Month: December 2023

Windhoek – The Ministry of Mines and Energy in Namibia has announced a significant decrease in fuel prices for December, providing relief to motorists during the festive season. This announcement was made in a statement issued by the ministry on Tuesday.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), The ministry confirmed that petrol and both diesel variants will see a decrease of 130 cents per liter. Consequently, the price of petrol will be N.dollars 21.58 per liter, diesel 50 ppm will be N.dollars 21.85 per liter, and diesel 10 ppm will be N.dollars 22.05 per liter in Walvis Bay. The new prices are set to take effect at midnight on Wednesday. The decision for the price reduction was influenced by the observed decreases in international market prices per barrel for both petrol and diesel in November.

Significant over-recoveries were noted on petrol and diesel products, leading to the price adjustment. Meanwhile, the ministry has increased the Road Fund Administration fuel levy by 20 cents per liter, adjusting it from 178 to 198 cents per liter on all products. Ali Iipinge, the Chief Executive Officer of the Road Fund Administration, welcomed the levy adjustment, stating it would significantly aid in road maintenance. Iipinge noted that the fund initially requested a 50-cent increment but received 30 cents mid-year. The additional 20 cents is expected to generate about N.dollars 200 million per year. “While it is not enough, it helps municipalities maintain their roads,” Iipinge said.

Windhoek – Namibia’s Statistician-General, Alex Shimuafeni, announced an increase in the country’s infant mortality rate from 2018 to 2021. Shimuafeni shared these findings with the Namibia Press Agency (Nampa), highlighting a concerning trend in child health.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), the infant mortality rate rose from 49 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 54 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021. He noted that more than half of these deaths were male infants. “Oshana recorded the highest number of infant deaths in 2020, while in 2021, the highest numbers were in Oshana and Omaheke,” Shimuafeni said. Additionally, the mortality rate for children under the age of five slightly increased from 62 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 65 in 2021.

The Namibia Statistics Agency also observed that most deaths were due to non-communicable diseases. “Deaths due to communicable, maternal, perinatal, and nutritional conditions have been declining,” Shimuafeni explained. The leading causes of death between 2018 and 2021 included COVID-19, hypertensive disease, lower respiratory infections, HIV, diabetes, self-inflicted injuries, road accidents, nephritis and nephrosis, endocrine disorders, and diarrheal diseases. Hypertensive disease was the leading cause of death in 2020, while COVID-19 was the leading cause in 2021. For children under five, diarrheal diseases were the leading cause of death.

Oshikoto – The Namibian Police Force, in collaboration with the Men and Women Network against Crime, has launched a three-day operation in the Oshikoto Region to combat gender-based violence (GBV). The operation, announced in Omuthiya on Monday by Deputy Commissioner Wynand Neels, is part of the ongoing 16 days of activism against GBV campaign.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Neels stated that the operation, running from 04 to 06 December 2023, targets suspects and individuals involved in GBV-related crimes, including elderly abuse. The focus is on a range of offences, including rape, murder, kidnapping, common assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, online child abuse and exploitation, trafficking in persons, and other related offences like domestic violence, child labour, and child neglect.

The deputy commissioner emphasized the goal of reducing GBV crimes in the region through enhanced police and stakeholder cooperation. This includes developing risk profiles for targeted crime types and suspects, as well as building operational capacity and morale among female officers.

The theme for this year’s 16 days of activism against GBV is ‘Unite, invest to prevent violence against women and girls.’ Neels remarked that Namibia’s annual participation in the campaign demonstrates its commitment to fighting gender-based violence. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign is a global initiative that starts on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concludes on 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Windhoek – The MTC Salute Boxing Academy is gearing up for a significant weekend, with six of its boxers participating in matches both in domestic and international arenas. This weekend’s lineup includes Nathanael Kakololo, Lazarus Shaningwa, Jonas Matheus, Petrus Matheus, Immanuel David, and Simasiku Martin Muchila.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), super featherweight boxer Nathanael Kakololo is headed to Russia for an eight-round lightweight division bout against Petr Vasilyev. His teammate Lazarus Shaningwa will also compete in Russia, facing Mikhail Varlamov in a six-round non-title fight on Saturday. Both boxers, accompanied by coach Tobias Nashilongo, departed for Yakutsk, Russia, earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Jonas Matheus is traveling to Johannesburg, South Africa, for a super flyweight 10-rounder against Sikho Ngothole at the Booysen boxing camp. He is joined by his coach Elifas Elvis Nandjembo. Back home, Petrus Matheus, Immanuel David, and Simasiku Martin Muchila will showcase their skills at the Onkugo Boxing Promotion championship in Walvis Bay. Petrus Matheus will face Fillipus Amwaama, Immanuel David will battle Martin Kambalili, and Simasiku Martin Muchila will make his pro-debut against Naftalie Shooya.

Kriata Kamanya, owner of MTC Salute Boxing Academy and Promotions, expressed confidence in the boxers and wished them success in their upcoming fights.

Oshikoto – A 28-year-old man tragically died after being struck by lightning at Onalusheshete village in the Oshikoto Region on Monday. This incident was reported in a crime report issued by Commissioner Theopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), The man, a domestic worker, had gone to a neighboring house around 10h00 to charge his phone battery. According to Kalompo-Nashikaku, he was seated under a tree in the yard when lightning struck him during a rainstorm, resulting in his instant death. The deceased’s body was taken to the Tsumeb State Mortuary for a post-mortem examination, and his next of kin have been informed.

In a separate report from the Oshikoto police, a 32-year-old man allegedly committed suicide at Onakiidhi village in the Olukonda Constituency. His body was discovered hanging from the roof of a room in their homestead late Tuesday evening. Commissioner Nashikaku stated that no foul play is suspected, and no suicide note was found. The body has been transported to the Onandjokwe State Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem. The next of kin have been informed, and an investigation into the incident is currently underway.

Kavango West – A man, whose age remains undisclosed, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly biting his girlfriend on the finger and thigh in Kaguni village, Kavango West Region. This arrest was part of a daily crime report issued by the Namibian Police Force on Tuesday.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), The police report stated that the girlfriend suffered injuries from the bites. The suspect also reportedly threatened to stab her with an okapi knife and panga. He has been arrested on charges of attempted murder, assault through threatening, and causing gross bodily harm. The police are continuing their investigations into the incident.

In a separate and unrelated incident, the police also reported an attempted murder at a fuel service station in Nkurenkuru. An unidentified man was stabbed with a bottle early Sunday morning around 02h40, resulting in serious injuries. No arrests have been made in this case, and police investigations are ongoing.