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SADC troops deployed in Lesotho

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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SADC troops deployed in LesothoSADC troops deployed in Lesotho A 258-strong regional force was deployed to Lesotho on Saturday to ease security concerns in the landlocked kingdom after the killing of the country's top army commander in September.

The move by the SADC was approved in September after Khoantle Motsomotso was shot dead at a barracks by officers from a perceived rival faction.

The shootout came just two months after elections and shattered hopes of ushering in a new era of stability in the volatile country.

Lesotho has been subject to several coups and periods of political unrest since gaining independence from Britain in 1966.

The seven-nation SADC force, which includes 207 military personnel, 15 intelligence officers and 24 police officers, will be deployed for six months and aims to bolster security.

“It is our firm conviction that the presence of this mission is necessary to establish a secure, stable and peaceful environment conducive [to] the implementation of ... constitutional, parliamentary, judicial, public and security reforms,” Deputy Prime Minister Monyane Moleleki said at the official launch of the mission.

The SADC director responsible for politics, defence and security affairs, Jorge Cardoso, said the mission was in Lesotho to strengthen peace and security.

“(The SADC mission) is not here to take over or replace the Lesotho Defence Force or other security institutions,” said Cardoso, but to “support and complement” the government to attain lasting peace and security.

The force is drawn from Angola, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.



NAMPA/AFP
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Cyril ahead in ANC race

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Cyril ahead in ANC raceCyril ahead in ANC raceGauteng pushes Ramaphosa ahead Massive endorsement was received for South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Gauteng ANC branch elections on Saturday. The ANC in Gauteng extended Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa's lead in terms of branch nominations ahead of the party's crucial national elective conference on 16 December in Nasrec in Johannesburg. Fellow presidential contender Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma received 64 nominations – 310 fewer than Ramaphosa, who received a total of 374. This means that seven out of every 10 branches in Gauteng favoured Ramaphosa as their presidential candidate. However, branch nominations did not necessarily determine the number of voting delegates in favour of a particular candidate, although wide margins provide some comfort.

At 508 delegates, Gauteng would bring the sixth-largest number of branch members to the national conference.

Gauteng ANC chairperson Paul Mashatile received the nod from branches to become the party's next treasurer-general, sending the crowd in the hall at St George's in Centurion into a frenzy. Current ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe received the province's nomination for chairperson. Mashatile managed 10 more branch nominations than Ramaphosa. Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu clinched the nomination to become Ramaphosa's deputy.

Former KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu was nominated as secretary-general, with former ANC Youth League secretary-general Vuyiswa Tulelo receiving the nod for the deputy position.

President Jacob Zuma is expected to hand over the reins to a new president of the party in two weeks.

Meanwhile in North West, a court challenge looms against the ANC in the province following the contested result that favoured presidential nominee Dlamini-Zuma to succeed Jacob Zuma. This comes after the province's general council on Friday in Hammanskraal, northern Pretoria, declared Dlamini-Zuma the overall winner with 291 branch nominations for the position of president.

The results announcement was preceded by scuffles, shouting, singing, booing and heated disputes over alleged bogus delegates that participated in the meeting in order to disadvantage Ramaphosa.

While the meeting was under way, a few metres away at a hotel restaurant, key lobbyists in Ramaphosa's campaign were compiling evidence of irregularities in the nominations process with a view to filing an urgent court interdict against the results. It had been expected that Ramaphosa would receive at least 169 branch nominations, but the ANC elections agency reported that he had only managed to obtain 45 nominations. The media was allowed to sit in the plenary during the debate on the credentials, which was an unprecedented event for similar ANC meetings.

In his closing address, North West premier and ANC provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo described the mood as one of “robust engagement” and urged the media to report that “no one was suppressed”.

NEWS24
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Otendela yetungo lyoskola yaNgwediva ya tseyithwa

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Otendela yetungo lyoskola yaNgwediva ya tseyithwaOtendela yetungo lyoskola yaNgwediva ya tseyithwa Elelo lyoshitopolwa shaShana otali kongo aatungi mboka taya ka manitha iilonga yetungo nokuwapaleka oskola tayi adhika momudhingoloko gwaNgwediva, ndjoka ya kala inayi manithwa okutungwa uule woomvula dha piti. Oskola yOngwediva Junior Secondary School monena otayi hiila momatungo gongeleka ngoka geli woo monkalo ya nayipala oshinano shoometa 500 okuza poskola ompe ndjoka tayi tungwa tayi adhika mondjila onene mondoolopa ndjoka.

Aalongi naanaskola otaya longitha omatungo ge na omakende ga tatuka, kamu na olusheno oshowo oombuli dhomatungo ngoka ohadhi lokelwa pethimbo lyomvula.

Oshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun osha talelepo omathimbo nomathimbo opoloyeka yepangelo ndjoka tayi tungwa koshimaliwa shoomiliyona 39 na oya kala ya thikama uule wethimbo ele ngashiingeyi sho iilonga mopoloyeka ndjoka yali ya kalekwa mo 2016.

Otaku popiwa kutya omunino gwoku ekelahi onyata momatungo ngoka, ngoka inagu tulwa po natango ogo guli uupyakadhi, oshowo oshinyanga shoskola shoka inashi pwa natango okutungwa.

Oshifokundneki shika osha nongele kutya pethimbo lyoshigongi shaavali shoka sha ningwa oomwedhi dha piti, aavali oya popi kutya taya ka ninga ehololomadhilaadhilo omolwa opoloyeka ndjoka tayi kutha ethimbo opo yi manithwe.

Sho omukuluntuskola a ningilwa omapulo, sha landula etumwalaka ndyoka lya tulwa miikundaneki oshiwike sha piti, tali tseyitha otendela yokumanitha iilonga mbyoka, Immanuel Nepela okwa popi kutya etseyitho ndyoka otali hwepopaleke onkalo. Omukuluntuskola okwa popi kutya oya kala ya tegelela uule nethimbo naavali oshowo aakwashigwana oya teka omukumo kutya oskola ndjoka otayi ka manithwa tuu okutungwa.

Nepela okwa holola enyanyu lye sho ngashiingeyi ye wete kutya etungo ndyoka otali ka manithwa, ihe okwa popi kutya kashi shi oshikando shotango taya uvanekelwa e yo komeho lyopoloyeka ndjoka.

“Inatu hala omauvaneko itaga gwanithwa po.”

Kuyele mo 2016 sho oskola ndjoka ya li ya talelwa po komupeha gwelongo, Anna Nghipondoka okwa li a holola okuuva nayi kwe na okwa uvaneke kutya otaka tala moshinima shoka opo oskola ndjoka yi kale ya manithwa moshikako sha hugunina shoskola ihe shoka inashi ningwa.

Pauyelele wetumwalaka ndyoka lya tseyitha otendela yiilonga mbyoka, esiku lyahugunina lyomaindilo omasiku 15 gaDesemba.

KENYA KAMBOWE
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Simanekeni olweendo lwomupresidende - Ndeitunga

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Simanekeni olweendo lwomupresidende - NdeitungaSimanekeni olweendo lwomupresidende - Ndeitunga Omukomeho gwopolisi yaNamibia, Sebastian Ndeitunga okwa kunkilile aahingi opo ya landule omilandu dhomondjila uuna taya tsakanene nolweendo lwomupresidende.

Shoka osha landula oolopota kutya aahingi inaya hala okulandula omilandu nokugandja ompito kolweendo lwomupresidende gwoshilongo. Ndeitunga okwa popi kutya shimwe shomiinakugwanithwa yopolisi, okugamena oshigwana oshowo aanenentu yomoshilongo naamboka taye ya moshilongo ya za pondje yoshilongo.

Okwa popi kutya momusholondondo gwaanenentu mboka omalweendo gawo ge na okusimanekwa omwa kwatelwa omupresidende, omupeha gwe, omuprima, aaleli nale yoshilongo oshowo aanenentu ya za pondje yoshilongo. Aanenentu mboka ihaya thikama moondjila, ngee pomalamba gomoondjila nenge pomatsakaneno goondjila.

Ndeitunga okwa popi kutya oshi li oshinakugwanithwa shomukwashigwana kehe opo a simaneke olweendo lwaanenentu nokugandja ompito paku thikameka iiyenditho yawo.

Okwa tsikile kutya uuna olweendo lwaanenentu talu pitipo nena aakwashigwana oya pumbwa okuthikameka iiyenditho yawo kokule kombinga hoka tapu pitile olweendo ndoka koluhomo lwondjila.

Okwa popi kutya aakwashigwana ya pumbwa okukala ya thikameka iiyenditho yawo sigo uuna ya lombwelwa opo ya tsikile nolweendo lwawo, uuna osheendo shaanenentu sha pitipo.

Ndeitunga okwa tsikile kutya kape na omuntu a pitikwa okusineya olweendo lwaanenentu, naakwashigwana ayehe naya simaneke omalweendo gaanenentu oshowo iihauto mbyoka hayi gandja omakwatho gomeendelelo ngaashi ooambulansa, ookadhimamulilo oshowo iihauto yokugandja omakwatho gomeendelelo yopolisi.

ELLANIE SMIT
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Nissan sues India over outstanding dues

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Nissan sues India over outstanding duesNissan sues India over outstanding dues Japanese automaker Nissan Motor has begun international arbitration against India to seek more than U$770 million in a dispute over unpaid state incentives.

In a legal notice sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, Nissan sought payment of incentives due from the Tamil Nadu government as part of a 2008 agreement to set up a car manufacturing plant there.

According to the notice, Nissan said repeated requests to state officials for the payment due in 2015, were overlooked and even a plea by the company’s chairman, Carlos Ghosn, to Modi in March last year seeking federal assistance, did not yield any results.

The notice, sent by Nissan’s lawyers in July 2016, was followed by more than a dozen meetings between federal and state officials and Nissan executives. The federal officials from several ministries, assured Nissan the payment would be made, and it should not bring a legal case. But in August, Nissan gave India an ultimatum to appoint an arbitrator adding the first arbitration hearing will be in mid-December.

A Nissan spokesman said the company was “committed to working with the government of India toward a resolution” but did not elaborate.

A senior Tamil Nadu state official said the government hoped to resolve the dispute without having to go to international arbitration. “There is no discrepancy with regard to the amount due, and we are trying hard to resolve the issue,” he said.

Modi’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment.

The case, brought against India for alleged violations of its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, is the latest in a string of international arbitration proceedings against the country by investors concerned about issues ranging from retrospective taxation to payments disputes.

There are over 20 cases pending against India, among the highest against any single nation.

GROWING LOSSES

Several automakers, including Ford and Hyundai Motor, have set up production hubs in Tamil Nadu, giving state capital Chennai the nickname the ‘Detroit of South Asia’.

In 2008, when Nissan and its global alliance partner French carmaker Renault, agreed to invest in setting up a car plant in Chennai, the state government promised several incentives including some tax refunds.

Over seven years, Nissan and Renault invested U$946 million and set up a plant with annual production capacity of 480 000 vehicles, which entitled them to receive the incentives in 2015, according to the legal notice.

Nissan did not specify the business impact in the 8-page notice, but said in 2008 that state incentives were critical to the project’s viability and sustainability.

Nissan, which has less than a 2 percent share of India’s passenger car market, builds and sells the Micra hatchback, Sunny sedan and Terrano sport-utility vehicle. It also sells low-cost cars under its Datsun brand. – Nampa/Reuters
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Aanamagumbo 500 ye na oondjo dhelelo lyoshilando sha thika poomiliyona 16

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Aanamagumbo 500 ye na oondjo dhelelo lyoshilando sha thika poomiliyona 16Aanamagumbo 500 ye na oondjo dhelelo lyoshilando sha thika poomiliyona 16 Elelo lyoshilando shaVenduka olya zimine opoloyeka yetulo miilonga uuketha wolusheno momagumbo gaakokele mboka taya lumbu moluhepo.

Nonando ongaaka elelo olya holola kutya aanamagumbo yeli 500 oya ndopa okufuta oongunga dhelelo dha thika poomiliyona 16.

Natango aakwashigwana ya thika po 7 500 oye na oongungaa dholusheno lwelelo lyondoolopa dha thika poomiliyona 37.

Elelo olya popi kutya olya tokola okugandja uuketha wolusheno kaakokele 500 oshowo kwaamboka inaya vula okufuta oongunga dhawo 500 ihe nonando ongaaka onkalo ndjoka itayi ka shunitha pevi oongunga dhelelo ndhoka dhiniwe kaayakulwa.

Opoloyeka ndjoka ya tseyithwa kelelo lyoshilando shaVenduka, otayi tameke okutulwa miilonga momwedhi Januari gwo 2018.

Elelo olya tseyitha kutya olwiikalekela oshimaliwa sha thika poomiliyona 3 momumvo gwoshimaliwa gwo 2017/2018 niimaliwa mbyoka otayi ka longithwa mopoloyeka yokupingenepo uuketha wolusheno mboka hawu futilwa komwedhi nuuketha wokulanda olusheno omanga inalu longithwa.

Momusholondondo gwiipopiwa ya kundathanwa pethimbo lyomutumba gwelelo ngoka gwa ningwa pehulilo lyoshiwike sha piti, ogwa holola kutya omalongekidho ngoka ga ningwa andola opo ga thiminike mboka ye na oongunga ya vule okufuta, inaga pondola sha.

Elelo olya popi kutya otashi ka kutha oomvula mboka ye na oongunga dhelelo opo ya vule okufuta oongunga ndhoka ye na.

JANA-MARI SMITH
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Gecko Namibia a tindi omatilitho goonkatu dhopaveta

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Gecko Namibia a tindi omatilitho goonkatu dhopavetaGecko Namibia a tindi omatilitho goonkatu dhopavetaOshikondo shomidhingoloko sha tindi emino lyoshimongwa Ehangano lyoGecko Namibia olya tindi oolopota dha piti omathimbo ga piti kutya otali pangele okukatukila oonkatu dhopaveta komufala gwomidhingoloko. Ehangano Gecko Namibia olya popi kutya inali ninga omatilitho gokukatukila oonkatu dhopaveta komufala gwomidhongoloko, Teofilus Nghitila, oshowo uuministeli womidhingolongo sho wa tindi okugandja kehangano ndyoka omukanda ngoka tagu pitika ehangano ndyoka li mine oshimongwa mekango lyomongwa lyaOtjivalunda monooli yEtosha.

Nonando ongaaka Gecko Namibia oku na omaiyuvo kutya omukanda gwoenvironmental impact assessment (EIA) ngoka ya gandja kuuministeli ogwa pwa na ogwanitha po omilandu adhihe.

Momukanda ngoka omukomeho gwehangano lyoGecko Namibia, Pine van Wyk a pitithwa okwa popi kutya ehangano lye inali ninga omatilitho gokukatukila oonkatu dhopaveta, komufala gwomidhingooko nenge uuministeli womidhingoloko, ngaashi sha li sha popiwa omathimbo ga piti kuReinhold Iita.

Iita okuli omupopiliko gwoUukwambi Traditional Authority, mboka yeli yamwe yomaaniipambuliko mehangano lyoGecko Otjivalunda Holdings (Pty) Ltd.

“Omapopyo kutya Gecko Namibia ota ningile omatilitho gokukatuka oonkatu dhopaveta komufala gwomidhingoloko oshowo uuministeli, kage li mondjila na kage na uukwashili washa. Omaiyuvo ngoka oga Iita yemwene na kage shi goGecko Namibia,” Van Wyk a popi. Van Wyk okwa yelitha kutya Gecko Namibia (Pty) Ltd, okupitila mehangano ndyoka li li oshitopolwa shoGecko Otjivalunda Holdings (Pty) Ltd, oli na mo oopresenda 50 dhiipambuliko mehangano lyOndonga-Uukwambi Mining Enterprises (Pty) Ltd (OUME), ndyoka olyo li na omukandapitiko gwokumina gwoiexclusive prospecting licence (EPL) 4365.

Iipambuliko yoopresenda 50 oyehangano lyOUME ndyoka li li ehangano lyomuhanga lyelelo lyaNdonga oshowo lyUukwambi.

“Gecko Namibia pamwe nOUME, oya ya mbidhidhwa koEnviro Dynamics, opo yangonge po oEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mo 2013 yi na sha niilonga yokumina oshimongwa mekango ndyoka. EIA oya gandjwa kuuministeli womidhingoloko momasiku ga 6 gaDesemba mo 2013, na komufala gwomidhongoloko okwa li tindi eindilo ndyoka pambelelwa momasiku 24 gaJuli 2014.”

Okwa gwedha po kutya Gecko Namibia okwa pataneke etokolo lyakomufala gwomidhingoloko momasiku ga 7 gaAguste 2014 na oya tegelela natango eyamukulo.

Ngoloneya gwaShana Clemens Kashuupulwa naye okwali a pula uuministeli opo wu zimine omukanda gweindilo lyokumina oshimongwa gwehangano ndyoka, ta popi kutya opoloyeka ndjoka otayi ka tota po oompito dhiilonga mokati kaakwashigwana yomoshitopolwa.

Kuume kopangeshefa kaGecko, Ondonga-Uukwambi Mining Enterprises (Pty) Ltd, ya tseyika nedhina OUME, tayi lundilwa kutya oya hala okulanditha po ekango ndyoka lyomongwa, nokuminamo oonzo dhoshimongwa ndhoka tadhi adhika mekango ndyoka.

Ekango lya Otjivalunda olimwe lyomomahala omashona muuyuni tamu adhika oonzo dhoshimongwa hadhi ithanwa 'trona'. Oshimongwa shoka ohashi longithwa mokunduluka iinima oyindji ngaashi omahalasa, oombaapila, oothewa niinima yilwe oyindji.

Aakwashigwana yamwe oya ningi ekwatathano noNamibian Sun taya popi kutya Gecko okuliwe konima komupunguli omuGermany ngoka ke na ohokwe momongwa ihe okwa hala okumina otrona. Oya hwahwaeke kutya uuminiteli nawu tinde emino ndyoka molwaashoka uuna otrona ndjoka ya minwamo nena itamu kala we omongwa mekango ndyoka. Taya pula woo opo ku gamenenwe po uuthiga wopamuthigululwakalo gwaNamibia oshowo oonzo dhopaushitwe.

Gumwe okwa popi kutya otrona ohayi kutha uule woomvula 20 okukoka ngele oya minwa pehala lyontumba.

Otjivalunda oyi na omakango gomongwa gopaali ngoka ge na uunene woohecta 20 650.

Gecko Namibia oku na mo mehangano ndyoka lyOtjivalunda Salt Mining and Soap Production iipambuliko yopresenda 95%, omanga omalelo gopamuthigululwakalo ge na mo 2.5% kehe. Omanga opoloyeka ndjoka yokulonga oothewa Gecko Namibia e na mo iipambuliko yoopresenda 50, omalelo ngoka gopamuthigululwakalo gen a mo 25 kehe limwe.

Ekango lyomongwa lyaOtjivalunda otali adhika moIipumbu Ya Tshilongo Conservancy. Omakango ngoka gaali otaga adhika monooli yEtosha National Park. Pauyelele tawu adhika kepandja lyomauyelele lyoGecko, omakango ngoka oge na oshimongwa shoka hashi ithanwa sodium sulphate oshowo sodium carbonate shootona woomiliyona 5.3.

Ofabulika yawo yokulonga oothewa otaku pangelwa tayi kala oshinano shookilometa 10 okuza mOshakati oshowo ookilometa 120 okuza momakango ngoka.

Nghitila okwa tindi okugandja ezimino komina ndjoka, ta popi kutya otayi yonagulapo oonzo dhopaushitwe.

ILENI NANDJATO
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SA shines in Sevens

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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SA shines in SevensSA shines in Sevens South Africa successfully defended their Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens title on Saturday after beating New Zealand 24-12 in the opening round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2018.

The reigning World Series champions unleashed all their attacking firepower in what was a breath-taking display of sevens rugby across the two days.

With his most experienced side ever, head coach Neil Powell notched up his fifth tournament win of 2017 and continued South Africa's dominance on the global stage.

First-half tries from Rosko Specman, former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Seabelo Senatla and HSBC Player of the Final Kwagga Smith put the Blitzboks 19-0 up against New Zealand, who were chasing their first tournament win since Vancouver in 2016.

Scott Curry and Andrew Knewstubb got the All Blacks Sevens back into the match, but at 19-12 it was the powerful Tim Agaba who closed the game out.

“It was a great performance from the guys,” said Senatla, who scored seven tries in Dubai, “It's been a while since we all played together but it's so great to win again in Dubai.”

England pipped Fiji 28-21 to win the Bronze final, while France beat Spain 21-12 to win the Challenge Trophy.

The next round of the series takes place in Cape Town on 9-10 December, where England will be looking to retain their crown.

- NAMPA/ANA
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Barcelona stumbles

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Barcelona stumblesBarcelona stumbles Barcelona stumbled for the second consecutive week in the Spanish league, being held to a 2-2 home draw against Celta Vigo on Saturday and giving its nearest challengers a chance to move closer to the top.

Barcelona now has a five-point lead over second-place Valencia, which plays at mid-table Getafe on Sunday.

“It's tough to lose points at home in such an important game,” Barcelona midfielder Paulinho said. “We had plenty of chances but we didn't take advantage of them.”

Barcelona had won 11 of its 13 league matches entering the weekend. Its other setbacks in the league this season were draws at Atletico Madrid and at Valencia last week.

It hadn't lost points at home in 18 straight league matches, since a 1-1 draw against rival Real Madrid nearly a year ago.

“This result will boost our players' morale,” said Celta coach Juan Carlos Unzue, who used to be Luis Enrique's assistant at Barcelona. “It shows that we are on the right track and that we are getting better each day.”

Celta, eighth in the standings, has proved a tough opponent for Barcelona, losing only two of its last five matches against the Spanish powerhouse.

It opened the scoring with Iago Aspas' close-range shot in the 20th minute. Lionel Messi equalised just two minutes later from inside the area after an assist by Paulinho, taking his league-leading tally to 13 goals.

Luis Suarez put Barcelona ahead after a cross by Jordi Alba in the 61st, becoming Barcelona's 10th all-time top scorer with 127 goals in 165 games.

Celta evened the match less than 10 minutes later with a goal by Maxi Gomez from inside the area after being set up by Aspas in a breakaway which saw Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti hurt a right leg muscle. He was substituted and the club later said Umtiti could be out for two months.

Barcelona captain Andre Iniesta also had to be substituted because of an apparent injury early in the second half.

“It took a while for us to get into the game, but we eventually took control,” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said. “In the end we had our opportunities to win, but we couldn't get it done.”

Defender Gerard Pique had a chance to put Barcelona ahead in the 75th, but his close-range shot from a tight angle hit the post after he had cleared goalkeeper Ruben Blanco and had an open net in front of him.

Messi just missed with a header in the 85th, and a minute later Celta had a chance to score the potential winner but Pione Sisto's shot from inside the area was stopped by a remarkable foot save by Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

- NAMPA/AP
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Lucky Kakuva quits

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Lucky Kakuva quitsLucky Kakuva quitsArrows and Waters share spoils There is trouble in paradise at the home of champions Tigers, who are failing to get things right this season. Jesse Jackson Kauraisa



Tigers' Lucky Kakuva resigned on Friday following his club's dismissal showing in the MTC Namibia Premier League.

The 2015/16 premier league champions have struggled to hit top gear and this has resulted in them lingering at the bottom half of the league table.

The club's poor form once again showed when they were beaten by Tura Magic 0-2 on Thursday night at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

In a statement issued on Friday, Kakuva said his resignation comes in the wake of the poor performance by the club since the league kicked off.

“Dear colleagues, I have decided to resign from Tigers with immediate effect. It was a pleasure working with you indeed.

“My hope and desire was to take the team to a great level. This project didn't work for me. Let me take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the season,” his statement reads.

Tigers FC senior management could not be reached for comment over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Namibia Premier League's Blue Waters and Eleven Arrows played to a 1-1 stalemate over the weekend.

In other action, Life Fighters failed to capitalise on the home-ground advantage as they bowed 1-2 to Orlando Pirates at the Mokati Stadium on Saturday.

Tsumeb's Chief Santos proved that their internal problems will not overshadow their performance as they defeated Young Chiefs 1-0 at the Oscar Norich Stadium on Saturday.

In other action last week, African Stars were held by Civics to a goalless draw at the Sam Nujoma Stadium on Friday night.
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Super Eagles target Argentina

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Super Eagles target ArgentinaSuper Eagles target ArgentinaGernot Rohr excited Making their sixth appearance in the showpiece competition, Nigeria is bringing their most inexperienced squad ever to Russia next year. Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr said he hopes to spring a surprise after drawing Argentina in the 2018 World Cup on Friday the two time champions they sensationally beat 4-2 in a friendly last month.

“This is the youngest team in Nigeria's history in the World Cup. We have the youngest team of the 32 teams here. So we have to learn,” German coach Rohr said after also drawing Iceland and Croatia in a tricky Group D.

“This is a difficult group, but I think we can spring a surprise.”

Nigeria clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit to claim a stunning friendly win over Argentina at the Krasnodar Stadium in Russia on November 14.

Argentina did not have superstar Lionel Messi last month.

“But we also played without Victor Moses,” Rohr said in reference to the talented Chelsea winger.

Nigeria populary known as the Super Eagles, have shown much promise since making their World Cup debut at the 1994 competition in the United States. They fought hard before falling to Argentina 2-1 in their debut finals, winning plaudits for bringing sub-Saharan African flare to the game.

Their 1994 bow may also have been their most memorable, ending in a 2-1 extra-time last-16 defeat by Roberto Baggio's Italy, who went on to lose the final to Brazil on penalties.

Nigeria have never reached the quarterfinals and lost 3-2 to Argentina in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when they were beaten by France in the last 16. Rohr said their toughest match will be against Croatia on June 16 in Kaliningrad, because it will be Nigeria's opener.

“The first game is always the most difficult,” he added.

He also attributed Nigeria's failure to fully fulfil the promise others saw in them to a lack of discipline that he intended to fix.

“I believe that African players have the talent, they have the physical and technical possibilities, but what they are missing is organisation, what they are missing is discipline,” said Rohr, who has also coached Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso.



WORLD CUP DRAW

Group A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt

Uruguay

Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco,

Iran

Group C: France, Australia, Peru,

Denmark

Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia,

Nigeria

Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia

Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden,

South Korea

Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

Group H: Poland, Senegal, Colombia,

Japan

- SuperSport
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Pogba to miss derby

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Pogba to miss derbyPogba to miss derby Jose Mourinho revealed Paul Pogba was furious with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny for his role in the red card that rules the Manchester United midfielder out of next weekend's summit meeting with Manchester City.

Pogba was sent off in the 74th minute of United's 3-1 win at Arsenal on Saturday for a crude challenge on Hector Bellerin. Koscielny responded to the foul by approaching referee Andre Marriner and appearing to call for Pogba's dismissal.

Pogba sarcastically applauded Marriner as he headed for the tunnel and United boss Mourinho made it clear the France star wasn't happy with the decision or his international team-mate's part in it.

“I just know that Paul is frustrated. A bit disappointed with this colleague, Koscielny, with this kind of reaction,” Mourinho said.

“He is very frustrated because everybody knows that Paul is a clean player and it was not his intention at all to be close to a red card.” As well as his anger at Pogba's treatment, Mourinho was frustrated at what he saw as Arsenal diving in the closing stages. Danny Welbeck and Alexandre Lacazette, appealed in vain for penalties and, with his tongue firmly in his cheek, Mourinho said: “I know the pitch is amazing and maybe breeds a desire to go to the floor.

“If it was hard, no; if it was mud, no - the pitch is absolutely beautiful but I think they were a bit too much.

“If it's not a penalty, it's not a penalty.” Pogba's dismissal will earn him a three-match ban and his absence from the Manchester derby is a huge blow to United's hopes of closing the gap on the leaders.

Regardless of that result, United will remain in the title hunt when their hated neighbours arrive at Old Trafford next weekend. But Mourinho refused to label the seismic showdown as a make or break moment in the title race. Asked if United's fourth successive league win had sent a message to Pep Guardiola's team, he said: “No message. We go match after match.

“We are second in the table. We won four consecutive matches.

“We managed to win and play well. I'm happy but there is no message.”

While Mourinho was coy about the derby, he was effusive in his praise of his players after they won at the Emirates for the first time since 2014, ending their long run of futility in away league games against top-six opponents.

“We started with that desire and intensity, we played high and created mistakes,” he said.

“There were amazing individuals performances and collectively we were very strong.” United were indebted to David De Gea for a superb display, the Spaniard making 14 saves, the joint most by a goalkeeper in the Premier League era.

“He made fantastic saves,” Mourinho said. “What I saw was the best goalkeeper in the world.”

Inevitably, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger saw the two penalty appeals differently to his old rival and he took a swipe at Marriner's performance.

“Last night I watched Napoli against Juventus on TV and we watched a top-class referee.

If you want to analyse well, watch the difference between them and us and then you will see,” he said.

Even so, Wenger acknowledged Arsenal had only themselves to blame for a loss that effectively ended their title bid.

Antonio Valencia and Jesse Lingard punished terrible Arsenal defending to put United two up in 11 minutes.

Lacazette got one back but Lingard's second sealed the points.

“You have to dictate from the start and show strength in duels from the back,” Wenger said.

“I felt that at the back our concentration was not sharp enough from the start and not dominant enough.

“We have produced an excellent performance but have conceded three goals and had at least 10 chances and were not efficient enough in the box - that is the reality.”

- NAMPA/REUTERS
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Shot of the day

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Shot of the dayShot of the day INHUMANE: Akuach Ane, a displaced grandmother of three children, stands at the entrance to her shelter at an Internally Displaced Person camp formed by local community members at Barmayen village in Aweil state some 740km north-west of Juba, the capital of South Sudan. More than 4 000 people have fled their villages after escalating clashes between the government and militias between last May and August and are suffering from a lack of food and clean water. PHOTO: NAMPA/AFP
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Reduce the public service

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Reduce the public serviceReduce the public service Never before has the case for the reduction in the number of civil servants been stronger. Ideas were thrown around about reducing the size of our very bloated public sector by reducing the retirement age to 55. Nothing has come of this thus far.

The State made a grievous mistake by using the civil service as a job creator.

But, what is done is done and remedies now have to be applied.

We are seeing budget cuts everywhere. Our hospitals are grossly understocked, to the degree where doctors have complained and threatened slow-downs and outright strikes, if the situation does not improve.

We have lofty goals to combat poaching with units that have yet to be established. The process is bogged down because once again, there is no money. The protection of our wildlife is not something that should be placed on the backburner at all, but it is.

Education suffers too and subsidies have been cut, with some schools receiving nothing for the 2017 school year and so, someone else has to foot that bill.

School-feeding programmes is a distant memory at some schools and we are not able to provide free sanitary towels to our menstruating school girls. But condoms are freely available.

Now we see that even the upgrading of our rails has been halted due to a lack of funds.

As it is stands, the Roads Authority needs 30 million euro and will soon toll our roads to balance the books so we can nary afford to ignore critical rail infrastructure to remove so many of the trucks on our roads.

Water infrastructure is falling apart, especially in the north and many boreholes are idle while communities have to climb into dangerous wells to collect saline water.

Our young women, ready to birth, still do not have adequate shelter for the sometimes weeks they have to be close to the hospital before they go into labour.

But do we see budget cuts for staff? Advisors? Assistants?

No.

Where our government thinks it can secure more money, if not from its own coffers, we do not know. We do know that if we keep on making debt, we are in trouble.
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SUVs are main attraction at LA Auto Show

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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SUVs are main attraction at LA Auto ShowSUVs are main attraction at LA Auto ShowThe floor looks a lot like America's roads: full of SUVs A combination of low gas prices, growing millennial families and a host of new models is fuelling the SUV boom. Hyundai and Nissan are debuting new small SUVs at the Los Angeles Auto Show, while Subaru takes the wraps off its new three-row SUV, the Ascent. Jeep shows a new version of its rough-and-tumble Wrangler, while Infiniti, Lexus, Lincoln and Porsche debut more refined models.

Land Rover debuts its first-ever plug-in gas-electric hybrid, while Volkswagen show its upcoming family of electric vehicles. Porsche also has a plug-in hybrid.

The L.A. show also has plenty of eco-friendly models in a nod to California buyers, who purchase a higher percentage of hybrids and electrics than the U.S. as a whole thanks to state tax credits and other incentives.

Here are some of the vehicles being unveiled at the show, which opened to the public on Friday:

Nissan Kicks

SUVs of all sizes are so popular these days that Nissan is introducing its sixth entry in the U.S. The compact Kicks is even smaller than the hot-selling Rogue and Rogue Sport. The sculpted Kicks will start at under U$19000 and comes standard with automatic emergency braking as well as a 1.6-liter, 125 horsepower four-cylinder engine.

It's also got a continuously variable transmission that lets the engine operate at the most efficient speed possible. It's supposed to have ample rear-seat legroom despite its coupe-like sloping roof. More specific pricing will be announced closer to when the Kicks goes on sale in the spring.

Hyundai Kona

The Kona will be Hyundai's first subcompact SUV in the U.S. market, competing against the Honda HR-V, Chevrolet Trax and other small rivals. Eye-popping colour options like lime and bright turquoise will help it stand out from that crowd. The Kona sits low and wide and shares Hyundai's new "cascading" mesh grille, which debuted on the 2018 Sonata.

There are two engine options: a 2.0-liter, 147-horsepower four-cylinder mated to a six-speed transmission or a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder that puts of 175 horsepower and is paired with a seven-speed transmission. An all-wheel-drive system is optional. Optional safety features include a forward-collision avoidance system with pedestrian detection. The Kona goes on sale in the first quarter of 2018.

Mercedes CLS

Mercedes debuts the third generation of its CLS four-door coupe. The fastback roof and minimalist styling remain, but there are two major changes: For the first time, the CLS will seat five and it's also a mild hybrid. An electric motor works in tandem with the new six-cylinder engine, boosting acceleration.

Mercedes says the engine puts out 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque alone and gains an additional 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with the motor. Inside, there's a system that adjusts the seats, massagers, music, lighting, climate control and even adds a touch of fragrance based on six moods a driver can choose, including "Joy" and "Comfort." The CLS goes on sale next fall. Pricing wasn't released, but the current CLS starts at U$75 150.

Range Rover P400e

Jaguar Land Rover has promised to offer an electric or hybrid powertrain option in each of its vehicles starting in 2020. Among the first will be the 2019 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. Plug-in hybrid versions of both vehicles are making their debut at the L.A. Auto Show. The Range Rover P400e and Range Rover Sport P400e have a 296-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a 114-horsepower electric motor.

They can drive up to 31 miles in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 85 miles per hour. Drivers can plug a destination into the navigation system and the Rover will calculate the optimal mix of motor and engine power to maximize fuel economy. The Range Rover Sport P400e starts at U$78 300, while the Range Rover P400e starts at U$95 150. Both go on sale next summer.

Audi A8

The biggest news with Audi's revamped A8 large luxury sedan is that it can nearly drive itself at slower speeds on some divided highways. The German brand's flagship car, when equipped with a traffic jam pilot, has 24 radar, camera and laser sensors connected to a computer that can take charge of steering, acceleration and braking at up to 37 miles per hour on freeways with barriers dividing the directional traffic. That means the driver doesn't have to touch the steering wheel in traffic jams until manual control is required again.

The A8 gets a new 340-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine with a gas-electric hybrid system that helps it accelerate for better fuel economy and also powers all of its advanced features. The 2019 A8 has an eight-speed automatic transmission. Price wasn't released, and it won't be available until late next year.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Convertible

The fastest, most powerful version of General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet Corvette gets its first drop-top in nearly a half-century. Chevrolet says the convertible won't hurt the 755-horsepower car's performance much. The only changes for the convertible are the structure for the car's folding top and repositioned seat belt mounts. The 2019 ZR1 made its debut in Dubai in November. The ZR1 last had a convertible in its original model year in 1970. The coupe starts at U$119 995 including shipping, while the convertible starts at U$123 995. They'll hit showrooms this spring.

Infiniti QX50

Infiniti's midsize, five-seat SUV gets a complete overhaul, starting with a rigid but lightweight new underbody made from high-strength steel. The 2019 QX50 sits up higher than the outgoing model and has a beefier, more confident look. Under the hood is what Infiniti says is the world's first production-ready variable compression ratio engine.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder automatically adjusts the pistons' performance to optimize power or fuel efficiency. Infiniti says the engine delivers 268 horsepower and 27 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, a 35 percent improvement in fuel efficiency over the outgoing QX50. The new QX50 also boasts Infiniti's ProPilot driver assistance system that can automatically control braking and speed and keep the SUV within its lane. The QX50 goes on sale in the first quarter of 2018.

Subaru Ascent

Known for its small all-wheel-drive cars and SUVs, Subaru enters the big people-hauler market with the new Ascent. It's got three rows of seats and can carry as many as eight people. Built in Lafayette, Indiana, the Ascent will be sold only in North America to satisfy its thirst for bigger vehicles. The all-wheel-drive Ascent is powered by a new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Second-row captain's chairs are optional on some versions. The price wasn't released, but the Ascent will go on sale next summer. – Nampa/AP
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Smith wins Australian PGA in play-off

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Smith wins Australian PGA in play-offSmith wins Australian PGA in play-off Cameron Smith claimed the Australian PGA championship when he beat fellow Australian Jordan Zunic on the second play-off hole on Queensland's Gold Coast on Sunday.

Smith and Zunic finished the tournament locked at 18 under par 270 on Royal Pines Resort course.

Smith started the day three shots behind Zunic but fired his fourth consecutive sub-70 round with a four-under 68 to peg back the overnight leader.

“I tried to stay aggressive all day,” Smith said.

“With Jordan's lead that he had, I thought that I had to stay aggressive. I knew he was playing well.”

The 24-year-old Smith grew up in nearby Brisbane and is considered the rising star of Australian golf.

He grew up watching fellow Queenslanders Adam Scott and Jason Day.

“Jason was just kind of coming out of junior golf in Queensland as I was going into it, so I used to go and watch him and stuff like that,” he said.

“I remember going out with dad and mum watching Adam and those type of guys up there (at the Australian PGA) in Coolum.

“And then it was really one of my goals, I wanted to win one and just being in Queensland makes it a little bit more special.”

The win was the second of his professional career and follows his success at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Sweden's Jonas Blixt on the US PGA tour in May.

Zunic was disappointed, particularly after his superb eight-under round of 64 on Saturday.

But the 25-year-old from New South Wales could not find the same touch as he did on Saturday, his three birdies spoilt by bogeys on the first and 10th holes in a one-under round of 71.

“I felt really good, had a good mindset all day,” Zunic said.

“But I didn't quite hit it as well off the tee today, which didn't give me as many birdie opportunities.”

Smith scrambled to save par on the first play-off hole then took advantage on the second when Zunic found a fairway bunker.

When Zunic's par-saving putt lipped out, Smith was left with a simple three-footer to win the title.

The win makes Smith eligible for the European Tour, who co-sanctioned the tournament, but Smith said he had not thought that far ahead.

“I didn't even realise that that was what happened,” he said.

“I didn't even know. I might go over there for a few weeks and maybe do a little playing holiday type thing, I'm not sure.”

Adam Bland finished one shot behind Smith and Zunic, three shots clear of Marc Leishman and David Bransdon.

Defending champion Harold Varner III was in sixth place on 12-under, while US Masters champion Sergio Garcia faded in the final round with a two-over 74 to finish on six under in a tie for 24th.

- NAMPA/AFP
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Cotto bows out of boxing

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Cotto bows out of boxingCotto bows out of boxingAli dominates Before adoring fans at Madison Square Garden, the 37-year-old Cotto just didn't have enough against his 29-year-old opponent. Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto goes out a warrior, but not a winner, after dropping a unanimous 12-round decision Saturday to Sadam Ali in a world title fight he vowed would be his last.

Ali seized the World Boxing Organisation light middleweight world title the Puerto Rican won in August with an undisputed decision over Japan's Yoshihiro Kamegai.

After a back-and-forth battle that saw both fighters hurt, Ali got the nod from all three judges by scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 116-112.

Ali rocked Cotto with a right in the second, but the Puerto Rican veteran held on and gained the upper hand in the middle rounds, doing damage with his left hook and catching Ali with a punishing right to the head in the sixth.

“I had him hurt here and there,” Ali said. “But I didn't want to get over myself and get caught with a shot. He has tremendous power.”

Cotto continued to apply pressure in the seventh, but said that “something happened” to his left biceps in the round.

“I don't want to make excuses,” he said. “Sadam won the fight.”

As the younger fighter's speed and stamina began to tell, Cotto took some hard shots in the eighth. After a close ninth, Ali was in control in the 10th.

“I knew I had to do something, or he would have dug in,” said Ali, who improved to 26-1 with 14 knockouts. “By the 11th round, I thought the fight was close.”

Cotto fell to 41-6 with 33 wins inside the distance.

A six-time world champion in four different weight divisions, Cotto vowed he would stick by his decision to retire.

“It is,” he said, when asked if the bout had been his last. “I want to be happy in my home and enjoy my family.”

It was Cotto's 10th fight at the famed Manhattan arena. His only prior defeat there was to American Austin Trout in 2012.

The rapturous welcome he received upon entering the ring was repeated as he departed in defeat.

“Thank you for supporting me at every opportunity,” Cotto told his fans. “I'm so glad to call Madison Square Garden my home.”

In his 17-year pro career, Cotto defeated a host of marquee fighters, including Zab Judah, Paulie Malignaggi, Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito and Ricardo Mayorga.

He was also beaten once by Margarito, while his other defeats came at the hands of American Floyd Mayweather, Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

“I want to thank Team Cotto for giving me this opportunity,” Ali said. “They really didn't have to. They could have taken an easier fight.”

- NAMPA/AFP
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Otavi residents lose valuation battle

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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Otavi residents lose valuation battleOtavi residents lose valuation battleLand prices increase by up to 700% Residents in the northern town of Otavi are at the end of their tether over the approval of what they deem to be a valuation roll fraught with errors. Otavi residents have been dealt a severe blow when a valuations court this week approved the town council's heavily criticised 2016 – 2020 general valuation roll which will see property prices rise by up to 1 200% on some farmland and from between 500% and 700% in town, according to residents.

Residents say the valuation roll is filled with inconsistencies and errors.

At this week's valuation hearing, these inconsistencies in the valuation of properties were raised by lawyer Maronel du Plessis, acting on behalf of 20 of the 30 objectors.

“Our biggest concern was that the roll was fraught with mistakes. Some could be explained, others not. For example, there are farms within the boundary of Otavi valued at N$200 per hectare (1 841 hectare farm), and others at N$5 700 per hectare (30 hectare plots).”

The differences in the farmland values are up to 2 750%.

She said when this issue was raised and the valuation board informed there were inconsistencies in the valuation of these properties they were told “that we had no evidence to prove otherwise”.

One example is that a 9 803-hectare farm was given a land value of N$410 per hectare, while a nearby lodge situated on 3 195 hectares, was valued at N$751 per hectare.

“But smaller plots of 30 hectares are valued at N$5 700 per hectare,” a resident said.

“This does not make any sense, and is not rational,” a resident, who declined to be named, said.

Independent valuation consultants from Windhoek, on behalf of some objectors, also calculated that the correct value of an unused school building in town, estimated to be between 70 and 80 years old, is N$590 000 for the 176-square metre building.

The town council's assessment, however, stipulated that the building is valued at N$14 204 per square metre, resulting in a total value of N$2.5 million according to residents.

“None of our submissions were accepted. I attempted to bring up issues, but the court rejected this. The magistrate, Joseph Shikongo, indicated that I could merely raise these issues from the bar. The typed heads of arguments were also not accepted because he indicated they were not served on the town council of Otavi,” Du Plessis said.

She explained that at the previous hearing in March, Shikongo accepted their submissions “but on this occasion, they were not even heard or considered.”

Many of the town's residents also claimed they had not been aware of the hearing, and could not prepare in time to submit objections. Attempts to allow them to testify at the court this week, were declined.

Moreover, independent valuations obtained by some of the town's residents were mostly dismissed.

In one case, the court said it would not consider a reduced valuation “unless we had some sort of valuation to substantiate the amount we are asking it to reduce the valuation to,” Du Plessis said.

But when this was done and an independent valuation was presented “they rejected it because it was not lodged together with the objection of the specific owner”.

Still later, the valuation that was lodged together with an objection was also rejected “because according to the assessor on the valuation board, Eneas Mtombeni, the valuator did not use the correct method to determine the value.”

Du Plessis said the valuation did in fact comply with the relevant laws but factors such as inflation, development of the town, willing buyer and seller, and other issues considered by the independent valuator, were not accepted by the board.

“Still later, they also rejected other objections and indicated they would only have considered valuations if our valuer was present to give evidence as to how he arrived at the amount.”

She said “none of our evidence was considered, yet pencil filled-in inspection cards, completed by an assistant of the valuer, Benjamin Shigwedha, director of Beniz Property Consulting who was not present during those assessments, were accepted.”

She said where errors in the valuation report were identified, the “court encouraged us to find a middle way for the valuation and if we did not agree or consent, with valid reason, they rejected our objection and upheld the valuations of the valuer.”

Attempts to obtain comment from the Otavi Town council were unsuccessful.

JANA-MARI SMITH
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City tackles medical waste

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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City tackles medical wasteCity tackles medical waste A medical waste treatment centre, being constructed in Windhoek at a cost of more than N$66 million, is close to complete, the City of Windhoek has announced.

The municipal council agenda on the table at the ordinary council meeting this week indicated that the Health Care Risk Waste (HCRW) treatment facility is 98% complete, and that the technologies were being test run since October.

The City advertised for staff positions in September.

“The facility will be income-generating through the charges for waste transportation and treatment, and therefore the intention is for the facility to be operated on a cost recovery basis and be self-sustaining,” the council agenda stated.

The document underlined that once operational, the HCRW facility “will be the only approved facility for treatment of medical waste,” and “all private healthcare waste generators will be obliged by law to make use of this facility.”

This is based on the solid waste regulations of the City, which stipulates that once the HCRW facility is commissioned “no other facilities will be allowed to operate or be established thereafter within the boundaries of the city.”

Negotiations are however currently ongoing with the health ministry to get their buy in to use the facility for their waste.

To date, no final agreement has been reached.

The agenda notes that treatment tariffs will be lower the higher the quantities of waste being treated, but the “City however cannot bind the State and force it to bring its waste to the HCRW treatment facility.”

At this stage, the city recommends a rate of N$27.10 per kilogramme for waste treatment, which will result in a cost recovery period of eight years.

Non-Windhoek residents would foreseeably be charged N$33.90.

The City noted that at a tariff of N$18 per kilogramme they could be charged, and costs recovered over five years, if the State agreed to use the facilities.

A meeting was held with the health ministry according to the agenda, to discuss a memorandum of understanding that would set the terms for an agreement.

The memorandum states that in the past, the health ministry has “welcomed the establishment of an alternative facility and has indicated the possibility of entering into a mutually beneficial agreement to ensure the waste generated at State facilities is disposed of safely.”

At the ground-breaking ceremony of the construction site two years ago, City officials highlighted the issues with medical waste due to lack of sufficient facilities in the city.

It is estimated that a total of 1 450 tons of medical waste is generated each year in the Windhoek areas, with about 725 originating from the private sector.

The waste is currently treated at the Katutura hospital incinerator and some non-pathological waste is taken to the Kupferberg landfill site.

The Katutura incinerator has often not been able to meet the requirements, and problems, such as a lack of fuel to operate the facility, have cropped up repeatedly.

City officials had also noted a trend in the illegal dumping of medical waste on occasion.

The facility aims to also cater for medical waste generators in the surrounding areas such as Gobabis, Okahandja and Rehoboth.

In time, the facility hopes to become a “regional waste hub” and serve areas further afield.

The business plan notes that the facility could branch out in time from medical waste to cater for specialised waste such as “bank notes, confidential documents, confiscated items, and police and army uniforms.” The facility will also offer transport waste as per the request of a client and at a cost to the client.

JANA-MARI SMITH



City tackles medical waste
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500 households owe City N$16m

December 3, 2017, 2:00 pm
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500 households owe City N$16m500 households owe City N$16mPre-paid metres being rolled out According to City officials, if only the top 500 households with electricity debt to the City are included, the bill stands at N$16 million. The Windhoek city council has approved the installation of 500 pre-paid electricity meters in the homes of poor pensioners and the top 500 defaulting households that owe the City N$16 million.

“The City of Windhoek is faced with about 7 300 households that collectively owe the council in excess of N$37 million in outstanding electricity arrears,” the agenda for the November council meeting stated.

If only the top 500 defaulting households' outstanding bills are considered, the sum tops N$16 million, the agenda stated.

“In order to at least halt the bleeding in the interim, it is recommended that the council allow the City to convert up to 500 pensioners to pre-paid meters and to further convert the top 500 defaulting ordinary households to pre-paid meters.”

The City found that although the conversion of the 1 000 households will not result in all arrears being settled, it will “partly halt the bleeding and slightly reduce the arrears”.

The City has secured the meters for the project and the bidding documents are ready. It intends to start the work in January 2018.

The agenda notes that the City made a budget provision of N$3 million in the 2017/2018 financial year for the replacement of 1 000 credit meters with pre-payment meters for pensioners, in addition to defaulting households with ordinary credit meters.

However, it became apparent that the current procedure of waiting for households to settle their outstanding accounts before converting to pre-paid meters did not work.

“Experience has indicated that often defaulting households cannot settle their outstanding arrears with the City,” the agenda stated.

Moreover, creating a separate arrear account to make payment arrangements proved ineffective, as “these households continue to default on these arrangements”.

Moreover, the option of transferring the outstanding accounts to the pre-paid systems was not possible.

“Due to the sheer size of these outstanding arrears, it would take these defaulting households years to clear their accounts,” the agenda stated.

The council resolved at its last meeting that the conversion to pre-paid meters be carried at the municipality's cost.

A strategy to address the arrears in a sustainable way will be tabled next year.

JANA-MARI SMITH
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