N$4
namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6649 FRIDAY 28 APRIL 2017
Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
NIMT unable to pay April salaries Floris Steenkamp The Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) had no option on Tuesday other than informing staff it cannot honour salaries due for April, as the Ministry of Education had not provided government funding to the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) or the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF). The news came in the form of an internal memo to all staff by the Manager: Finance Mark Templin. The memo was leaked to namib times. “We are devastated. We are on the brink of a long weekend. Apart from facing an immediate financial difficulty to honour our financial commitments we are also stuck at home for the long weekend. What am I going to say to my family?” an audible stressed employee of NIMT said. In the memo the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture is pointed as responsible for the salary
fiasco. The Ministry is accused of not having made funds available to NTA and NSFAF. In the memo NIMT says it is looking at alternative arrangements and would pay the salaries when “practically possible”. NIMT plays a pivotal role in training Namibian artisans in a variety of fields. It has campuses in northern- and southern Namibia and Arandis.
Usakos and Karibib residents felt minor earthquake yesterday Erwin Leuschner Some residents of Usakos and Karibib felt a minor earthquake on Thursday afternoon. It struck between 14:00 and 15:00 and only lasted a few seconds. No damages or injuries were recorded. The Ministry of Mines and Energy received reports about the earthquake from residents, but has no statistics yet. “The office is busy compiling as report,” said Andreas Simon, Senior Public Relations Officer, at the ministry yesterday. The minor earthquake follows only weeks after a massive earthquake in Botswana which was felt across Southern Africa, including parts of the coastal region.
“Ministry of Education could not provide funds for salaries of NTA or NSFAF”
MVA wishes road users a safe Workers Day Road Accident Response Number:
081 9682 The MVA Fund wishes all road users a safe Workers Day, also referred to as May Day to be celebrated on 01 May 2017. As this commemoration is over a long weekend, heavy traffic flow across the country is anticipated, hence all road users are urged to exercise extra vigilance and care whilst using the road. As the Fund continues to fulfil its mandate of investing in accident and injury prevention measures, the Fund and its road safety partners will engage in road risk awareness interventions, which include passenger safety, seatbelt usage, vehicle and driver fitness, and the #slowdowncampaign. The #slowdowncampaign amongst others focuses on creating awareness amongst drivers to slow down in urban areas in order to reduce pedestrian related crashes and resultant injury severity. In case of a road crash, all members of the public are reminded to call the MVA Fund Accident Response Number at 081 9682.
inside UltraLuxury Yacht to call Page 6
Fuel prices remain unchanged
Page 10
Locker vom Hocker
Page 13
“We will come knocking at several doors soon” - ACC
The regional office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Swakopmund looks back on a productive 2016. A total of 42 new cases were recorded of which 19 were finalised, said head investigator Walter Kurz yesterday in Swakopmund during a debriefing to the local media. “Creating awareness of corruption can never be enough. It is an ongoing process and should never stop,”
said Kurz. During the briefing at the Office of the Governor, Kurz gave a brief overview of some notable cases
the ACC is investigating across Erongo. Some of these cases are being investigated in the coastal towns Walvis Bay and Henties Bay, whilst the local authorities of Karibib, Usakos and Omaruru have also come under the spotlight.
Currently, the ACC investigates three high profile cases in Walvis Bay. One case, which is at an advanced stage, involves the tinting of t h e M a y o r, C l r. Wilfred Immanuel's mayoral vehicle. The procurement process to have the windows Continues on Page 2
Uis Fly-in 2017 Page 28