Namibian Sun

Travel the world, indemnify the bank

Bank Windhoek yesterday reminded clients to keep in mind different rules that apply to banking whenever they travel to countries outside of the Common Monetary Area (CMA).
The Bank of Namibia prohibits anyone relocating to a country outside of the CMA from making use of internet banking services to transfer money to other beneficiaries.
This regulation, says Bank Windhoek executive officer for banking services Chris Matthee, necessitates clients abroad to personally instruct their bank to make transfers on their behalf – a matter which has resulted in increased instances of fraud.
“For reasons of practicality and cost, Bank Windhoek clients often opt to send instructions to the bank via email or fax,” Mathee says.
“However, due to fraud as a result of personal email accounts being hacked or signatures forged on facsimiles sent to Bank Windhoek, clients are required to indemnify the bank against any potential damages that the client may suffer as a result of the bank acting on instructions that were fraudulently issued.”
While such indemnity would legally exempt the bank from liability in case of fraud, Matthee says the bank will still verify and confirm its authenticity, contacting individual clients or senior officials in case of corporate clients.
“Clients should however note that this may lead to further costs for them,” he says.
“Any client can give instructions to the branch without visiting the branch, but it is advisable to rather use channels such as internet banking, cellphone banking or the Bank Windhoek App, that will lower risk,” he says.
Finally, prior to actually moving or visiting countries outside the CMA, Mathee says clients should ensure they have access to the email address they provided the bank via the indemnity form completed.
The bank, he says, will not act on instructions sent via email or facsimile, unless an indemnity has been signed and provided to it.
“This measure is to protect our clients and keep their investments safe,” he says.

STAFF REPORTER

Marula industry lying in waitNamibia’s unique access to the marula tree and its derivatives makes a good case for commercialising its fruit. Namibia’s equivalent to shea butter, says researcher

Namibia can look to Ghana for suggestions on how to make the most of its indigenous natural products, beyond the limited scope of individual communities.
This suggestion was made by suggests Maria Lisa Immanuel, senior trade and investment analyst with the Namibia Trade Forum (NTF), after comparing the Ghanaian use of the shea tree to that of Namibians extracting value from the marula tree.
“Shea butter is to Ghana what marula oil is to Namibia,” Immanuel says in making a case for better commercial use of marula products.
“The difference only comes in where Ghana has commercialised their shea butter into a million-dollar industry supporting close to 600 000 producers, whereas Namibia is struggling to leverage on the abundant availability of marula nuts in the country,” she says.
Suggesting at least five value chains to be established through optimal use of marula, she encourages government, the private sector and academia to consider the possibilities presented.
She says a marula industry can benefit the beverages, animal feed, cosmetics and food industries in various ways – using marula juice and its fermented form marula liquor, as well as the marula nuts and peels.
Explaining how the product is used at present, Immanuel says the marula nut is harvested when ripe, and the extracted juice is consumed mostly by children because of its sweet taste. Older people usually let the juice ferment two to three days, turning it into liquor, or Omaongo, as it is known in Oshiwambo.
“According to traditional knowledge, the marula liquor can be kept in the fridge for consumption up to six months,” Immanuel says.
“The shelf life is sufficiently long and could be one of the main reasons why it makes business sense to commercialise marula liquor in Namibia.”
Following the juice season, the marula nut is typically left to dry until it is ready to be cracked by a traditional method called ‘okutenda’.
“Women sit all day under a shade cracking the nuts open,” Immanuel says.
“This method could easily be mechanised to ensure efficiency in a production set-up,” she says, noting that the output from this effort is a white kernel called Omaxuku, which is further extracted to obtain marula oil.
This oil, she says, may prove commercially viable in the cosmetics industry, as well as by developing its status as a traditional delicacy at festivals and weddings.
“The Body Shop retailer procures marula oil as part of their ingredients from the Eudafano Women Cooperative based in the northern area. It can also be positioned as a niche product in the spa and wellness industry around the world,” she says.
A key challenge to developing marula industries on large scale, she says, is in jointly creating compliance standards for manufacturing, while respecting and protecting the indigenous knowledge and methods, as well as the communities meant to benefit from their use.
“In other words, how do you translate the marula oil into cosmetic products whereby both parties and everybody along the value chain benefits equally, and hence create a sustainable market,” she says.

DENVER ISAACS

Weaner prices dropWeaner prices have dropped dramatically during the last few months. Not a single calf exported to SA since 1 July

With no weaner exports having taken place for the last two months weaner prices in Namibia have dropped drastically since South Africa implemented stringent livestock import conditions.
According to the Meat Board of Namibia not a single weaner calf has been exported to South Africa since 1 July.
The Meat Board says weaner calf prices fluctuated around N$19.35/kg at the beginning of the year. The average weaner calf price in July was about N$16.49/kg and it decreased even further during August.
“Certain categories of cattle such as smaller calves and lean cows sell for very low prices, and the number of animals offered at auctions is at its lowest.”
The situation is worsened by the devastating drought in Namibia.
According to the Meat Board a meeting between role players, producers, abattoirs and Feedmaster was arranged to discuss short-term solutions.
One option is to request farmers with available grazing to raise weaner calves and get rid of unproductive animals.
“Considering the current weaner price levels, growing weaners to slaughter oxen with supplementary licks can be profitable,” says the Meat Board. The Meat Baord reminded farmers that South Africa has started relaxing its import regulations, albeit only for sheep at the moment.
There are now four South African facilities that have been approved under South Africa’s Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) that may receive sheep from Namibia.
The Department of Veterinary Services in the RSA confirmed that there are 15 more applications submitted for approval, which include cattle facilities.
The accreditation of these facilities makes it easier to obtain import permits. The most important aspect which is omitted is the compulsory testing for brucellosis and double testing for tuberculosis (TB). This means that small stock do not have to be tested anymore and that cattle only have to be tested for TB once within the 30 days before export.
“It is thus important to take note that there are currently two types of import permits that are valid. One permit, as announced in the South African Government Gazette, is applicable to export of animals from Namibia to any destination in South Africa and requires an extensive range of tests, while the latest permit, the so-called SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) permit, is valid only for approved destinations and requires fewer tests.” The Meat Board said it is important for Namibian exporters to study the requirements for each South African import permit and take the necessary actions to comply with these requirements.

ELLANIE SMIT

Meatco gets Norwegian quota

The Meat Board of Namibia has reallocated the remaining 400 tons of the 1 600-ton annual Norwegian beef quota to Meatco.
The development means Meatco will now export the entire 1 600 ton on offer to Norway this year. The reallocation, which took two months, was done after Brukkaros Meat Processors and Witvlei Meat, which had initially been allocated 225 tons and 175 tons respectively, failed to utilise their quotas before the 30 June deadline. Meatco welcomed the reallocation, saying it is the best-positioned company to extract the maximum benefit for Namibian farmers. By the end of June Meatco had already filled 56% of its annual quota of 1 200 tons. The company said the additional quota would go a long way in supporting producer prices in this drought year. “The allocation has come at just the right time for us to produce and ship the product before 24 October so that the 2016 quota is used before the end of December,” it said. Meatco thanked the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development and the Meat Board of Namibia for granting it this much-needed quota. It reassured the government and the Meat Board that it would fully utilise the quota allocated to Namibia this year.
“Meatco is aware of the potential implication if Namibia is not able to fully utilise the quota, as it places the government in a difficult position to request a quota expansion in future if we cannot fill the current allocation of 1 600 tons,” the company said.

ELLANIE SMIT

Water sector to be capacitated with experts

The joint management committee of the Namibia and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) water support project has officially been inaugurated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.
The inauguration of the committee follows after a meeting was held at the end of last month during which it was highlighted that the project lacked implementation due to the absence of a memorandum of understanding.
The resolutions from the meeting said the parties reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the project as part of the roadmap agreed upon in 2011.
The meeting also endorsed the project framework document, agreed to accelerate its implementation and approved the composition of the joint management committee.
The project came about following the severe floods Namibia experienced between 2008 and 2011, which saw thousands of people displaced due to their homes being submerged.
Some of the objectives of the project are capacitating young experts, water professionals and practitioners within the programme at an early stage, and to establish a national platform for water security, involving universities.
It will also develop a long-term integrated flood and drought management plan for the Cuvelai-Etosha basin.
The government will need approximately N$75 million for the next five years to develop a long-term water support project for the northern regions. Government already availed N$10 million to develop a masters degree programmes at the University of Namibia (Unam) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) to build staff capacity to effectively manage recurring natural disasters
Minister of agriculture John Mutorwa this week said that the committee will literally take the leadership role to practically ensure the implementation of the project.
He said that Namibia has in the past and in the present suffered a series of hydrological extremes such as droughts and floods.
“Needless to say the mentioned extremes do affect the country’s economy, the livelihoods of people and the country’s biodiversity quite negatively.”
According to Mutorwa the government therefore asked for support from the agency’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP), after the flooding in the northern and north-eastern parts of the country in 2011, to assist with strengthening the water sector.
According to him IHP directly addresses critical areas such as water research, water resources management and education and capacity building.
Mutorwa further explained that the water project will be implemented by the government through the agricultural ministry and the University of Namibia and Namibia University of Science and Technology. The two universities will be involved in education, training and capacity building.
Furthermore the ministry of Mines and Energy and its geological survey directorate will be involved in the ground water component of the project.
The Office of the Prime Minister through the directorate of disaster risk management will be involved in the flood and drought risk management plans and mitigation measures.
He further said that the overall project development will be supervised by a scientific advisory board still to be established.

ELLANIE SMIT

US vote race tightens The first of three presidential debates that are expected to be the most watched moments of the election is just three weeks away. Clinton, Trump kick off their race to election finish

Rivals Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump sprinted out of the campaign blocks Monday to begin their two-month dash to the US presidential election, descending on Ohio as ground zero of their 2016 battle.
The candidates used Labour Day - the traditional launch of the home stretch of the presidential campaign - to push their arguments that they would be best for working-class Americans.
Democrat Clinton maintains an edge over Trump in national polls, has dramatically deeper ground operations in swing states, and trounced Trump in August fundraising.
But the Republican flagbearer’s unorthodox White House bid, including his campaign’s apparent imperviousness to criticism about his harsh rhetoric, assures a tight contest for the next 64 days.
“I’m not taking anybody, anywhere for granted,” Clinton told a crowd of more than 1 000 at a picnic in Cleveland.
Highlighting the intensity of the fight for battleground states like Ohio, Trump was already on the ground in Cleveland for his own campaign events when Clinton landed, their planes parking about two football fields apart on the tarmac.
“I’m ready. I’m more than ready,” she said of the intense two-month battle ahead as she attempts to become the first female US commander in chief.
But after a few days of rest from campaigning, Clinton coughed her way through portions of her Cleveland remarks.
Suffering one of her worst coughing bouts of the race, she paused to sip water, her voice reduced to a crackling whisper at times.
That’s sure to fuel critics’ claims that Clinton, 68, has serious health problems. Clinton dismissed such “conspiracy theories,” saying her coughing was just from seasonal allergies.
Clinton debuted her new campaign plane - with the slogan “Stronger Together” emblazoned on the side - and brought the press corps aboard her jet for the first time.
Under extensive criticism from her rival and journalists for not holding a full press conference in nine months, she answered questions for more than 22 minutes on several topics, including tensions with Russia over accusations of cyber-espionage.
Clinton expressed “grave” concern about reports that Russia has been interfering in the US electoral process through invasive cyber-attacks on the Democratic Party and an apparent attack on voter registration systems in Arizona.
And she implied Moscow was trying to help get Trump elected.
“I think it’s quite intriguing that this activity has happened around the time Trump became the nominee,” she said.
On Monday, Trump followed Clinton’s lead, inviting some journalists aboard his private jet where he discussed his immigration platform.
Just a week after traveling to Mexico for his first international trip as the nominee, and then returning across the US border to deliver a nativist immigration speech, he assailed Clinton for having “no plan” on immigration.
“What her real plan is, she has total amnesty” and a pathway to citizenship, he said, reiterating his opposition to such a legalization process without undocumented immigrants leaving the country first.
Under Clinton, “people can pour across the border and it doesn’t matter who the people are.”
Clinton shot back by recalling Trump’s meeting with Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto and their clash over Trump’s plan to have Mexico pay for a border wall.
Trump “can’t even go to a friendly foreign country without getting into a fight,” she said during a campaign stop in Hampton, Illinois.
Trump, who visited a Cleveland diner to meet with union members, is seeking to capitalize on simmering frustration among blue-collar workers over jobs and wages.

NAMPA/AFP

Gabon’s justice minister resignsThe country had previously enjoyed relative political stability, mainly because former colonial power France helped Omar Bongo rule for 41 years. Opposition leader Ping calls for strike

Gabon’s justice minister resigned on Monday, in the first high-level defection after days of violence following incumbent Ali Bongo’s disputed re-election, as the opposition leader called for a general strike to “topple the tyrant”.
Despite Jean Ping’s appeal for an economic blockage, the centre of the capital Libreville was its usual bustling self on Monday as France said several of its dual citizens were “unaccounted for” following clashes and mass arrests.
After being shuttered for days over the post-election violence, banks and shops were re-opened in the seaside city and taxis were returning to the streets.
According to an AFP count, post-election chaos has claimed at least seven lives in the oil-rich central African nation, ruled by the Bongo family since 1967.
Gabonese authorities, however, said Monday the toll was three killed and 105 wounded, with the government saying some deaths had previously been incorrectly attributed to the clashes.
Bongo’s rival Ping, a veteran diplomat who has held a top African Union job and served as foreign minister, has vowed to challenge the election results.
“We cannot accept that our people will be killed like animals without reacting,” Ping said on Facebook.
“I propose to cease all activity and begin a general strike,” he wrote.
“We must use all means of resistance to topple this tyrant and believe me, he is on the verge of falling.”
Bongo was declared victorious by a razor-thin margin of just under 6 000 votes, but Ping has insisted the vote was rigged and on Friday claimed victory for himself.
In the first high-level defection since the vote, Justice Minister and second deputy prime minister Seraphin Moundounga on Monday announced his resignation and demanded “a recount of the votes, polling station by polling station, and registry by registry”.
Ping too is calling for a recount -- something the Gabonese authorities have so far refused to do. Speculation has mounted that he could launch an appeal for a recount at the Constitutional Court.
Ping’s supporters say fraud was rampant, notably in the Bongo fiefdom of Haut-Ogooue in the east.
It is one of the country’s nine provinces and turnout there, according to official figures, crossed 99 percent with 95 percent voting for the president.
Meanwhile, a high-level African Union delegation including “African heads of state” is ready to be dispatched to Libreville to help calm the situation, AU chairman and Chad President Idriss Deby said.
The violence after the announcement of the results on Wednesday has sparked international concern with top diplomats calling for restraint as rights groups raised alarm over the use of excessive force.
Some 800 people have been arrested in recent days in the capital, with the authorities accusing them of looting, while lawyers say they are being held in “deplorable” conditions.
“Arrests have been carried out in recent days. Several French compatriots are unaccounted for,” according to a statement from French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.
They are believed to be roughly 10 dual French-Gabonese nationals who cannot be located, according to a diplomatic source.
Anxious family members crowded before the court house in Libreville, hoping to catch a glimpse of loved ones missing since the rioting.
Several prisoners on Monday told AFP they had been beaten, denied food and water or questioned harshly by authorities.
NAMPA/AFP

Obama cancels Duterte showdown over ‘whore’ slur

US President Barack Obama cancelled a meeting with foul-mouthed Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte yesterday at a regional summit after being branded a “son of a whore” who would wallow like a pig.
The pair were due to meet in the Lao capital of Vientiane at a gathering organised by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, an annual event meant to foster harmony but which often highlights regional rows.
This year’s edition was launched with a spectacular fallout between the United States and the Philippines, longtime allies that have seen relations plunge under a barrage of insults from Duterte since he came to office on June 30.
Obama’s aides announced that his planned meeting with Duterte yesterday afternoon had been called off following a fresh tirade by the Filipino leader the previous day.
Shortly before flying to Vientiane, Duterte warned he would not be lectured by Obama over a war on crime in the Philippines that has claimed more than 2 400 lives in just over two months.
“You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum,” Duterte told reporters when asked about his message for Obama.
Duterte, who has quickly earned a global reputation for his acid-tongue, then used typically colourful language to describe their planned meeting if rights issues came up.
“We will be wallowing in the mud like pigs if you do that to me,” he said.
Duterte had previously also branded the US ambassador to Manila a “gay son of a whore”, and sought to taint the reputation of Pope Francis’s mother in similar fashion.
Duterte was elected to office in a landslide this year after pledging to kill 100 000 people in an unprecedented war on crime.
When faced with criticisms over an apparent spate of extrajudicial killings in his crime war by the United Nations, he responded with what has become familiar abuse.
“Maybe we’ll just have to decide to separate from the United Nations. If you are that disrespectful, son of a whore, then I will just leave you,” he said last month.
But faced with the Obama backlash on Tuesday, Duterte offered a rare moment of contrition, albeit qualified.
“While the immediate cause was my strong comments to certain press questions that elicited concern and distress, we also regret that it came across as a personal attack on the US President,” he said in a statement.
The setback in US-Philippine relations comes at a crucial time in the region, with China seeking to cement control over the contested South China Sea.

NAMPA/AFP

Expose the looters Public procurement in Namibia remains vulnerable to corruption with certain firms getting tenders on the basis of bribery, connections or simply by virtue of officials holding simultaneous business interests elsewhere. When finance minister Calle Schlettwein tabled the reviewed Public Procurement Bill in the National Assembly last year, he emphasised that the new document provided a fresh perspective on the way procurement is currently handled in government. Although the new Act opens up participation in the procurement system to SMEs and previously disadvantaged persons, including women, there are a lot of discrepancies within the system that must be addressed urgently. Yes, we have fought tooth and nail for a system that promotes integrity and fairness in public procurement procedures and also to increase transparency and accountability. However, there are fears that public procurement is becoming a source of easy money for unscrupulous public officials who exploit flaws in the existing laws, leading to the looting of the public purse. Our story yesterday about the Ministry of Works and Transport’s decision to invite tenders for the procurement and delivery of rails has raised eyebrows with experts, who question why government is not sourcing rails from an accredited manufacturer and instead prefers to do so via a third party. The three tenders that went out to supply 60 000 tons of rail for the railway sections from Walvis Bay to Kranzberg, Kranzberg to Otjiwarongo, and Otjiwarongo to Tsumeb is reportedly worth a combined N$1.5 billion, rails which will inevitably take 10 years to lay. This is big money considering the deepening financial crisis government reportedly faces. Where will the money come from to buy these massive amounts of rail? It clearly defies logic as to why government is rushing the purchase of large quantities of rails under a very questionable and dubious cloak-and-dagger arrangement. Government must be wary of these unscrupulous elements that are blatantly looting the public purse for their own benefit only. It is high time that these types of tenders are properly evaluated to avoid the embezzlement of public funds through shady tender deals by greedy people.

Informal settlers want ‘Harambee’The Okahandja Park residents staked their claims to pieces of land that they plan to occupy illegally. Tired of renting and can’t wait on government

More than 300 residents of the Okahandja Park informal settlement started clearing land illegally on Monday, saying they are tired of waiting for “Harambee”.
The Harambee Prosperity Plan is the brainchild of President Hage Geingob. After he took office in March last year he announced the targeted plan which is supposed to accelerate development and improve access to serviced land, among other interventions.
On Monday afternoon the group staked their claims to pieces of land that they plan to occupy illegally.
Although observed by the City Police, the group insisted that they would not move from there until the government starts delivering on “empty promises” made during last year’s election campaign.
A spokesperson for the group, Mbenda Immanuel, said they are tired of renting, and can no longer wait on the government.
“We do not even have electricity and water; we must walk long distances to get water and we don’t have toilets here. The women living here are risking their lives when they go to the bush for toilet,” he said.
He added that the shacks they are living in are bunched together, which means if one catches fire it spreads to all the others.
“We are doing this to show them that we need the land. That Harambee they are talking about, we want it to come here. If the rich people come then they have it ready but the poor man must always wait,” said Immanuel.
Another settler, Manuel Crespo, said the lack of ventilation in the shacks contributes to the spread of tuberculosis (TB).

Feedback
Windhoek Mayor Muesee Kazapua said he feels sorry for those living in informal settlements.
“I am not denying that they are not faced with challenges but we have already started addressing this shortage of land when we launched the massive urban land servicing in the Goreangab area,” he said.
He pointed out, though, that the government does not have enough resources, therefore the City of Windhoek is trying to see how it can speed up the delivery of serviced land.
“We are now looking at implementing the spatial development framework to formulate information in order to address these issues. This will allow us to fast-track the servicing of land and to address the issues of sanitation,” he said.
JEMIMA BEUKES

Manwu wants unsafe companies blacklisted

The Metal and Allied Workers Union says companies that violate occupational safety and health (OSH) standards at the workplace should be blacklisted and not awarded tenders.
This was one of the points discussed during the Manwu national congress held from 24 to 27 August.
According to Manwu the congress noted that there are several areas of the Labour Act that need to be improved to protect workers’ rights.
The union said health and safety standards and penalties for non-compliance should be stipulated in the Labour Act to protect workers.
Furthermore the union said that a national minimum wage of N$20 an hour should be introduced in Namibia.
According to the union workers should be reinstated promptly after winning cases of unfair dismissal.
It suggested that the labour commissioner’s office should speed up the handing of cases in order to prevent hardship for the workers involved.
On another topic the congress noted that there has been an increase in union rivalry.
The union said this is caused by the interference of former union leaders in the affairs of unions, and the formation of rival unions by former union leaders.
It said division among workers and union leaders is fuelled by disrespect, favouritism, lack of communication, and the spreading of lies and rumours.
The congress resolved that shop stewards must receive training that include the political and historical background of the union and be trained as facilitators to educate their co-workers.
It was also resolved that the union must focus on the interests of workers and not use leadership positions for political or business gains.
The congress noted that there is a lack of trust in the union’s branches and that workers are unhappy with the lack of urgency when dealing with problems brought to the organisers.
The congress elected Angula Angula as president and Ingrid April as vice-president of the union. Thompson Mate was elected as treasurer, Hilly Shamulele as deputy treasurer, and Cecilia Kamburu as national secretary. Richard Isaaks was elected as deputy national secretary, Justina Jonas-Emvula as general secretary and Enwich Kazonda as deputy general secretary.

ELLANIE SMIT

Murder confession is admissible evidence The Windhoek High Court has ruled that indications made by a murder accused during investigations into the killing of an 18-year-old woman in 2012 are admissible evidence in the trial.
Moses Ndiiweda Puleni is on trial for the murder of Paulina Nghidinitango and appeared before Judge Nate Ndauendapo this week. The state had argued that Puleni willingly showed the police where he had put the money and other items that he took when he allegedly robbed a shebeen in Albert Conradie Street, Katutura on the day he murdered Nghidinitango.
The court further declared that the confession made by the accused, before the Magistrate’s Court on 5 January 2012, was also admissible as evidence that will be used against him.
Ndauendapo said he will deliver the judgment at the end of the trial and the reasons for his ruling in the trial-within-a trial where Puleni was disputing a confession he made at the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in January 2012.
Puleni maintained that he was coerced to make the confession following threats of violence by the police officers investigating his case.
According to Puleni, he made the confession out of fear for his life after threats made by the police.
During the trial-within-a-trial, magistrate Johannes Shuuveni told the court that he did not observe any uneasiness or fear when he recorded the statement.
According to evidence given by the magistrate, the accused was adamant that he wanted to make a confession to a magistrate despite having made one to a police officer. Shuuveni said Puleni appeared to be in his sound and sober senses and he acted normal and he was relaxed.
Shuuveni informed the court that Puleni was repeatedly asked whether he was coerced or threatened in any way to make the confession and he answered ‘no’.
However, the defence lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji was adamant that his client was not adequately informed of his legal right not to incriminate himself.
Puleni had pleaded not guilty to the murder, rape and robbery with aggravating circumstances charges when his trial started in the Windhoek High Court almost a year ago.
According to the state, Puleni was with Nghidinitango at a shebeen in Katutura on 31 December 2011 when he attacked her and bound her with pieces of cable or wire. It is alleged that he proceeded to rape her and he killed her by either strangling her or using a piece of wire or by smothering her with a towel.
It is further alleged that he robbed the shebeen of N$69 000, and allegedly stole two cellphones, a pair of spectacles, three wallets, an unknown amount of liquor, and cigarettes, MTC recharge vouchers, two bundles of keys and two identity documents belonging to Josef Siwombe and Matine Siwombe.
Puleni was arrested three days after the gruesome discovery was made at Damara location in Katutura.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Tread with caution Namibian snake expert and catcher Francois Theart educates readers about how to deal with snakes. Tips for avoiding snakebite this season

As winter ends and the hot weather returns Namibia’s snakes re-emerge after having gone underground during the colder months.
With the ongoing drought in Namibia, the chances of encountering snakes are more likely than usual, according to Namibian snake expert and catcher Francois Theart.
“There is no food or water in the bush, which causes rodents, the main prey of snakes, to move towards human habitat. The snakes follow their prey and this is where the conflict starts.”
However, by following a list of basic tips shared by Theart, and keeping up to date by joining the ‘Snakes of Namibia’ Facebook group, these encounters can be overcome with the minimum of fuss.
Theart and other snake experts are on standby around the clock to catch them in towns and take them back to the veld where they belong.
“Whether we like it or not, snakes are very important to us as they help maintain a healthy balance in the ecosystem,” Theart explains. Moreover, snake venom has played a critical role in the development of a number of medicines.
“Without these misunderstood animals, we might never find a cure for many diseases. It is therefore very important that we conserve these magnificent animals.”

AVOID, AVOID, AVOID

Theart advises that there are no effective snake repellents, but by avoiding certain places that offer suitable hiding places for snakes, encounters can be kept to a minimum.
These include being careful around, or avoiding, places where building materials such as bricks, pipes and roofing sheets are stacked.
Furthermore, avoid compost heaps, rockeries, aviaries, chicken coops, fish ponds and loose rocks, or remain alert as they may provide a source of food or hiding spots for snakes.
Theart says animal feed should be stored in rat-proof containers. “Where there are rats, there are going to be snakes,” he warns.
Keeping doors shut and sealing any cracks or holes through which a snake can enter serve as basic snake-proofing of a building.

SNAKE ALERT

In case a snake is encountered, Theart says the main thing is not to try to kill the snake, as that may result in a bite.
He advises that when encountering a snake, it is best to call professional snake handlers, whose contact details are available on the Facebook site ‘Snakes of Namibia’.
“It is normal to kill snakes out of fear or misunderstanding, however about 50% if all snakebites occur when people try to catch or kill the snake. It is safer for the person and the animal to call in a professional.”
He adds that the best response when you meet a snake is to keep calm. “Stand absolutely still, as most snakes will flee immediately. If the snake stands its ground, however, retreat slowly.”

FALSE MYTHS

Theart says one of the most common false myths about snakes is that they chase people.
“In my ten years of catching some of Africa’s deadliest, including black mambas, I have never been chased by a snake. Most snakes will try to get away when encountered and will only defend themselves when they feel threatened.”
Another myth is that snakes have nests. It is also untrue that snakes travel in pairs, and if one is seen, another must be nearby.
“This is not true. Snakes are loners and will only be seen together during mating season.”
Theart has listed a number of simple steps to take in order to avoid snakebites.

STAY ALERT

These include wearing proper clothing when walking in the veld, including long trousers and boots, using a flashlight when walking at night and avoiding long grass.
He says that simply staying alert and watching your step when walking over loose rocks and logs could avoid unfortunate encounters.
When collecting firewood at dusk or at night, be very careful.
Importantly, “do not pick up any snake, no matter how harmless it may seem … do not pick up what appears to be a dead snake, as some venomous species fake death.”

FIRST AID

If, despite all precautions, a person does fall victim to snakebite, it is critical to keep the person calm and reassured, he says. If a hospital is within 40 minutes’ drive from the scene, it is critical not to waste time with first aid but rather rush them to the health centre.
Basic first-aid tips include removing all jewellery and tight clothing, laying the person down and keeping them as still as possible. Elevate the affected limb and transport them to the nearest hospital.
“Pressure bandages should only be applied to black mamba, cape cobra and anchietas cobra bites,” he emphasises.
There are four big no-no’s when it comes to snakebites.
Do not cut or suck, apply a tourniquet, apply ice or give the victim alcohol or inject anti-venom as a first-aid measure.
If a person gets snake venom in the eye, quickly rinse it out with running water for about 10 to 15 minutes and avoid rubbing the eyes.
Should anyone in Windhoek encounter a snake, contact Theart at 081 290 0343 or join the Facebook page for numbers of snake catchers elsewhere the country.
JANA-MARI SMITH

Rehoboth residents threaten faeces attack

About 100 Rehoboth residents took to the streets yesterday morning to protest alleged poor service delivery and corruption in the Rehoboth town council.
The protest was organised by Lukas de Klerk of the DTA’s Rehoboth branch. Also present were DTA secretary-general Manuel Ngaringombe and national chairperson Jennifer van den Heever.
Speaking during the handing over of a petition to Rehoboth Mayor Christina Blaauw, De Klerk said basic services such as water are a human right.
“Not paying the water bill and purchasing a new Fortuner (bakkie) worth N$700 000 are not acceptable. Instead of paying their bills, the council members splash the cash on luxuries,” he fumed.
De Klerk was referring to the disconnection of the town’s water supply two weeks ago.
He said the minister of urban and rural development should investigate the council’s financial and administrative affairs.
The DTA gave the council 14 days to respond to the petition.
“If they decide not to implement what is in the petition then we will bring buckets of human waste and throw it in their offices. I therefore appeal to the minister to respond to this petition in writing within 14 working days; no later than 26 September,” De Klerk said.
Ngaringombe said the protest was not politically motivated.
“We are only sympathising with them [residents] to fight for their basic rights such as water and electricity,” he said.
Ngaringombe said the town council’s books should be transparent. He questioned where the council got the N$6.3 million that it paid NamWater to reconnect the town’s water.
One of the petitioners, Alfred Bock, said their grievances are not only about water, but also the laxity of the council’s administrators.
“All of them in their luxury offices should be removed and competent people be appointed to serve the residents of Rehoboth. We are tired of lies,” said Bock.
After receiving the petition, Mayor Blaauw said protests and marches are not the only platforms to address issues and urged residents to make use of monthly council meetings to raise concerns.
“The council is aware of issues raised in the petition, thus a proper platform should be used to raise these types of issues. The petition will be submitted to the council in terms of the governing act. The resolutions taken from the petition will be revealed to the community,” she said.
Asked where the N$6.3 million came from to reconnect the water supply and the N$700 000 for the mayor’s car, municipal spokesman Jeffrey Kasupi said the council has different types of accounts to get money from.
“The investment accounts, call accounts and recurring accounts can be used to source funds and pay bills. The car was bought on hire purchase, so the allegations are devoid of any truth,” Kasupi said.
NAMPA

Councillor wins interdict against Swapo

The High Court has granted an order interdicting Swapo from continuing with plans to swear in a new councillor at the Helao Nafidi town council.
Former Helao Nafidi councillor Ester Ndatala Nghidimbwa dragged the ruling party to court after Swapo failed to comply with an instruction from her lawyers to reverse its decision of removing her from the council.
Nghidimbwa was sworn in as councillor instead of another candidate, Lucia Nghililewanga, after the local authority elections held in November last year.
Nghidimbwa was not a candidate for the Helao Nafidi town council but instead a candidate for the regional council election in the Oshikango district. Nghililewanga complained and asked the Swapo leadership why she had been replaced.
The reason given for her removal was to equally divide the number of seats won by Swapo among the three districts, a decision which was taken at a regional level. Swapo won six seats in the Helao Nafidi council.
Last month Swapo ordered Nghidimbwa’s removal after discovering that she was in fact a candidate for the regional council election and not for the local authority election.
The respondents included the Swapo Party, the Swapo secretary-general, the Helao Nafidi town council, Helao Nafidi Mayor Eliaser Nghipangelwa, Nghililewanga and the ECN.
“The decision by Mbumba was made without a fair process being followed. I was not heard, nor was I given an opportunity to cross-examine or call witnesses before the decision was made,” Nghidimbwa argued.
Judge Hosea Angula, who presided over the urgent application, postponed the matter to 12 September.

FRED GOEIEMAN

Schlettwein accepts Fitch’s negative stanceThe government under-estimated the threats to the Namibian economy, the finance minister has acknowledged after an alarming review by Fitch''s ratings agency. Entering the age of ‘less with more’

Rating agency Fitch’s dampened opinion on whether Namibia can comfortably honour its debts was not entirely unexpected.
Although efforts to address the issues highlighted are already under way, Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein yesterday acknowledged that the country may have underestimated the impact some of these have had.
At a press briefing in Windhoek, Schlettwein acknowledged the Fitch findings, the most standout of which was a revised outlook from “stable” to “negative”, as objectively obtained and reflective of the situation on the ground.
He maintained, however, that Fitch’s overall assessment, whether on the domestic, regional or international market, remained positively in the realm of investment grade, unchanged since the country started dealing with rating agencies back in 2005.
“It is important to note that Namibia has voluntarily decided to subject its economy to international credit rating agencies,” the minister said.
“It is a necessity when trading on the open market to have your trustworthiness objectively evaluated.”
Namibia approached Fitch back in 2005, and later approached Moody’s for an additional credit rating opinion.
Fitch’s most recent opinion, issued on Friday, follows a mission by the agency to Namibia on 3 and 4 August 2016, Schlettwein said.
“I think one can fairly say the opinion expressed is based on a broad enough view to qualify as objective. We are satisfied that discussions held were broad based and many stakeholders were consulted,” he said.

Short of income
Key factors considered by Fitch in its opinion included Namibia’s budget deficit, which grew to 8.3% of GDP last year; an increase in government’s debt stock to 38.2% of GDP; and declining levels of international foreign reserves, to around 3.4 months of import cover.
Addressing these, Schlettwein said the government missed its target of a 5% budget deficit because it collected less revenue than it had budgeted.
This was mainly due to a drop in SACU revenue, sourced from tariffs charged on imports.
“The South African economy is the main contributor to the SACU revenue pool. So given a faster and more severe contraction of that economy, that contributed considerably to the shortfall,” Schlettwein said.
In terms of the domestic economy, he said the droughts of the last three years continued longer than expected and affected more industries than initially anticipated.
Another miscalculated risk was the global crash in commodity prices, Schlettwein said, which had further impact on the economy through its crippling of the Angolan economy.
“Our northern neighbour Angola is highly dependent on oil, and Angola is a major trading partner of ours,” he said.
Lower oil prices have resulted in Angola’s reserves being diminished, and by extension caused a standstill in trade between the two countries.
Besides hurting the trade of finished goods from Namibia to Angola, local businesses transporting these goods have also felt the impact, the minister said.

On top of it
Stressing government’s preparedness, Schlettwein said his Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) tabled in Parliament in February provided a basis for roping in expenditure, and was welcomed by Fitch in its statement.
The ministry is reviewing this year’s budget and the MTEF, he said, with specific proposals on spending cuts, including freezing and suspension of funds for recruitment in the civil service and non-priority development projects.
Furthermore, the ministry has had various engagements with banks and the domestic financial services sector on how to better leverage private funds for the use of domestic financing and infrastructure development.
“Through the spirit of openness and evidence-based policy, all proposals for intervention measures will be subjected to stakeholder consultations,” he said.
These, he said, would further inform compilation of the 2016 mid-year budget review, which he confirmed will be delivered at the end of October.

DENVER ISAACS

Struggle kids threaten return to WindhoekThe protesters staying at a Swapo plot north of Windhoek say they plan to return to the party headquarters in the city before the end of the week because they are being ignored. Mourn highway death of fellow protester

The struggle kids are mourning the loss of one of their group members who was run over on the B1 road outside Windhoek last week Friday.
Tomas Kondjeni, 31, was run over while crossing the road and will be buried in northern Namibia today.
The group say they have plans to march back to the Swapo headquarters in the city, but are not doing so out of respect for their recently deceased comrade.
“Kondjeni does not have a father or a mother, and therefore the MVA Fund refuses to assist in burying him and getting him back to the North. We plead with them, but no one is responding, and all of this just because he is an orphan,” group spokesperson, Jerry Hamukwaya claimed yesterday.
The struggle kids also blamed Swapo for not helping with Kondjeni’s burial.
“Swapo could have made one call and have had MVA provide a dignified funeral for our brother. We are not alright with the kind of treatment, even in death,” said another group spokesperson, Frans Otto.
According to the group’s representatives, Kondjeni’s uncles and aunts put together money to transport his body to the village for burial.
“We don’t really know all the details, but one of the guys here are talking to the family members and they said that they are tired of waiting for government to do something. They are scared he will rot in the mortuary so they are taking their brother and sister’s child to go bury him,” Hamukwaya said.
They said after the funeral they plan on heading back to the Swapo headquarters in Windhoek before the end of the week to hear what has happened to the promises made to them in June by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
“After our brother is laid to rest, we are going to be mobilising and sending a team to the Swapo headquarters to hear when they are going to give us the jobs that the prime minister promised us when she met with our representatives some months ago,” Otto said.
Hamukwaya said a month has passed since Swapo lawyer Dirk Conradie served them with an eviction order on behalf of Kalahari Holdings, who owns the Brakwater plot where they are staying.
The group then promised Conradie that they would no longer block public roads and be a “public nuisance” if they were allowed to stay at the plot.
“We have been calm and quiet because we were told to be. Now we have waited a month and still nothing has happened, and not even Conradie has reverted back to us about the demands that we made, and the promises he made to us with his own mouth,” Hamukwaya said.
“Nothing has happened since that meeting, or our meeting with Conradie. Swapo cannot even provide transport for us to go and bury Kondjeni, yet they said they would and have not since reverted back to us. There are a lot of empty promises that are just not being dealt with, and we can only take so much silence,” said Hamukwaya.

KEITH VRIES

Taxi drivers threaten to strike

A looming strike is threatening the country’s taxi industry due to several pertinent issues that taxi drivers want to be addressed immediately.
On 20 September taxi drivers will embark on demonstrations, immediately followed by a national strike, if the relevant authorities are not forthcoming with feedback on issues raised by the taxi drivers.
The strike will start in Windhoek, from where it will then spread to the regions.
According to the Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) the current conditions of employment for taxi drivers are undesirable and tantamount to forced or slave labour and therefore they demand that their human dignity be restored.
The union said that taxi driving is not seen as a dignified job and as a result they are treated harshly and inhumanely.
The union said it wants taxi and bus drivers to be recognised and regarded as employees in order to start engaging employers in the industry on issues seriously affecting their employees.
These include the provision of social protection to all drivers as well as the introduction of a basic salary in the industry and an increase in their salary, which the union says will be a good start to attain a sustainable standard of living.
Furthermore the union said the behaviour of law-enforcement agents towards taxi drivers need to change, as their current attitude is undesirable and the protection of taxi drivers’ rights as workers in the industry must also be addressed.
The union also demanded that enough taxi ranks be established and, where necessary, pavements be lowered.
The union said if the government fails to address this concern the taxi drivers have decided to lower pavements themselves.
Another point of concern is foreigners driving taxis, which they claim contravenes several laws, and they threatened that if these foreigners are found operating during the strike they might find themselves regretting that decision.

The union also implored the police to issue the maximum fines to those operating without the relevant driving documents and to arrest foreigners immediately and deport them.
“They are acting against the laws of this country by taking up employment without proper authorisation and working in an industry prohibited by the laws of Namibia as these are reserved for Namibians only.”
The union implored the government to expedite the process on implementing new regulations for the public transport sector.
The union will hold another meeting with its members on Sunday to finalise arrangements for the strike.

ELLANIE SMIT

Bomb threat a nasty hoax

A handwritten bomb threat left in the men’s bathroom of a popular Windhoek gym on Monday led to the evacuation of about 200 members until a security sweep found the premises safe later that night.
The police yesterday warned that bomb threats are taken very seriously and will be investigated. Nobody had been arrested in connection with the threat by yesterday afternoon.
The note, written on a sheaf of toilet paper, was found by a gym employee on Monday afternoon, the police said yesterday.
The note read: “I planted a bom in this gym. 5 Sept 2016. C you on the other side lossor [sic].”
While experts say lifting fingerprints from tissue paper is close to impossible, handwriting analysis is being done in an effort to identify the culprit.
A police spokesperson, Inspector Slogan Matheus, said the note was discovered shortly after 16:00 on Monday and was immediately handed to management.
He said the gym’s management sprang into action and promptly evacuated the facility. Police and emergency personnel were notified shortly afterwards, including the fire brigade, private emergency services and the police’s explosives unit.
Four explosives sniffer dogs were dispatched to help search the gym.
During the search, a licensed firearm and a passport were discovered in the bag of an unnamed gym member.

“He was interviewed by the police, and we could not establish any link between the patron and the note. The firearm was handed back to him and police investigations into the matter continue,” Matheus told the media yesterday.
The police dismissed rumours that drugs were found in another member’s bag during the search.
Several gym members were stranded outside the gym for at least three hours while the security sweep was under way, unable to get hold of their car or house keys and phones kept in their gym bags.
Matheus said NamPol was “not pleased with the behaviour of some of the gym patrons”, who ignored warnings to step away from the premises during the search.
“People should not stand or stray around the bomb area, and should move away as far away as possible to avoid any injury to themselves or damage to their property in the event of an explosion,” he said.
JANA-MARI SMITH

Opposition backs teachersAmid a strike ballot by teachers in the public service, two opposition parties are pleading for presidential intervention to solve a pay dispute that will cripple schools during exam time. RDP, DTA plead with president to intervene

While teachers yesterday started voting on whether to embark on a nationwide strike, opposition parties have expressed their support and begged President Hage Geingob to urgently intervene before it is too late.
Teachers have until 15 September to vote in favour of a strike following government’s decision to offer them a 5% salary increase while they demanded 8%.
While the government has warned teachers that they will not be paid if they go on strike, it also promised that salaries will be increased by 7% during the next financial year (2017/18).
RDP president Jeremiah Nambinga this week pleaded with President Geingob to immediately solve the pay dispute and “rescue” thousands of school children who are preparing for their final exams.
He said the government has created a serious problem with regard to the salary structure in the public service.
According to him it is common knowledge that in Namibia people in critical professions such as teachers, nurses and even doctors are underpaid when compared to politicians.
Nambinga said the excuse that the government does not have enough money to raise teachers’ salaries is “most disturbing”, disrespectful and lacks integrity.
“Who will be convinced by such a cheap argument when at the same time the government is forcefully driving the construction of the new parliament that will cost billions of Namibian dollars, the upgrade of the Hosea Kutako International Airport and the new office of the prime minister,” Nambinga asked.
He said a lack of money is not a convincing argument for denying teachers their deserved salary increase while allowing “political projects” to benefit the elite.
Nambinga said the only viable option for the government is to increase salaries to a decent level and stop playing delaying tactics.
According to him the government has managed to create even deeper inequalities in the country instead of levelling the playing field.

DTA president McHenry Venaani said the government has lost sight of what the issue is really about; which is the value and dignity of teachers.
“This dispute is not about money, it’s not about percentages – it’s about the need to be valued, respected and treated with the dignity that is becoming of the people who shape the future of the Namibian child and our country,” the leader of the official opposition said.
According to Venaani the salary dispute is not about comparing increases for political office bearers to those for teachers, or demanding that money from planned capital projects be diverted to teachers’ salaries.
“If we value teachers, why are there teachers in the rural areas who are forced to live in corrugated iron shacks? Why are there teachers who have to walk many kilometres to fetch drinking water, cook on firewood and use the bush as toilets? If we value our teachers, why do we pay them wages that mean that the majority of them cannot afford decent housing?”
“And when the school pass rates are not what we expect, the first people blamed are the teachers,” he added.
“We are quick to call them lazy, unqualified, drunkards – the list goes on. But when teachers say that they cannot teach under tents and trees with no textbooks in classrooms of 40 or more pupils, do we listen? Do we care?” Venaani asked.
He said teachers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and they should not have to resort to a strike to be heard.
“We will all wake up and realise that while we bicker over percentages the people who will suffer most are the Namibian children. Is the government ready to be responsible for that?”
DTA member of parliament Elma Diena said as a former teacher and a parent who has children in a government school she is not only directly affected by the strike but she knows the conditions in which teachers have to work.
She said the cost of living is going up and for years teachers have asked for an increase but they have been ignored.

ELLANIE SMIT