Day: July 15, 2024

WINDHOEK: The criminal trial of three Zimbabwean nationals accused of killing a nine year-old girl and burning her remains will commence in the Windhoek High Court on Tuesday morning.

The suspects, Edward Nkata, his wife, Caroline Nkata and Rachel Kureva, the deceased’s mother, appeared briefly before Judge Christiaan Philanda on Monday.

The trial was postponed after one of the defense lawyers, Mbanga Siyomundji was indisposed.

The trio are accused of killing Natalie Chipomho. Initially, Kureva was charged and released following the Prosecutor General’s decision to not charge her.

She was subsequently re-charged in connection with the murder.

Allegations are that the trio fatally assaulted Chipomho in January 2020, before burning and dumping her body at a dumping site in Windhoek North.

Chipomho’s charred remains were discovered by a security guard.

The state further alleges that the suspects bought paraffin and matches at a service station and burned Chipomho’s body, in an attempt to conceal her ident
ity.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing food security concerns and reducing the cost of living in the country.

The president gave the reassurance at the public presentation of Chief Olusegun Osoba’s book titled: ‘My Life in the Public Eye’ held in Lagos.

A statement on the president speech at the event was made available to State House correspondent by Mr Stanley Nkwocha, the spokesperson of Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Nkwocha said the president represented by Shettima, noted that the decision to temporarily suspend tariffs on imported grains and other essential food items were short-term measures to address the rising food prices across the country.

‘We are taking steps to address food shortages by temporarily removing tariffs on imported grains and other food items,’ the president stated.

He noted that the measures were specifically aimed at tackling food shortages and improving affordability for consumers.

Tinubu also stressed that the action was
part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance living conditions of Nigerians.

While addressing short-term challenges, the president also reiterated the importance of long-term food self-sufficiency.

‘We will continue to drive local production and ensure that we produce what we eat and use locally,’ he added.

The president further emphasised the importance of Nigeria’s diversity and unity, calling it a vital lesson for the nation, particularly during challenging times.

‘As we work to overcome our current challenges, we must remember that unity and cooperation are essential,’ Tinubu said.

He urged Nigerians to support the administration’s efforts to improve living conditions.

See also Tinubu taking measures against reforms challenges – Onanuga

The president commended Chief Osoba, whom he referred to as ‘Aremo 1,’ for his significant contributions to Nigerian journalism and politics.

Specifically, the president extolled his contribution to nation building as a two-time governor of Ogun as well as his impor
tant involvement in the activities of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in restoring democracy to the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The African Union (AU) has restated its position against external interferences in the Sudan war situation.

Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Chair, AU High-Level Panel of the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan (HLP-Sudan), stated this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

Chambas, also AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns, spoke on the outcome of the first phase of the preparatory meeting of the Inter-Sudanese Political Dialogue that started from July 10 to 15, in Addis Ababa.

According to him, the dialogue organised for stakeholders of the AU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) sought to peacefully resolve the armed conflict situation in Sudan.

Chambas said, ‘the danger of any of these plans, of course is that outside interference is always a factor that is why Sudanese must also put supreme interest of their country over any other consideration.

‘Otherwise, the longer this conflict lasts the more you will see external interference multiply that
can only lead to detriment of Sudan, as they seek diverse interest rather than Sudanese people.

‘The AU and IGAD have severally called for end to external interference, which fuels the war; if the belligerent of Sudan really want to be helpful, they should be providing assistance.

‘They should provide for the vulnerable Sudanese population, not sending weapons and other war materials which only lead to more sufferings, more killings and more destruction of Sudan.

‘AU’s position is non-interference by outsiders that fuels the war and leads to more armament to belligerents. AU calls for end to external assistance to the belligerent which only prolongs the war.’

See also Nigerian Army conducts free medical tests on 1,000 residents in Ogun

Chambas, a former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and Head of the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA), promised to meet Sudanese stakeholders unable to participate in the dialogue.

He said the next phase of the meeting would be held with T
aqqadum, SLM Abdul Wahid, SPLM-North-Al Hilu, the Radical Bloc and other Sudanese political and civil actors unable to attend the meeting.

He mentioned others to include Sudan Liberation Movement, Abdul Wahid, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, El Hilo, and then what is called the Radical Bloc, and Addis, for similar consultations in Addis Ababa.

‘We believe political and civilian actors can also play role to get the belligerent groups to stop the fighting, because right now the fighting is done by the army and the rebel Rapid Support Forces.

‘We have not brought these belligerent groups to the dialogue process yet, because the ceasefire talks are a different track, which is supposed to convene in Jeddah.

‘We believe the political talk is important to mobilise political class, civil society, Sudanese youth, women professional groups, that way they would have set the view of all the important stakeholders.

‘Specifically, set a small team of all the representatives who will constitute the planning committ
ee for the all-inclusive, comprehensive Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue.

‘By so doing we can have inclusive process with no one left behind, when we bring all the actors together,’ he added.

He said bringing stakeholders together would enable the participants set agenda and timing of the political dialogue that they would determine themselves, in conformity with the principle of Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led process.

See also Niger crisis: Tinubu welcomes Central Africa’s support for ECOWAS

‘There can be no military solution, this has to be political, therefore to be dialogue of all Sudanese actors in a process that has commenced and this has been on since past five days.

‘We are quite satisfied with the outcome of the consultations, because the group we met here has come up with 17 recommendations, which will guide on proper ways to have successful inclusive Sudanese dialogue.

‘This includes issues on what agenda should be, who should participate, transitional justice, what kind of government to have, sec
urity sector and reform programme for youth and women,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

South Africa’s new Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, has outlined a bold agenda aimed at improving the country’s law enforcement agencies.

Mchunu addressed the media in Pretoria on Monday on the Ministry’s priorities, following the establishment of the Government of National Unity after the General Elections.

Vowing to tackle crime, restore public trust and improve the effectiveness of the police force, the Minister said he was honoured and humbled to have been given the ‘enormous responsibility’ of ensuring that South Africans are safe and feel safer.

Mchunu said he would implement careful measures to reduce corruption within the ranks of the police and ensure strict faithfulness to ethical standards and accountability mechanisms.

‘The crime levels in the country are on the increase and are intolerable. We need to act decisively and bring this under control.

‘This scenario also requires that we think about what management system is needed overall within the police service, which will enable us to respond e
ffectively to the serious challenge we face. It is our view and understanding that tough measures may need to be taken to reduce crime where necessary.’

He said central to the strategy is the urgent need to professionalise the SAPS and instil positive ethical values, patriotism and the understanding that the primary duty of a police officer is to always serve and protect the public.

‘Uprooting corruption and removing corrupt police officers from SAPS will remain a top priority. Misconduct by SAPS members will not be tolerated and action will be taken.

‘We want to change the negative perceptions of our police officers. People must respect police officers, have confidence in them and feel safe in their midst. Professionalism in the work of police is also part of police protection mechanism,’ said the Minister.

Mchunu said in order to do their work police officers need to work in a conducive environment.

The department was committed to ensuring that police stations are well-resourced and have the necessary
tools and vehicles to serve communities effectively.

‘Police officer must attend regular refresher courses to stay operationally ready. We will also strengthen some existing units within the police force.’

Mchunu said there were plans to update the South African Police Service Act and finalise the National Policy on Policing.

The integration of technologies in police services, Mchunu said, is crucial to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and overall capability of law enforcement.

‘Advanced technologies such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, surveillance systems, and digital communication tools enable police to better predict, prevent, and respond to criminal activities,’ said the Minister.

He explained that these tools provide officers with real-time information, improve decision-making, and facilitate faster, more accurate investigations.

‘Technology also enhances transparency and accountability and fosters greater public trust. We will benchmark against other successful law enforcement ag
encies worldwide and endeavour to bring SAPS on par with the best in terms of technology and operational efficiency.’

Source: South African Government News Agency

The lingering crisis in Sudan has displaced 10 million people while two million others have become refugees, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas has said.

Chambas, Chairman of the African Union High-level panel on the resolution of the crisis, told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in a telephone interview that the situation in the war-torn nation was critical.

‘There is a very serious humanitarian crisis there; it is a very worrisome situation,’ Chambas said.

He expressed regrets that the media was not reporting the scary situation in Sudan.

‘The unfortunate thing is that the Sudanese situation doesn’t get to the front pages. It doesn’t get to the news. It is not Gaza or Ukraine.

‘It is necessary to tell this story. The world needs to hear the Sudanese story. Any African coverage of this tragedy will be welcomed,’ he said.

On the mediation efforts toward ending the conflict, he said that the warring groups were invited to Addis Ababa for talks.

‘What we have done is to launch a preparatory meeting for Inter-Sudanes
e dialogue. We need to end the war and return Sudan to peace.

‘We are calling the groups one at a time. We are reaching out to political and civil organisations in the country.

‘In the next meeting, we shall be discussing with the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement.

‘We shall meet the youth, women, civil society organisations, professional groups, traditional authorities.

‘We shall seek views of all groups. We shall ask them to send their representatives. We want an inclusive process that will leave no one behind.

See also AU, IGAD urge end to Sudan war

‘More importantly, we want to have recommendations on how to end the war. There is a need for a political solution to the crisis. That process has commenced and we are happy with the stage of consultations.

‘We are looking at successive inclusive dialogue, transitional justice, security reforms.

‘All groups want peace. What we are saying is that they must all play their roles to bring it.’

Chambas decried the role of external groups in worsening the cr
isis.

‘Yes, external groups are playing a huge role in prolonging the violence. But the more the crisis lasts, the more you have the outside forces seeking to fuel it.

‘We want these outside forces to support the quest for peace instead of bringing arms.

‘We want all groups involved in the crisis to place the collective Sudanese interest above their personal considerations,’ he said.

NAN reports that Chambas’ panel had held a five-day preparatory meeting of the Inter-Sudanese political dialogue at the African Union Commission building in Addis Ababa.

During the meeting, the panel reminded participants at the mediation that the focus was on Sudanese ownership and leadership.

It also made reference to inclusiveness, neutrality and transparency in the mediation efforts.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A hero’s welcome awaited South African wheelchair tennis champion Kgothatso Montjane as she beamingly made her arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, on Monday morning.

Excitement, loud cheers, the flashing lights of cameras and hearty clapping was the order of the winter morning as the sportswoman emerged into the terminal, after her splendid showing at Wimbledon over the weekend.

Montjane and her Japanese partner Yui Kamiji bagged their third Grand Slam title together on Sunday.

The number one seeds defeated Dutch duo, Diede De Groot and Jiske Griffioen 6-4, 6-4, to secure the Wimbledon Ladies’ Wheelchair Doubles title in London, United Kingdom.

READ | President Ramaphosa congratulates tennis star Kgothatso Montjane

She told journalists that her victory has not sunk in yet, especially after the duo was named silver finalists last year.

‘I’m still digesting it – but I’m sure it will sink in. This is just a great feeling,’ she told journalists as she beamed from ear to ear.

According to the newly c
rowned champion, the matches are gruelling and require professionalism to play at this level.

‘We try to fight as a team. We wanted to win this one considering our performance last year. After that match last year, we felt we needed to give it our best. We felt we lacked strategy. So, you can imagine how badly we wanted it.

‘That’s why we needed to put our differences aside and put our heads together and fight together as a team.’

Montjane had her left leg amputated at age 12 due to a congenital disorder.

She described yesterday’s win as a confidence booster as she prepares for the Paralympic Games in August in Paris.

‘I feel like I really needed this. I’ve been having ups and downs throughout the year and my ranking going through ups and downs, and not being sure where I am.

‘This one really gives me a great feeling that I can go to the Games to deliver,’ she said.

Montjane, who first picked up the racket at the age of 19, thanked her team for motivating her.

‘I’m having so many blows and they’re the
ones who try to keep me motivated so that I keep my head down and continue to work hard. I keep saying I’m winning the wrong Slam but it’s still a great achievement. The plan is still to win the Singles title.’

The 38-year-old believes that she is closer to winning the singles and that all she needs to do is to put her head down and keep working hard towards her goal.

In 2018, the athlete became the first black South African woman to compete at Wimbledon, and she reached the championships’ singles and doubles finals for the first time.

‘To the young ones, they must keep believing and working hard. Their dreams are valid and they must believe in the world of possibility. Their turn will come,’ Montjane said.

Limpopo’s MEC for Sport, Arts, and Culture, Jerry Maseko, was also present at the airport to welcome Montjane.

The MEC told SAnews that he and the provincial leadership were excited and proud of the athlete.

‘The Premier and I were both excited. She directed me to come receive this jewel, this diamon
d from Limpopo, from a rural township of Seshego.’

READ | Tennis superstar Kgothatso Montjane inspires hope

Maseko took the time to express gratitude to the star for her dedication and the consistency she demonstrated from the grassroots to the professional level.

He also paid tribute to Montjane’s many sponsors and said he was rallying the private sector to construct a tennis court that will be named after the champ.

‘It’s important to us to honour the living legend. We shouldn’t honour people when they have passed on. We must appreciate them while they’re still alive.’

Source: South African Government News Agency