Category: General

Keetmanshoop, Namibia – The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in Keetmanshoop is awaiting the Prosecutor General’s decision on whether to prosecute a local businessman following an alleged shooting incident. The event reportedly occurred on Saturday at the businessman’s shebeen in the Tseiblaagte residential area.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), NamPol’s crime investigations coordinator for the ||Kharas region, the incident happened between 11:00 and 12:30 on Saturday. The businessman is accused of shooting Jamie Afrikaner, 27, in the neck and Tangeni Alweendo, 31, in the left leg, leading to two charges of attempted murder. While Afrikaner has been discharged after treatment at Keetmanshoop hospital, Alweendo is expected to be transferred to Windhoek for further medical care. Deputy Commissioner Mbango detailed that the incident allegedly followed threats against the businessman at another of his bars and a subsequent altercation at the police station. The shooting reportedly occurred in self-defense after the businessman was attacked by the two men. The businessman subsequently reported himself to the police and filed a case against Alweendo and Afrikaner for violation of peace, assault by threatening, and trespassing. The police are also waiting for the Prosecutor General’s decision on whether to arrest
and charge Alweendo and Afrikaner. Deputy Commissioner Mbango added that the two men allegedly shot are part of the Hosh-Hosh gang, which has been threatening the businessman’s family and his life.

Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Namibian President Hage Geingob, speaking at the COP28 conference in Dubai, has affirmed Namibia’s commitment to leveraging renewable energy for sustainable economic growth. This approach, he stated, will be both environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), President Geingob emphasized Namibia’s strategy to position itself as a renewable energy innovation hub. This initiative aims to promote green industrialization, job creation, and ensure energy access for all citizens. Namibia is currently advancing nine green hydrogen projects, which are focused on using renewable energy to produce clean energy molecules, aiding in the decarbonization of sectors like transport and agriculture. The President also highlighted Namibia’s exploration of new industries in the chemicals and basic material sectors, which is expected to diversify the country’s exports and strengthen its gross fixed capital formation. With an ambitious goal to deploy over 10 gigawatts of renewable energy within the next two decades, President Geingob stated that this would greatly exceed the country’s current generation capacity. He noted the nation’s abundant reserves of lithium and rare earth elements, vital for the energy transition, and plans to manufact
ure battery precursors domestically using additional renewable energy. President Geingob also pointed out that significant new infrastructure developments, such as ports, roads, railways, and pipelines, are necessary for this green industrialization. He reiterated that this initiative is not only an economic necessity but also a means to achieve environmental sustainability and social equity. Concluding his speech, President Geingob called for collaboration and partnership to promote renewable energy technologies across Africa.

Oniipa, Oshikoto Region – Councillor Vilho Nuunyango of the Oniipa constituency, in the Oshikoto region, has called on local residents to actively participate in health screenings and activities to prevent diseases. His statement came during a Health Day event organized by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in the region, coinciding with the World AIDS Day commemoration.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), who also serves as the health ministry’s malaria ambassador in the region, primary prevention care is key in promoting health and preventing illnesses through early diagnosis and treatment. He highlighted that the Oshikoto regional council is committed to supporting the MoHSS in ensuring health for all. This commitment includes collaborative projects focusing on access to health services, clean water, good sanitation, food, and housing. Nuunyango also called for support from private organizations, the business community, and tertiary institutions in achieving the MoHSS’s strategic health objectives. Loini Shivolo, an Antistatic specialist at Onadjokwe Hospital, emphasized the importance of healthcare workers maintaining their own health to effectively care for others. She noted the dedication of health workers, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, and underscored the principle that “prevention is better than cure.” Shivolo advised the community to play a signi
ficant role in preventing diseases by adhering to preventative measures, seeking healthcare in a timely manner, and complying with treatment protocols. Shivolo further stated that community involvement is crucial in health services and highlighted Namibia’s achievements in health promotion, with a continued commitment to investing in the health of its citizens.

Keetmanshoop, Namibia – A 29-year-old man is scheduled to appear in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court on charges of the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl in the village of Tses.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), Namibian Police Force’s crime investigations coordinator for the ||Kharas region, the alleged incident occurred on Friday night in the Aukamp residential area of Tses. The report indicates that the suspect, a neighbor of the victim, allegedly lured her under the pretext of offering food and then forced her into sexual intercourse. Deputy Commissioner Mbango added that the suspect reportedly threatened the victim to keep the incident a secret and escorted her back home. However, the victim confided in her sister, who then reported the matter to the police. After initially evading arrest, the suspect was apprehended on Sunday. The victim has received medical attention at the Keetmanshoop state hospital. The police investigation is ongoing.

Gobabis, Namibia – Melba Tjozongoro, representing the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), was re-elected as Mayor of Gobabis on Friday. She retained her position unopposed in the eastern town. Nona Gogases will continue to serve as deputy mayor, having also been re-elected without opposition. Additionally, Alivira Theron, Silvester Binga, and Isaak de Beers were re-elected as members of the management community.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), In nearby towns, incumbents also held onto their positions. At Witvlei, Matilde Eises and Sheya !Gaogoses maintained their roles as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the management committee, respectively. In Leonardville, Petra Salomi Witbooi was re-elected Chairperson with Bernard Gariseb as her deputy.

During her acceptance speech, Tjozongoro addressed the financial challenges facing Gobabis, particularly the municipality’s debt to Nampower and the potential for load-shedding. To mitigate these issues, the town encouraged residents to transition to prepaid water and electricity systems.

Tjozongoro reported significant progress in the implementation of prepaid water meters, with 45 pensioners in Gobabis and 25 households in the newly formalized Freedom Square and Promiseland residential areas benefiting from the rollout. The informal settlements of Epako and Nossobville also saw improvements, with the addition of communal water standpipes, bringing the total to 30 in these areas. The mayor expressed her desire to eliminate informal settlements in Gobabis.

She also highlighted the successful construction of around 73 houses by the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia’s savings group, with 16 more houses under construction on land provided by the municipality in the current fiscal year.

Addressing the town’s water conservation needs, Mayor Tjozongoro urged Gobabis residents to use water sparingly. She noted the uncertainty of future water availability, citing poor rainfall in the Omaheke region in recent years.

Gobabis, Namibia – Gobabis Mayor Melba Tjozongoro emphasized the need for enhanced funding for community-based organizations combating HIV/AIDS. Her statement came during the commemoration of World AIDS Day, marked annually on December 1st. This year’s theme was ‘Let communities lead’.

According to Namibian Press Agency (NAMPA), In her speech, delivered on her behalf at the event, Mayor Tjozongoro highlighted the significant contributions of organizations like Lironga Eparu and Ombetja Yehinga in the past. She pointed out that these groups became largely dormant due to the discontinuation of financial support from the government and other agencies. Tjozongoro also noted that the global outbreak of the coronavirus further strained resources, diverting them away from the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Calling for action, the mayor urged the government and stakeholders to financially support the planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of community-based organizations’ programs. She stressed the importance of government and donor agencies in fully and reliably funding community leadership roles to achieve desired outcomes in the HIV/AIDS battle.

Additionally, Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate, also speaking at the event, emphasized the crucial role of communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He advocated for community leadership in designing and delivering integrated sexual reproductive health and rights and HIV programs.

Governor Nganate appealed to communities and individuals to use all available preventative measures to control the spread of HIV. He underscored the importance of World AIDS Day in raising awareness about the severity of HIV and AIDS, providing information on effective interventions and measures for prevention, and supporting those living with the virus in communities.