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namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6633 FRIDAY 3 MARCH 2017 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Armed gang attacks couple in their home at Wlotzkasbaken
inside Tourist dies whilst walking Brandberg
Two visitors also in the house assaulted and robbed Erwin Leuschner
The rising crime wave at the coast has also hit the small coastal settlement Wlotzkasbaken. Five men, armed with knives, recently broke into one of the houses located there. They threatened and beat some of the victims, before disappearing with goods valued at more than N$100 000. The incident occurred on 26 February, confirmed Deputy Commissioner Ottilie Kashuupulwa, regional crime investigations co-ordinator for Erongo. According to initial reports the five suspects broke into the house between 01:00 and 02:00 in the morning and proceeded to hold the residing couple and their two guests, also a couple, hostage. “They then robbed the victims of a lot of property, which included wedding rings, watches, mobile phones, laptops and much more,” said Kashuupulwa. Before fleeing the scene the suspects cut the victim's car tyres with knives. “Thus they couldn't report the incident to the police on time as they had to walk to another resident's house, where they were assisted to call the police at 03:20 in the morning,” Kashuupulwa continued. The couple are both 56 years old. Their guests are a couple from Tsumeb. The husband is 35 years old and his wife is 32 years old. “The owners of the house were not physically harmed, however, their guests were beaten. The man was beaten with a bolted fist on the eye while his wife was slapped once in her face,” said Kashuupulwa. The value of the stolen items is estimated at N$121 000. According to a security officer, who was guarding a nearby house, the suspects were driving a red sedan. The registration number is unknown though. The police is investigating a charge of housebreaking with the intent to rob as well as a charge of robbery. No arrest has been made yet.
Another perjury case uncoveredErwin Leuschner Police warns public The police has warned the public not to make false statements under oath and has called on insurance companies to investigate cases before processing claims. This emerged after another case of perjury was lodged in less than two months – this time in Walvis Bay. According to Deputy Commissioner Ottilie Kashuupulwa, regional crime investigations co-ordinator for Erongo, it is alleged that a 38 year-old man lied under oath last week at the Narraville police station. The person claimed that his house was broken into and properties to the value of N$8 950 were stolen. Continues on Page 2
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Usakos Town council in the Locker sights of Anti-Corruption vom Sharlien Tjambari Commission Hocker Usakos, known for being one of the underdeveloped towns in Erongo, is facing a new challenge. Accusations against the town council's management have come up, especially in which recruitment processes are conducted within the council. The case is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Swakopmund. Manfred Naobeb, a community activist actively fighting corruption, applied for a Human Resource Manager post advertised at the Usakos Town Council on 10 February 2015. According to him he was shortlisted for an interview. From all candidates only he and another person pitched up though. Naobeb received leaked information which indicated that his scores were the highest and “I was recommended for the post.” However, the town councils administration and management committee were lobbying for their longtime friend, who they made undercover deals with for the position. “This person never studied Human Resource Management and never worked as an HR Officer before compared to me as a candidate, that was interviewed and recommended for the position” said Naobeb. He added that the council managed to push through their agenda by readvertising the position differently from its original advertisement with a criteria that best met the now employed person in the position. The grading was also changed on the same day by the management committee from a C3 to a C4 as per the advertised vacancy in the newspaper. The title was also changed from HR Officer to HR & Admin Practitioner the advert indicated. “I noticed that the actions of the council's administration and management committee was highly corrupt, unfair and not transparent and it should be clear that Usakos town council has been hit by incompetent claims of staff members who are running the town councils affairs as their own business,” Naobeb charged. After his findings, Naobeb approached the ACC office in Swakopmund. According to him the ACC never reacted positively, which prompted him after a year and nine months to write a letter to the office of the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Mrs. Sophia Shaningwa. In this letter he Continues on Page 2
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Motoring Pages 18 & 19
Coastal Pirates Inline Hockey Page 28