Day: March 7, 2024

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Oshikoto Region has opened a case against two men aged 46 and 57 after they were allegedly found in possession of four pangolin skins worth N.dollars 200 000.

According to the region’s Crime Investigations Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Titus Ekandjo on Thursday, the incident occurred on Wednesday around 04h30 at the Puma Service Station.

The suspects were also found in possession of other items such as a licensed Makarov pistol with eight rounds of ammunition, a diamond tester, and N.dollars 6 405 cash.

‘It is alleged that a covert intelligence-driven operation was carried out that led to the interception and ultimate arrest of two suspects, who were found in possession of pangolin skins,’ said Ekandjo.

The suspects are arrested and in police custody at Tsumeb.

Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The police in the Omusati Region are in pursuit of another pastor for the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl at Okando village, in the Oshikuku Constituency.

This comes two days after a 34-year-old pastor and church owner was apprehended for allegedly raping two young women aged 19 and 24 and a girl aged 17, at Okandi village in the Etayi Constituency.

The Namibian Police Force’s Omusati Crime Investigation Coordinator, Moses Simaho, confirmed this to Nampa on Thursday, saying the alleged rapes occurred between June 2020 and September 2022, but were only reported to the police on Thursday.

‘It is alleged that the suspect had sexual intercourse with a minor several times on different occasions during the above-mentioned timeframe,’ he said.

He added that the matter was reported by the 18-year-old woman who lives with the victim.

Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Director of Disaster Risk Management, Helen Likando at the Prime Minister’s Office, has stated that disaster risk reduction is a cross-cutting issue that demands collective efforts from all sections of society.

Likando spoke on Wednesday during the City of Windhoek’s belated observance of the 2023 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

She noted that the day was designated in 1989 by the United Nations General Assembly as a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction, and to acknowledge the relentless efforts being made by individuals, institutions, governments, countries, and globally to reduce the negative impacts of disasters on our lives and livelihoods.

‘As we are gathered here today to commemorate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction under the theme ‘Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future’, we are being reminded that disasters do not discriminate, and their impacts often intensify disparities among our communities. This necessitates the
urgency of addressing all sorts of inequalities in order for us to realize an equal and more resilient Namibia,’ she said.

Likando emphasised that Namibia is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with the geographical setup exposing our communities to various natural hazards, such as recurrent droughts and floods. Other pertinent risks are highlighted in the National Risk Profile which the Office of the Prime Minister developed, with technical support provided by the University of Namibia.

‘Due to climate change, Namibia experiences more frequent and severe droughts, leading to decreased availability of water for human consumption, agriculture, and livestock,’ she said.

Windhoek Mayor, Queen Kamati, on her part, stated that the City of Windhoek has been celebrating this day since 2010 when the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction launched the Making Cities Resilient campaign.

‘Since then, we committed ourselves to observe this day annually, to underscore the importanc
e of reducing urban disaster risks which are exacerbated by the effects of climate change,’ she said.

She added that natural and man-made disasters such as extreme weather conditions, floods, wildfires, extended droughts, water scarcity, epidemics, chemical spillages, power outages, and socio-economic challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and homelessness impact Namibians on a regular basis.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The police in Swakopmund have confirmed the recovery of the body of 21-year-old Anthony Elrico Williams, who reportedly drowned at the Mole Beach in Swakopmund on Saturday.

The Namibian Police Force’s Unit Commander for Community Policing in Erongo, Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, said his body was recovered around 01h42 on Thursday at the same beach.

It is alleged that Williams, who was an experienced swimmer, drowned while swimming with two of his cousins.

A search by the Sea Rescue team commenced immediately after he drowned, leading to the recovery of the body after almost a week.

The deceased was successfully identified by family members and his body was taken to the Swakopmund State Hospital for an autopsy and certification.

Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Have Mercy Mission Ministries pastor and church owner Elikan Neliwa, 34, was remanded in custody after making his brief court appearance in the Outapi Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The Namibian Police Force’s Regional Commander for Omusati, Commissioner Ismael Basson, said the accused was not granted bail and his case was postponed to 11 June 2024 for further police investigations.

Neliwa is accused of raping two young women aged 19 and 24 and a girl aged 17 last month at Okandi village in the Etayi Constituency.

He was arrested at the church on Tuesday.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Nico Rebebe, an employee of Bank Windhoek’s Opuwo branch who allegedly defrauded the bank of N.dollars 2 million in January, was arrested in Opuwo on Thursday.

The Namibian Police Force’s Kunene Regional Commander, Commissioner James Nderura, said the police will release a comprehensive report on the arrest after an in-depth investigation is completed.

‘He was arrested but that is all for now, we can only provide the full report after the interrogation and once we forward the documents of the investigation to the head of police,’ he stated.

Nderura told Nampa Rebebe was arrested at his girlfriend’s flat in Opuwo following an intelligence-led operation by the police.

Eight more individuals allegedly involved in the matter were apprehended in Rundu after the alleged theft.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Ministry of Health has urged partners and stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring quality healthcare services through innovative approaches.

The remark was made at the conclusion of the 8th National Healthcare Innovation and Quality Summit under the theme: “Promoting Health System Innovation to Enhance Healthcare Quality, Safety and Equity” today.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba said more work is required to create and improve the quality of technologies that are important for the improvement of health services in Ethiopia.

The summit has created opportunities to exchange best experiences and practices among the participants of the conference and to identify future areas of focus, she added.

The minister further underscored the need for quality research to provide quality health services that would help as input for policy and strategy.

According to her, hospitals, institutions and regional states have demonstrated that innovative approaches have a great role in making the sec
tor effective and efficient.

Dr. Mekdes finally called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the health sector provides effective and affordable service and generate additional income.

Innovation Hub Head at WHO Headquarters, Louise Agersnap stressed that ‘we will not be achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 with the usual approach and mindset. Innovation is needed.’

Acknowledging that the health problems across the world are complex and difficult to solve, she noted that there are plenty of evidence based interventions at disposal, many of which are supported by WHO guidelines.

Agersnap further elaborated that translating a guideline into better health outcomes can be a challenge, adding that “we are catalyst for collaborative learning across the innovation ecosystem where we’re supporting the public sector to embed innovative capabilities within their organizations and leverage it for better health outcomes in a more open, iterative and participatory manner.”

Innovation and
Technology Minister, Belete Molla said innovation and technology works in health have been done in a scattered manner in the health sector.

Belete reiterated that his ministry is ready to strengthen the innovation activities in the sector.

The three-day summit was attended by various stakeholders, including the UN, regional bureau heads, donors, partners, private health institution heads and professional health associations.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

WINDHOEK: The Windhoek High Court on Thursday dismissed a N.dollars 408 791 lawsuit against prominent Namibian musician Lazarus Shiimi, well known by his stage name, Gazza.

This follows accusations that Shiimi breached a contract with Trinity Transaction Advisory cc, which claimed it secured deals for him with Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

Court documents indicated that the company alleged that an agreement between the parties stated that it was entitled to 20 per cent of the value of the commercial agreement it secured for Shiimi and was entitled to N.dollars 45 000 per month for services rendered.

Judge Boas Usiku dismissed the application with costs, stating that Trinity Transaction Advisory cc is not entitled to 20 per cent of the value of the commercial agreement. Shiimi insisted that Trinity Transaction Advisory cc did not secure the deals for him. The court found that the NBL, KFC and Shiimi were not brought together through the wisdom or business acumen of Trinit
y Transaction Advisory cc, owned by lawyer Gokulan Thambapilai.

‘It cannot be said that the plaintiff secured the NBL or KFC agreement and therefore the plaintiff is not entitled to 20 per cent of the agreement’s value,’ Judge Usiku ruled.

According to Shiimi, he has had a long-standing relationship with NBL since 2006. Thambapilai argued during trial that Shiimi approached him in January 2021 for assistance with commercial and contractual agreements, saying he was not happy with the remuneration he received from NBL for his services as a brand ambassador.

Appolus Shimakeleni represented Shiimi, while Nixon Marcus represented Trinity Transaction Advisory cc.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency