April 22, 2024

Man allegedly assaulted to death over ‘witchcraft’

A 35-year-old farmer was arrested for murder at about 02h00 on Sunday at Graswerd farm in Dordabis.

In a weekend crime report issued by the Namibian Police Force, it is alleged that the suspect went to the 42-year-old victim’s room and accused him of bewitching him (the suspect).

‘It is further alleged that the suspect hit the victim with an iron bar on the head which resulted in the victim to fall down. The suspect allegedly grabbed another iron bar and brick and repeatedly hit the victim on the head until he died. The suspect allegedly tried to flee but was caught by other farm workers who called the police.’

The deceased was identified as Paulus Ndjamba and his next of kin have been informed.

Meanwhile, Jonas Tuhafeni Neonya, a member of the police’s Serious Crime Investigation Sub-Division died in a car accident on Saturday. It is alleged that Neonya was driving a silver Corolla Conquest on the main road between Okahao and Tsandi when he lost control over the vehicle, causing it to overturn. The incid
ent happened at about 21h50 at Ondelishana village in the Omusati Region.

Neonya was rushed to the Okahao State Hospital, where he was declared dead. His next of kin are informed.

In another case, a 24-year-old man was arrested on charges of kidnapping, rape and assault by threatening of a 27-year-old woman in Karibib. The incident allegedly occurred at 01h00 on Friday, about 1km from Karibib town towards the Navachab gold mine.

‘It is alleged that the suspect and the victim had met for the first time the same day at 11h00 and exchanged cellphone numbers. Later at about 22h00, the suspect phoned the victim and met at a service station where the victim entered the suspect’s car and they drove away. The suspect allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim without consent and threatened to kill her.’

Police investigations continue in all cases.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

April 22, 2024

Youth voices crucial in setting policies: Nghoshi

The youth has been strongly encouraged to participate in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Elections, as their voices are crucial.

In a recent interview with Nampa, Serron Nghoshi, a youth activist and regional coordinator for the Erongo Youth Forum, emphasised the importance of youth engagement in these elections, stressing that their involvement is not just beneficial but essential for the health and progress of democracy.

Nghoshi noted that the youth’s role in shaping the future of the fast-paced world of 21st-century politics, where the dynamics of governance, society, and technology are in constant flux cannot be overstated.

‘As the country gears up for upcoming presidential elections, the spotlight turns to the younger generations, whose participation could decisively influence the direction of the country.

Globally, the youth population is sizeable, with individuals under the age of 30 constituting a significant portion of the electorate in many countries and despite their numbers and potential influe
nce, young people’s voting rates often lag behind those of older demographics,’ he lamented.

The coordinator expressed that bridging this gap is crucial, as their active participation has the power to sway election outcomes and set policy priorities, adding that young voters are directly affected by a broad range of policy issues, from education, employment, healthcare and climate change.

Additionally, he noted that the youth’s engagement in presidential elections is a powerful tool to ensure that their perspectives and needs are represented in the national agenda and politicians are more likely to address the issues that matter to young voters if they know that this demographic is paying attention and willing to hold them accountable at the ballot box.

‘There is therefore a need to make efforts to educate young people about the importance of their vote, simplify the voting process, and make politics more accessible and relevant. This can empower this demographic to play a more active role in their democra
cy,’ Nghoshi advised.

Namibia’s seventh Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for the 27th of November 2024, with the electoral calendar launched on 07 March 2024 with the General Registration of Voters to take place countrywide and at Namibia Diplomatic Missions from the 03 June to 01 August 2024.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

April 22, 2024

Police officer in failed suicide attempt remanded in custody at Keetmanshoop

The 37-year-old police officer who allegedly set a police vehicle on fire in an attempt to commit suicide on Saturday was denied bail in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The accused, Uakauta Japuhua, made his first court appearance before Magistrate Erich Dandu, who denied him bail and postponed the case to 18 June 2024 for further police investigations.

The magistrate advised the accused to file a formal bail application if he wished to be released on bail.

During the court hearing on Monday, Japuhua indicated that he will seek private legal representation.

The state was represented by Iyaloo Haipinge.

Japuhua faces a charge of malicious damage to property and he was remanded in custody at the Keetmanshoop police holding cell until his next court appearance.

It is alleged that the accused drove the police vehicle into the field and set it on fire with the intention to commit suicide.

The incident took place on Saturday between 04h00 and 06h00 in the Industrier residential area in the sou
thern town.

The police alleged that Japuhua was agitated when he found his girlfriend kissing another man, which caused an argument to erupt between them, the accused then opted to commit suicide

‘The member went into the vehicle, closed the doors, rolled up the windows and after he felt the heat of the flames, he got out and tried to extinguish the burning vehicle,’ said the Namibian Police Force in its crime report

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

April 22, 2024

Media crucial in shaping public perception: Kaulinge

The media plays an important role in moulding public opinions and influencing both corporations and the Namibian society as a whole.

Selma Kaulinge, Communications and PR Manager at Nedbank Namibia, made this statement at the fourth annual Nedbank Women in Media conference in Windhoek on Saturday, which was themed ‘Bringing together diverse voices’.

Kaulinge stated that supporting initiatives such as Women in Media helps to develop and improve the media sector as a whole.

The conference provided an opportunity to connect with and learn from like-minded trailblazing females in Namibia’s media industry, as well as to facilitate a platform for discussing how women in the media industry deal with gender disparities in leadership, mental health, and representation.

Several speakers advocated for a shift towards inclusive storytelling that depicts women’s lives in a nuanced, safe, and representative manner, while award-winning journalist Shelleygan Petersen discussed policy gaps that endanger the safety of fema
le journalists in the newsroom and how these policies should be implemented properly.

‘Many of my colleagues have left the profession because they prioritised their mental health over their passion for the job, which should never be the case. Your mental health should not come at the expense of your title or organisation,’ Petersen stated.

Throughout the conference, emphasis was put on the need of mentorship schemes in nurturing the next generation of female media workers and ensuring their sustained success and well-being in a competitive environment.

Through collaboration and collaborative action, delegates reiterated their commitment to driving good change and moving the needle forward for gender parity in the media sector.

Sylvia Mundjindi of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung delivered a keynote address emphasising the need of the media industry ensuring safe spaces for women in the workplace.

Selma Ikela, a news editor, highlighted how to handle Namibian concerns through storytelling, while Elzita Beukes
and Eva Rakel delivered compelling lectures on entertainment as a catalyst for women’s empowerment and a worldwide view on the media landscape, respectively.

The curtain closer of the event, a panel discussion on the contribution of corporate PR to the media landscape, opened the floor to insightful ideas from experts including Hilaria Graig, Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager at the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, Helena Mootseng, Public and Corporate Affairs Manager at Namibia Diamond Trading Company, and Katrina Sikeni, Manager for Stakeholder Engagement at the Government Institutions Pension Fund.

This year’s Nedbank Women in Media conference provided the platform for building new networks, opening up a safe space for tackling difficult dialogues and encouraging constructive conversations.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

April 22, 2024

Capricorn gets IFC edge advanced green building certification

The Capricorn Corner building, which houses the Capricorn Group’s cutting-edge offices in Klein Windhoek, has received EDGE Advanced green building accreditation from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private sector arm.

The certification, presented by EDGE certification partner, Green Business Building Certification Inc (GBCI), marks the first internationally recognised operational building to be EDGE-certified in Namibia.

This achievement also preludes this year’s World Earth Day, highlighting Capricorn Group’s progress in environmental stewardship, Ruan Bestbier, Capricorn Group Head of Sustainability on Monday said.

He said that sustainability is central to the banks’ purpose and the group’s strategic imperatives, and achieving the EDGE Advanced certification supports its commitment to integrating sustainable practices and investing with responsibility.

‘The Capricorn Corner building excels in energy efficiency and reducing our environmental footprint, and it has also
significantly enriched the surrounding communities since its inception by generating employment opportunities, driving sustainable growth, and nurturing a culture oriented towards sustainability,’ Bestbier said.

An innovation of IFC, EDGE is an online platform, a green building standard and a certification system for more than 170 countries.

EDGE was created in response to the need for a measurable solution to prove the financial case for building green and help jumpstart the mainstreaming of green buildings, he noted.

Bestbier explained that EDGE empowers building professionals to quickly and easily determine the most cost-effective ways to build green based on occupant behaviour, building type and the local climate.

‘The Capricorn Corner office building was designed according to world-class standards to be future-proof, environmentally friendly and safe to meet the current needs of employees and the future workforce.’

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

April 22, 2024

Otjiwarongo operating without five top executives

OTJIWARONGO: The Otjiwarongo Municipality will as of Friday operate without substantive strategic executives including a chief executive officer (CEO) after all its top five executives have tendered their resignations or went on early retirement.

This is according to the Otjiwarongo Municipality chairperson of the management committee, Godhardt Hoko in an interview with Nampa on Monday, who revealed that the five executives left the municipality between March 2023 and April 2024.

The five vacancies include that of the CEO, strategic executive for finance, human resources, technical and community and economic development services.

‘These executives left the municipality not because there was hostility, but for their greener pastures or to attend to other callings in their lives.

For now, the municipality has a council resolution to have a substantive CEO be recruited first, and once hired, assist the municipality in recruiting the other four strategic executives,’ said Hoko.

The position of CEO is still v
acant since the departure of Moses Matyayi who joined the City of Windhoek in a similar position as of July 2023.

Hoko explained that the town’s current acting CEO, Erickson Mwanyekange who is the strategic executive for community and economic development services has also resigned from the municipality with 26 April being his last official working day.

‘Therefore, as of Friday this week the municipality will not have a substantive top executive, which is a bad situation for its operations,’ said Hoko, adding that the municipality in March this year recommended to the line Ministry of Urban and Rural Development the name of a male candidate who attended interviews on the position of CEO, after he was shortlisted from a total 47 applicants who had applied for the top position.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency