Category: General

A three-year-old boy allegedly drowned in a water pond at Okakekete village in the Anamulenge Constituency on Thursday.

The Namibian Police Force Omusati Regional Commander, Commissioner Ismael Basson confirmed this, saying that the incident occurred around 16h30.

‘It is alleged that the minor boy drowned in a water pond next to their mahangu field while he and three others were preventing goats from entering the mahangu field,’ he said.

Basson said the deceased was identified as Simon Ihekeni.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Omusati region in a suspected case of human trafficking detained nine Ethiopian nationals on Thursday evening after they entered Namibia illegally from Angola.

Omusati Regional Commander Commissioner Ismael Basson in a crime update, informed the media on Friday that the group was apprehended during a police patrol conducted by the Okapalelona sub-station while they were crossing the border between Omufituweelo and Okatanyange villages at around 22h50.

According to Basson, the group consisting of four males and five females were transported across the border by a white Toyota pickup truck with an Outapi registration. The vehicle was confiscated and its 42-year-old Namibian driver was also arrested.

‘The case has all the hallmarks of human trafficking and the Namibian suspect’s name is withheld until his court appearance,’ he said.

The nine Ethiopian are listed as Adise Siyum Laloto (23), Abayinesh Abebe Leleto (32), Lopiso Eliyas Shanko (26), Marta Lopso Boloso (3
3), Genet Ashore Megabo (30), Gideon Yessama Manedo (22), Almaz Sied Araro (27), Wogayehu Mesfin Birhanu (23), and Balakata Eiso who was found with no identification documents.

Police investigations continue.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Speaker of the National Assembly and Chancellor of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Peter Katjavivi on Thursday honoured the Carnation Revolution, reflecting on its significance in Namibia’s fight for freedom during the liberation struggle.

Katjavivi underscored the event’s enduring impact on global movements for democracy and independence at its 50th anniversary held in Windhoek at the University of Namibia’s main campus.

‘Because the events of this Portuguese coup sparked hope throughout southern Africa and accelerated the process toward liberation by providing us with support from our then newly independent brothers and sisters, the Carnation Revolution serves as a reminder to Namibians that the fight for freedom and justice transcends all borders,’ said Katjavivi.

The Carnation Revolution, also referred to as the 25th April Revolution, was a nonviolent coup that occurred in Portugal on 25 April 1974. It resulted in an incredible show of unity throughout the country as
young military officers and civilians joined forces. This event not only freed Portugal from dictatorship but also paved the way for significant political, social, and economic reforms that would eventually lead to democracy and the independence of its African colonies.

‘The legacy of the revolution shows us a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of collective action, and those are the lessons that we drew from what transpired that served us and strengthened our resolve to continue fighting to gain our independence from the colonial occupation of South Africa,’ Katjavivi observed.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has commended the Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision to reinstate the ruling in the rape case against paramedic, Loyiso Coko.

Coko was accused of raping his then 21-year-old girlfriend, who had repeatedly expressed her desire to preserve her virginity and not engage in penetrative intercourse.

Despite assurances from Coko that he respected her wishes, he, however, proceeded to sexually penetrate her without her consent, causing her distress and pain.

In 2018, the Regional Court in Makhanda found the State’s evidence compelling and convicted Coko of rape.

However, Coko appealed his conviction at the High Court in 2021 and the High Court ruled that his conviction was unsustainable based on the evidence presented.

The High Court further found that the Regional Court made significant errors in understanding the concept of consent in sexual penetration cases. It, however, found that consent can be given explicitly or implied through conduct.

The High Court postulated
that the complainant was an active participant due to her lack of objection to various actions before the sexual penetration, such as kissing, undressing, and oral sex, and concluded that force or coercion was not used by the accused.

The State appealed to the SCA, and on Wednesday ruled that consent must be given consciously and voluntarily, either explicitly or implicitly by individuals with the mental capacity to understand the nature of the act.

The SCA highlighted that consent to specific acts of sexual penetration is necessary, and withdrawal of consent during the act is valid. The court also concluded that the accused intentionally engaged in penetrative sexual intercourse without consent, despite assurances that he would not do so.

Commission for Gender Equality’s Chairperson, Advocate Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale, noted that in its submission, the CGE referred the court to foreign judicial precedent in interpreting sexual assault and in finding that ‘an act’ referred to in section 3 of the Criminal L
aw (Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act) Amendment Act 32 of 2007, does not mean more than one act.

‘Furthermore, the court indicated that such interpretation would undermine the purpose of the legislation,’ Sepanya-Mogale said.

Sepanya-Mogale said the Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision to set aside Coko’s acquittal and uphold his conviction is a monumental step in the nation’s fight against the scourge of rape.

Sepanya-Mogale said the judgment reaffirms the rights of women and children to dignity and physical integrity.

‘A 21-year-old woman was raped, and the Commission was disturbed by sentiments expressed in the High Court’s judgment implying that she was an active participant in her own rape due to her lack of objection. We hope that the SCA judgment will provide clarity on the matter of consent in respect of sexual intercourse.

‘We are equally relieved that the SCA has set the High Court ruling aside and we are looking forward to the consideration of the High Court on whether the sentence of sev
en years imprisonment that was imposed by the Reginal Court is appropriate in the matter,’ the chairperson said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

WINDHOEK: Namibia has seen a significant increase in the number of tourists arriving from Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) countries.

During the 2021/22 period, the country experienced a staggering 4 073 per cent increase in visitor arrivals from Angola, a 109 per cent increase from Botswana, and a consistent 52 per cent growth from Zambia.

Bornventure Mbidzo, the acting CEO of the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), made these announcements on Wednesday at the Tourism Expo underway in Windhoek.

He stated that the streamlined travel arrangements between Namibia and Botswana have surely contributed to the increase in visitor numbers.

‘The introduction of seamless border crossings has made it easier and more convenient for tourists to explore both countries, encouraging them to stay longer and discover the diverse attractions we offer,’ he said.

He added that NTB firmly believes that similar agreements between other KAZA TFCA countries such as Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe hold immense po
tential for the tourism sector in those nations.

‘By promoting cross-border tourism, eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, and enhancing the overall experience for travellers, we can collectively showcase the breathtaking diversity of each country within the KAZA region,’ he said.

KAZA TFCA Secretariat Executive Director, Nyambe Nyambe meanwhile stated that KAZA partner states are interested in making smart investments in the tourism sector and capitalising on the natural, cultural, and heritage resources that serve as the foundation of landscape tourism offerings. This is by ensuring resource development and unlocking the value of their natural assets and cultural heritage resources.

Nyambe said that beyond borders tourism in KAZA has been going on for a long time, but a lot still is required to make it more competitive, sustainable and beneficial.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, on Thursday inaugurated Namibia’s first Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Plastic Recycling Plant aimed at reducing plastic waste.

The N.dollars 24 million plant, situated in Okahandja, is a joint endeavor between Namibia Polymer Recyclers and Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Namibia.

PET is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is widely used for packaging foods and beverages, especially convenience-sized soft drinks, juices and water.

In a statement issued to Nampa, Shifeta at the inauguration ceremony said the cutting-edge facility will enable Namibia

Polymer Recyclers to process up to 500 tons of PET material per month which is significantly reducing the need for virgin PET while diverting substantial waste from landfills and our precious environment.

‘ By doubling the capacity of our mechanical plastic waste recycling, we are not only addressing the pressing issue of plastic pollution but also unlocking economic opp
ortunities for our nation,’ he said.

Shifeta emphasised that his ministry remains committed to its mandate to create an enabling environment for doing business and to continue to initiate policy interventions and strategies to promote an environmentally friendly and conducive space for businesses to thrive.

He further noted that waste management practices such as composting, reusing, and reducing consumption can significantly lessen the environmental footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency