Day: April 28, 2024

Eskom has cautioned political parties against putting up election posters on electrical structures as part of their campaigns due to the risk of electrocution.

As South Africa is getting ready to host the 2024 General Elections on 29 May 2024, political parties are putting up election posters as part of their campaigns.

‘In the past, there have unfortunately been incidents where persons have been electrocuted or shocked when putting up these posters. As such, Eskom would like to caution all political parties against the dangerous practice of placing campaign posters on electrical structures.

‘This includes electricity poles, electricity towers, meter boxes and mini substations. Electricity is invisible to the naked eye and the risk is that when someone gets close to or touches them it may result in an inadvertent flash-over or electrical contact. This can cause serious injuries to the person or even be fatal,’ Eskom said in a statement on Saturday.

Only authorised personnel are allowed to climb or work
on these electrical structures.

According to Section 19 (5) of the Electrical Machinery Regulations, “No person shall encroach in person or with objects on the minimum safety clearances required in terms of sub-regulation (1) or require or permit any other person to do so except by permission of the supplier or user operating the power line.’

‘Attaching posters to an electrical structure is not only a contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (No.85 of 1993), but also puts the lives of your valuable employees, members of the public and volunteers at risk. Eskom cares about your safety and we request you to refrain from attaching posters to electrical structures to prevent injury or loss of lives,’ the power utility said. -SAnews.gov.za

Source: South African Government News Agency

Police in the Erongo Region have arrested a 24-year-old mother who reportedly abandoned her toddler in the dunes in the Narraville area in Walvis Bay on Saturday morning.

The 1-year-old child was discovered about 200 metres from the main road between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, by a passerby at around 07h10.

She was found wrapped well in a blanket and dressed in warm clothes along with some disposable nappies.

Namibian Police Force spokesperson in the Erongo Region, Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba said the woman was arrested later that day when she was found selling kapana (meat) at a shebeen in Kuisebmund.

She was charged under the Child Care and Protection Act No 3 of 2015 and is set to appear in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The child, who was found with no sign of physical injury, was taken to a safe place and social workers from the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare were informed.

Shapumba expressed concern over the incident.

‘This kind of conduct can
not be condoned. It is important to indicate that children have rights to know and be cared for by their parents and we as parents, have that constitutional obligation,’ he stressed.

Investigations in the matter are ongoing.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund noted the alarming rise in road accident related statistics during the past Easter holiday.

According to the fund in a media release, road crashes during that weekend rose by 6 per cent, injuries by 19 per cent, and fatalities by an overwhelming 60 per cent.

These figures according to MVA Fund Chief Executive Officer Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, not only reflect a shocking increase from the previous year but also signify a critical need for immediate intervention to ensure the safety of all road users.

‘The safety of road users is of paramount importance because road crashes have devastating consequences that affect families, communities and the nation at large.

The MVA Fund has noted that these crashes are often predictable and preventable through conscientious driving, strict adherence to road traffic rules and regulations, planning long journeys, while also avoiding driving at night when there is less visibility on the road,’ she expressed.

The fund has also expressed
its condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus accident which occurred outside Walvis Bay earlier this week, resulting in the death of two tourists and injuries to many more.

The fund has assured the families that the injured will receive the appropriate medical care and attention they need.

‘We extend our deepest sympathies to the persons injured of the recent tragic road crash and their families. The fund is also offering support to those affected and is closely monitoring their recovery,’ Martins-Hausiku said.

According to MVA, foreign nationals in Namibia are entitled to medical treatment and injury management for the duration of their stay in the country.

Additionally, if a foreign national is fatally injured in a road accident in Namibia, they are eligible for a N.dollars 7 000 funeral grant.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Police in the Kavango East Region on Friday arrested a 28-year-old man suspected to have murdered his 21-year-old ex-girlfriend at Kehemu residential area on Thursday.

It is alleged that the suspect fled the scene after allegedly stabbing the victim several times with a knife, leaving behind their three-year-old son and the murder weapon.

She died instantly.

The Namibian Police Force Acting Regional Commander, Deputy Commissioner Eino Nambahu on Sunday told Nampa it is alleged that the two had an argument over a text message on the deceased’s phone, which the suspect took from her the night of her death.

The suspect is expected to make his first appearance in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Monday, while investigations continue.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Oshikoto Region have opened a case of stock theft against a 48-year-old police officer for allegedly stealing and slaughtering a goat.

According to NamPol crime investigations coordinator for Oshikoto, Deputy Commissioner Titus Ekandjo on Sunday, the incident happened on Saturday around 14h00 at the Old Police Station Barracks in Omuthiya. The officer holds a sergeant position and is a member of the Special Reserve Force sub-division here.

‘It is alleged that the complainant’s goat herder was looking after goats around Omuthiya town whereby he (the goat herder) saw a man leading/driving some of the goats into the old Omuthiya Police Station yard where some members of the police are currently accommodated,’ reported Ekandjo.

The herder allegedly saw four goats entered in the yard, however only three came out, with one female goat missing.

‘The herder then went to ask the man he had seen about the missing goat, but the said person allegedly responded that no goat re
mained in the yard. The herder then went in the yard and did his own investigations,’ said Ekandjo.

The herder allegedly found some bloodstains on the ground following which he informed the owner of the goats, who then contacted the police.

The police attended to the matter and found a goat carcass in the suspect’s room, in a fire extinguisher box, which was hidden between the suspect’s bed and wardrobe.

‘The goat owner identified the carcass as of her missing goat and the carcass was then handed over to the lawful owner, who is the complainant in the matter,’ noted Ekandjo.

The slaughtered goat is valued at N.dollars 2 000.

The suspect is arrested and he is expected to appear before the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Chief of the |Hai-|Khaua Traditional Authority (TA), Johannes Isaack said for his community to survive and overcome all contemporary social challenges, they need to remain united, strive for self-sustainability and stimulate a sense of pride, hope and dignity in the hearts of their children.

Isaack who made the remarks at Berseba on Saturday during the |Hai-|Khaua 13th annual cultural festival urged his community to use their circumstances and adversities, as fuel for inspiration to make a meaningful contribution towards the development and achievement of their full potential.

‘These trying times have severely affected the poorest of the poor, it has affected the youth, many of whom remain trapped in unemployment and social decay and an emotional feeling of hopelessness. [But] the history of our forebearers clearly reveals that our community has been able to rise from the ashes to rebuild and reconstruct their communities,’ said Isaack.

Meanwhile, Isaack criticised the slow or non-existent implementation o
f the resolutions of the national land conference held in 2018, specifically regarding resettlement.

‘Way too few farms are being purchased for the purpose of resettling our people, to that we also find the criteria used for resettlement problematic. Our understanding was that resettlement was meant to address the issue of dispossession of land by the colonial regimes but the criteria used seem to overlook the issue of who lost land,’ he stressed.

Isaack said amid these challenges leaders have a common responsibility to improve the living conditions of their communities and create a better tomorrow for future generations, citing that he is hopeful and optimistic this can be achieved through the national projects which are to commence in the region such as the green hydrogen, oil and gas and the irrigation schemes.

Chairperson of the Traditional Leaders Council, Gaob Immanuel |Gaseb said cultural festivals are one of the most effective vehicles for ensuring that culture within communities is strengthened.

‘They provide a wonderful celebration that provide a sweet atmosphere of happiness and enjoyment of cultural diversity,’ he said.

He urged the community of Berseba to unite, saying: ‘The time has come to unite and stop the infightings, we need to take hands and move towards peace, we have to accept each other as we are different but we need to get to live together. We blame the government that it does not give solutions but it’s not a government matter, it is our traditional issue, the government recognises the person who is chosen by the community.’

Source: The Namibia Press Agency