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Sackey Namugongo is still under lock and key

ak. After appearing in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court yesterday for being alleged of issuing faked gambling licences, Sackey Namugongo, Deputy Director of Wildlife Management in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism still remains in the holding cells. Officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission at Windhoek Internatinal Airport arrested Namugongo on Sunday, 17 September 2006. After adjourning the case for further investigation he could make an appeal for bail on Friday.

18 years for Akwenye’s murderer

ak. For beating Ipula Akwenye to death with a wooden pickaxe handle and heavy rocks on 29 January 2003 Lungile Mawise was convicted of murder and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment on Friday, 15 September 2006. According to Lungile Mawise, aged 17 when killing his fellow-student who was pregnant with his child, he wasn’t able to cope with the pregnancy of Ipula Akwenye. Lungile Mawise has spent the last three years and seven month in custody.

Administration Board: Veterans Trust Fund

ak. The new War Veterans Subvention Administration Board, which will administer the War Veterans Trust Fund established under the War Veterans Subvention Act in 1999, was officially introduced yesterday. The board, chaired by Kenapeta Hikuama-Mupaine Director of Labour Market Services in the Labour Ministry, is administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. Former SWATF soldiers and veterans of both World Wars should benefit from the Trust Fund, while each case is investigated on its own merits. The Committee of former SWAPO war veterans, being present in the media during the last couple of weeks for hustling compensation for the SWAPO veterans, is not represented on the board.

Adjournment of property valuation lawsuit

ak. The lawsuit regarding the property price of farm Marburg and farm Okorusu near Otjiwarongo, which were expropriated last year, was adjourned on Tuesday, 19 September 2006 for the third time since February this year. The two plaintiffs Heidemarie Lacheiner-Kuhn and Lieselotte Lacheiner are contesting the offer from government for their farms, as this is less than half of the N$9,56 million an independent estimator calculated for the property including the running costs.

Soaring inflation rate

ak. The annual inflation rate increased up to 5,4 percent due to price hikes of household commodities, food, clothing etc.The average annual inflation rate from January to August 2006 was estimated at 4,7 percent.

New jobs at Sossus Dune Lodge

ak. About 56 jobs will be created at the new Sossus Dune Lodge which will be built by the Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) in the Namib-Naukluft Park and will be part of their business turnaround. The construction will last for eight months. The project will prove profitable for NWR.