Day: April 14, 2024

WINDHOEK: Chief Electoral Officer Peter Shaama on Saturday announced the appointment of Thomas Shapi as the new deputy director of registration and planning for the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).

Shapi, who is currently the control administrative officer in the division of registration and planning at the ECN, will take up his new assignment on 01 May 2024.

Shaama in a media statement here said: ‘We are confident that Mr. Shapi’s wealth of knowledge and experience will make him a valuable asset in his new role. He will be responsible for ensuring the participation of voters in regular and free elections, using sustainable systems, people, and processes.’

He said Shapi further ensures the efficient provision of services in relation to the maintenance of the national voters’ register, planning and coordination of electoral activities during general registration of voters, supplementary registration of voters, polling, counting of votes, and collation of results.

He has been in his current role since
2012 and has served in various positions within the public service for over 34 years.

Shapi has been a part of the electoral process since 1992, when he worked for the ECN as a regional coordinator, presiding officer, registration and voting officer, and returning officer.

His educational background includes qualifications in business administration, education, and election management. He is also presently studying toward a master’s degree in electoral administration and policy, Shaama concluded.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

A 62-year-old Namibian man died on the spot after he lost control of the vehicle he was driving at Omanoakambungu village in the Oshikoto’s Olukonda constituency on Friday.

Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Oshikoto Regional Crime Investigation Coordinator Deputy Commissioner Titus Ekandjo on Saturday said the incident happened on Friday around 14h30 and the deceased was identified as Uukelo Tomas, a resident of Onakandi village in the Oshipala area.

‘It is alleged that the driver of a white Toyota double cab pick-up with registration number N 216711 W was driving from Olukonda to Oshipala when he lost control of the vehicle at a curve, causing it to overturn,’ said Ekandjo.

The driver died on the spot and the two other occupants in the vehicle, aged 71 and 69 were transported to Onandjokwe State Hospital for medical treatment, he said.

The deceased was transported to Onandjokwe Hospital for a post-mortem to be conducted. The next of kin have been informed.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OSHAKATI: A 39-year-old man died instantly after he was hit by a vehicle while crossing the road at Oshuushe village in the Oshana Region.

According to Chief Inspector Thomas Aiyambo of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Oshana Community Policing Sub-division, the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday on the Ondangwa-Oshikango main road.

‘It is alleged that the driver of a silver Polo, (registration unknown) was coming from Oshikango towards Ondangwa, and hit a pedestrian who was trying to cross the road,’ he said.

The deceased was identified as Paulus Lumbu from Oshuushe village, and his next of kin were informed.

A culpable homicide case has been opened against the driver.

Police investigation into the matter continues.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OSHAKATI: The Oshana police have initiated a manhunt for a suspect involved in an alleged stabbing incident which led to the death of one person while another was seriously wounded.

According to the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Oshana’s Community Policing Sub-division Chief Inspector Thomas Aiyambo on Sunday, the incident occurred around 01h30 at Teddy Bar Oneshila Evululuko location when the suspect was allegedly poured a glass of wine in the face, and a fight broke out between the two.

‘In the process, the suspect reportedly stabbed the victim two times at the back and once on the head, with a knife, and proceeded to stab another person who is currently receiving treatment at the Oshakati hospital,’ he said.

The suspect now faces charges of murder and attempted murder.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OSHAKATI: The suspect who fled after reportedly stabbing one person to death and seriously wounding another at a bar in Oshakati’s Oneshila Evululuko location in the early hours of Sunday, has been arrested.

His arrest follows a manhunt initiated by the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Oshana region.

According to Chief Inspector Thomas Aiyambo of the NamPol Oshana Community Policing Sub-division, late Sunday, the suspect who is from Oshandumbala village was arrested with the assistance of his parents who accompanied him to the Oshakati police station.

‘It is alleged that the suspect got into a fight with the deceased at around 01h30 after he was thrown wine in the face and in the process, stabbed the deceased twice in the back and once in the head.

It is further alleged that the suspect proceeded to stab another person, who is currently receiving treatment at the Oshakati State Hospital,’ he said.

Aiyambo noted that the suspect is charged with murder and attempted murder and is expected to appear in
the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court during the week.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

By Charity Nginyu

During the 49th Plenary Assembly of the Bishops of Cameroon held from 07 to 13 April 2024, Bishops of the Catholic Church under the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) called on citizens to register massively against the upcoming presidential elections in Cameroon.

His Grace, Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea, presided over the proceedings as the Archbishop of Bamenda and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC).

The opening ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, 09 April 2024, saw the esteemed presence of His Eminence Robert Cardinal Sarah, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Notable speeches were delivered by His Grace Jean Mbarga, Archbishop of Yaoundé, and Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea, President of NECC.

‘Archbishop Andrew NKEA invited the citizens of Cameroon to register massively in good time, on the electoral register, to fulfill their civic duty during the forthcoming elections,’ read a c
ommunique by the NECC.

During the assembly, the Bishops voiced concerns about other issues affecting the country’s political, social, and economic landscape.

These concerns included the slow implementation of the Law on Decentralization, insecurity, high costs of living, the rise of secularism, desecration of sacred places, homosexuality, and the exploitation of natural and mining resources.

These challenges were highlighted as significant obstacles to the development of citizens.

Additionally, the assembly witnessed the appointment of new individuals to various positions, signaling a potential shift in leadership within certain sectors.

As Cameroon prepares for the 2025 elections, the call by the Catholic Bishops for massive voter registration demonstrates the importance of civic engagement and participation in shaping the future of the nation.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Addis Ababa: The approval of the capital market in Ethiopia will bring greater opportunities for the growth of startups in the country, the CEO of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX) remarked.

Ethiopian Securities Exchange CEO, Tilahun Esmael Kassahun told ENA that capital market and startups have supplementary relationship.

Tilahun emphasized the crucial role startups play in a nation’s future, particularly within the technology and innovation sectors, pointing out that many of the world’s leading tech giants began as small startups.

Previously, Ethiopian startups faced major hurdles, including securing capital and operational funds from the major financial institutions.

However, Tilahun expressed assurance that the new capital market will enduringly address this bottlenecks.

The government is providing great policy support to startups in the country, the CEO noted.

The capital market will allow startup entrepreneurs to access financial services based on their ideas, he explained.

This will also o
pen doors for startups to become major players within the capital market themselves.

Beyond just attracting capital, Tilahun believes the capital market will positively contribute to Ethiopia’s financial inclusion.

According to him, startups will not only have access to investment capital but also benefit from various financial instruments that can address operational cash flow needs.

A strengthened Investment Bank, coupled with the ability of commercial banks to increase their deposit capacity through the sale of diverse financial instruments, will create a more favorable financial environment, he elaborated.

“This will indirectly benefit those segments of society who are currently excluded from traditional financial services.”

The CEO anticipates the launch of the Ethiopian real estate market in 2025, offers further investment diversification, stating that it presents a fantastic opportunity for Ethiopians to participate in the privatization of government enterprises and become shareholders.

Source:
Ethiopian News Agency