Month: August 2023

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Nonhlanhla Khoza, has called on law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough and swift investigation after the brutal murder of a pregnant woman in Ehlanzeni in Ubuhlebezwe Local Municipality.

Busisiwe Ngubo’s body was found just a kilometre away from her home on Monday morning.

It is alleged that the 35-year-old victim, who was pregnant with twins, was strangled and her lifeless body discarded on the roadside.

According to reports, Ngubo left her home after receiving a call from her police officer boyfriend. She had shared information with relatives and they were aware of her intentions to travel to hospital, as she was about to deliver.

“We demand nothing less than a rigorous pursuit of justice in this case. The individual responsible for this heinous act must be apprehended promptly and the full force of the law should be brought to bear on them,” Khoza said.

In this moment of tragedy, Khoza emphasised the importance of eradicating violence against women, especially within intimate relationships.

“Our society cannot and will not tolerate such atrocities any longer. We stand united against these acts of violence and collectively strive for an environment where everyone, irrespective of gender, can live without fear,” Khoza said.

The MEC said the loss of Ngubo is a stark reminder of the pressing need to address gender-based violence (GBV), and to foster a culture of respect, equality and safety.

She urged society to come together to demand an end to such brutality.

“Let us honour the memory of Busisiwe Ngubo by working towards a society free from such horrors.”

Khoza has sent her heartfelt condolences to the Ngubo family and the community of Ehlanzeni for their loss.

“Our thoughts are with the grieving family and friends during this trying period,” she said.

The MEC has since mobilised a team of social workers to provide psycho-social support to Ngubo’s family and help them navigate through this traumatic experience, and find some semblance of healing.

Condolences to Umhlathuzana accident victims’ families

Meanwhile, Khoza has extended her heartfelt condolences to the family members of the children who were killed in an accident while walking to school in Umhlathuzana, south of Durban.

According to the reports, the tragic incident occurred last week Friday when four boys were on their way to Umhlathuzana Primary School.

The tow truck lost control, resulting in a collision, claiming the lives of two boys and the driver. Another young life was also lost in the hospital, while one boy sustained moderate injuries and is currently receiving medical care.

“In this moment of profound sorrow, our hearts extend to the bereaved family and the entire Umhlathuzana community, as well as the affected school. We offer our sincerest condolences and stand united with the entire Umhlathuzana community as they navigate through this period of mourning.

“Our collective thoughts and prayers accompany the families, grappling with an unimaginable loss. It is paramount that decisive measures are undertaken to avert such heart-wrenching incidents and to ensure the safety of our children during their journeys to and from school,” Khoza said.

A dedicated team of social workers has been dispatched to provide essential psycho-social support to both the affected families and learners.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Unity Advocacy Group (UAG), a civil society organisation, has solicited support and prayers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria as they continue to make sacrifices for peace and stability of the country.

The group made the call in a statement by its Convener, Ifeanyi Aigbedion, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Aigbedion also commiserated with the military over the crash of the Nigerian Air Force MI-171 Helicopter while on a rescue mission on Monday and ambush of troops in the Shiroro area of Niger.

He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria, more than any other institution in the country, had made sacrifices for the country and deserved the support and prayer from all Nigerians.

Aigbedion said that UAG was convinced that the armed forces under Gen. Christopher Musa would continue to pursue and eliminate enemies of the country, in spite of the recent incidents.

The group commended the military for the successes been recorded in the various theatres of operations, saying it was an indication that there would be no hiding place for the enemies of peace and development.

“The recent surrender of 78 more Boko Haram terrorists and their family members to the troops of Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and Operation Hadin Kai in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno is a result of sustained onslaught on their hideouts by troops.

“We urge Nigerians to continue to support and pray for our troops, ably led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Musa.

“With our support and prayers, light will definitely be at the end of the tunnel.

“Their sacrifices for peace and stability cannot be matched by any other institution in the country.

“We use this opportunity to appeal to terrorists and other criminals in the society to lay down arms, because the AFN from our observation, will not give up in their pursuit. Now is the time, to surrender and turn a new leaf before it is too late,” the group said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Bank of Namibia (BoN) Governor, Johannes !Gawaxab on Wednesday announced that the repo rate remains unchanged at 7,75 per cent.

!Gawaxab, who made the announcement at the BoN Oshakati branch in the Oshana Region, said this follows after the Bank of Namibia’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to maintain the repo rate at 7,75 per cent.

“The decision was taken following a comprehensive review of global, regional and domestic economic developments,” he said.

The BoN Governor stated that they want to continue safeguarding the peg between the Namibian Dollar and the South African Rand and support the domestic economy.

Further, !Gawaxab said domestic activity is projected to slow down to about 3,3 per cent for 2023 as a whole, compared to 4,6 per cent registered in 2022.

Meanwhile, on a monthly basis, annual inflation declined to 4,5 per cent in July 2023 from 5,3 per cent in June 2023.

!Gawaxab indicated that the annual growth in Private Sector Credit Extension (PSCE) improved to 3,0 per cent in June 2023 from 2,6 per cent in April 2023, albeit renaming lower by historical standards.

He stated that the rise in PCSE growth was attributed to an increase in the demand for credit by the household sector.

The unchanged repo rate will remain in place until the next meeting of the MPC on 23 and 24 October 2023.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Self-proclaimed prophet Jackson Mbabi, who is serving a sentence of 10 years and a fine of N.dollars 370 000 or an additional 17 years for rhino poaching, has instructed Windhoek lawyer, Trevor Brockerhoff, in his bid to appeal the sentence.

Mbabi made a brief appearance in the Windhoek High Court on Wednesday before Deputy Judge President Hosea Angula. His matter returns to court on 20 September 2023 for the allocation of hearing dates. Mbabi was ordered to file his heads of argument by 08 September 2023, whereafter the State, represented by Prosecutor Johannes Kalinin, will file the replying heads of argument.

Mbabi was arrested in 2020, after two rhino horns were found in his house in Windhoek’s Kleine Kuppe suburb. Mbabi admitted guilt in September 2022. He was tried on 11 charges, including two charges of illegally hunting specially protected game, possession of rhino horns, double theft charges, illegally supplying a firearm and ammunition to persons, racketeering, two charges of money laundering and bribery.

In his admission, Mbabi confessed that he was involved in the poaching of an adult rhino and a calf at a farm around Gobabis in May 2020. He also admitted that he supplied a hunting rifle to his five co-accused.

Babi also admitted that he offered a police officer N.dollars 13 000 in an attempt to have the police officer release him from custody.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The five men accused of brutally hacking to death and shooting Windhoek resident Patrick Hamupanda, were denied bail when they made their first appearance in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The suspects, Lukas Simon (37); Festus Nehemia (26); Lukas Amutenya (25); Kleopas Amutenya (25); and Felix Imusi (28) were arrested on Tuesday following an intense manhunt by the Namibian Police Force (NamPol), who say another suspect, Welhelm Modesutus, is still on the run. The suspects appeared before Magistrate Johaness Shuuveni, who denied them bail due to the seriousness of the offence and public interest.

It is alleged that the 31-year-old Hampunda was killed with guns and pangas in a house in Mungunda Street on Sunday.

The suspects were charged with murder and their case has been postponed to 28 September 2023 for the accused to acquire legal representation. The accused persons have indicated that they will be applying for representation through the Ministry of Justice’s Directorate of Legal Aid.

Tatelo Lusepani represented the State.

Meanwhile, the deceased was scheduled to make an appearance in the Katutura Magistrate’s court on Monday, hours after his brutal murder. He faced a charge of attempted murder.

Court records indicate that he, on 23 December 2018, shot a man with an arrow, with the intent to murder him. The incident happened in Windhoek’s Havana residential area.

His matter has since been postponed to 24 August 2023, for his Lawyer Mbanga Siyomundji to present the death certificate in court.

“It will be premature to withdraw the matter without confirming if the accused is indeed deceased,” Prosecutor Victoria Thompson told the court on Monday.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency