Day: May 15, 2024

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has stated that the widespread stock theft in the province has led government to introduce a technology-based system to help combat the scourge.

This crime has been causing emerging rural farmers to lose millions of rands.

Mabuyane made these comments during the launch of the Livestock Identification and Traceability System (LITS) in Tsolo on Tuesday.

The Premier was joined by the Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nonkqubela Pieters and Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC, Xolile Nqatha.

LITS is a technology-based ear tag device that the government is distributing to 120 cattle farming enterprises, benefiting 30 000 cattle across the province.

Mabuyane reported that more than 18 000 animals, valued at over R58 million, have been stolen in the province recently.

‘You can imagine what that is doing to the economy. When you talk about the province being the home of livestock, you are talking about subsistence rural farmers. We have a problem of li
vestock theft, and it has been with us for some time now. We are trying to tackle that,’ Mabuyane said.

He believes the electronic ear tag device will also ensure that animals are not only branded but their origins would be traced.

‘We are trying to introduce a more organised and commercial way of handling these animals. This is part of us trying to fight and curb livestock theft. We are sending a message to all the thieves out there that we will go after you in a better and more organised manner. You cannot sleep today and wake up with a kraal full of cows that you can’t account for,’ he stressed, adding that the system will be rolled out across the province.

The Premier stated that government wants to see all animal populations being branded properly and given the ear tag to make sure they are monitored better.

Pieters said LITS will assist farmers in Tsolo, which is one of the municipalities with a high rate of stock theft and assist the police to identify the rightful owner of the cattle.

‘Even if yo
u sell the animal to somebody else, you will be able to trace the origin. If there are diseases, you can trace the origin of the cow. Farmers are going to be trained to keep records of their cattle to make sure that if it was sick, when was it sick, what type of medication has been used, how many times have you dipped your herd of cattle,’ Pieters explained.

Nqatha said the launch adds the instruments needed in the fight against crime and government will ensure that all those who are responsible are held accountable.

Arrests

‘Already we have been able to recover the stolen livestock, we have already been able to effect arrests. One of the things we were able to do was to assess our stock theft unit and its location between Qumbu and Sulenkama so that the capacity of the police is located nearer to the hotspot to facilitate our responsiveness,’ said Nqatha.

According to the MEC, the community should work with the police to fight against stock theft, adding that animal branding and ear tagging will assist i
n this collaboration.

One of the farmers whose animals were ear-tagged and branded, Sabatha Mnjunju said he hoped the system would be able to track livestock and they would be easily identified when stolen.

Another farmer, Mzimeli Yelo, who even though was sceptical about the LITS, welcomed the system.

‘It will help us but the chances of it helping are small because ear tags can be removed. Thieves know how to remove them. But where I think it can help is if you lose animals today when they had not succeeded in removing the tags and you report it on time, it can help trace the animals that way,’ said Yelo.

Collaboration and training

According to the province, all the ear-tagged animals and the identities of their owners are registered into a central database where animal movement is recorded to make it easy to trace the animal back to the owner.

DRDAR is implementing this national policy through collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).

Currently, the department trained and registered
more than 250 veterinarians, scientists, animal health technicians and extension advisors to lead the implementation of the system.

Source: South African Government News Agency

WINDHOEK: A matter in which three City of Windhoek contract cleaners and social activist Michael Amushelelo were charged for inciting public violence was struck off the court roll on Wednesday.

The cleaners – Immanuel Mbonda, Alfred Kashimbi and Padelia Hamukwaya – appeared before Magistrate Likando Mutafela, who ordered that the matter be struck off the court roll and that bail monies be refunded to the suspects, who were arrested in February last year. Over 100 street cleaners at the time went on a strike, demanding better working conditions, salary increments and permanent employment contracts.

Protesting for better working conditions, the cleaners emptied dustbins on the streets in Windhoek’s central business district. The suspects faced charges relating to the contravention of the Riotous Assemblies Act of 1956, namely inciting public violence and malicious damage to property.

The matter was scheduled for trial on Wednesday, however, a decision from Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa was still pending,
despite a final court order stating that it should be made available. State Prosecutor Amize Adams also informed the court that the docket was not before the court, an announcement that did not sit well with Defence Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo.

‘This matter was postponed finally to today for the Prosecutor General’s decision. Until today, we do not have a decision. The Prosecutor knew they did not have the PG’s decision for the trial. This is the second time the docket does not come to court. It appears the State does not intend to proceed with the matter,’ Amoomo argued.

Magistrate Mutafela ruled that no reasonable submissions were advanced by the State for a remand. Amushelelo was granted N.dollars 3 000 bail, while the three cleaners were granted bail in the amounts of N.dollars 1 000 each.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, has advised people residing along waterways in the FCT to relocate to safer areas.

The acting Director-General of the department, Mr Mohammed Sabo, gave the warning in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Sabo explained that the warning became necessary following the early warning issued by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

He said that NiMet, in its rainfall forecast bulletin had warned that a moderate to heavy rainfall was expected on Thursday and Friday in parts of FCT, Niger, and Kogi.

Other states that might also experience moderate to heavy rainfall, according to NiMet, include Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kebbi, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Kwara, Bayelsa and Cross River.

He said that the agency’s forecast emphasised the prospect of flash floods because of the moderate to heavy rainfall in the mentioned states.

The acting director-general said that NiMet also warned that strong winds may accompany the rains.

T
his, according to him, may likely cause hazards like slippery road surfaces, reduced visibility, threats to weak structures, trees, and mast.

He appealed to FCT residents to heed to the NiMet warning by clearing all blocked drainages and removing all infractions obstructing free flow of water.

‘The residents should exercise caution on the roads as the onset of the wet season in the FCT sets in.

‘Motorists should also desist from driving through flooding water when it rains, stressing that the flooding water may have a strong under-current,’ he said.

Sabo also urged the residents to always dial the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of any emergency.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

SWAKOPMUND: A 38-year-old man who was accused of rape at Walvis Bay reportedly committed suicide after threats to the victim if she reported the incident.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, when the deceased allegedly hung himself in the garage of the house where he was staying.

The Namibian Police spokesperson in the Erongo Region, Chief Inspector Ileni Shapumba, in a crime report on Wednesday said the rape incident allegedly occurred on Monday, when the suspect reportedly called the victim to the house to assist him with a window that is usually stuck.

According to the victim, after they closed the window, the suspect reportedly locked the door to the house, grabbed her by the neck, followed by other acts of force, pushed her into the bathroom and proceeded to have sexual acts with her under coercive circumstances.

‘Afterwards he threatened to kill himself if the victim reports the matter,’ Shapumba said.

The victim returned to her flat and informed someone who called the police, who immediately attende
d to her and rushed her to the hospital for medical examination.

The suspect, who was a nephew to the owner of the house, was allegedly not found at the house and was not arrested at the time. On Tuesday, at about 15h00, the police at Narraville attended to a suicide incident reported at the same house where the reported rape incident took place.

The deceased was identified as a man who, according to the police, was recently released from a correctional facility after serving 10 years in custody on another rape case.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria , Mr Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, says Japan remains firmly committed to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to create a safe and secured environment for all its citizens.

The ambassador made the commitment at the inauguration of project 2024, at Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre(MLAILPKC) Jaji

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was executed in collaboration with the Government of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Kazuyoshi, who spoke virtually said the project exemplified that commitment, adding, ‘we believe it will make a significant contribution to achieving that goal.

‘One crucial aspect of building lasting peace is ensuring the active participation of women. Women are not just victims of conflicts, they are perfect agents for peace.’

According to the envoy, over the decades, Nigeria has been confronted by insurgency and terrorist attacks particularly from Boko Haram in the North-East.

He said,
‘These acts of violence had devastated lives and communities causing loss of lives and properties, mass displacement and significant economic losses.

‘During my visit to Maiduguri on March 10, I witnessed first hand the plight of those impacted in the IDP camp.

‘Just recently, the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mrs Kam Kaowa, concluded her very first visit to Nigeria, during which she emphasized the critical importance of peace and security for Nigeria’s continued development and prosperity.’

Kazuyoshi explained that since inception, MLAILPKC has trained over one 100, 000 troops on pre-deployment training and over 2200 persons on individual peace support operation courses.

They were drawn from Nigeria’s Armed Forces, Paramilitary organisations , government’s ministries, departments and agencies, civilians and allied countries.

He said the project was executed with technical support from the UNDP and financial support of the government of Japan

‘It has the potential to empower women, develop the new generati
ons of female leaders who can play critical role in Nigeria peace building efforts,’ the envoy added.

Also, the Chief of Training, Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Sani Muhammad, commended UNDP and the Government of Japan for sustaining the project over the years not only in Nigeria but across the globe.

The chief of training was represented Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, Commandant Nigerian Army School of Infantry.

He said the 2024 project covers 3 vital courses: ‘Leadership and National Cohesion, Comprehensive Protection of Civilians’ and ‘Countering Violent Extremism’, all to be executed by MLAILPKC.

‘ This project will significantly enhance the capacity of MLAILPKC to deliver world-class training and capacity-building programs, empowering military and security personnel.

‘As well as other stakeholders, to effectively prevent, respond to, and manage emerging security challenges in Nigeria and the West African sub- region.

‘Effective leadership and national cohesion, protection of civilians, and countering vi
olent extremism are essential skills required by peacekeepers, security personnel, NGOs and selected MDAs.

‘By acquiring these skills, participants of these courses will be empowered to lead, protect civilians, and counter violent extremism, ultimately contributing to a more peaceful and secure Africa, ‘Muhammad said.

Also in his remarks, the Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, Mr Mathew Alao, said the event marked the commencement of the execution of the ‘Enhancing MLAILPKC’s Capacities for Effective Peace Support Operations in West Africa Project’.

Alao said the project was formulated by MLAILPKC and UNDP with funding assistance from the Government of Japan.

He said the main objective of the project was to advance democracy and national cohesion, peaceful co-existence and preserve the well-being of civilians in armed conflicts.

‘The funding of this project reflects the importance that the Government of Japan and UNDP attach to peace and security issues in the world, especially in West Africa.

‘
The project will complement the efforts of the West Africa Member States to curtail the spread and influence of terrorism, extremism and violence in the region.

‘Over the last decade, the Government of Japan, in partnership with UNDP, had invested over US$3 million in Peace Support Operations (PSOs), and anti-piracy projects in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.

‘The projects had resulted in the capacities of about 1,000 military and paramilitary officers and civilians in 11 countries of the regions built and strengthened, ‘ Alao said.

He said the Government of Japan, in collaboration with UNDP Nigeria, had funded over 15 projects with a budget of over US$28 million in Nigeria in a decade.

‘Nigeria is the only country in Africa that has enjoyed perpetual funding of the PSOs project from the Government of Japan since 2014.

‘We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Embassy of Japan, Abuja for its constant support to UNDP Nigeria,’ Alao added.

Earlier, the Commandant of MLAILPKC, Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoj
a, said collaboration efforts with local and international partners have been instrumental in achieving the set objectives.

He said MLAILPKC was proud to partner with organizations such as the UNDP, AU and ECOWAS.

‘ The Centre appreciates the collaborative effort of the Government of Japan towards her capacity development programmes.

‘These strategic partnerships have enabled MLAILPKC to leverage resources, expertise, and networks, enhancing our impact in peacekeeping and conflict resolution capabilities in Nigeria and Africa.

‘Through these partnerships, MLAILPKC continues to strengthen the capacity to promote peace, security, and development in Africa.

‘The Centre looks forward to deepening our collaboration to achieve even greater results,’ Adedoja said .

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has begun the review of the Youth Development Policy to comprehensively address the challenges being faced by young people in the country.

Dr Jamila Ibrahim, the Minister of Youth Development, said this in Abuja on Wednesday during a meeting with critical stakeholders from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The meeting with the theme: ‘Leadership and Public Policy: Grassroot Mobilisers – The Challenges and Remedies through Remodeling’, highlighted the government’s commitment to youth development.

Ibrahim emphasised the need for inputs from all stakeholders before presenting the draft of the policy to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.

According to her, the government’s aim is to involve all relevant parties in the process of establishing sustainable solutions to the prevalent issues, particularly by ensuring accessible financial resources for the younger generation.

‘Meaningful inclusion of the youth and addressing the requirements of individuals
with special needs.

‘We cannot progress without a comprehensive policy. Upon our arrival, we encountered an outdated policy, prompting us to devise programmes and initiatives that actively engage young people and allow them to influence policy decisions.

‘The current administration is committed to fostering trust between young people and the government.

‘To achieve this synergy, we must wholeheartedly be committed to delivering on President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Initiatives’ as promised,’ she said.

Abbah Isah, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on People with Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, emphasised that 40 per cent of Nigerian youth living with disabilities face hardships.

According to him, the hardships are limited access to basic social amenities, economic instability leading to financial hardship, and inadequate healthcare services.

Abah expressed his appreciation for Tinubu’s unwavering dedication to ensure that all segments of society receive the necessary support and att
ention within the framework of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of his administration.

In his closing remarks, Dr Dunoma Ahmed, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry thanked the participants, adding that the meeting would be a continuous engagement with critical stakeholders across the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria