Namibian_Sun_20221107 Flipbook PDF

Namibian_Sun_20221107
Author:  N

11 downloads 156 Views 28MB Size

Recommend Stories


Porque. PDF Created with deskpdf PDF Writer - Trial ::
Porque tu hogar empieza desde adentro. www.avilainteriores.com PDF Created with deskPDF PDF Writer - Trial :: http://www.docudesk.com Avila Interi

EMPRESAS HEADHUNTERS CHILE PDF
Get Instant Access to eBook Empresas Headhunters Chile PDF at Our Huge Library EMPRESAS HEADHUNTERS CHILE PDF ==> Download: EMPRESAS HEADHUNTERS CHIL

Story Transcript

1TODAY NEWS | NAMIBIA TO HOST SADC GROUNDWATER CONFERENCE - PAGE 5 DAY DD MON YYYY

SPORT

NEWS

Rundu to terminate Redforce contract

3

NEWS

Ondangwa man loses plot ‘dubiously’

4

MONDAY

EDITION 15 | NUMBER 212

WINDHOEK 8 0 | 26 0

SWAKOPMUND 13 0 | 24

KEETMANSHOOP

17 0 | 37 0

13 0 | 24 0

TODAY’S

SUPPLEMENTS

OGONE TLHAGE WINDHOEK

0

OSHAKATI

20

Page conte s nt

EXPO FEVER: Cape Winelands was the recipient of the NTV Choice Award as one of the best stands at the just-ended 2022

Namibia Tourism Expo. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

2022 tourism expo ends on a high STAFF REPORTER WINDHOEK

The 2022 Namibia Tourism Expo has bade Windhoek farewell after three jam-packed days. The event, which attracted over 6 000 attendees, was hosted at Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW) in Olympia, offering a moment of pride for the country’s booming tourism sector and

EDITORIAL Toivo Ndjebela

8

BoN intensifies Trustco Bank liquidation plans

7 NOVEMBER 2022

N$7

Shipanga plots premier league return

a spectacular platform for establishments to showcase their offerings. A world-class setup - pioneering technology, music performances, children’s attractions as well as innovative exhibition stands - heightened the spectacle, much to the amusement of thousands over the weekend. The expo recorded 2 000 visitors on Thursday, 2 500 on Friday and 1 500 on Saturday, with 6 053 people

attending in total. “We gave away 260 vouchers - each worth N$1 000 - as cashback incentives to tourist establishments. The nominal value of bookings was over N$1.3 million, but with the discounts given by establishments through their own incentives of encouraging Namibians to visit our own country, visitors paid N$690 000. With the cashback, they paid N$430 000, effectively 30%.

Continued on page 2

The Bank of Namibia (BoN) is applying for the liquidation of Trustco Bank, arguing that it does not have the requisite funds to operate as a commercial bank. This according to an affidavit by central bank governor Johannes !Gawaxab, who said concerns include Trustco Bank’s inability to operate as a going concern over fears that it failed to generate loans to third parties, Trustco Group’s failure to recapitalise the bank to the tune of N$100 million and the inability of the bank to honour its existing loan obligations. “Trustco Group was directed to recapitalise Trustco Bank in an amount of N$100 million, in the form of cash in three equal tranches over a three-year period.

Continued on page 2

• CLEAN DISCIPLINARY RECORD FOR JUDGES

Lawyers ‘afraid to report judicial injustices’ There is unease amongst some lawyers who feel certain judges are loyal to the ruling Swapo Party, especially when it comes to cases involving the party. MATHIAS HAUFIKU WINDHOEK

T Owners of these facilities were fixated by the attraction of international tourists while neglecting the local market, but it is refreshing to see that there are efforts being made to cater to our own people. Full column on page 2 Find us on

here is a general unease amongst legal practitioners in the country when reporting judges’ misconduct to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), with many fearing retribution and victimisation. With several recent studies revealing that the public’s trust in the judicial system is dwindling, analysts said there is a need for stakeholders to convene and arrest the situation. These include a 2021 Afrobarometer report titled ‘Trust in the Judiciary and Perceived Strength of the Rule of Law’ as well as the World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index, where Namibia dropped from position 34 in 2019 to 46 in 2022 - out of 140 countries.

Or visit our website: namibiansun.com

The trust in the judiciary report also found that lawyers would rather suffer in silence than approach the JSC in search of recourse. Legal practitioners have further bemoaned the fact that the commission does not accept anonymous complaints, saying this places them further between a rock and a hard place. The Office of the Judiciary earlier this year confirmed that anonymous complaints are not entertained when it said “the JSC may dismiss a complaint without any investigation if it is made anonymously”. One of the lawyers said: “I find it rather weird that the JSC will not probe an anonymous claim. What if a lawyer wants to anonymously lay a claim that a judge is receiving bribes and they have enough supporting evidence?”

NEED FOR CHANGE: Eben de Klerk says there is a need to change the workings of the country’s judiciary.

CLEAN JUDGES: The Office of the Ju-

diciary says no case of misconduct has been reported against a judge during the last five years. PHOTOS: CONTRIBUTED

Harrowing tales

Namibian Sun has in recent months spoken to at least 22 lawyers currently practicing in Namibia who shared their harrowing tales of judges acting with impunity in the country’s courtrooms. None of them were brave enough to

speak on the record. From judges allegedly using disparaging language towards them and accepting bribes to favouring certain legal practitioners, lawyers are left with many frustrations they are afraid to make public. The pressure, however, seems to fall more on lawyers who are still new to the industry, with many saying reporting judges could place them in an awkward predicament during their practice.

Continued on page 2

Contact details: Tel (061) 383 400 | P.O. Box 86829 | 11 General Murtala Mohammed, Eros, Windhoek | E-mail: [email protected]

2

MONDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2022

NEWS & COMMENTARY

2106

T

Namibian Sun is a member of the Editors’ Forum of Namibia. We subscribe to the Code of Ethics for the Namibian media and applied by the Media Ombudsman.

Four taps and you can get the news on our website

EDITORIAL

he unity on display within the tourism sector this weekend was a sign of good things to come. While the industry was the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Namibia Tourism Expo could not have come at a better time to provide a platform for tourism stakeholders to showcase their products. The sector has over the years been accused of failing to offer affordable packages to boost domestic tourism, with locals often citing the high prices charged by tourism establishments as hindering locals from experiencing the beauty Namibia has to offer. Owners of these facilities were fixated by the attraction of international tourists while neglecting the local market, but it is refreshing to see that there are efforts being made to cater to our own people. Many countries are focusing on growing domestic tourism, with several offering incentives to encourage people to explore their own countries. Namibia should not be left behind by this trend. According to the World Tourism Organisation, with domestic tourism set to return faster than international travel, this represents an opportunity for both developed and developing countries to recover from the social and economic impacts of the pandemic. While a new business landscape is inevitable, local stakeholders must devise strategies to embolden the sector’s ability to attract both local and international tourists.

CONTACT DETAILS Tel (061) 383 400 P.O. Box 86829, Eros 11 General Murtala Mohammed Road, Eros, Windhoek Website: www.namibiansun.com Email: [email protected] Editor: Toivo Ndjebela: [email protected] News Editor: Mathias Haufiku: [email protected] Sub-Editors: Jana-Mari Smith, Cindy van Wyk Reporters: Ellanie Smit, Jemima Beukes, Ogone Tlhage, Elizabeth Joseph Sport Reporters: Jesse Jackson Kauraisa, Limba Mupetami Entertainment Reporter: Michael Kayunde Rundu: Kenya Kambowe, 081 7241 044 Ongwediva: Tuyeimo Haidula, 081 339 3112 Keetmanshoop: Monique Adams, 081 245 4688 Ondangwa Enzo Amuele, 081 568 6675 Carmen Stenger/ Marketing and Sales Team Leader 081 239 7664/061 297 2102 Subscriptions: Ettienne Kotze, [email protected] Tel (061) 297 2076 Namibian Sun is a publication of Namibia Media Holdings Pty (Ltd) and is printed by Newsprint Namibia ISSN 1997-4876

For the most up-to-date news visit info.my.na

NAMIBIANSUN.COM

TODAYS UNIQUE CODE

0811700020 WWW.NAMIBIANSUN.COM

Trustco Bank Continued from page 1 This was to ensure ample liquidity to meet funding obligations as they fell due and capital adequacy required to continue as a going concern,” !Gawaxab said. While an initial transfer had been made, this money was redirected back to the Trustco Group, defeating the objectives of the recapitalisation, he added. “This flow of funds back to Trustco Group defeated the purpose of the recapitalisation of Trustco Bank to ensure sufficient liquidity and capital adequacy, resulting in Trustco Bank not complying with the prescribed minimum liquid asset requirement of N$13 million or 36% of total funding liabilities with the public, whichever was higher,” he said. Trustco Group had also failed to make an additional recapitalisation,

further eroding the central bank’s trust. “The second tranche of N$33.3 million was due on 31 March, but Trustco Bank simply failed to comply with the directive on or before 14 April,” !Gawaxab said. Trustco Bank’s former auditors, Grand Namibia, also pointed out concerns over its ability to operate to the BoN. “On 27 July, Grand Namibia brought to the attention of the bank’s banking supervision department that they had concerns regarding the banking institution’s ability to continue as a going concern. The auditors disclosed, in terms of Section 45 of the Banking Act, that Trustco Bank might be in breach of Section 28(1) of the Banking Act, thus constituting a material irregularity,” the governor said.

Minimum requirements not being met

“Trustco Bank’s then auditors indicated to the banking supervision

department that Trustco Bank had ceased to extend credit during 2021 and from that date had only engaged in the collection of loans. “This meant that the core banking activity for which the licence was granted to Trustco Bank had ceased,” he said. “The auditors recorded that they believed that a reportable irregularity had taken place at Trustco Bank relating to the bank’s ability to comply with the Banking Act’s minimum capital requirements and its ability to act as a going concern. “The auditors further recorded that they believed that the irregularity might cause - or was likely to cause - financial loss to the entity, shareholders, creditors or investors of the entity in their dealings with the entity,” he added. The auditors also pointed out that Trustco Bank’s management had failed to provide any evidence that it had addressed the shortcomings identified, !Gawaxab said.

• COP27 KICKS OFF IN EGYPT

45% of Namibians have heard of climate change Almost three-quarters of Namibians believe government should do more to limit climate change. ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEK

L

ess than 50% of Namibians have heard about climate change. Ahead of this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), Afrobarometer launched climate country cards to provide data on experiences and perspectives on climate change in Africa. COP27, which kicked off yesterday on Egypt, will take place until 18 November. According to Namibia’s card, only 45% of Namibians have heard of climate change. Among those who are aware of climate change, 49% feel it is making life worse, while 71% say ordinary people can play a role in limiting climate change and 67% feel that government

Lawyers Continued from page 1 Having been part of the team that compiled the Afrobarometer study, which contains damning findings about how legal practitioners perceive the country’s legal system, lawyer Eben de Klerk said the industry cannot continue on its current path. While there has been an improvement as far as separation of powers between the judiciary, legislature and the executive is concerned, the report found that there is unease amongst some legal counsel, who feel certain judges are loyal to government and the ruling Swapo Party, especially when it comes to cases involving the two.

CONCERNED: Only 45% of Namibians have heard of climate change. PHOTO: FILE

must take action now to limit climate change - even if it is expensive. Furthermore, 18% of Namibians believe that floods have become more severe over the past decade while 39% feel that droughts have also become more severe over the past decade. A total of 72% of Namibians say government should do a lot more to limit climate change, 62% feel that developed countries and businesses respectively must do more, and 58% say ordinary

citizens should do more. Namibia will for the first time have a pavilion at COP, which will accommodate all side events arranged under various thematic areas as aligned to the COP presidency themes. These are: Climate financing, science and youth, adaptation and agriculture, green hydrogen and renewable energy, and water and partnerships, while discussions on these topics will be held at the pavilion as from today.

“Role players must probe the root cause of this perception because there are different research projects with the same outcome. This should be reason for concern,” he said on the Evening Review show last week.

to the appointing authority. “The issue of personal persuasion of judges was also red-flagged, with the report stating that: ‘Lawyers are concerned that judges may be persuaded to set judgments based on personal beliefs’. There is a general feeling that the outcome of a case depends on which judge you get,” De Klerk said, adding that in some cases, lawyers refuse to speak out because they fear retribution.

Poor governance

According to him, poor governance in government is negatively impacting the judiciary. “Governance mistrust is clearly overflowing to the judiciary because some judgments are contrary to the principles of our legal system,” he said. Some lawyers, the report added, believe there is corruption within the judiciary, with some judges accepting bribes. The study found that some lawyers feel judges are not appointed on merit, but by reasons only known

Nothing untoward

But despite the lawyers’ cries, no case of misconduct has been reported against any judge for the last five years. The country currently has 43 judges serving in the High Court and Supreme Court. According to an April 2021 response from the chambers of the Chief Justice in response to ques-

Bank unable to meet obligations

The central bank said Trustco Bank is unable to honour its obligations to the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN). “Trustco Banks conduct in failing to pay its taxes when due, and its further failure to service its DBN loan facility, demonstrated the bank’s heightened liquidity challenges. In fact, Trustco Bank’s inability to honour its obligations as they fell due was rooted in its inability to meet the bank’s prescribed liquid asset ratio,” !Gawaxab said. He urged that steps be taken to protect the funds of depositors in Trustco Bank. “Given the financial position that Trustco Bank finds itself in, especially the debt owed to NamRA and the DBN in the amount of N$23.4 million, the imminent initiation of legal proceedings cannot be excluded,” he said.

Tourism expo Continued from page 1

This initiative was a great success, the best of its kind in Africa,” Namibia Media Holdings CEO Albe Botha said. Exhibitors also showcased their tourism offerings at the expo. “The 100 stands were rated 3 000 times by our visitors and Gondwana Collections was voted the most popular stand. South African electronic band Goodluck was beyond wow, and fit well into our theme for next year - ‘Tourism beyond borders’,” he added. Speaking during the opening last week, deputy minister of environment, forestry and tourism Heather Sibungo said the expo serves as a platform for all stakeholders in the tourism industry to promote and market their products and services to each other and directly to consumers. She urged industry players to boost destination competitiveness by improving pricing, service, facilities and packaging of experience offerings, and by developing new products. “I am calling upon all of us to be mindful of the competition from other destinations in the region. Namibia should work hard, smart and collaborate at a national, regional, continental and global level to strengthen and improve the performance and attractiveness of our destination,” she said.

tions from Namibian Sun: “Most of the complaints lodged with the JSC concern dissatisfaction with judicial decisions made by (a) judge(s). Such complaints do not establish a prima facie case of gross misconduct. The right way to deal with such complaints is through an appeal or review process that can be lodged with the Supreme Court”. Judiciary bosses further shielded judges, saying “the Namibian judiciary ascribes to high standards of performance and judges are doing their best and work very hard to serve the public”. “Unfortunately, the nature of judging in an inquisitorial system such as ours is such that there is always a winner and a loser to the outcome of every case before a court of law. That is the reality of judging,” the response read.

MONDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2022

NEWS

NEWSINSHORT

PM commends traditional leaders Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila met with leaders from various traditional authorities from the Kamanyab area and members of the Kamanyab village council last week. She commended the village council for targets achieved since her last visit to the area in March, and encouraged them to keep up the good work and commitment to development. She further acknowledged the role traditional leaders play in society. “You play an important role in the governance of the country. Problems do not escalate to national level because they are being dealt with at your level and we appreciate that,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said. The meeting further deliberated on important matters relating to land, water provision, drought relief, education, resettlement, unity in diversity and - STAFF REPORTER genocide.

Drug control systems overwhelmed Kandjii-Murangi

CONFISCATED: Cannabis seized last week during a drug bust. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

As a country that does not grow or process illicit drugs locally, Namibia’s borders have become porous. This according to minister of higher education Dr Itah Kandjii-Murangi, who added that “our drug control systems are compromised and our law enforcement and justice systems are overwhelmed”. She made the comments as part of a contribution regarding the effectiveness and adequacy of the legal framework dealing with drug offences in Namibia, and to establish whether legislation adequately addresses escalating drug incidents. The amount of drugs confiscated by the police at different intervals of any given year is alarming, she said, adding that now is the time to revisit illicit drug laws and policies of the country, with a view to establish more comprehensive and robust laws and policies to effectively deal with the entire national ecosystem of illicit drug use, prevention and control systems. “Increased drug-related crimes and criminal behaviour in our country demonstrates that there is a high degree of availability and accessibility of illicit drugs in Namibia. This should be a concern for every Namibian.” - ELLANIE SMIT

3

• DEBT COLLECTOR MISSED TARGET SINCE MARCH 2021

Rundu to terminate Redforce contract

tered into with the town council. “Redforce did not meet the target amount of N$5 million from March 2021 to October 2021 and furthermore. Redforce did not collect data as provided for in [the] terms [of the contract], therefore this amounts to material breach of contract,” he wrote. “We therefore wish to advise that council may terminate the memorandum of agreement.”

The debt collector was expected to rake in a minimum of N$5 million a month from Rundu’s defaulters; however, the last time the company managed to meet this target was in February 2021. KENYA KAMBOWE WINDHOEK

A

fter seeking a legal opinion from the Office of the Attorney-General, the Rundu town council has resolved to terminate its contract with Redforce Debt Management. This was confirmed by Rundu mayor Gabriel Kanyanga, who yesterday told Namibian Sun the local authority’s office-bearers on 24 October agreed to terminate the contract with the debt collector, following a breach of contract in terms of revenue collection. Redforce has failed to reach its N$5 million monthly target since March 2021, the council said. Kanyanga said the council has yet to confirm the minutes of the council meeting, after which Redforce will be formally informed of the decision. He, however, said Redforce will be allowed to plead its case as to why the contract should not be terminated. “The process was finalised. It is just that now we haven’t confirmed the minutes, but they are supposed to read that Redforce will be put aside. After the minutes will be confirmed, that is when we will write a letter to them. “After that, we will go to the residents and inform them that Redforce is gone and the process of paying should continue in order for us not to end up with debt again,” he said.

Lack of support

END OF THE ROAD: The Rundu town council is set

to terminate its relationship with Redforce Debt Management. PHOTO: FILE

Missed targets

The decision comes six months after the Office of the Attorney-General (AG) gave the town council the green light to terminate the contract with Redforce. The council - through the urban and rural development ministry - sought a legal opinion from the AG’s office last November following Redforce’s poor performance, in hopes of terminating the contract. The debt collector was expected to rake in a minimum of N$5 million a month from Rundu’s defaulters; however, the last time the company managed to meet this target was in February 2021. According to a letter dated 19 April, AG Festus Mbandeka advised urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni that the debt collector indeed breached the contract it en-

VIETNAMESE NETWORKS TAKING OVER RHINO HORN TRAFFICKING

During a meeting in July, the council was furnished with a report on Redforce’s performance by the town’s finance department, which showed that the debt collector has continued to fail to meet its target. According to the document, dated 28 June and seen by Namibian Sun, Redforce has not made its target once this year. The highest amount was collected in March when N$3 802 942.81 was received from the town council’s defaulters, while in January, it collected the lowest amount of N$2 555 022.08. Meanwhile, the document also indicated that the company submitted a number of reports suggesting that it is not getting necessary support from the local authority. “Redforce has submitted multiple reports lamenting the lack of support from council as one of the reasons why they have not been able to meet their monthly target. There has always been pushback from community members in protest of Redforce’s appointment and activities,” it read. Redforce commenced operations in Rundu in October 2019 on a three-year contract, during which the debt collector was expected to recover over N$400 million owed to the cashstrapped local authority. [email protected]

CRICKET WORLD CU P 2022

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEK

Rhino horn trafficking remains a severe problem that needs to be addressed with a new sense of urgency as transnational organised crime networks target the animals, a new wildlife crime report has found. The report by the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) said Vietnamese criminal networks are filling the void left by the removal of Chinese networks in Namibia, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola and Mozambique. “Only in South Africa do Chinese networks still dominate the illegal rhino horn trade.” Since its formation in 2015, the WJC has worked on 16 multi-year investigations involving rhino-related crimes in Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Laos, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, DRC, Thailand, Angola and Cambodia. According to the report, it is difficult to quantify how much rhino horn is held in legal stockpiles as few countries publicly report their stockpile inventory. However, the most recent figures indicate that more than 87 tonnes of rhino horns and pieces are held in 10 African range states. It said analysis of seizure data shows that Malaysia has emerged as a key transit country for rhino horn trafficking from Africa to Asia. It has been linked to seizures originating from Uganda, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa. Data collected further shows that 83 kilograms of Namibian rhino horns were seized during 2020/2021.

The hidde n word was RUNS

Congratulations to Mrs. Charleen Cloete! Keep an eye out for tomorrow’s Letter Quest, and you could also win N$1000!

4

MONDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2022

NEWS

• ‘MANHANDLED, HANDCUFFED FOR SEEKING ANSWERS’

Ondangwa man loses plot ‘dubiously’ Ondangwa CEO Ismael Namgongo said Iiyambo had failed to put up a structure within three months, as per the allocation letter. ENZO AMUELE ONDANGWA

T

he Ondangwa town council says it legally reallocated a portion of land that was occupied by 45-year-old Hango Petrus Iiyambo and his family. Iiyambo, who resides with his family at Okagwena in Ondangwa at his brother’s house, received a plot at Onatsi through the town council in

early 2020 and constructed a toilet, fence, shack and a gate. According to Iiyambo, who has all his proof-of-ownership documents, seen by Namibian Sun, he visited the plot often and on one unfaithful day found nothing on the land. “I thought that my structure that I had put up was perhaps stolen, hence I did not follow up at the town council, because I still used to pay for it,” he said.

WE ACTED LAWFULLY: Ondangwa CEO

Ismael Namgongo says the allocation policy is clear.

PHOTOS: ENZO AMUELE/CONTRIBUTED

A devastated Iiyambo said he used to go and still clean around his plot even though his structure was removed, but things changed around July when he found another structure on his land. “I immediately went to the town council to enquire if the plot is still on my name. The lady at the cashier counter said yes, it is,” he narrated.

Handcuffed

What started like a normal day ended in unemployed Iiyambo coming home in handcuffs on Wednesday, 19 October. Upon realising that his plot has a new owner, he went to enquire at the town council why someone else is occupying his land, he said, but could not an answer and was asked to leave the office, which he refused. “Town council officials called security guards to kick me out of the office. I was manhandled and handcuffed for merely seeking an answer to something I rightfully own,” he said. He added that he spent about five hours in handcuffs waiting for the police. They did not show up and he ended up having to go home in handcuffs, an experience he de-

I DON’T KNOW: Ondangwa mayor Paavo Amwele is not aware of anything, he said.

DEVASTED: Hango Iiyambo, who lost his plot, wants answers from the council.

scribes as traumatising for him and his family. Iiyambo was only freed from the handcuffs at around 19:00 when the security guards came to his home.

cil employees. Iiyambo’s structures were not the only ones removed, they said. Mayor Paavo Amwele said he is not aware of the situation. “I don’t know about it, maybe the office will inform me one day because up to now they did not inform me,’’ he said. He added that Iiyambo can approach his office for advice.

New owner

Namibian Sun visited the plot owned by Iiyambo and found a certain Linda Haiyambo, who is the sister of Letty Haiyambo, the apparent new owner of the plot. Quizzed on how the family got the land, Linda said the town council allocated it to them as her sister applied for a plot a few years ago. “My sister received a call from Ondangwa town council while she was in Walvis Bay that she got a plot at Onatsi and that she needs to sign ownership documents. However, she did not have transport money so I signed on her behalf,” she said. Linda, who has lived on the plot for more than a month, said they did not find any structures on the land, but could not provide Namibian Sun with proof of ownership.

Removed structures

Insiders confirmed that Iiyambo put up structures on the plot in 2020, and that these structures were removed by Ondangwa town coun-

Council response

Ondangwa CEO Ismael Namgongo said Iiyambo had failed to put up a structure within three months, as per the allocation letter. “When the town council’s officials went into the field, they did not find anything, hence the erf was given to someone else,” he said. Namgongo flatly denied allegations that council officials removed structures, saying that is impossible. He added that Iiyambo should file a complaint and the council will look into it. “If there is clear evidence that his structure was illegally removed, we will look into it.” Namgono insisted that Iiyambo knew that he did not have rights to the plot, even though he was paying for it. “If he wants a refund on the payments done, we can do so.”

City accused of negligence after boy drowns in sewage dam

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:

ELIZABETH JOSEPH WINDHOEK

Ordinary and Extraordinary Namibians telling their stories • Is there a definition of what makes a true hero? • Is it making significant decisions? • Standing bold to help sow seeds of compassion? • Is it someone that empowers communities? OR • Is it simply someone that makes a difference in your life? SHOWS NTV & 1UP2 : Saturday’s 18:30 Republikein, Allgemeine Zeitung, Namibian Sun pages: Wednesday’s 17:30 To advertise on this show contact: [email protected] oneuptwo.com

During a visit to the family of the late Jayden Isaks (6), questions were raised by deputy minister of urban and rural development, Natalia Goagoses, about the City of Windhoek’s ability to execute its disaster and risk responsibilities before tragedy strikes. Isaks drowned in a sewage dam in Grysblok on Sunday, 30 October. During prior discussions, the senior administrator for the ministry, Evelina Ileka, said the City did its part by introducing a disaster and risk management committee, but stopped there. She highlighted that one of the roles of this committee is to map out hazards and risks, and thus good coordination between the ministry and the municipality would’ve gone a long way. “The ministry sent people from the City of Windhoek to attend training for search and rescue in South Africa, so why did they not provide the diver with the right equipment when the time came?” Ileka asked. This is after private diver Percy Openshaw allegedly refused to dive into the sewage dam because of how dirty the water was, stalling the recovery of Isaks’ body. According to witnesses, Openshaw waited for the right protective gear before diving into the water. While he was waiting, three

community members risked their lives and jumped into the water out of frustration.

Do better, earlier

A cloud of distrust now follows the City after it failed on several occasions - according to the family - to put up warning signs and create awareness about the possible dangers the area poses. “Must we have waited for the death of a child? Now we need answers. We are not instigating people to sue us, but we as leaders should be ready. “Not reactive, not shifting blame. We must admit that if coordination was solid, we could’ve been ready,” Goagoses said.

Laid to rest

Goagoses, in her capacity, took a food hamper as a token of support to Isaks’ family’s home. While speaking to the child’s mother, Chantelle Mentoor (27), she said she shares the parents’ grief. Mentoor pleaded with the City to be more vigilant in the future. She said they should do better to prevent such incidents, rather than try to fix them afterwards. The deputy minister said that she will help the family in any way she can, since no policy compels her ministry to cover costs of this nature. The boy, who would have started grade one in just a few weeks - will be laid to rest on Saturday, 12 November.

MONDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2022

NEWS

5

• ‘MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE’

Namibia to host SADC groundwater conference The conference will take place from 16 to 18 November at Windhoek Country Club Resort, with a virtual option for those who cannot attend in person. ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEK

N

amibia will host the fifth Southern African Development Community (SADC) groundwater conference, held under the theme ‘Groundwater: Making the invisible visible for socio-economic development’. The conference will be convened by the SADC Groundwater Management Institute (SADCGMI) in collaboration with the agriculture ministry and other regional and international partners. According to a joint statement, it seeks to provide a platform to discuss ways of enhancing the contribution of groundwater to sustainability and ecosystem services for socio-economic development and climate change adaptation. “This is important especially in the SADC region which faces many challenges requiring multi-dimensional solutions to address the many deficiencies at household level.” The conference will take place from 16 to 18 November at Windhoek Country Club Resort, with a virtual option for those who cannot attend in person. “This supreme event intends to deliberate on groundwater’s role in providing and sustaining ecosystem services, groundwater-dependent ecosystems’ contribution to livelihoods, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and enhancing access to water by strengthening the government frameworks,” it said.

Critical role

According to the statement, the main message from the conference will contribute to the agenda of the groundwater summit to be held in Paris in December and the United Nations 2023 water conference in New York in March. Highly esteemed keynote speakers and presenters will tackle groundwater’s critical

role and provide robust scientific solutions in enhancing groundwater contribution to socioeconomic development in the SADC region and beyond. SADC-GMI executive director James Sauramba said groundwater is key for socio-economic development, especially in the face of climate change, which has a negative impact on water and food security - not only in the SADC region, but globally. He emphasised the need to elevate groundwater conversations, particularly its contribution to poverty alleviation and food security. “SADC protocols and national policies and legislation do not talk much about operationalising mechanisms to recognise the significance of groundwater upon which about 70% of the population in the SADC region relies on for their primary livelihood activities for resilience.”

Recharge

Meanwhile, at a recent event in Windhoek, Professor Danie Vermeulen - dean of the faculty of natural and agricultural science at the University of the Free State - said only 42% of Namibia is underlain with aquifers and 16% by fractured rock aquifers. Highly productive aquifers are classified as those with average borehole yields greater than 15 meters of water per hour, which occurs only in some 3% of the country. It is estimated that on average only 1% of annual rainfall contributes to groundwater recharge. However, regional surface differences and geology must be taken into consideration and this therefore varies accordingly. He added that fractures form conduits through which groundwater and pollution can move. According to Vermeulen, the process by which groundwater is replenished is through water draining. “Recharge does not include water held in the soil in the unsaturated zone that may be evaporated and taken up by plants or discharged at topographic lows.” The source of recharge can be rainfall, irrigation infiltration or leakage from surface water bodies or adjacent aquifers, he added. He explained that 400mm of rain is equal to 1% recharge of ground-

water and 40 cubic meter of water per hectare per year. “That is 20 diesel tanks full of water.” Furthermore, irrigation needs 5 000 cubic meters of water per

crop, therefore it will need rain on 125 hectares to irrigate one hectare, he said. “Luckily, it does not always work this way as we also get episodic recharge.”

CRITICAL: About 70% of the population in the SADC region relies on groundwater. PHOTO: FILE

6

MONDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2022

MOSHIWAMBO

Omulandu gwekondololo lyiingangamithi gwa taalela omukundu - Kandjii-Murangi ELLANIE SMIT OVENDUKA

Sho oshilongo ihashi longo iingangamithi, oongamba dhaNamibia odha ningi ombululu yokupitithila iingangamithi mbyoka tayi e twa moshilongo. Ngoka omaiyuvo gominista yElongo lyoPombanda, Dr Itah KandjiiMurangi, ngoka a popi kombinga yomilandu dhekondjitho lyiingangamithi moNamibia oshowo ngele omilamdu dhoka dhili miilonga odha gwana tuu okukondjitha onkalo ndjoka yiingangamithi. Okwa popi kutya iingangamithi

mbyoka ya kwatwako kopolisi yaNamibia komvula kehe oya londa pombanda noonkondo a popi kutya ethimbo olya thikana opo ku vule okutalulula omilandu dhoka dha nuninwa okukondjitha iingangamithi moshilongo. “Onkalo yiingangamithi tayi kwatakanithwa niingangamithi moshilongo shetu oya londa pombanda noonkondo, naashoka osha pumbwa okukala elimbililo enene ku kehe Omunamibia.” Kandjii-Murangi okwa popi kutya onkalo ondhigu yopankalathano ndjoka ya taalela aakwashigwana mboka ya dhengelwa pevi kelon-

YA KWATWAKO: Iingangamithi mbyoka ya kwatwao oshiwike sha piti. ETHANO: TWE LI TUMINWA

githopambambo lyiingangamithi onene noonkondo. “Sho iipangelo, oondholongo, omandiki gomazulonkalo taga gandja omayakulo gopaundjolow-

ele ngoka taga pumbiwa, iifuta yomayakulo ngoka otayi tulwa komapepe goshigwana opo ku vule okukandulwapo omaupyakadhi ngoka taga zilile melongitho

lyiingangamithi.” Okwa popi kutya nonando iiputudhilo ya yooloka otayi longo ya manamo okukandula po omukundu ngoka itayi vulu okupondola sha oyo ayike. Kandjii-Murangi okwa popi kutya oofamili, ooskola, oongeleka oshowo oshigwana itaya vulu okutegelela nokutala onkalo ndjoka tayi nayipala noonkondo onkene onkalo oya pumbwa okutalika nomeho omanene meendelelo. Okwa tsikile kutya oompango dhokuyanda elongitho lyiingangamithi odha pumbwa okutala ombinga onene kegameno lyoshigwana oshowo ekaleko kokule iimbuluma yi na sha nelongitho lyiingangamithi, eshunitho pevi lyelongitho lyiingangamithi unene mokati kaanona aashona naanyasha nokukondopeka elongo kombinga yomaupyakadhi taga kwatakanithwa nelongitho lyiimbuluma.

• MAYOLA KE NA ONTSEYO

Akanitha ehala lye tashi limbililike Omukalimo gwomondoolopa yaNdangwa okuli ta pula omayamukulo okuza kelelo lyondoolopa ndjoka konima sho ehala ndyoka a li a landa kelelo ndyoka lya pewa po omukalimo gulwe. ENZO AMUELE ONDANGWA

E

lelo lyondoolopa yaNdangwa olya popi kutya olya gandja pamulandu nopaveta oshitopolwa shevi shoka sha kalwa komunamimvo 45, Hango Petrus Iiyambo pamwe nofamili ye. Petrus ngoka hazi pamwe nofamili ye mOkangwena mOndangwa megumbo lyomumwayinamati okwa mono ehala ndyoka mOnatsi okupitila melelo lyondoolopa yaN-

dangwa kuyele momvula yo 2020 na okwa tungu po okandjugo, ombashu oshowo okwa tulako ondhalate. Pahapu dhaIiyambo ngoka e na omikanda adhihe dhuumwene wehala, dhoka dha monika koNamibian Sun okwa kala ha talelepo aluhe ehala lye ndyoka nesiku limwe okwa a dha iinima ye kayi po pehala ndyoka. “Onda dhilaadhila kutya iinima yandje oya yakwapo na inandi landula elelo lyondoolopa molwaashoka on-

dali natango tandi futu ehala ndyoka.” Okwa popi kutya okwa kala nokuya a kawapaleke pehala lye ndyoka ihe nuumvo lwomomwedhi Juli okwa adha pe na etungo limwe pehala lye. “Onda yi koombelewa dhelelo lyondoolopa opo ndi ka ninge omapulaapulo ngele natango ehala oli li kedhina lyandje, omukiintu ngoka ta longo pomafutilo okwa kutya eeno ehala olyandje natango. Shoka sha li owala esiku ngaashi omasiku omakwawo kuIiyambo ngoka keena iilonga, omasiku 19 gaKotomba nuumvo, Iiyambo okwa shuna kegumbo lyaandjawo e li miiketanga. Konima sho a mono kutya ope na mwene gwehala omupe pehala ndyoka lye,

okwa shuna koombelewa opo a ka pule kutya omolwashike pe na omuntu omupe pehala lye ihe ina pewa omayamukulo. Okwa pulwa opo a dhigepo oombelewa ihe okwa tindi. “Aanambelewa yelelo lyondoolopa oya ithana oosekuriti na onda tulwa miipandeko omolwa okukonga omapulo kombinga yoshinima shandje.” Okwa gwedhapo kutya okwa kala oowili ntano miiketanga a tegelela opolisi ndjoka inayi thika na okwa shuna kegumbo e li miiketanga naashoka osha li ehalutho enene kofamili ye. Okwa popi kutya miiketanga okwa li owala a kuthwamo potundi onti 19h00 sho sekuriti a yi kegumbo lye e kemu tale. Namibian Sun okwa talelepo ehala ndyoka lyaIiyambo na okwa a dhapo Linda Haiyambo ngoka eli omumwayinakadhona ku naku ninga eindilo lyehala Letty Haiyambo. Sho a pulwa kutya ehala oye li mono ngiini, Linda okwa popi kutya oye li pewa kelelo lyondoolopa konima sho Letty a li a ningi eindilo lyehala oomvula dha piti. “Mumwameme okwa dhengelelwa ongodhi kelelo lyaNdangwa omanga a li kOmbaye kutya okwa mona ehala mOnatsi na okwa pumbwa okuya a ka shaine oombaapila dhuumwene wevi ihe ka li e na iimaliwa yolweendo onkene onda shaina pehala lye. Linda ngoka a kala pehala ndyoka uule womwedhi okwa popi kutya inaya a dha po sha pehala ndyoka na ina vula okugandja koshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun oombaapila dhuumwene wevi. Onzo yimwe oya lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya Iiyambo okwa li a tulapo ombashu ye momvula yo 2020 nombashu ye ndjoka olya li ya kuthwapo kaaniilonga yelelo lyondoolopa na hayo owala ya kuthwapo. Mayola gwaNdangwa, Paavo Amwele sho a ningilwa omapulo okwa popi kutya ke na ontseyo kombinga yoshinima shoka.

KENA ONTSEYO: Mayola gwondoolopa yaNdangwa, Paavo Amwele

ngoka a popi kutya ke na owino mehokololo ndyoka.

INATU POGOLA: Omunambelewa Omukuluntu gwElelo lyaNdan-

gwa, Ismael Namgongo ngoka a popi kutya omulandu gwegandjo lyevi ogwa yela.

ALULILWA: Hango Iiyambo ngoka a kanitha ehala lye ta pula omayamukulo okuza kelelo lyondoolopa. ETHANO: ENZO AMUELE/TWELI TUMINWA

“Kandi shi shi, ngiika ombelewa otayi ka tseyithilandje esiku limwe molwaashoka sigo ongaashiingeyi inaya tseyithilandje.,” Amwele a popi. Okwa popi kutya Iiyambo ota vulu okuya kombelewa ye opo e ke mu pe ehokololo lye a vule oku mu pa omayele kutya ota vulu okuninga ngiini. Omunambelewa omukuluntu melelo lyondoolopa yaNdangwa, Ismael Namgongo okwa popi kutya Iiyambo okwa ndopa okutulapo etungo pehala ndyoka muule woomwedhi ndatu ngaashi tashi uthwa kombaapila yegandjo lyevi. “Sho aanambelewa yelelo

ya yi po inaya adha po sha onkene ehala olya gandjwapo komuntu gulwe.” Namgongo okwa t okuzimina kutya aanambelewa yelelo lyondoolopa oyo ya kuthapo ombashu yaIiyambo. Okwa pula Iiyambo opo a ninge enyenyeto lye pamukanda. Okwa popi kutya elelo otali ka tala kenyenyeto ndyoka uuna li li pamukanda nongele iinima ye oya kuthwapo nena otashi ka talika, okwa tsikile kutya Iiyambo okushishi kutya kali e na uuthemba wehala ndyoka nonando okwa li ta futu, nongele okwa hala okushunithilwa iimaliwa ye nena oteyi shunithilwa.

MONDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2022

SPORT

7

• RUNNERS-UP IN 2018

Croatia seek to go one better in Qatar After topping their qualifying group with only one defeat - in their opening game away to Slovenia more than a year and a half ago - and conceding just four goals in the process, the 2018 World Cup runners-up are riding a wave of momentum. SUPERSPORT

C

roatia head to the Qatar World Cup in the unusual position of looking like one of the stronger teams, having thrived on their reputation as outsiders for much of the team’s existence. They also recently came top of their Nations League group ahead of world champions France and Denmark and are widely expected to make it through World Cup Group F into the knockout stage along with Belgium at the expense of Canada and Morocco. Coach Zlatko Dalic is steeped in tournament experience as he leads the national side to his second World Cup, having also taken them to Euro 2020 where they lost to Spain in the last 16. He has lost some of the leading names - chief among them striker

EXPERIENCED: Zlatko Dalic. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Mario Mandzukic and midfielder Ivan Rakitic - from the team that went all the way to the final at the last World Cup four years ago in Russia where they lost 4-2 to France. But Dalic can count on a backbone

of experienced campaigners, including the winner of the Golden Ball award for the best player at the 2018 World Cup: Luka Modric - the Real Madrid wizard who at 37 has one last shot at glory. Modric remains as piv-

CHAMP: Namibia’s Deon Hotto grabbed a piece of silverware for the season. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

otal to Croatia as he is for the Spanish giants whose triumphs in the Champions League and La Liga last season were aided significantly by the midfielder’s defence-splitting assists. Alongside him in midfield are like-

PIRATES EDGE AMAZULU TO CLAIM MTN8 GLORY SUPERSPORT

Orlando Pirates claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AmaZulu to win the 2022 MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday evening. The Buccaneers won the MTN8 for an 11th time (and a second in the past three editions of the tournament) thanks to a first-half strike from Monnapule Saleng, while Usuthu’s wait to end a long silverware drought goes on, with their last major triumph being the Coca-Cola Cup way back in 1992. Pirates suffered an early blow when Nkosinathi Sibisi had his left shin raked by the studs of Gabadinho Mhango inside the opening 30 seconds. The centre-back was replaced by Paseka Mako in the fifth minute. The open chances for each team arrived either side of the 10-minute mark, with Olisa Ndah heading over from a corner kick for Pirates, before Larry Bwalya flashed an ambitious shot off target for AmaZulu. The Buccaneers threatened a goal on 12 minutes when Thabiso Monyane’s lobbed cross-shot was tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Veli Mothwa. The shotstopper was called on again in the 16th minute to keep out a header from Monnapule Saleng, though the attacker had been flagged offside.

Pressure

Pirates kept up the attacking pressure and were rewarded in the 25th minute when Saleng scored direct from a free kick, with the forward whipping home a left-footed, in-swinging shot from the right flank that really should have been dealt with by Mothwa. AmaZulu were also forced into an un-

ly to be Inter Milan’s Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea, both at the top of their game, aged 29 and 28 respectively, with Andrej Kramaric (31) likely to be spearheading the front line.

scheduled substitution due to injury, with Mbongeni Gumede coming off the bench to replace Ramahlwe Mphahlele (who was hurt in a collision with Pirates goalkeeper Richard Ofori) just after the half-hour mark. Usuthu were close to an equaliser in injury time at the end of the first half, with Ofori forced to back-pedal and tip George Maluleka’s strike from a free kick over the crossbar, leaving the game 1-0 in favour of Bucs at the break. The teams each made a change at the start of the second half, with Pirates’ Monyane replaced by Bandile Shandu, while AmaZulu swapped out striker Augustine Kwem for veteran goal-getter Lehlohonolo Majoro. The first clear chance after the restart went the way of Bucs, with Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo shooting straight into the arms of Mothwa in the 53rd minute, yet it was AmaZulu who made most of the attacking play up to the hour mark, before they freshened up their forward line with the introduction of Dumisani Zuma.

Agonisingly close

Usuthu were agonisingly close to levelling the game in a frantic passage of play on 64 minutes which saw Majoro’s header crash onto the crossbar, before Thapelo Xoki managed to clear ahead of Zuma on the rebound. The team in green also had a couple of strong penalty appeals turned down, before Pirates looked to turn the tide of momentum by introducing Vincent Pule in place of Kermit Erasmus for the final quarter-hour of regulation time. AmaZulu continued to be the team creating the majority of attacking pressure in the dying minutes, though a killer goal on the counter for Pirates also became more and more of a possibility as the Durban side threw men forward – yet neither side was able to capitalise on their openings, leaving the score 1-0 in favour of the Buccaneers at the final whistle. The teams will both be involved in the revamped Carling Black Label Cup next weekend at FNB Stadium, with AmaZulu facing Mamelodi Sundowns in the first semi-final, and Pirates taking on Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the second semi.

8

MONDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2022

SPORT

Ayew lives in father’s shadow

Pique takes Camp Nou bow

Andre Ayew is heading to an extraordinary 10th major tournament and has won a record tally of caps for his country, yet he still lives in the shadow of his father, Abedi Pele, a three-time African Footballer of the Year.

Gerard Pique bowed out at Camp Nou on an emotional night as Barcelona beat Almeria 2-0 to move top of LaLiga, despite missing several clear chances on Saturday.

• PASSIONATE COACH AVAILABLE

Shipanga plots premier league return Brave Gladiators interim head coach Paulus Shipanga has high hopes to get back in the league football system, provided he gets a club to mentor, he said this week. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA WINDHOEK

H

aving won the formerly titled Namibia Premier League, top coach Paulus Shipanga will be one of those in the market for a job in the inaugural Debmarine Namibia Premiership. Shipanga, who is currently part of the women’s senior national team, is reportedly in talks with several clubs. “The fact that we are not prohibited to coach clubs while also leading the Gladiators is something that has prompted my interest in coaching. “There are, however, a few clubs I would like to help at the moment, but it is premature to mention the names at the moment,” he said. “I am hopeful that I might get a team somewhere in the premiership by the end of this week.”

Optimistic

Namibian Sun understands Shipanga has been in talks with Eleven Arrows. It is also speculated that the former footballer has his sights set on joining African Stars in an assistant capacity. Shipanga could neither deny nor confirm the links, but said he is optimistic. The former footballer had joined Blue Waters for the transitional season, which saw him coaching his former club for a few matches

20

Netball leagues hope for more funding JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA WINDHOEK

Afrocat Lions’ Dimitri Bitler is hopeful that all netball leagues will get the financial injection they deserve next year. Bitler, who is part of the Khomas Region netball league management, said corporates need to do more as far as funding some sport codes is concerned. “We know that netball is a sport code that has been growing in this country, but there are so many challenges that need to be addressed next year. “One of the things that is still lacking is the fact that we do not get the sponsorship that we ought to receive from corporate Namibia. “This is holding the sport back because there are so many youngsters out there who are keen on making netball a career,” he said.

Not enough

The administrator further lauded telecommunications giant MTC for sponsoring the league.

Page conte s nt

He also spoke highly of Debmarine Namibia, who came on board to aid the national netball team. He, however, feels that this will not be enough if Namibia is to raise the standards of the game in the next few years. “We have to thank those who are really making a valid contribution to sport. I, however, urge corporate Namibia to come on board and make sure that our netball players are taken care of next year,” he added. This year, Mighty Gunners emerged victorious in the MTC Namibia Netball Premier League. The team pocketed N$120 000 and a trophy after finishing on top. Gunners were followed by Namibian Navy Netball Club, which earned the team N$80 000 for their efforts, while Namibia Correctional Service ended third. The prison guards got N$60 000 for their efforts after losing to the champions in their last match that could have resulted in them finishing second had they taken more chances. “Most of the players have been playing for free and that is something that has to change going forward. “I am really hopeful that the fortunes of clubs will change going into the new season,” Bitler said.

HOPEFUL: Brave Gladiators coach Paulus Shipanga has his sights set on

coaching in the Debmarine Namibia Premiership. PHOTO: FILE

before football came to a standstill again. “All we can really hope for now is that football is played and the players get the chance they deserve. As coaches, it will be amazing to see most of the guys back in action after such a lengthy period of no football. “I will be here waiting for my

chance to be part of the success story of any club,” Shipanga added. The league kicked off yesterday with a match between African Stars and University of Namibia (Unam) Football Club. There were, however, some clubs that felt they are being treated unfairly, with players threatening not to play.

FUND US: Lower netball leagues are struggling to secure funding from cor-

porate Namibia. PHOTO: JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

Business7 is aired weekly on Wednesdays at 21:00 on NTV - channel 285 on DStv and channel 94 on GOtv with repeats at 20:30 on Saturdays. It is also broadcast on Wednesdays at 19:00 on the Facebook pages of Namibian Sun, Republikein and Allgemeine Zeitung. It focuses on current issues in the Namibian economy and analyses how global developments impact the country.

For advertising contact [email protected] oneuptwo.com

Get in touch

Social

© Copyright 2013 - 2024 MYDOKUMENT.COM - All rights reserved.