Day: March 4, 2024

ROSH PINAH: Two men aged 39 and 49 years are expected to appear in the Karasburg Magistrate's Court on Monday after they were allegedly found in possession of Cannabis worth over N.dollars 300 000. According to a crime report issued on Sunday by the Namibian Police Force (NamPol)'s, crime investigations coordinator for ||Kharas region, Deputy Commissioner, Nikodemus Mbango on Sunday, the suspects were arrested on Friday around 02h00 at the southern town. 'An intelligence led operation pertaining to drugs was conducted by Ariamsvlei and Karasburg police officers and about 1km outside Karasburg, the vehicle in which the suspects were travelling was stopped. However, the driver tried to drive off, but police managed to stop them from fleeing,' he said. One of the suspects allegedly jumped out of the vehicle in attempt to flee, throwing a big parcel out of the vehicle in the process. The parcel was found to contain 7 815 grams of cannabis, with an estimated street value of N.dollars 309 750. The men each face one count of dealing in illicit drugs. In a separate incident, a 23-year-old man is expected to appear in the same court on Monday after he was allegedly found in possession of 1990 grams of Cannabis worth N.dollars 99 500. The deputy commissioner said the man was arrested on Friday morning around 10h00 at his residence at Ariamslvei. In another incident, NamPol at Karasburg are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a 25-year-old man was hit and killed by a vehicle some nine kilometers outside the southern town. The deceased has been identified as Roberto Petrus Kooper, who's next of kin have been informed of his death. Kooper was allegedly struck by the vehicle at around 03h30 on the Karasburg/Grnau road. The driver of the vehicle, who faces a charge of culpable homicide once located, allegedly fled the scene after the incident. Meanwhile, a 90-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at Noordoewer on Saturday, after his body was found hanging from the roof of his room with a black belt around his neck at around 09h00 on Saturday. The incident happened at the Paaiekamp residential area at the border town and no foul play is suspected. In a separate incident at Lderitz a teenage boy who was being held in custody allegedly attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself in a cell. According to Mbango, the incident occurred at around 17h00 on Saturday, however, police officers on duty discovered him hanging from a blanket strap and cut him down while still conscious. Mbango further said the boy was taken to the Lderitz hospital for observation, while a social worker has referred his case to a to a psychologist. Last week the teenager escaped from custody and was rearrested on Friday. Police investigations in all matters continue. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OPUWO: Khorixas-based Robber Chanties FC collected a maximum of six points over the weekend to expand the margin at the top of the Kunene Football League standings to four points. Robber Chanties, one of Kunene's oldest and most successful clubs, have been toying with their opponents this season after winning all six of their opening games, scoring 23 goals and conceding only four. They lead the league with 18 points. They outclassed their long-time rival Kunene NamPol FC on Sunday at the Herbert Conradie Stadium in Khorixas in a game that ended 2-1 in their favour, following Saturday's victory against Opuwo-based Okarindi Komutati with two goals to one. Other Saturday matches featured Green Dangers defeating Pubs FC 7-2 in Kamanjab. At the same time, Okaukuejo's Etosha United crushed Khorixas Football Academy 5-0. Before their loss to Robber Chanties, Kunene NamPol earned three points by defeating Gariseb Orlando Pirates 1-0 at Khorixas. Young Eagles also won 1-0 against Sixty Eleven FC, while Khaibasen and !Ugab FC drew one-all on Saturday. On Sunday, Khaibasen gained three points over Sixty Eleven in a 1-0 victory, Young Eagles and !Ugab drew one apiece, while Green Dangers lost 1-0 to Khorixas FA at home. Gariseb Orlando Pirates, who are yet to find their footing, suffered another humiliating setback on Sunday when they were smashed by Okarindi Komutati in their own home, resulting in a 6-1 thriller in favour of the Opuwo-based team. Etosha United gained a point at home after a 2-2 draw with Pubs. With just six games played, Robber Chanties are the only unbeaten team in the league, with 18 points at the top of the log ranking, followed by Khaibasen with 14 points after four wins and two draws. Young Eagles and Green Dangers are third and fourth, respectively, with 10 points. Etosha United, Okarindi Komutati, and Khorixas FA all have nine points, ranking fifth, sixth, and seventh, respectively. Kunene NamPol are ranked ninth with seven points, followed by !Ugab with six points. Sixty-Eleven and Pubs FC are tied on four points in 10th and 11th place. Gariseb Orlando Pirates, yet to secure a win after five defeats and a tie, are in the relegation zone with one point. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Accra: Master Theodore Akuamoah, a past student of Artcom Academy, a private school in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region, has received this year's Presidential Independence Day Awards for excellent academic performance. Master Akuamoah, who is currently a first-year student at Mawuli Senior High School in Ho, received the recognition in Accra on Friday, March 1, 2024, together with 45 other students who excelled in the 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in an address during the event, congratulated the award recipients. He said education must not be a privilege but a fundamental right and that all must reflect on the crucial role of education 'because the success of the youth depends on a solid educational foundation.' Mr Georgios Badaro, Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana Limited, reiterated his firm belief that the move to award students would also inspire others to reach higher heights. The awards ceremony, which was held at the A ccra International Conference Centre, was attended by ministers of state, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, heads of departments and agencies, parents of awardees, teachers as well as other students. It was in collaboration between Nestlé Ghana Limited and the Ministry of Education as part of their commitment to boosting academic excellence at the basic level. The students, including those visually impaired and hearing impaired were selected from public and private schools across the country. Master Theodore Akuamoah Mr Mawuko Noah, Proprietor of Artcom Academy, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that for his school to be among the ten selected private schools across the country, was as result of hard work by the school's management body as well as the entire teaching staff. He said the school, since its establishment in 2003 and with a current pupil's population of over 700, also grabbed a similar student award in 2017. Each student received a laptop, a plaque, Nestlé souvenirs, and o ne year supply of Nestlé products as well as a signed certificate by the President of the Republic of Ghana. The students also engaged in exciting activities including a tour of the Nestlé factory in Tema, a visit to the Jubilee House, the Ministry of Education, and an air-experience at the Air Force Base in Burma Camp prior to the official awards event. The 67th Independence Anniversary is on the theme: 'Our Democracy, Our Pride.' Since its inception in 1993, the President's Independence Day Awards, continues to reward excellence in academic performance. Source: Ghana News Agency OTJIWARONGO: A member of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) at Grootfontein has appeared in court on charges of rape and assault through threatening after he allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl. The 42-year-old Martin Hangula made his first court appearance before magistrate Boniface Konga and was denied bail when he appeared in court last week. Hangula was accompanied by his private lawyer, Bernard Tjatjara who represented him, while prosecutor Wendy Nkando appeared for the State. Nkando strongly objected to the granting of bail to the accused, citing the seriousness of the matter as well as the fact that police investigations are in the initial stages. She told the court that Hangula, who is also a businessman at Grootfontein, might interfere and jeopardise the police investigations if he is to be released on bail at this stage. Nkando added that the 15-year-old girl is a minor who is in Grade 10 at Grootfontein. She said the girl is highly vulnerable and could be persuaded by the accused to withdraw the c ase once he is out on bail. Hangula allegedly raped the girl at his flat last month. He reportedly threatened her and told her to not tell anyone or report the matter to the police, or he would shoot her. Hangula was arrested at Grootfontein last Wednesday and his case was postponed to 23 April 2024 to allow for police investigations. He however on Monday through his lawyer applied for a bail hearing on the matter. He is remanded in police custody at the Grootfontein Police Station holding cells. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba on Monday travelled to Angola for his first bilateral visit since taking office on 04 February 2024, where he is expected to hold talks with his counterpart, João Lourenço, in Luanda. Mbumba, who marked one month in office, said his visit was about upholding the custom in the region of new elected heads of state reporting to their counterparts. Prior to his departure from Eros Airport, the president told the media that he was also going to thank President Lourenço for his solidarity throughout the period of mourning and the funeral of former President Hage Geingob. 'In terms of tradition, if you're the head of state and new in the office, you must report yourself to others. First, I am going to Angola; next time, I am going to another country. So there is nothing particularly special. It is only that you are duty-bound to perform these things to honour the SADC tradition and honour the friendship we have enjoyed so far with our neighbours,' he said. 'And for the Angolans, to have their president here [for the funeral], sleeping two nights and being among the last to leave with the president of Botswana. We have to thank them in their own territories, not while they are here,' Mbumba said of his one-day visit to Luanda. He said Angola was among the countries that donated equipment for the funeral, including vehicles. 'You've seen their planes in the air,' said Mbumba, referring to the Angolan fighter pilots who participated in the flypast on 25 February 2024, the day of Geingob's funeral at Heroes' Acre. Detailing the president's bilateral visit to Angola, presidential spokesperson Alfredo Hengari told Nampa that Angola and Namibia are important bilateral partners. He noted that the robust people-to-people interactions, strong trading, and peaceful shared borders are indicators of the long-standing ties between the two southern African countries. 'And there are issues in the bilateral relationship that President Mbumba would like to take up with his counterpart, P resident Lourenço, that include the question of grazing along the common borders,' he said. Hengari added that the matter was also discussed by former deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Angolan External Relations Minister Tete Antonio. During their meeting at Helao Nafidi on 12 January 2024, the Angolan government agreed to allow Namibian farmers to graze in the neighbouring Angolan territory. 'But I also need to emphasise that shortly before the passing of President Geingob, Namibia and Angola were discussing a date to hold a bi-national commission. Unfortunately, that has been overtaken by the events. So these are issues that President Mbumba would like to discuss with President Lourenço,' Hengari said. 'There are other issues in our bilateral relations with President Mbumba to learn from Angola as an old oil economy, with Namibia just discovering oil, so there are synergies and commonalities in our relations with Angola.' President Mbumba is accompanied, among others, by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Peya Mushelenga, and Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi. Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OMUTHIYA: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Oshikoto Region has reported the death of four-year-old twin brothers, after they were allegedly left home alone by their mother who went to collect wild fruit. According to NamPol Regional Commander, Commissioner Theopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku on Monday, the incident occurred on Sunday at Okatope village in Oshikoto's Okankolo Constituency. 'It is alleged that their mother went to a family house in the same village Sunday morning and joined the people there to go and collect wild fruit (Eembeke) in the forest. She arrived back at 18h00 and found the children lying dead in a trunk which was in the sleeping room,' she reported. Kalompo-Nashikaku said the trunk was closed but not locked. The deceased were identified as Magnes Simaneka Angula and Salom Panduleni Angula. Their bodies were taken to the Onandjokwe State Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations to be conducted. Police investigations continue. Source: The Namibia Press Agency