men demanded safe keys from the woman, tied her up and choked her.

When the three suspects moved into another room, apparently looking for a safe, the woman's husband came out and was knocked over the head. He was also tied up and assaulted.

The three men fled and from what could be established nothing was stolen.

The woman was taken to hospital and later died from her injuries.

According to reports the husband identified one of the suspects as a former employee. This information led the police to the suspect's house, where he was found washing his clothes and cleaning mud from his shoes.

The shoes matched footprints found at the house.

ELLANIE SMIT

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Soldier threatens mayor

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Soldier threatens mayorOniipa halts razing of illegal structures A northern soldier has threatened to shoot the Oniipa mayor, CEO and town planner should they continue with plans to demolish his half-finished home.

A soldier in the Namibian Defence Force, whose house has been listed as an illegal structure by the Oniipa town council, has threatened to shoot anyone who dares to demolish the incomplete building.

The death threat directed at council officials resulted in members of the police being dispatched to guard the town council premises.

On Monday, the Oniipa town council was planning to demolish Timotteus Ileka's house, but they had to halt the demolition after Ileka threatened to kill whoever touched his home.

Ileka confirmed to Namibian Sun that he had indeed threatened to kill council officials if they listed his house as illegal or demolished it.

The standoff started on Monday when council officials went to Ileka's house to inform him that the house he is building is an illegal structure and he must stop building. In response, Ileka started threatening the officials.

In a letter seen by Namibian Sun, the Oniipa council asked the Onayena police station for assistance during the identification and demolition of illegal structures that was planned for Monday.

“Today our staff members went to inform a community member, who is deliberately building without permission, that his home will be demolished. This is after several attempts to stop him,” read the letter.

The letter alleged that Ileka had shouted at council officials and demanded to know who had sent them to tell him that his building was illegal.

It is further alleged that Ileka threatened to shoot the person who listed his house as an illegal structure or those who tried to demolish it.

Ileka said he was determined carry out the threat.

Oniipa mayor Immanuel Kambonde said Ileka deliberately built an illegal structure but the council would stop him so that he could not instigate others to do the same.

“We have told people to come to the council before they build their houses and those who have not been given permission are not allowed to build. There are procedures Ileka needs to follow before he starts to build.

We are not operating under traditional authority anymore,” Kambonde said.

Ileka told Namibian Sun that he was frustrated by the fact that there were people building houses in the town and yet he was told not to build his house.

“This is unfair,” he said.

“I presented them with my building plan last year, but they told me that they were not going to approve it. This year, I presented them with another plan and they said they were not going to approve it again. Then I decided to build because other people are building,” Ileka said.

Ileka said when he started building, the council's CEO, Junias Jacob, the mayor and other officials approached him and ordered him to stop building, but he ignored the instruction. He claimed that the council had been mistreating residents for a long time and he was tired of that.

He said the council never presented its town plan to them, meaning there was nothing to prevent the residents from building.

“I am a soldier and a sailor by profession. I am ready to fight for my building as my father fought for this country and never returned from exile. Whoever touches my building will end there. I was very angry and this morning I went to look for the mayor at his office, but he was not there,” Ileka fumed.

Neither the CEO nor the mayor showed up for work on Tuesday following Monday's threats.

Kambonde insisted that Ileka would not be allowed to finish the building and that it would be demolished.

He said the council was waiting for the Onayena police to get instruction from their superiors.

“Today they only came since he was threatening to come armed at our office. Once they get instructions, we will go ahead. This is a town and people have to adhere to council rules,” Kambonde said.

Ileka said he had already spent over N$320 000 on the house and he could not afford to have it demolished.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Stray rhino spotted at Onkani

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Stray rhino spotted at Onkani

People at Onkani village in the Otamanzi constituency of the Omusati Region have reported seeing a stray rhino in their area.

This has been confirmed by Otamanzi councillor Johannes Iiyambo and the Onkani mobile police unit.

A police officer said they were not allowed to talk to the media about the case.

There is concern that poachers might kill the rhino.

“We went there and saw the animal standing under a tree,” Namibian Sun was told.

“We are suspecting that the rhino escaped from Etosha National Park, which is about 80 kilometres away. We will be monitoring the animal until nature conservation officials arrive. We reported it to their office in Ongwediva,” the police officer said. Councillor Iiyambo added that nature conservation officials had informed Etosha staff and they were also en route.

The animal was not a threat to anyone at the moment, he said.

The spokesperson of the environment ministry, Romeo Muyunda, said they were still verifying with officials at Etosha.

Two months ago Ongandjera farmers in the same region shot and killed six lions that had escaped from Etosha, claiming that the lions had killed their cattle. These farmers are under investigation by the environment ministry.

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Hooper named Wallabies captain

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Hooper named Wallabies captainBuild-up towards world cup Stephan Moore is set to retire from the Australian national rugby team.

Michael Hooper has been named as the new Wallabies captain, replacing the soon-to-retire Stephen Moore as the team builds towards the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

The popular openside flanker was firm favourite to take over and will lead the side in the Rugby Championship opener against the All Blacks in Sydney on 19 August.

The 25-year-old Hooper, who has played 68 Tests, has endured a difficult Super Rugby season with the under-performing NSW Waratahs and his leadership and form have been under question.

But Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said he was the right man for the job. Moore had already announced that he would retire from international rugby at the end of the year.

“Michael always shows on the field how much he loves the gold jersey and that's why he is totally respected among the rugby players in Australia,” Cheika said.

“His role as the leader of this team will also be about making the standards of the Australian rugby team the highest they can possibly be.”

Moore, who has been capped 120 times, will continue to play for the Wallabies, helping Hooper's transition, until the end of Australia's European tour in November.

“It's a huge honour to just wear the Wallabies jersey, let alone captain the side,” said Hooper.

“It's what you do in the jersey that's most important and I get another crack at showing what it means to me against New Zealand in Sydney in a fortnight.

“There are quite a few good young leaders in this team like Bernard (Foley), Adam (Coleman), Samu (Kerevi) and Allan (Alaalatoa), so we'll be working together to take this team to a new level.

“I'm really excited about what we can achieve in the next four months. It is a very special opportunity for all of us, and we'll be doing all we can to show that pride in the jersey.”

The Sydney-born Hooper, who reached 50 caps faster than any other Australian player and is the second-youngest to make the milestone, has already captained the side in the absence of Moore.

He was called up to replace the injured veteran in Australia's 2014 June Test series against France, becoming the third-youngest Wallabies skipper in history at age 22.

It was a rude awakening for him during a time when Kurtley Beale was attracting headlines for arguing with team management and the abrupt departure of former coach Ewen McKenzie.

“I feel like I've grown up a lot,” Hooper said in June, looking back at being thrown into the deep end at such a young age.

“I've learned a lot of things since then and learned off a lot of people, being involved with some good old heads over the last couple of years has done a lot for me.”

He again stepped up this year to skipper the team in two Tests, and got the permanent job ahead of David Pocock, who has also captained the side previously but is on sabbatical until mid-2018.

If the results don't come for Hooper, he knows Pocock, one of the world's leading back-rowers, will be waiting for his chance to wear the captain's armband again.

“Right now, David's having time off, so he'll have to come back in, earn his stripes, get himself back into the side,” said Cheika when asked about Pocock's return.

NAMPA/AFP

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Lippi to give success-starved China glimpse of future

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Grealish faces three months out

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Lippi to give success-starved China glimpse of future

Coach Marcello Lippi is already planning for the future and will call up a number of young players for a qualifier against Uzbekistan with China's World Cup hopes effectively over.

China host Uzbekistan on 31 August but are on a run of one win in eight games in the latest qualifying round for Russia 2018, leaving them bottom of the group.

With two matches to go they are still in with a mathematical possibility of pinching a playoff spot if they beat the Uzbeks and win at Qatar and other results go their way.

But Italian Lippi appears to be looking beyond that and his assistant Massimiliano Maddaloni said this week: “The final squad will be announced a week before the match. Young players who performed well in the under-23 Asian qualifiers will also get a chance to be included.”

A young Chinese team led by Maddaloni defeated Japan last week to top their group in Asian under-23 championship qualifying, signalling hopes of better times for China's much-maligned national side.

China has only made it to the World Cup once, in 2002, but President Xi Jinping is a big football fan and the country is throwing large amounts of money at the game to fast improve its dismal fortunes.

They face a tough test against an Uzbekistan side that are third in qualifying and eyeing a spot in Russia.

NAMPA/AFP

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Grealish faces three months out

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Grealish faces three months out

Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish has been ruled out for at least three months after being admitted to hospital for a kidney injury he suffered in a friendly against Watford on Saturday, the Championship side's manager Steve Bruce said.

The 21-year-old was forced off after a collision with Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley and Bruce confirmed that Grealish could be in for a long spell on the sidelines.

“It will be at least three months and it could be much longer than that,” Bruce told the BBC. “He's poorly at the moment, I went to see him in hospital.

“We're obviously disappointed with the injury. He's still in hospital and things aren't great. We hope that he has a speedy recovery, of course, as losing him is a blow to us.”

Grealish has made 79 appearances for Villa's senior side since 2013 and played in 31 league matches last season.

NAMPA/REUTERS

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Walk this way

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Tough on the eye, and on the road

≪ Previous: Grealish faces three months out

Walk this wayPedestrians are road users too In a bid to curb the high number of pedestrian-related accidents, here are some tips for both road users on foot, and those in their vehicles.

Each year, more than 270 000 pedestrians lose their lives on the world's roads. Many leave their homes as they would on any given day never to return. Globally, pedestrians constitute 22% of all road traffic fatalities, and in some countries this proportion is as high as two thirds of all road traffic deaths. Millions of pedestrians are non-fatally injured – some of whom are left with permanent disabilities. These incidents cause much suffering and grief as well as economic hardship.

Namibia is no different to the rest of the world and pedestrians are often killed in accidents in urban areas, including school-going children.

The capacity to respond to pedestrian safety is an important component of efforts to prevent road traffic injuries. Pedestrian collisions, like other road traffic crashes, should not be accepted as inevitable because they are both predictable and preventable.

Tips for pedestrians:

Be Visible

Make sure you're visible to drivers at all times and make eye contact with them whenever possible. This is especially important at night, in low-light conditions such as dusk or dawn or in inclement weather. According to global statistics, 32% of all pedestrian fatalities occur between 20:00 and 23:59.

Wear lightly coloured or reflective clothing at night and brightly coloured clothing during the day.

Stay in well-lit areas, especially when crossing the street.

If possible, make eye contact with drivers in stopped vehicles to ensure they see you before you cross in front of them.

Stay Alert – Avoid Distractions

Distractions are everywhere today and becoming more and more difficult to avoid. Remember that, as a pedestrian, your eyes and ears are your best tools for keeping safe. Stay alert and watch out.

Put down your phone. Smartphones and handheld electronic devices are a daily part of life, but they take your eyes off of the road and distract your attention.

Don't wear headphones. Your ears will tell you a lot about what is happening around you – be sure to use them.

Follow the Rules

Know and follow all traffic rules, signs and signals. You need to be aware of the rules vehicles around you must follow to properly anticipate what drivers will do. This will help increase your safety.

Never assume a driver will give you the right of way. Make every effort to make eye contact with the driver of a stopped or approaching vehicle before entering the roadway.

Walk in Safe Places

Use crosswalks when crossing the street. If a crosswalk is unavailable, be sure to find the most well-lit spot on the road to cross and wait for a long enough gap in traffic to make it safely across the street.

Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If a sidewalk is not available, be sure to walk on the far side of the road facing traffic. This will help increase your visibility to drivers.

Avoid walking along highways or other roadways where pedestrians are prohibited.

Avoid Alcohol Consumption

Almost half of all traffic crashes resulting in pedestrian casualties involve alcohol consumption. Surprisingly, 34% of that total was on the part of the pedestrian. Alcohol impairs your decision-making skills, physical reflexes and other abilities just as much on your feet as it does behind the wheel.

Tips for drivers

Be Alert

Look out for pedestrians at all times. When you are operating a vehicle, you have accepted a heightened responsibility for other people on the road. Safety is a two-way street. Often, pedestrians— especially younger ones— are not where they should be or where you would expect them to be. Remain vigilant at all times.

Follow posted speed limits at all times, especially in areas of heavy pedestrian traffic. This is even more important in areas that have lower speed limits, such as school zones and neighbourhood streets where pedestrians may appear suddenly.

Overall visibility is limited in bad weather conditions and poorly lit areas. Not only is it more difficult for drivers to see oncoming pedestrians, it also is harder for pedestrians to see you. Make sure your lights are on and you use your signals properly. Use extra caution in these circumstances.

Be mindful of pedestrians when pulling into and out of driveways – especially if you are backing up. Pedestrians can easily enter your path without your knowledge.

Zebra Crossings

Always yield to pedestrians in a zebra crossing.

When approaching, reduce your speed and be prepared to stop.

When you are stopped at a crossing, allow enough room between your vehicle and the crossing so other drivers can see the pedestrians you have stopped for.

Do not pass vehicles stopped at a crossing. They have stopped to allow pedestrians to pass or make sure the way is clear.

Don't Drive Drunk

Alcohol and drugs impair your reaction time, reflexes, decision-making skills and overall cognitive functions. Getting behind the wheel while impaired puts everyone in danger.

WHO.ORG

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Tough on the eye, and on the road

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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Tough on the eye, and on the road

Earlier in July 2016, Wheels24 reported on a great many happenings, all of which could alter our automotive future. The first of which is France and Britain’s announcement of 2040 as the date of reckoning for petrol and diesel vehicle sales.

The second pivotal happening is that Tesla’s Model3 is now real, and the first customers received their cars.

Battery-powered cars and value are two concepts which have simply not found each other. Nearly forgotten in all the theatre around Tesla’s Model3 reveal has been the B1. No, it’s not a new bomber for the American Air Force but the rather interesting creation of Robert Bollinger, a man who loves traditionally robust 4x4s but has realised that EVs are the future.

Battery bakkie

It’s not made from carbon-fibre or styled to be exceptionally slippery but Bollinger’s B1 has amazing load capacity and ingenious convertibility from station wagon to bakkie. The all-aluminium surface construction keeps weight down and the cabin approaches Lotus 7 levels of simplicity: there are absolutely no touch screens or any digitisation – even the battery charge levels are measured by analogue dials.

Powering the 1770kg 4x4 is a 100kW/h electric motor good for 268kW and 640Nm. Bollinger claims a top speed of 205kph and range of 320km, with that endurance rechargeable in 75 minutes. Beyond the impressive performance statistics, the B1 has terrific off-road ability and load-through practicality, the calibre of which most bakkie and SUV owners can only dream of.

With the drivetrain not extending higher than the floorplan, there’s a clever centre hatch which loads items through the space where you’d ordinarily find an internal combustion engine.

The result is a load space which can accommodate full-size ladders and construction materials up to 3m long. No more annoying red flags, and strapping things to the roof. And best of all, you’ll be able to take those constructions materials anywhere you wish, to build that log cabin.

Bollinger’s 4x4 is rated to carry an astounding 2700kg and with 390mm of ground clearance of a 56-degree approach angle, the B1 can roll its 285/70/R17 tyres over just about anything you could imagine. Those clearance-, approach angle- and load capacity numbers absolutely shame any Land Rover Defender, Land Cruiser or Mercedes....

Purposeful. Rugged. Yet contemporary. Bollinger has done what Tesla promises but has not yet deliver: a proper off-road capable SUV – which can, almost unfathomably, also be a bakkie.

WHEELS24

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Orders open for Range Rover Velar

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: Car crashes – how you can help

≪ Previous: Tough on the eye, and on the road

Orders open for Range Rover Velar

The new Range Rover Velar which is positioned between the Evoque and Sport models is now available to order Land Rover South Africa has confirmed. Pricing for the Velar starts at R947 700 to R1 539 800 in South Africa.

The Velar will be available in Velar and Velar R-Dynamic variants. Four specification levels are available: Base, S, SE and HSE. All derivatives and trim levels are available with a choice of Ingenium four cylinder and Land Rover’s six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

A third Velar variant will also be available: Velar First Edition. This flagship, limited-edition model is only available in a single, high-specification trim that boasts every available option.

The automaker says customers only need to choose the exterior hue, wheel design and choice of engine (six-cylinder petrol or diesel). The Velar First Edition will only be available during the vehicle’s first year on sale and is available exclusively on order.

There are 17 wheel designs, 13 exterior paints, and three exterior trim packs available.

Inside, one can choose from 15 material finishes, including premium textile finishes from Danish textile firm Kvadrat, as well as a steering wheel trimmed in suedecloth.

There's also matrix-laser LED headlights outside, and Land Rover’s all-new InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system inside.

Featuring two, 10-inch high-definition touchscreens seamlessly integrated into the central console, the technology allows for elegant simplicity by keeping switchgear to an absolute minimum.

For those who want to take the Velar off the beaten track, all models feature four-corner air suspension, eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics.

WHEELS24

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Car crashes – how you can help

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

≫ Next: P15… real or not?

≪ Previous: Orders open for Range Rover Velar

Car crashes – how you can helpA to-do list if you are first at an accident With the very high rates of car crashes in our country, chances are you will be first to a scene so here is what to do and what not to do, to help.

As the number of accidents on our country's roads continues to climb, particularly during the Easter and year-end holiday periods, along with weekends, one thing is certain: Sooner or later you are likely to be the first person on the scene of a crash.

The message is that every motorist has a role to play in making Namibia's roads safer, to be alert and know what to do at a crash scene.

“If you do come across a road accident, you may be able to make the difference between life and death for those involved.” said Netcare 911 head of clinical leadership David Stanton. “In an emergency, even the smallest action can make all the difference.”

And that doesn't mean taking over the paramedic's job, he said, but rather helping to ensure that no further harm comes to the injured people in those vital few minutes before the emergency services get there.

He noted these precautionary measures you should apply at a crash scene:

Don't move an injured person: “Not unless absolutely necessary,” he warned. “You may cause further injury, especially if the person has suffered spinal injuries.

“Rather try to keep injured people calm by talking to them and reassuring them that help is on the way.

Create a safe zone: If you are the first to come across an accident scene, make sure they, and everybody else around them, are safe.

“Park in a safe spot with your hazard lights on,” Stanton said, “Put a warning triangle far enough back up the road to alert oncoming traffic to the possible danger ahead.”

Assess the scene: “Look around, and ask around, to find out if anybody has been hurt,” said Stanton. “Ask how many people were in the vehicle, so you can account for all the occupants - somebody may have been flung out, or trapped under the vehicle.”

Phone for help: If there are injuries, phone for help by calling immediately - and remember to give the call-taker your number in case the call gets cut off.

Don't do anything without protective gear: “Never touch an open wound or any bodily fluids of another person if you do not have the necessary protective gear such as gloves, face masks and eye goggles,” warned Stanton.

Don't try to remove objects: If a crash victim has a foreign object impaled anywhere in their bodies, don't remove it unless absolutely necessary, as you may cause further harm.

“Wait for the emergency medical services to arrive and assist where required,” Stanton advised - although the best you can do is often just to get out of the way and let the paramedics get to work.

Think it can't happen to you?

Here's a scary thought: Only one in every five people involved road crashes is a driver. Two out of five are passengers in a vehicle driven by somebody else and and one in four is a pedestrian, who wasn't even in the vehicle.

And what should you do right now?

Make sure that the warning triangle in your car is accessible even when the boot is packed full of holiday luggage, and that its folding stand is working, so that it will stand unsupported in the road if necessary.

Tape a resealable 'Zip-Loc' plastic bag containing a pair of vinyl gloves from your local pharmacy and a packet of wet wipes to the triangle, so that the three things you need most immediately at a crash scene are all in the same place.

Being the first person to come upon a crash scene is traumatic; but think how much more traumatic it could be for the people involved if you didn't know what to do.

IOL

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P15… real or not?

August 2, 2017, 4:00 pm

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P15… real or not?

McLaren is still refusing to confirm officially the existence of this new hypercar, labelled ‘brutal’ by insiders at Woking, and said to be the most extreme road car in the company’s history.

But Autocar magazine broke the story late in July, quoting sources at McLaren as saying the second model in the Ultimate Series, codenamed P15, has been pared down to less than 1300kg ready to go, with an upgraded version of McLaren’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 that’s good for almost 600kW.

McLaren engineers were apparently aIlowed to focus on performance (not straight-line speed, but lap times) above all else, and the resulting rocketship is expected to be faster on the track than anything this side of the track-only P1 GTR.

According to the magazine’s sources, the P15 is built on the Monocage II one-piece carbon-fibre tub, with no P1-style hybrid electric drivetrain, carbon-fibre body panels only where they contribute to performance (in particular, the requirement for a boot has apparently been dropped, so the front end is likely to look like no other McLaren yet seen), carbon-fibre racing seats and just enough interior trim to make it street-legal.

Add to that active aerodynamics with F1-style self-adjusting spoilers and a huge diffuser, and the rumoured performance targets of 0-100 in less than three seconds and a 10-second standing quarter-mile don’t sound all that far-fetched anymore.

The Monocage II tub includes a built-in roof structure, which rules out a Spyder version of the P15. Given the extreme design focus, a prettified Longtail variant is even less likely - but Autocar editor Mark Tisshaw did raise the possibility of an even more brutal track-only GTR derivative.

The actual car (the Autocar picture you see here is a speculative rendering) is expected to break cover at an event for existing McLaren customers and potential buyers later this year, ahead of its official public debut at the Geneva motor show in March 2018.

McLaren insiders are reportedly talking about a price tag of around £700 000 (N$12 million) plus tax ex works. Add to that shipping, duties and VAT, and you can just about double it for our shores.

IOL

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