Day: December 7, 2023

Gaborone – In a closely contested final, Namibia’s senior national women’s netball team, the Debmarine Desert Jewels, narrowly lost to Zambia with a score of 55-57 at the African Netball Cup. The 13th edition of the tournament was hosted at the University of Botswana in Gaborone from November 28 to December 6, 2023.

The Namibian team, having previously lost to Zambia 42-52 in the group stages, advanced to the final to face them again in a thrilling match. The initial quarter saw a strong performance from Namibia, who led 13-11 after capitalizing on turnover balls.

Zambia, however, made a comeback in the second quarter, levelling the score at 23-23 by outscoring Namibia. The third quarter continued with Zambia’s dominance, ending with a score of 33-35 in their favor.

In the fourth quarter, despite Zambia forcing errors, Namibia managed to tie the game at 43-43. The match then proceeded to extra time, where Zambia gained a slight advantage by scoring 14 points against Namibia’s 12, resulting in a final scoreline of 55-57.

Omusati – Flash floods have affected parts of the Omusati Region following heavy rainfall, causing a rise in the water level of the Ogongo stream. Leonard Hango, the Senior Hydrologist for the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, provided insights into the current situation.

In an interview with the Namibian Press Agency (Nampa), Hango noted that areas like Ogongo and Okalongo experienced flash floods due to recent heavy rains in northern Namibia. He explained that these regions, typically dry for extended periods, are susceptible to sudden floods under heavy rainfall conditions.

The rising waters in the Ogongo stream have led to the partial inundation of nearby houses and business establishments. Residents in these areas have begun preparations to deal with potential impacts. Hango emphasized the unpredictability and potential danger of flash floods, stating that while the water usually passes through, continuous heavy rainfall could lead to more severe flooding.

Oshana – The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Oshana Region has announced the promotion of 460 officers to various ranks. Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, the Regional Commander of NamPol in Oshana, shared details of this significant personnel development on Thursday.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), the promotions reflect a gender-balanced approach, with 229 male and 231 female officers, accounting for 50.3 percent female representation. He described this as the first round of promotions, mentioning that higher ranks will be included in the subsequent round.

Despite efforts to accommodate deserving personnel, Sakaria noted that 60 members were not considered for promotion, and an appeal has been made regarding their cases. He encouraged those not promoted to continue working diligently and maintain discipline for future opportunities.

Sakaria also addressed challenges related to conduct and discipline within the force, particularly among lower-ranked officers. He highlighted the delays in resolving disciplinary and criminal cases due to non-cooperation in investigations. Upon assuming his role as regional commander, Sakaria prioritized addressing a backlog of cases pending decisions or investigations, leading to substantial progress in a short time.

Windhoek – Erastus Uutoni, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, has emphasized the need for local authorities, including the City of Windhoek, to rely more on their permanent employees instead of outsourcing municipal functions to external agencies. This call was made amidst concerns over the management of municipal duties.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), Speaking on Tuesday, Uutoni highlighted the prevalent practice among municipalities, such as contracting debt collection agencies, which has led to dissatisfaction among residents. He questioned the reliance on agencies when municipal councils like Windhoek have sufficient manpower. Uutoni’s comments came during a ceremony where he handed over 53 new houses in Windhoek’s Greenwell Matongo area under the Informal Settlement Upgrading Project.

Additionally, the minister expressed concern over the repossession of houses built under the project, attributing this partly to the impatience of debt collectors. Nestor Kalola, Samora Machel Councillor, confirmed that some homeowners are facing repossession due to repayment challenges.

In response, Moses Matyayi, CEO of the City of Windhoek, acknowledged the minister’s points but noted the complexities involved in local government operations, stressing the balancing act required in service delivery.

Windhoek – Lukas Muha, Chairperson of the National Council, announced the completion of the 10th session of the sixth National Council in Namibia. The session, which began on November 20, 2023, focused on regional and national issues in line with the Namibian Constitution.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), In a statement, Muha reported that the session was productive, with significant progress in parliamentary conduct. The council reviewed and passed several bills, including the Magistrate Court Amendment Bill (Bill 17-2023), the Electoral Amendment Bill (Bill 20-2023), and the Appropriation Amendment Bill (Bill 21-2023). Two additional bills, the High Court Amendment Bill (Bill 18-2023) and the Vehicle Mass Bill (Bill 19-2023), were deferred to the next session.

The session also saw the tabling of three motions, with two referred to standing committees and one postponed to a subsequent session. Muha commended the committees and delegations that submitted their reports promptly and encouraged timely submissions in future sessions.

Highlighting future legislative developments, Muha revealed that the Regional and Constituency Development Fund Bill, previously known as the Constituency Development Fund Bill, is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly early next year. He urged Parliament members to engage efficiently in the upcoming discussions on the bill to avoid delays.

Windhoek – Lukas Muha, Chairperson of the National Council, announced the completion of the 10th session of the sixth National Council in Namibia. The session, which began on November 20, 2023, focused on regional and national issues in line with the Namibian Constitution.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), In a statement, Muha reported that the session was productive, with significant progress in parliamentary conduct. The council reviewed and passed several bills, including the Magistrate Court Amendment Bill (Bill 17-2023), the Electoral Amendment Bill (Bill 20-2023), and the Appropriation Amendment Bill (Bill 21-2023). Two additional bills, the High Court Amendment Bill (Bill 18-2023) and the Vehicle Mass Bill (Bill 19-2023), were deferred to the next session.

The session also saw the tabling of three motions, with two referred to standing committees and one postponed to a subsequent session. Muha commended the committees and delegations that submitted their reports promptly and encouraged timely submissions in future sessions.

Highlighting future legislative developments, Muha revealed that the Regional and Constituency Development Fund Bill, previously known as the Constituency Development Fund Bill, is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly early next year. He urged Parliament members to engage efficiently in the upcoming discussions on the bill to avoid delays.