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namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 7074 FRIDAY 12 JULY 2024 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Walvis Bay Residents Raise Concerns Erongo Police Tackle inside Walvis Bay Over Burning Tyres at Rubbish Dump Rising Crime Trends Launches Eileen van der Schyff
Residents of Walvis Bay have voiced their concerns regarding the conditions and regulations at the local rubbish dump, following the now almost daily sightings of a thick black plume rising from the area. Photos sent by alarmed community members showed tyres burning, releasing smoke into the air. In response to the public outcry that prompted the Namib Times to ask the questions to the Municipality, Anita Kaihiva, Communication Officer of the Public Relations Division at the Municipality of Walvis
Bay said she assures residents that the municipality is actively seeking solutions to prevent such incidents in the future. Residents raised several critical questions regarding the management and oversight of the rubbish dump. Concerns were raised about the perceived lack of regulation enforcement at the dump, particularly regarding the
burning of waste. The community questioned the measures in place to prevent the burning of tyres, which significantly impacts air quality. The role of health inspectors in monitoring and addressing the conditions at the dump was also brought into question. Steps taken to mitigate the environmental impact of activities at the dump, espe-
cially those affecting air quality and health, were sought. Plans to protect the health of Walvis Bay residents from the hazardous effects of the rubbish dump were requested. Questions regarding any legal or regulatory challenges preventing stricter enforcement at the dump were also posed. Clarification on the role of a Hazmat Pick-up photographed at the site during the burning tyres incident was requested. In her response, Kaihiva acknowledged the resi-
in Swakopmund Public Meeting
Youth Climate Action Fund
Sharlien Tjambari
Following alarming amount of murder cases in June, the Erongo Police held a public meeting with residents of Swakopmund last week to discuss crimerelated issues and exchange crimeprevention measures. According to Senior Inspector, Johannes Mwatonge of Mondesa Police Station, the crimes of greatest concern in Mondesa are housebreaking, theft from motor vehicles, culpable homicide mostly caused by reckless driving, robberies, Continues on page 2
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Swakopmund Mayor Joins Successful Cleanup Campaign in Swakopmund
Four Men Found Guilty in 2016 Walvis Bay Eileen van der Schyff Fatal Armed Robbery On Monday this week, the High Court at Windhoek Correctional Facility delivered a lengthy and meticulous judgement, finding four men guilty on six charges, including a count of murder, related to a fatal armed robbery committed in Walvis Bay eight years ago. Judge Dinnah Usiku convicted Panduleni Gotlieb, David Tashiya, David Shekundja, and Elly Hinaivali for their roles in the armed robbery that resulted in the death of Hans-Jörg Möller, at the time, 50-year-old resident of Walvis Bay, on the night of 16 to 17 June 2016. The court proceedings revealed that the four men carried out a planned robbery at Möller's home, during which he was fatally shot. In addition to the murder conviction, the judge found the four men guilty of attempting to murder Möller's wife, Carol-Ann Möller, by assaulting and seriously injuring her during the robbery. The court heard that the assailants were informed by an employee of the Möller couple about a large sum of money kept in a safe at their home, which motivated the robbery. The court
also acquitted a fifth accused, Malakia Shiweda, who provided a convincing defence. Shiweda testified that while he was in Walvis Bay on the evening of 16 June 2016, he was not present at the crime scene. He stated that he received a phone call late at night to pick up his four co-accused and drove them back to Windhoek the following morning. Judge Usiku accepted Shiweda's explanation, leading to his acquittal. Contrarily, Gotlieb, Shekundja, and Hinaivali denied being in Walvis Bay at the time of the robbery. However, Judge Usiku rejected their alibis, concluding that they, along with Tashiya, conspired to execute the robbery based on insider information about the Möllers' safe. Evidence presented in court included a pistol found in Gotlieb's possession at a police Continues on page 2
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Successful Medical Screening in Kuisebmond Page 4
Sports News This was the last photo taken of Hans-Jörg Möller, taken on the morning of 16 June 2016, when he attended a function at a Swakopmund Kindergarten of his two daughters, who were six and eight years old at the time. Möller was shot later that night just past midnight. Pages 14 - 16