The state has shown that it has a strong case against one of the key figures in the Fishrot fishing quotas fraud and corruption case, businessman Tamson ‘Fitty’ Hatuikulipi, a judge has said in the Windhoek High Court.
Acting judge David Munsu said this in a ruling late last year when he dismissed Hatuikulipi’s second application to be granted bail.
Munsu said the new facts on which Hatuikulipi relied for his request to be granted bail did not establish a perspective that impacted on the old facts on which his first bail application was turned down in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in July 2020.
The new grounds were a claim by Hatuikulipi that the state’s disclosure of its evidence in the matter showed it did not have a strong case against him, his continued pretrial incarceration more than three years after his arrest, the expectation that his trial would be protracted, and a deterioration of his personal circumstances since his arrest, the judge said.
HAIMBALA CROWNED MISS AFRICA 2022’S SECOND PRINCESS
Namibian local model Albertina ‘Tina’ Haimbala was voted second princess at a glittering Miss Africa 2022, which took place at Calabar, Nigeria, in December.
“This journey has been the most difficult and I’m so proud of myself for showing up and doing what I needed to do. It was not an easy one because all the girls were amazing and deserving,” Haimbala said from Nigeria.
She said her goal was to place in the top three.
KUUGONGELWA-AMADHILA’S OFFICIAL VEHICLES CRASH
Two official vehicles allocated to prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila were allegedly involved in an accident late last year, Omusati regional police commander commissioner Ismael Basson said.
According to Basson, the vehicles were driving in a convoy and crashed into each other.
No injuries were reported.
Basson said the incident took place along the Omafo-Onandjaba road.
He said Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was travelling from Okongo to Outapi.
FORMER BOTSWANA PRESIDENT FACES ARREST
An arrest warrant has been issued in Botswana for former president Ian Khama, who is believed to be in South Africa.
According to the warrant issued by Gaborone’s regional magistrate, Mareledi Dipate, Khama should be apprehended on sight and brought before the Broadhurst Magistrate’s Court.
It is the Botswana state’s case that Khama faces a charge of the unlawful possession of firearms on or around 3 March 2016.
He was initially charged in absentia in April last year along with former state intelligence boss Isaac Kgosi, suspended police commissioner Keabetswe Makgophe, and Victor Paledi, a former deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service.
Kgosi, Makgophe, and Paledi have been appearing in court since they were charged by the state.
PRESIDENT JOINS WORLD IN MOURNING POPE BENEDICT XVI
President Hage Geingob has joined other world leaders in mourning Pope emeritus Benedict XVI, who died in the Vatican City on 31 December.
The former head of the Roman Catholic Church, who was born as Joseph Ratzinger in Germany in 1927, was 95 years old.
Geingob conveyed his condolences in a message on his Twitter account.
He said he was saddened by the pope’s death, who he said he had met at the papal summer residence outside Rome.
“During our exchange about the importance of faith in building tolerant communities, I remember him as frank, kindhearted and emphatic,” Geingob said.
GEINGOB DUBS 2023 THE YEAR OF REVIVAL
Geingob has dubbed 2023 the year of revival.
He said this during his annual year-end message, in which he also urged Namibians to not look backwards.
Geingob said Namibians have good reason to look ahead and pull forward towards inclusive progress and prosperity.
“We say goodbye to 2022, the year of reimaging, and say welcome to 2023, the year of revival, which is about reigniting the strength of a resurgent nation, a nation that looks into the future with renewed hope and optimism,” Geingob said.
NAMIBIA AFFIRMS RELATIONS WITH CHINA
Namibia has affirmed its working relationship with China.
While congratulating the newly appointed Chinese foreign minister, Qin Gang, deputy prime minister and minister of international relations and cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the two countries enjoy cordial relations and will maintain their strong bond.
“Namibia and China have enjoyed excellent bilateral relations and a historic bond of friendship, which stems from the days of the liberation struggle of Namibia,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
Qin was the Chinese ambassador to the United States before his latest appointment.
‘SALARY COLLECTORS’
SPYL secretary Ephraim Nekongo says some of the country’s educators have no will to educate the Namibian child.
His sentiments follow the announcement of the woeful ordinary and advanced level exam results by minister of education, arts and culture Anna Nghipondoka.
Nekongo described some teachers as “salary collectors”.
NDF RECUITS TO TRAIN FOR 18 MONTHS
The new Namibian Defence Force recruits have adapted to the environment at the NDF training establishment at the Osona military base at Okahandja, where they are undergoing military training for 18 months.
The 1 500 recruits showed minister of defence and veterans affairs Frans Kapofi their newly acquired skills on Christmas Eve.
NANDI-NDAITWAH CELEBRATES 70TH BIRTHDAY
Also late last year, Swapo vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah had a belated 70th birthday celebration alongside her husband, lieutenant general Epaphras Ndaitwah, at the Okongo Anglican Church in the Ohangwena region.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also held a thanksgiving ceremony to celebrate surviving a vehicle accident near Oshivelo in 2017.
Okongo constituency councillor Lebeus Shipindo said the celebration was attended by the prime minister, ministers, deputy ministers, Swapo secretary general, deputy secretary general, members of parliament, politicians, and friends.
Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) secretary Ephraim Nekongo said Nandi-Ndaitwah held the thanksgiving ceremony to thank God after she survived a vehicle accident on 28 December 2017 in which one person died.
Source : Nambian
