Day: May 29, 2023

Three suicides by hanging were recorded over the weekend in various parts of the country, where two men and one woman allegedly ended took their lives.

According to the Namibian Police Force's weekend crime report on Sunday, an 86-year-old man, identified as Fredrick Shikodhi, was found dead in the Oshaandja village in the Oshana Region.

It is alleged that he hung himself with a rope under a tree in the Mahangu field near his house.

The body was discovered by the deceased’s son, who had seen him the night before.

No suicide note was found and no foul play is suspected.

In the second incident, the lifeless body of a 51-year-old Namibian woman was allegedly found hanging from the roof of a bedroom in the Omahenene location of the Oshana Region, with a yellow rope around its neck.

No suicide note was found and no foul play is suspected in the presumed suicide.

Meanwhile, in the Okathitu kaNangombe village in the Omusati Region, the lifeless body of 33-year-old Immanuel Sheehama Matias was discovered hanging from a mopane tree in what is presumed to be a suicide.

The body was found in a decomposed state after being missing for four days. No suicide note was found and the remains were taken to the Okahao mortuary for a postmortem.

Police investigations in all matters continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

A 27-year-old man lost a toe after he was allegedly shot in a dispute over a bar seat in the Zambezi Region on Friday.

The Namibian Police Force in a crime report issued on Sunday, indicated that a 26-year-old man was apprehended as a suspect in the matter.

According to the report, the suspect shot the victim with a shotgun while he was returning home from the bar with his brothers, causing the victim to lose a big toe and suffer severe injuries on his left foot.

The crime report stated that the altercation began over a seat at a local bar, while the victim and suspect were drinking alcohol. It is further alleged that the shotgun did not belong to the suspect and that it was unlicensed.

In a similar but unrelated incident, a 26-year-old man was allegedly shot and injured at Moses Garoeb Primary School in Windhoek's Ombili residential area.

According to the crime report, the victim was in a taxi with three other passengers, where a conflict ensued between the victim and the taxi driver over the lack of payment for the ride. The suspect allegedly pulled out a gun and fired a shot that hit the victim's upper right arm.

The suspect is yet to be arrested.

In an unrelated incident at Outjo in the Otjozondjupa Region, an unknown suspect allegedly stabbed a 28-year-old male in the abdomen with an unknown object, resulting in serious injuries.

According to the report, the victim was initially taken to Outjo State Hospital but was later transferred to Windhoek for further treatment, where his condition was confirmed as stable.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo has emphasised the need for politicians to mitigate corruption in the management of natural resources in order to ensure that in-country value creation reaches ordinary citizens.

Alweendo at the opening of the oversight workshop on maximising the potential of the mining and energy sectors in Namibia in Swakopmund on Monday called on government officials to be fair and transparent with their employment procedures, procurement processes and in exercising oversight over policy implementation.

“Corruption, especially where public officials obtain private gains from holding public office, is among the practical challenges that have the potential to derail the effective management of our natural resources. The more we are transparent in our conduct, the higher the chance of realising our fair share of the economic benefits from our natural resources,” he said.

The minister added that inclusivity, providing equal opportunities for people who might otherwise be excluded, is also an important aspect of ensuring every Namibian benefits from the country’s natural resources.

“To quote President Hage Geingob, 'exclusivity spells conflict while inclusivity spells harmony'. There are examples across the world where the oil and gas sector in some countries has become an exclusive sector, dominated by a few individuals and excluding most citizens, especially the ordinary citizens. This exclusion has resulted in huge social inequality that fuelled social discontent and unrest. It is my hope that we give serious consideration to inclusivity in our discourse.”

Erongo Governor Neville Andre Itope expressed the need to fix the policy, legal and regulatory framework governing the energy, mining, and oil sectors in Namibia, including the effectiveness of the governance mechanisms in place for these sectors, as well as oversight, monitoring and enforcement.

The objectives of the week-long workshop are to assess the state of the mining, energy and oil sectors in Namibia, including their contribution to the country’s economy, employment and sustainable development, among others.

It is being attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including members of the parliamentary standing committees on economics and natural resources as well as agencies responsible for energy, mining and natural resources.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) on Monday said it will continue collecting customers’ biometric data as part of its ‘Verifi’ procedure as an enhanced security measure against cyber theft.

This despite a directive issued Friday by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) that the gathering of biometric data for the purpose of SIM card registration is no longer required.

CRAN stated that the decision was based on complaints from the public and members of the media regarding the practice of some mobile operators requesting biometric data during the SIM card registration process in the absence of a data protection legislative framework.

The Communications Regulatory Authority indicated that operators will only need the information specified in the regulations, which includes the customer’s name, regular dwelling address, and Namibian ID, passport, or any other official identity document issued by a government of any nation.

Customers who voluntarily desire to share their biometric data, on the other hand, are welcome to do so, CRAN stated.

In a press release, MTC’s Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer Tim Ekandjo said MTC is considering the notice issued by CRAN, adding that while MTC agrees with CRAN’s viewpoints, it will continue to offer its biometric process as a condition of service to its customers.

“Verifi is done as part of the biometric data gathering process with the purpose of delivering additional protection, which would then help battle fraud and crime - and offer consumer simplicity when it comes to their profiles with MTC,” he stated.

“Thus far, MTC is pleased with the public’s ongoing response to the registration process, particularly with regard to biometrics - for the majority comprehend the security benefits that come with it,” he stated.

Mandatory SIM card registration began on 01 January 2023 in accordance with Section 77 of the Communications Act (No. 8 of 2009) and associated regulations. Telecommunications service providers were given 12 months to complete the registration of all existing subscribers.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency