Category: General

A Namibian man, Silas Martinus, 33, was allegedly beaten with mopane twigs and then murdered by hanging at Iipanda Yambalantu village in the Omusati Region.

A crime report issued by the Namibian Police on Sunday stated that the suspect was a 29-year-old Namibian male and the incident took place around 22h00 on Thursday.

“It is alleged that the suspect used fresh mopane sticks to beat the victim on his facial areas which resulted in injuries and thereafter murdered the victim by hanging with a red elastic rubber which was found around the deceased’s neck,” the police said.

The police stated that the motive behind the crime is still unknown, the next of kin of the deceased have been notified and police investigations continue.

In the same report, two Namibian males and two Chinese males were allegedly robbed of N.dollars 200 000 on Friday at a guest house in Otjiwarongo.

“The four were allegedly driving a white Toyota Hilux pick-up and were robbed around 10h00 when they were stopped at the guest house, after withdrawing an amount of N.dollars 200 000 at a bank at Otjiwarongo, by seven suspects armed with a pistol and stones,” the police said.

It is alleged that the suspects stoned the victims’ vehicle and smashed both the back door windows and further opened the doors, whereby they grabbed the bag in which the money was kept, the police said.

When the complainants allegedly resisted, the suspects hit them with stones that led to the victims sustaining injuries. The suspects managed to escape with the cash bag in the direction of Windhoek, the police said.

No recovery has been made, however, a 32-year-old male suspect has been arrested and police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The body of 22-year-old April Immanuel was allegedly discovered hanging in his room by a friend who came to visit him on Friday at Etayi village in the Omusati Region.

In a crime report issued on Sunday, the police stated that the deceased was last seen that Friday at about 09h00, when he left the Katutura location and went back home.

“It is alleged that the 22-year-old committed suicide, his lifeless body was discovered hanging with a wire around his neck in his sleeping room by a friend who came to visit in the morning time,” the police said.

The police stated that the deceased was staying alone in the house, the next of kin have been notified and the deceased body is kept at Oshikuku Hospital’s mortuary and will be transported to Okahao Police mortuary for autopsy.

In another incident, two Namibian male suspects aged 27 and 32 on Saturday were arrested after allegedly entering the camp of a complainant and slaughtering five Damara breed sheep at Farm Goudini in the Hardap Region.

The police confirmed that the sheep valued at N.dollars 10 000 were slaughtered around 09h30 without the owner’s consent.

“After the preliminary investigations were done, two carcasses and two heads and five skins with trotters were recovered and police investigations continue,” the police said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Hundreds of mourners from across the nation paid their respects on Saturday to Katahunda Matundu, former Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (now Popular Democratic Movement) political commissioner, who was given a dignified burial at Okarundu Kozombangane in Opuwo.

Matundu died last week after a lengthy illness. He was 66.

Okarundu Kozombangane is to the people of Kaokoland what Heroes’ Acre is to the Namibian government.

The shrine is historically noteworthy because it serves as a living memorial to the heroes of Kaokoland, notably those of the Otjikako Traditional Authority. Matundu has now joined the ranks of other heroes such as Mbumbijazo Muharukua, Chief Paulus Uziruapi Tjavara, Jamemi Muharukua, Tjiriazondana Kurooro, Uazenga Nderura, former Opuwo Rural councillor Uaurikua Kakuva, and others at Okarundu.

Matundu dubbed the “hero of his time”, has been said to have made significant contributions to the development of the Kunene Region.

PDM’s leader McHenry Venaani remarked during Matundu’s funeral ceremony at his traditional homestead that Matundu was at the apex of PDM emergence and that the party owed its existence to him.

Venaani went on to say that Matundu’s contribution to the battle for independence will be remembered for many years to come.

“Matundu fought for this country’s independence, he was an advocate for peace, unity, and prosperity, and he will not be forgotten,” he continued.

According to Venaani, Matundu was amongst a group of Herero leaders that travelled to Botswana before independence to repatriate Herero people who fled to Botswana during the 1904 genocide, together with Muvi Tjiho, Absai Kandirikirira, and Uahuma Hei.

“He was one of the few people who stood steadfastly for the negotiations of the genocide case, and he mobilised other people to join the fight for the full restoration of the Ovaherero people through the Hosea Kutako Foundation in the Kunene Region. During the Resolution 435 negotiations, he brought 800 Himba communities to the table,” Venaani remarked.

Venaani further stated that Matundu’s burial in Okarundu Kozombangane was a result of his actions.

Matundu served in the Opuwo Town Council from 1992 until 2002.

Swapo’s deputy secretary general, Uahekua Herunga, also spoke at the event, saying the Namibian government will forever be grateful for Matundu’s contributions during independence.

Herunga stated that the late Matundu’s contribution to the Kunene Region’s economic independence will not be forgotten.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Namibian Rugby Premier League outfit Trustco United outclassed their opponent Western Suburbs with a 24-17 win on Saturday, to finish the season in second place.

United who have been third throughout the season on the log standing, overcame a resilient Suburbs who had them on the back foot throughout the first and beginning of the second half.

Suburbs had a short trip from Khomasdal to the Trustco United Sports Ground in Olympia, where they opened the scoring just 17 minutes into the first half with a try which was converted. But the home team responded with a try of their own, and their conversion was missed.

The visitors Suburbs once again ran in a try before the half-time break, but the conversion was missed. The half-time score was 12-5 in favour of Suburbs.

In the second half Suburbs only managed to run in one try, and the conversion was once again missed while United who were playing in front of a handful of their supporters ran in three tries and converted two of their conversions for a final score of 24-17.

The Suburbs try scorers were Jayden Links and Gino Wilson who ran in two tries while Justin Nel converted once from the spot. United’s tries were scored by Hanno Husselman, Gerhard Thirion (two tries) and Dean Blom. Their conversions came from the feet of Hanreco van Zyl and Jahno du Plessis.

With a win against Suburbs, the Olympia-based outfit booked themselves a spot in the semi-finals against Kudus whom they poked from second to third place. Wanderers finished the season top of the log standing and will clash with Rehoboth who finished fourth on the log.

The semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of 19 August 2023, with the final to be played on 26 August 2023 at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Olympia.

Teams that did not qualify for the playoffs are UNAM who finished fifth, Suburbs who finished sixth, Grootfontein that finished seventh, and Reho Falcons at the bottom of the log.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres underscored that young people must be equipped with skills and knowledge to shape a cleaner, greener, more climate-resilient future.

The UN chief made the remark in his message on the International Youth Day which was observed on Saturday under the Theme: Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World.

The day is annually observed on 12 August and the 2023 edition spotlights green skills and the major role young people will play in driving the much-needed shift towards an environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly mindset.

These include technical knowledge and skills that enable the effective use of green technologies and processes in occupational settings.

“From innovative sustainable technologies and renewable energy, to revolutions in transportation systems and industrial activity, young people must be equipped with skills and knowledge to shape a cleaner, greener, more climate resilient future,” said the Secretary-General in his message.

Humanity depends on the boundless energy, ideas and contributions of youth everywhere, he said stating that “Today and every day, let’s support and stand with young people in shaping a just and sustainable world, for people and planet.”

Guterres further pointed out that across all of today’s challenges, young people are calling for bold and accelerated action, standing in solidarity with the most vulnerable, and designing solutions to ensure social, economic and climate justice, and peace and prosperity for all.

“To expand their participation, I recently launched a policy brief calling for governments to make youth participation the norm, rather than the exception, across decisions and policies around the world.”

Every year, International Youth Day celebrates the determination, ideas and leadership of young people as we pursue a better world, he said.

According to the UN, young climate advocates will tell leaders at a UN summit next month that they are out of options.

Government and big business must work together on ambitious climate action that pushes the world faster towards sustainability and empowers youth with the ‘green skills’ that will secure our future.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service Agnes Tjongarero said the Oshana PstBet Governor’s Cup represents a remarkable platform for the youth to showcase their skills and abilities.

Tjongarero said this during the official opening of the tournament on Saturday at the Oshakati Independence Stadium.

According to Tjongarero, it is through events like this that they can identify and nurture talent, providing young people with the necessary support and guidance to reach their full potential.

“This tournament serves as a catalyst for social cohesion and community engagement, it also brings people from all walks of life together, transcending barriers of age, gender and ethnicity,” she said.

Tjongarero called on all people use this opportunity to forge new friendships, strengthen existing bonds and build a stronger and more united Oshana community.

She then encouraged all participants to give their best, demonstrate sportsmanship, and embrace the values of fair play and respect.

Oshana Governor Elia Irimari concurred that the tournament is not only about winning, but also creating networks.

“Sport has always played a significant role in our society, not only as a means of entertainment but also as a tool for fostering unity, discipline, and personal growth,” he said.

Irimari urged the participants to foster friendship while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among themselves.

He noted that they are expected to select a team to represent the region at the PstBet National games for all regions to be played at a later stage.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Rössing Foundation has earmarked a total of 5 328 library books to be donated to various school libraries across the county.

This is according to a representative of Rössing Foundation, Lysias Uusiku during the official handover of 200 books at Shaanika Nashilongo Secondary School in the Omusati Region on Friday.

They then proceed to Isak Katali Combined School in the Onesi circuit, were they handed over 150 books to be placed in the school library.

Uusiku indicated that they recently also handed over 200 books to JP Brandt Primary School (PS), Katora PS, 200 to Tutaleni High School in the Erongo Region and 170 to Andimba Toivo ya Toivo SS.

“School libraries are the backbone of our information structure, building a solid foundation for the literacy skills of learners and inculcating a reading culture,” he said.

Uusiku noted that as a foundation, being a key stakeholder in education, they pride themselves on transforming lives through innovation in learning and the value chain.

He then urged the learners to commit their time to making use of the school library, and put reading materials to good use, either for examination or personal growth.

Speaking during the handover, Helena Shikongo, a Grade 7 learner at Isak Katali CS, indicated that they are faced with a huge challenge of communicating in their second language which is English.

“This challenge has a very big negative effect on our academic performance as learners. Thus, the donation by Rössing Foundation came at the right time where we can start reading for self-growth,” she said.

Shikongo stated that the donation towards their school library will really bring them so much goodness in improving their English language skills.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency