By Hileni Nembwaya

OSHANA Governor, C l e m e n c e Kashuupulwa has called on potential investors to invest in Ondangwa as the town looks promising and has a bright future with more opportunities for business growth and infrastructural development expanding.
Ondangwa town has recently experienced a dramatic urban growth in recent years and is geared to be an important and potential business hub.
Kashuupulwa made these remarks during the official opening of Pick-n-Pay retail store at Ondangwa last week, Thursday.
“This will contribute to the local economic growth and job creation. Indeed, this facility will not only contribute to job creation to the youth and women to earn a living as they put bread on the table, it is also uplifting the face of Ondangwa town’s economic growth and subsequently tax income to the government and Ondangwa town council in particular,” he said.
Kashuupulwa continued to say that in spite the region being one of the most densely populated regions in the country, it still continues to provide a significant amount of employment as the majority of businesses in northern Namibia are located in the Oshana region.
The Managing Director of Pick-n-Pay Namibia, Norbert Wurm said that the supermarket chain has come a long way in Namibia and it has grown to become a leader in the local retail sector.
“As you may be aware, for too long we have been absent from Ondangwa as we had to leave under unfortunate circumstances. Now we are back – better and more committed than ever – I am confident that this store will deliver our valued customers in Ondangwa with a world class shopping experience,” said Wurm.
Over 70 youths were granted employment opportunities through this opening.

By Marianne Nghidenwa

HEARINGS into the alleged food tender corruption case involving Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sport, Alfred Ilukena have commenced, Confidente has learnt.
This comes a year after this publication lifted the lid on how Ilukena reportedly presided over a nearly N$3 billion food tender where his wife, Wendy Mwange Ilukena’s co-owned company Namibia Cattle Country Food Services was awarded a N$47 million tender.
Confidente also learnt that Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila appointed former Labour Commissioner now Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Bro- Mathew Shigwandja to handle the matter after Secretary to Cabinet George Simataa recused himself because of close family ties with Ilukena.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) five months ago recommended to the Premier to have Ilukena dragged before a disciplinary hearing for his involvement in the tender after he reportedly pushed through recommendations to the Tender Board of Namibia without his minister’s blessings.
“In line with the Public Service Act of 1995, Mr. Shigwandja appointed a committee of inquiries into the matter and we understand hearings have commenced in line with the Public Service Act no.13 of 1995. The disciplinary committee is expected to submit its report of recommendations to the Prime Minister, after completion of the inquiries.”
The ACC last November recommended that the Office of the Prime Minister drag Ilukena before a disciplinary hearing to answer to several charges of misconduct after a damning investigation report exposed how as PS in the Ministry of Education he presided over a nearly N$3 billion food tender where his wife’s company got the N$47 million tender.
The report written by ACC Director, Paulus Noa, accused Ilukena of being dishonest and corrupt after the latter reportedly took advantage of the absence of then Education Minister, David Namwandi, when he travelled to Berlin, Germany and pushed through his recommendations to the Tender Board to approve the awarding of the N$3 billion food tender.
In the report, Noa castigates Ilukena of being in conflict of interest when he participated in the deliberation and approval of his own recommendation for the tender to be awarded to his wife’s company without declaring to his co-members of the Tender Board that his wife Cattle Country Food Services and recusing himself from the deliberations and decision making. was a director and shareholder in Namibia
The reports says was it not for Namwandi’s vigilance who kept on inquiring about the tender, Ilukena would have managed to have his wife’s company sign the lucrative contract with government. The whole food tender was eventually cancelled by then Prime Minister Hage Geingob and had the tender re-advertised. “The Permanent Secretary, Mr Ilukena, was given instruction by the Minister not to submit the tender until the Minister (Namwandi) returned from Germany. He defied the instruction from the Minister not to submit the tender to the Tender Board. He did not bother to at least wait and inquire from the Minister why the tender submission should be put on hold pending his return,” Noa wrote in his report. Noa says Namwandi had become suspicious of the whole tender allocation process after he received information that Ilukena’s wife was one of the directors of the company that had just been recommended to be awarded the tender. According to Noa although Ilukena’s wife had claimed she had resigned in writing from Namibia Cattle Country Food Services on December 2 2013 neither she nor one of the company directors Francina Kahungu could produce an original letter of resignation that she claimed to have submitted to Kahungu.

By Confidente Reporter

CO N T R O V E R S Y surrounds the appointment of Tania Hangula as the chairperson of the Development Bank of Namibia board last week amid allegations that she is not academically qualified and lacks the experience to lead such a huge and influential bank.
Hangula only has a National Diploma in Commerce from the Polytechnic of Namibia and a Paralegal Certificate from the University of Cape Town to her name.
Hangula is also the Executive Director for Business Development at Arandis Mining Services Company.
Perhaps what has raised more eyebrows is how her appointment was announced two days after last week’s Cabinet meeting approved a new framework to be used in the appointment of parastatals’ board members.
Confidente is informed the new framework dictates that board members should be appointed based on merit as well as possessing at least a Bachelor’s degree and extensive experience.
Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein defended his appointment of Hangula saying her appointment was a collective decision.
He added that Hangula had been also appointed because she has experience on how small to medium enterprises operate.
“She is a woman in a male dominated industry that comes with experience on SMEs. She is a young entrepreneur and when we appointed her we approached from a user point of view,” he said.
Asked why he had appointed her a few days after Cabinet approved a new framework or methodology to be implemented on the appointing of SOE board members, the minister defended Hangula’s appointment.
“Her appointment was made in December last year, it’s just that it was only formally announced last week,” Schlettwein said.
When announcing Hangula’s appointment, DBN also stated she completed the Women in Leadership Programme at the University of Cape Town, the Management Development Programme at the University of Stellenbosch, as well as the Director Development Programme at the Institute of Directors (IoD) in South Africa.

… NTB gives up entire budget of N$21 million
… Nam to pay huge for hosting ‘little known’ event

By Marianne Nghidengwa

GOVERNMENT is forcing cash-strapped parastatals to bankroll the controversial Kora awards to a tune of over N$70 million, Confidente has learnt.
Investigations by Confidente reveal that so far the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) has been forced to fork out its remaining N$21 million marketing budget to buy a promotional package from the Kora organisers in the process crippling some of its operations. Confidente is also reliably informed that the national broadcaster NBC is set to lose at least N$1.8 million as it broadcasts the award ceremony after it was allegedly forced into a marriage of convenience with the Kora event organisers last month.
It has also been established that MTC so far is the only parastatal that stood its ground and ultimately refused to sponsor the Kora awards as it believes there is no return in value and the risks are just too many.
Sources in government who spoke to Confidente on condition of anonymity said most of the parastatals gave in to pressure after a January 12 meeting held at the Windhoek Country Club called by the Minister of Environment and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta and Ernest Adjovi, the founder of the Kora Awards.
“At the meeting Adjovi berated us over how funny that Namibian corporates don’t want to fund his Kora Awards when government was in full support of him. At the meeting Adjovi also revealed how it will be expensive for them to sell tickets to attend the awards ceremony so they were just going to invite 2 000 people who will attend the live hosting of the event,” the sources said.
The sources added that there was no much value in them investing money in the Kora Awards as it was a dubious event and wasn’t popular locally.
“That guy (Adjovi) is not being very honest. He sold government fairy tales; these Kora Awards are not as big as he tells all of us. Who is going to pay for the US$1 million prize money in Namibia? He comes here sells an idea and wants government to fork out money for everything while he makes millions from selling the television rights to small television channels across the globe and makes a profit at zero expense.
“Adjovi failed to tell us during the meeting, how much money he is putting in the awards yet he wants parastatals to bankroll him. He is now forcing government to bankroll this whole initiative and we know that the reason why they moved the hosting date from December to March 20 was so that he can tap into the Independence celebrations’ budget.”
Shifeta Tuesday defended ‘instructing’ NTB to fork out N$21 million dollars saying the money was not a huge amount.
He said NTB was not sponsoring the Kora Awards but rather it had bought a promotional package from the organisers of the awards.
“NTB bought a package on promotion and it’s a normal NTB process. At least 700 million people will view these awards and so it’s an opportunity for NTB to promote Namibia. NTB has been paying large amounts of money to entities like BBC where it’s not even effective. This promotion is cheaper and more effective as it will be broadcast in 40 countries. It’s expensive to promote Namibia and this N$21 million is just US$1.5 million. NTB needs N$100 million to market Namibia, the returns are there. Our arrivals have grown to 12 percent and you can’t talk of the N$20 to N$30 million they used.”
When asked why government would support an event that has been mostly marred in controversy, Shifeta said government does not listen to rumours. “How many entities in this country are questionable yet government supports them? There is no evidence of this controversy. People talk rumours and we don’t believe in rumours. That contract went through the Attorney General and we don’t have to worry about how or what people think,” he said.

By Marianne Nghidengwa and Patience Nyangove

THE beleaguered mass housing programme that has been on ice since May last year is finally resuming next week Monday, Confidente can reveal.
Confidente has also learnt that construction of 3 181 houses still needs to be completed after they were left half way when government stopped the project.
The programme had been put on hold by the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Sophia Shaningwa citing lack of funds.
Shaningwa then had said she had decided to halt the programme after the National Housing Enterprises (NHE) failed to raise N$2 billion needed to fund the programme.
The minister also revealed that had she not quickly acted and put on ice the project the country would have been financially crippled.
Shaningwa added that the project was a mess when she took over which she tirelessly continues to clean up.
She said the programme was being implemented without a budget and in a non-transparent manner.
Paulus Shipoke who co-owns, Power-Oyeno and has a contract with government to construct 2 034 houses in Swakopmund confirmed Tuesday that they had been given the go ahead by government to resume operations.
“All I can tell you is that we have an agreement with government and based on that we are going to resume with the completion of houses that were not completed. We will start next week,” he said. Collin Venaani who co-owns 7 Sirs’ Group also confirmed that operations are resuming at their mass housing site on Monday in Walvis Bay following a seven month hiatus.
His company was contracted to build 1 595 houses.
“All I can tell you is that next week Monday we are resuming operations at the mass housing project. For more details go to the ministry,” he said.
Commenting on questions posed to the ministry on how much government still has to pay to contractors for the incomplete houses, Permanent Secretary, Daniel Nghidinua, said that he cannot make public the amount adding the ministry is still in the process of finalizing negotiations with the two last contractors.
“….The total number of houses that have been commenced but yet to be completed stand at 3 181. We will provide full information to the media and the public in due course,” Nghidinua said.
Despite calls in some quarters to bring in new contractors for the project, Shaningwa in an earlier interview with Confidente justified making use of the initial contractors saying that they had already bought materials stored at their various sites adding it is cheaper to continue utilising their services.
“These contractors had already bought materials from their suppliers. It is not practical to get new ones. This would spell major financial problems for government. We decided to use the old ones but this time they will bend to our rules to finish what was already started. We did not agree with their initial prices and so far we’ve managed to bring down their prices. As negotiations continue it means government will save over N$200 million,” Shaningwa said.
Meanwhile, the mass housing programme and the mass servicing of land aimed at addressing the country’s acute housing shortage fuelled by the high housing costs will be implemented simultaneously after the announcement of the 2016/2017 national budget, Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein has said.
Schlettwein said the provision of affordable land remains a priority for government.
Schlettwein could however not be drawn to answer as to how much his Ministry would allocate in the national budget but the Minister of Rural and Urban Development, Shaningwa is on record saying N$45 billion was needed to complete the ambitious mass housing programme. “We are looking at the mass housing programme. It’s top priority in the coming national budget. We want the mass servicing of land to run together so in the next budget additional money will be allocated towards these projects because they are a priority to us,” he said.

After the Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa and Labour Minister Erkki Nghimtina’s sons nearly escaped justice, the police have now decided to re-open and investigate their rape charge.

By Confident Reporter

THE Namibian Police is re-investigating a rape case involving Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa’s son Benjamin Mandume Imalwa and his co-accused Sebulon Katamba Nghimtina, the son of Labour Minister Erkki Nghimtina, Confidente has learnt.
This comes over a year after the case was struck off the court roll in September 2014. At some point, PG Imalwa allegedly also declined to prosecute the matter, a move that led to many questioning her impartiality due to conflict of interest.
Imalwa and Nghimtina who were students at the time of their initial arrest in 2012, were booked after they reportedly gang raped the complainant in the matter during a house party in Windhoek. At the time the accused men were both 20 years old.
They denied guilt on a charge of rape during their first court appearance insisting that the sexual intercourse with the young woman was consensual. They claimed they met the complainant for the first time at the house where the alleged incident took place.
Imalwa during their court appearance also testified that the victim made a pass at him by putting her hand into his pants when they were having a conversation at the house. They then moved to an isolated area and had sexual intercourse. On his part, Nghimtina said that on that fateful day he briefly spoke to the young woman and when she agreed they went to a bedroom where they had sex.
Imalwa and Nghimtina however were at the time granted bail of N$2 000 each, before the case was struck off the roll because there was no enough evidence at the time.
Nampol Deputy Commissioner, Silvanus Nghishidibwa, confirmed the re-opening of the case saying that investigations are currently underway.
“I know of one docket where the PG’s son is being implicated. We have investigated that case of alleged rape. The case went to court before the docket was brought back with instructions. We are busy working on that. We are busy investigating. The docket is with us at the moment. We also have one witness we are trying to trace who is said to be out of the country,” Nghishidibwa said.
Confidente reliably learnt that Imalwa is not in the country with lawyers saying that the court will have to summon him once the matter is back on the court roll.
Although Confidente could not independently verify his whereabouts, his Facebook page shows that he is currently studying electrical engineering at the University of Liaoning, in China where he has been since 2015, nearly a year after the case was struck off the court roll.
He also posted pictures of himself with his Chinese friends and on one post he wrote that he will return to Namibia in July 2017.
Asked whether she is aware of the investigations against her son, PG Imalwa on Monday said, “You are asking me questions that I do not know. How should I know?” she quizzed.
PG Imalwa last month trashed claims that she deliberately failed to prosecute her own son after suspended magistrate Hileni Kavara accused her of unfairness and having double standards. Kavara questioned how the PG found it easy to prosecute certain individuals and not others, including her son, prominent figures and their children.
PG Imalwa however said that she recused herself from the matter and said that cases differ.
Erkki Nghimtina too said that he is not aware of the latest investigations saying that as far as he is concerned, the matter is finalised.
“I am not aware and as far as I know the matter is finished (sic),” the Minister said.

By Hilary Mare

BANK Windhoek Holdings Limited published its reviewed consolidated interim group results last week, declaring an interim dividend of 30 cents per ordinary share for the half year ended December 31 2015.

The group continued to achieve sound performance for the period reporting profit after tax of N$455.9 million, an increase of 26.4 percent year-on-year.

“The positive contribution to the financial performance of our group was evenly spread throughout the business,” said MD, Christo de Vries.

Jaco Esterhuyse, BWH: Chief Financial Officer added that net interest income increased by 21.0 percent to N$727.9 million for the half year ended December 31. The group also continues to improve its efficiency and diversification ratios with non-interest income covering 83.2 percent (December 2014: 77.8 percent) of operating expenses and contributing 40.9 percent (December 2014: 40.2 percent) of operating income.

The bank has maintained low bad and doubtful debt levels with the non-performing loans as a percentage of gross loans and advances increasing to 1.24 percent (June 2015: 1.09 percent). Bank Windhoek’s bad debt levels remain within acceptable levels and industry norms.

For the six months ended December 31 2015, non-interest income increased by 21.7 percent to N$481.4 million. The growth in non-interest income is mainly due to strong growth in commission and income from trading activities, which include income earned from the Kwanza trading activities. The dispensation from Bank of Namibia for Namibian banks to trade in Kwanza was ended in December 2015 and no further income from this source is anticipated.

Operating expenses increased by 13.8 percent to N$578.7 million. The increase is in line with the expense growth of the last 18 months and is mainly due to an increase in staff costs. The growth in operating income of 19.7 percent exceeds the growth in operating expenses of 13.8 percent. As a direct result of this positive operating performance, the cost to income ratio improved from 51.7 percent to 49.1 percent. With less favourable market conditions expected in the short to medium term we anticipate the cost to income ratio to remain static in the foreseeable future.

The group’s total asset growth of 19.1 percent is driven by the growth in loans and advances of 15.8 percent, which is mainly due to growth in overdrafts and mortgage loans. Compared to the prior period the growth in loans and advances has slowed down, mirroring the industry growth in credit to the private sector.

Total funding increased by 18.7 percent, comprising a 13.5 percent increase in deposits to N$23.1 billion and other borrowings of N$1.2 billion. Other borrowings consist of long term loans from the International Finance Corporation and Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft of N$920 million and N$250 million respectively.

Bank Windhoek Holdings remains well capitalised, with a total risk-based capital adequacy ratio of 14.5 percent (December 2014: 15.7 percent), well above the minimum regulatory requirement of 10 percent.

“The group is expecting a challenging operating environment with sluggish economic growth, increasing interest rates, increasing inflation and a weakening currency.  These negative key economic indicators are likely to cause the Namibian consumer to experience financial pressures over the short to medium term. Despite the challenging operating environment, we remain positive and will continue to manage our risks, improve our service offering, grow our customer base and capitalise on the opportunities it brings,” concluded De Vries.

…2016 sustaining capital pegged at N$278m

By Hilary Mare

THE total exploration budget for Otjikoto in 2016 is $4,7 million (about N$75,2 million), which is planned to include 10 700 meters of drilling to infill the down plunge extension of the Wolfshag resource, B2 Gold mine has announced.

“In addition, drilling will commence to test the newly acquired Ondundu project, located 190 kilometres southwest of Otjikoto,” further stated the mine.

For 2016, sustaining capital at the Otjikoto Mine is estimated to be approximately $17,4 million (N$278 million), which includes $14.7 million to expand the mining fleet for the development of the Wolfshag open pit. Non-sustaining capital costs are budgeted at $30.9 million for pre-stripping at the Wolfshag Phase 1 and Otjikoto Phase 2 pits.

Essentially the Otjikoto Mine is forecast to produce between 160 000 to 170 000 ounces of gold in 2016, compared to 145 723 ounces produced in 2015. Cash operating costs are forecast to be approximately $400 to $440 per ounce, significantly lower (by approximately 18 percent) than the company’s 2015 cost guidance of $500 to $525 per ounce, as a result of higher throughput, lower projected fuel costs and a weaker Namibian dollar (relative to the US dollar).

With the completed mill expansion, the Otjikoto Mine is projected to process approximately 3.3 million tonnes of ore for the year at an average grade of 1.59 g/t gold. Gold recoveries are expected to average 97 percent. Most ore in 2016 will come from the existing Otjikoto Pit, with a minor component from Wolfshag as the pit is developed. The production profile is expected to steadily increase quarter by quarter in 2016 due to increasing grade as Phase 1 of the Otjikoto Pit is completed. As a result, gold production is expected to be slightly weighted towards the second-half of the year (55 percent).

“In late 2015, the company completed an updated geological and grade model for the Otjikoto Deposit. The new Otjikoto model incorporated data from drilling completed after the 2012 feasibility study, 2015 close-spaced grade control data, and in-pit structural mapping.

“This improved model has helped the company better understand the complexity of the grade distribution in the high nugget effect Otjikoto Pit. The updated model reports higher tonnage, slightly lower average grade, and roughly 10 percent less total contained ounces of gold. The new Otjikoto model and related engineering work have been incorporated in the 2016 budget estimates,” the company explained.

During 2015, the company also completed 14 181 metres of in-fill drilling at the wolfshag zone. New reserves and resources for the Wolfshag zone are currently being evaluated, incorporating the new drilling information, and these are expected to reflect the conversion of a significant element of previously announced resources from the inferred category to the indicated category.

The updated indicated resource identified will then be evaluated to determine the optimal size of the Wolfshag open pit, before transitioning to underground mining. Open pit mining from Wolfshag is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2016.

As a result of these changes, the company is preparing an updated Otjikoto Life of Mine plan, which will incorporate the new Otjikoto model as well as preliminary modelling and scheduling of the Wolfshag zone into the overall Otjikoto Life of Mine plan. The new Otjikoto Life of Mine plan is expected to be completed during this quarter.

By Hilary Mare

DUNDEE Precious Metals Tsumeb (DPMT)’s 2016 throughput is expected to increase by approximately 10 percent to 28 percent, Rick Howes president and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Precious Metals Inc. has said

Announcing the mining company’s 2015 fourth quarter and annual results and 2016 Guidance, Howes elaborated that this is as a result of reduced construction activity with the completion of the acid plant and new copper converters and the associated increase in capacity at the Tsumeb mine.

“The rate of capital expenditures is also expected to vary from quarter to quarter based on the schedule for, and execution of, each capital project and, where applicable, the receipt of necessary permits and approvals,” he added.

For 2015, complex concentrate smelted at Tsumeb in the fourth quarter of 55 833 tonnes was four percent higher than the corresponding period in 2014 and overall production for 2015 was within the guidance provided on February 12, 2015, albeit at the lower end of the range.

Overally the company reported a fourth quarter net loss attributable to common shareholders of $48.5 million ($0.34 per share) compared to net earnings attributable to common shareholders of $21.5 million ($0.15 per share) for the same period in 2014. The net loss attributable to common shareholders for 2015 was $47.0 million ($0.33 per share) compared to $58.9 million ($0.42 per share) for the same period in 2014.

Adjusted net earnings were $0.3 million (nil per share) compared to $13.8 million ($0.10 per share) in 2014. This decrease was due primarily to lower metal prices, higher local currency operating expenses, higher deductions for stockpile interest and estimated metals exposure at Tsumeb, a higher proportion of third party concentrate smelted at Tsumeb resulting in a lower overall toll rate and higher depreciation. These unfavourable variances were partially offset by the favourable impact of a stronger US dollar, lower general and administrative expenses and higher third party toll rates at Tsumeb.

“All operations performed as expected in the quarter and met 2015 production and cash cost guidance, however, weaker metal prices, higher deductions for estimated metals exposure and stockpile interest at Tsumeb and an impairment charge at Kapan, negatively impacted the company’s financial results.

“Looking forward to 2016, the focus will remain on further optimising operational performance, reducing costs at each of our operations, and securing the remaining permits for the Krumovgrad gold project,” said Howes.

For 2016, the majority of the company’s growth capital expenditures are focused on the completion of the new copper converters at Tsumeb and securing the remaining permits required to support the construction of the Krumovgrad Gold Project. In aggregate, these expenditures are expected to be between $27 million and $31 million. Sustaining capital expenditures are expected to range between $35 million and $47 million.

By Confidente Reporter

IMAGINE having been born in your grandmother’s thatched hut deep in Namibia’s northern rural areas.

And upon delivery your aunt who was the midwife gives out a scream of anguish as she realises that all your tiny feet are facing upwards.

Your family names you Oshilema or Sirema because of your disability.

As you grow up and begin to understand the world you realise that you are different from the rest of your peers.

You are slow to run or walk, you can’t carry a bucket of water without difficulty.

Because of the ridicule and bullying by your peers at school you end up dropping out to shield your battered self-esteem and fragile heart from further torment and that cycle of abject poverty you were born into continues to ravage you until one day you simply give up and decide to take your own life as an escape route.

If only your parents had been given the knowledge that you were born with a condition called clubfoot that can be easily treated and reversed if treatment is sought early, perhaps your life could have taken a different route.

The above reads like a script plucked out of one of those short stories we watch on national television but sadly it’s the sad reality some people born with disability have to live with.

On average 90 babies are born in Namibia annually with clubfoot and quite a number of them who hail from families with poor backgrounds are left condemned  forever to a life of a cripple.

In December last year the church under the guidance of Bishop Henry Ndozi-Okia donated N$50 000.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Dr Andreas Mwoombola expressed government’s appreciation to Bishop Ndozi-Okia and Model Prayer Ministries for their selfless act.

“On behalf of the Namibian Clubfoot programme at Windhoek Central Hospital, we would sincerely like to thank you for your participation and presence during our National Clubfoot campaign on December 4 2015, Namibian Clubfoot Programme and the Ministry of Health and Social Services as whole, would like to thank you for your warm hearts towards out clubfoot patients and will continue to grateful. Knowing that there are still people who care in our community thrust us in commitment to service rendering.

“Our goal is to continue to make a difference in the lives of our patients and with the help of supporters such as you, we will continue to see improvements in our communities. We deeply appreciate the willingness with which you have in assisting our efforts,” Dr Mwoombola said.

Khomasdal Constituency Councilor, Margreth Mensah-Williams has also expressed her deep appreciation to Bishop Ndozi-Okia and his congregation for assisting the less fortunate in society.

Last year the church also donated two state of the art incubators to the Outapi District Hospital.

Bishop Ndozi-Okia says he was inspired by his own life that’s why he decided to help children from poor family backgrounds overcome their medical conditions.

“I was born with a twin and I grew up with poor health that I ended up being taken to the village to stay with my grandmother. My parents thought I would die. I was always in and out of hospital. However I didn’t die and for the past 15 years I have been enjoying good health and so I don’t want to see others suffering. I find it useful to support everyone who is in the same position as I was.

“I was once in a wheelchair after an accident and I never thought I would walk again that’s why when I see someone in the same position as I once was in I want to help,” he said.

Model Prayer Ministries also has been assisting the youth studying overseas with accommodation, air tickets and money for food.

“We give financial support to Namibians that are studying in India, China, Greece and Australia with allowances for food, accommodation and air tickets. Locally we support school dropouts to go back to school by paying for their tuition. We also support drug addicts to overcome their addictions through counseling. The church also plays a pivotal role in helping to restore broken marriages as well as to encourage discipline,” he said.

Indeed it is heartening to note that despite the proliferation of churches today however there still exist churches that come to the aid of ordinary people and Bishop Ndozi-Oskia remains a man of God with a heart of gold.

By Hileni Nembwaya

THE residents of Ochamuchamu village in the Oshikoto region are faced with a severe water scarcity due to the drought, and they have been without clean drinking water for the past 25 years.

The residents are faced with a dire challenge of unclean water as a result they resort to drinking salty water from a borehole which has been deemed unhygienic for human consumption.

According to the village headman, Simeon Antindi, the village only has one borehole that caters for more than 90 households including livestock and other nearby villages.

The villagers are in turn forced to travel about 30 kilometres to Oshivelo to collect clean drinking water.

“The village only has one borehole. The water is only good for animals but not for humans. This is a very big challenge for us. We really need clean drinking water, it has been many years now but there is no development. This is a very big burden for many who do not have vehicles to travel to Oshivelo or Omuthiya to collect clean drinking water,” said Antindi.

Antindi has been at the helm of the village since March 2010.

Antindi told Confidente that he tried on numerous occasions to consult the relevant authorities including the councillors to rescue them but to no avail.

He further said that in 2014 the Oshikoto regional council advertised a water pipeline between Omustegwonime and King Kauluma village leading up their village but it was apparently cancelled because none of the tenderers have to date, met the requirements.

“I think this matter should be taken seriously as a priority because this project needs to be solved urgently. We really cannot live without water, our animals are dying and the people are dying of thirst as well,” said Antindi.

Apart from the water scarcity, the residents are also faced with a lack of health facilities and proper school infrastructure as they have to travel to Oshivelo to seek medical attention.

Antindi furthermore said that the residents also live in fear of wild animals such as elephants, lions and hyenas that frequently destroy their crop fields and kill livestock.

“Currently we are busy trying to raise funds in order to build a clinic and a school at least because we can no longer keep on waiting for the government to implement everything for us,” said Antindi.

The Nehala Lya Mpingana constituency Councilor, Reinhold Shiningombwa under which Ochamuchamu village falls under could not comment on the matter as he was apparently still new in office.

“I am very new in this office and there is nothing I can do to help residents with. I am still waiting for the first regional meeting with the regional council so that I start to implement the capital projects,” he said.

By Eliaser Ndeyanale

THE Okahao town council might sell 12 erven for a song to among others prominent traditional leaders and businesspeople whom some of them already own land in that northern town, if there are no objections by early next month.

According to an advertisement that appeared in a local daily last week, the Okahao town council said it intends to sell immovable properties most of it at Okahao Proper and in extension 1 and 3 by way of private transaction.

The prices of the plots range from N$27 000 for the cheapest in Ekuku to N$300 000 as the highest in Extension 16.

Among those who are lined up for the plots are Petrus Kathingo a senior headman in Ongandjera Traditional Authority and Oshukwa village headman David Shikongo. Shikongo could get erf 1349 measuring 545 for N$35 621.25.

Kathingo has applied to be provided two erven 1554 and 276 measuring 816 square metres on a purchase price of N$74 232.50 to build a business despite him already owning a shebeen in the town.

Loide Magano Shikongo a daughter-in-law of a former top official in the former Owambo administration, Aron Shikongo, wants to buy a plot measuring 598 for N$59 604.50. Julia Uushini an aunt to Okahao town council councillor Johannes Uushini is likely to get an erf measuring 322 for N$21 516.50.

Igna Investment CC a construction, renovation and Cleaning company in Okahao has earmarked erf measuring 607 for N$60 679.00

Asked what he is going to do with the land Igna Investment MD Ignatius (full name) says he is going to set up a business.

“I am going to put up a mini market and a tyre repair service shop,” he said.

There has been a public outcry on how people who have applied for land are deprived of land while local authorities are accepting applications from people who already own properties; which in turn resulted in the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Sophia Shaningwa acting against the unfair allocation of land to the well-connected.

Okahao town planner Frieda Kambonde to whom objections are addressed referred Confidente to Chief Executive Officer Gisbertus Mukulu who was said to be out of town.

By Marianne Nghidengwa

THE case in which a two-year old child was reportedly abducted, raped and sodomised by an 18 year-old man was postponed to March in the Katutura Magistrates’ Court as further police investigations continue.

The victim was abducted from her home by a neighbour, Jonas Ricky Uirab, before he proceeded to not only rape but also sodomise her in a riverbed.

Uirab was charged with abduction, rape and sodomy after he was seen dropping off the child at her home by witnesses after the incident on that fateful day.

“On 30 June near Otjimuise the accused wrongfully and unlawfully take and abduct the girl (sic), an unmarried girl under the age of 21 years-old out of the control and will of her father and mother for the purpose of having sexual intercourse with her or with the intention to rape her…,” part of court papers read.

He was also charged with assault to do grievous bodily harm after stabbing with a knife the minor’s father who pursued him after the incident.  “…The accused wrongfully, unlawfully and intentionally assault Piet Inareseb by stabbing him with a knife on the nose with intent to cause the said Piet grievous bodily harm (sic),” court papers further read.

According to court papers, the minor was found half naked wearing only a vest and no underwear by her mother.  She had on only one shoe.  The minor was also found with dry grass and sand on her head and buttocks as well as blood on her private parts.  Asked what had happened to her, the little girl reportedly pointed to her private parts.

She was rushed to hospital where a doctor admitted her for two days.  He discovered that her private parts had been injured.  The doctor further noted that she had a 3 mm laceration to her private parts and that her anal splinter had torn.

On that fateful day, the father narrates that he had taken the girl and her teenage sister to a shebeen to buy them bread and sweets before sending them back home.  “Shortly after I sent them home, I heard her mother screaming.  I learnt that they couldn’t find the child and we started looking for her.  We later discovered her at home half naked.

“Witnesses told us that they had seen him (Uirab) dropping off the child at the house.  I pursued him and that’s when he assaulted me,” the father narrated.

Court papers also revealed that the suspect’s trousers had blood stains.  He pleaded not guilty in his first court appearance and opted to conduct his own defence.

The matter was struck off the court roll four years later with Uirab being released.  It was however re-opened when it was discovered that he was released on a separate case of crimen injuria which he was convicted for and served six months.

By Patience Nyangove and Marianne Nghidengwa

IN yet another unprecedented slap in the face for the Swapo party, its members and supporters have joined hands with the expelled quartet of Dr Elijah Ngurare, Job Amupanda, Dimbulukeni Nauyoma and George Kambala  to settle their nearly N$600 000 legal bill, Confidente has learnt.

The quartet was being represented by Advocate Vincent Maleka on the instructions of Amupanda Kamanja. Prominent lawyer, Sisa Nemandje was also on the bench for the quartet.

Confidente is reliably informed that a majority of Swapo members and supporters are of the firm view that the expelled quartet was unfairly chucked out of the party and should be recalled.

Confidente is also informed that the main reason why the expelled quartet have received so much support from  party members and supporters was the general consensus that what happened to Ngurare, Amupanda, Nuyoma and Kambala, if the party leadership is allowed to continue disregarding its constitution, the same fate might befall many more within the party.

“I decided to part with my hard earned money and help pay their legal fees because those four were not only unfairly treated, but because that same injustice might befall other innocent people in future. This is not the Swapo I know that is why I am prepared to donate my N$100 to the boys in the name of justice.

“I remain very loyal to the party but what I won’t do is look sideways when one of us is unfairly treated. They say an injury to one is an injury to all,” said one Swapo supporter Confidente spoke to.

Confidente is also informed that part of the Swapo leadership initially had the belief that the expelled four would not go through with the court case due to lack of financial resources.

“It came as a huge surprise to see Advocate Maleka and Sisa Namandje sitting on the side of the boys this I can tell you came as a shock to many of us in the party. It seems throughout the past six months since the contested expulsion of the four; the prevailing view in the leadership was that it would be impossible for Ngurare and his group to raise the required legal fees.”

Amupanda, Tuesday confirmed the assistance they have received from Swapo members and supporters.

“I think people were shocked by the audacity and proximity of dictatorship surrounding this matter. They were traumatised to witness young people, some young as 23 at the time, being chased from a voluntary association as if those that think are powerful were chasing chickens or goats with that sound shaaaai, shiiiiik, chaaaai.

“It is an ugly scene to see for those who believe in justice and democracy. They could not allow their party to stoop so low hence they stood up for the principle. They didn’t stand up for us as individuals but for the principles of justice, fairness and democracy as opposed to dictatorship, arbitrariness and the rule of men,”  said Amupanda.

His fellow comrade in arms, Nauyoma concurred with him.

“Justice is key no matter which side of the fence you are. Principles are fundamental for every human being,” he said.

Meanwhile Confidente understands that Swapo’s legal representatives led by Advocate Vos Soni on instructions from Conradie and Damaseb law firm were charging the party between N$26 000 and N$27 000 daily, for the two days the matter was heard in court.

Dirk Conradie revealed the figures to Confidente despite refusing to give the total amount Swapo was charged.

“I cannot tell you that figure. Why is there interest in this matter? Senior counsels charge between N$26 000 to N$27 000 a day in cases like this,” he said.

Judgement on the case is expected to be delivered on May 12 by Acting Judge Collins Parker.

… Wife accuses husband of being a love rat

….Husband accuses wife of being demon possessed

By Patience Nyangove

ALL hell broke loose, Tuesday morning when Sonia Mulunga the wife to the Managing Director of Namcor, Imms Mulunga unexpectedly returned home from a trip overseas and found her husband allegedly cohabitating with a 22 year-old woman identified as Nguvitjita Mberirua at their Kleine Windhoek home.

The fracas comes hardly a month after the Mulungas visited prophet Shepherd Bushiri’s church in South Africa for divine intervention to restore their marriage. Imms has been described by his wife as a serial cheater who had fathered eight children with seven women.

Sonia had left for London two weeks earlier when she returned unexpectedly, only to find her house ‘invaded’.

All hell broke loose when the alleged home-wrecker was found parading in the house in her skimpy, silk pyjamas cum lingerie; and from the huge amount of her belongings she had brought into the couple’s matrimonial home it appears Mberirua had the intention of settling for good or at least a long time.

Namibian Police’s Special Field Force had to bring order at the residence in the posh residential area.

A furious Sonia asked Mberirua what she was doing at her place, and she could only reply that she was sick following a car accident.

“So this is the place where you come when you are sick? Is he now your doctor that you have to come to him? He is not your doctor. Are you aware that this is a married man’s house?” Sonia demanded to know from Mberirua.

During the commotion at Mulunga’s house Mberirua’s older sister, identified as Laura also arrived at the scene and confronted her sister over her alleged affair with a married man and how she ended up staying in his house.

“My older sister called me to tell me that Nguvii moved out of her flat and has moved into a man’s house. Now I was asking, who is this man? Is he married?  Yes.  Okay, now that this man is a married man what is she doing at a married man’s house? Like any other older sister would ask,” she demanded to know from her younger sister.

However a defiant Mberirua vowed to tell the truth claiming that her flat had been broken into thrice and that’s how she ended at Mulunga’s residence.

“I was going to move out either to mom’s place or to your place (sister’s) while I am looking for another place. He (Mulunga) said he was going to Daan Viljoen and I can sleep over while looking for another place. I didn’t come here to stay permanently. I did not talk s*** about Sonia and I did not want to get involved.”

She told Confidente that she was seeking refuge at the Mulunga home after her own flat was broken in three times and also said she was traumatised after her recent accident where she crashed her mother’s car and had come to Mulunga for comfort.

In a tell-all-interview with Confidente shortly after the incident happened, Sonia accused her husband of being a serial cheater.

She also accused Mulunga of unashamedly bedding another woman four days after he had seemingly been ‘delivered’ from evil spirits by Bushiri.

Sonia also accused her husband of nearly three years of tricking her into going to Bushiri’s church in South Africa.

However Mulunga insists his wife he wed in Swakopmund at a glitzy wedding that cost nearly N$1.5 million is jealous and demon possessed.

“When we left Namibia he told me we were going to a couple’s retreat in Johannesburg and it’s only when we got there I realised I had been tricked to attend Bushiri’s church. I had a problem attending Bushiri’s church because I am a Jehovah’s Witness and we don’t believe in such prophets. However after I realised what happened I decided to attend because I believed he wanted our marriage to work. He told me he also wanted us to start the year well in our marriage so I believed him.

“Little did I know he still harbours suspicions that he had married me because I had cast a witchcraft spell on him. His intentions when he went with me to Bushiri were to expose me. He believed Bushiri would confirm his belief that I am a witch, this I later found out when I went through his phone and I stumbled upon a conversation between him and a friend of his,” she said.

Sonia claimed Mulunga spend nearly N$60 000 on their South African trip. She also added that contrary to wide belief that Bushiri had prophesied on the couple live on tv and told them exactly what their problems are the couple had prior to that shared their problems with Bushiri’s henchmen who passed on the information to the self-styled prophet.

Sonia also accused Mulunga of taking his girlfriend (Mberirua) to the Bushiri gala dinner held at Ramatex last month where he reportedly forked out about N$115 000 to share a table with the prophet.

“What sort of a man does that? Four days after you return from church and said to be delivered you take your girlfriend to a church dinner and Bushiri knows me yet he sat with them on the dining table because all he was interested in is the money Imms paid,” she said.

Sonia said after that incident she decided to go to London for a vacation and hardly a day after she left Mulunga brought his alleged ‘mistress’ into their matrimonial home. She also added that because Mulunga had told her he doesn’t want a working wife when they got married she had to quit her job and become a fulltime housewife hence when she went to London she had to take N$100 000 from Mulunga’s bank account as she has no other source of income.

“It hurts to know that the man you love and married believes you are a witch. I actually feel sorry for him as a person. His accusations of witchcraft are unfounded because I don’t believe that if I was a witch as he claims he would still continue cheating on me. He is the one who has been bringing his girlfriends into our matrimonial home. There was a week he brought three different women at home when I had gone to attend a short course in Cape Town. When I asked him about it he said it was his own house.”

When Mulunga was contacted for comment, he did not deny Mberirua was staying in the couple’s matrimonial home.

He claimed that she was just a friend who needed a place to stay after she had crashed her mother’s car.

“Since we came back from visiting Bushiri on January 25 after the prophet gave a prophecy that she has demons she started again having her usual fits of jealousy and accusing me of going to dinners with other women. I am a businessman and so I have meetings with many people. She is always jealous and believes I am always cheating. As for the church gala I got the tickets and I asked her to accompany me and she refused so I ended up going with my sister, a cousin and Nguvii (alleged girlfriend) whom I had met in December and there is nothing sinister going on between the two of us.

“A day later which was a Friday she tricked me into giving her my pin number and she transferred N$102 000 from my account and left only N$3 000. She also took along with her to London my Bank Windhoek debit card and wiped out all the money that was in there,” he said.

Mulunga said all he wants now was to divorce Sonia as he was tired of all the ‘drama.’

“Sonia only sent me a message that she was going to London. She left our 18 month-old baby with me only for her to resurface today. Maybe the money she took from me has run out. Nguvii is a small girl I want to do a telecoms company with. All I want now is divorce and I have made my decision. She has a demon and is always looking for fights if it’s not baby mama issues it’s somebody else and I took her to Bushiri to confirm my suspicions.

“She left willingly and she stole money from me as we are married out of community of property. We had a dream wedding sadly it has ended this way,” he said.

By Confidente Reporter

FORMER Speaker of the National Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab, described the first African to serve as Secretary General of the United Nations, the late Boutros Boutros- Ghali of Egypt, as a man who stood for solidarity and pioneered discussions on issues affecting the Third World.
Boutros-Ghali passed away on February 16 aged 93 in Egypt, his home country. He was elected to the UN’s top post as SG in 1991 and only served one term. He was succeeded by Kofi Annan of Ghana.
“I will always regard and remember him for two things namely self-confidence and the ability to persuade people to independently think for nations and not individuals,” Gurirab said during an interview with Confidente at his Klein Windhoek home Monday.
Gurirab worked closely with Boutros-Ghali before and after he was elected UN SG as an associate representing the Swapo Mission to the United Nations and United States.
Gurirab also described Boutros- Ghali as a Pan Africanist who believed that as a united and committed continent, we could be masters of our own destiny. “He believed that we could also be masters that could decide who we deal with in terms of our natural resources. He believed that what was good for our continent was good for our people.”
The former Speaker also noted that Boutros-Ghali publicly supported Swapo and was a permanent observer of the movement during its illegal occupation by South Africa at the time.
“He stood for solidarity and gave us all equal attention. I had free access to his office. His support for Swapo was public. He was at our disposal for whatever we needed him whether it’s to carry a message, draft resolutions or make statements,” Gurirab said.
Boutros-Ghali’s term in office as UN SG goes down in history dubbed as controversial with Gurirab saying that that probably has to do with the fact that he did not play the ‘American game’ as expected of someone in that post.
“Not seeing and doing things their way probably annoyed them resulting in him not being re-elected.”
However, Gurirab adds Boutros- Ghali was respected by his citizens although at times his job was made difficult as a converted Christian coming from an Arab background. He said his toughest challenge as UN SG was when the Rwandan genocide broke out in 1994. The mass slaughter saw over 500 000 Rwandans killed.
Gurirab also recalled a light moment he shared with Boutros-Ghali saying the latter made fun of him when he gained weight. “He would jokingly tell me to lose weight every time he saw me,” Gurirab remembered fondly with a smile.

By Eliaser Ndeyanale

THE Auditor General has released a damning report on irregularities unearthed at the Marine Resources Fund (MFR).
From failing to provide long term fixed account assets amounting to N$2000 000 to incomplete fixed assets register, the report also revealed that no supporting documents for investment to the value of N$2 000 000 and N$7 540 000 were submitted.
According to the report of the Auditor General on the accounts of MRF for the financial year ended March 31 2010 which was tabled by the Minister of Finance Calle Schlettwein in the National Assembly last Thursday, at the time of audit no supporting documents were provided for the current call account to the value of N$1 708 405.
Auditor General Junias Kandjeke indicated in the report that financial statements reflect a negative amount of N$7 540 000 for the 32 notice accounts without providing supporting documents. He recommended that all supporting documents should be submitted for audit purposes.
He stated that at the time of audit, the Fund provided an incomplete fixed asset register. It was further noted that accumulated depreciation in the current year financial statements remained the same as the previous year at N$7 750 790. “It is recommended that the Fund should ensure that the fixed asset register is updated on a monthly basis and depreciation is disclosed in the annual financial statements.” According to Kandjeke, creditors to the value of N$562 763 were not disclosed in the financial statements, depreciation was not disclosed in the financial statements. At Ludertiz town council the auditors were unable to verify the correctness the VAT amount payable per balance sheet of N$17 333 366.

By Hileni Nembwaya

AFTER years of successful business partnership, the relationship between Joseph Gerson Auala and Ugandan national Jerry Lwande who co-owns Ondangwa Ambulance Services has deteriorated into a legal dispute.
Auala claims the two are equal shareholders, with each owning 50 percent shares in the business.
According to Auala, the business has been doing great over the years however as fate would have it, the relationship between him and Lwande turned sour starting the beginning of last year.
“Throughout the entire period of our partnership with Lwande, I have been doing all the office work because I was working full time and I acted as the Managing Director of the company, while he was more of like an investor waiting for his shares at the end of every month. After he realised that the business was prospering, he began insisting on bringing in the business other Ugandan medical doctors but I refused and that is when things started to fall apart,” claims Auala.
Auala who has been dismissed from the company without monthly earnings ever since May, last year is claiming that Lwande defrauded the company of a huge amount of money.
He has since been banned from entering the offices of Ondangwa Ambulance Services.
On Thursday, last week the two had an altercation after Lwande found Auala at the office conducting his work, and Lwande threatened to kill Auala for trespassing.
“He chased me out of the office and he has threatened to kill me for nothing apparently. I do not know what has gotten into him, for him to treat me like this because as business partners we are supposed to work together but we have now become enemies. This man is enslaving me really. He has stopped my salary and I do not have any other means of survival, anymore. I do not know he is doing this,” said Auala.
Auala has been battling court cases since last year in order to get his company back as an equal shareholder but to no avail.
On Tuesday, last week the Labour Court has granted Auala an arbitration award stating that his dismissal was ‘procedurally and substantively unfair’.
“Respondent is hereby ordered to reinstate applicant in the position he occupied prior to him being unfairly dismissed, with the terms and benefits which where applicable to him before he was dismissed remaining unchanged as if he was never dismissed with effect from 01 January 2016,” reads the statement in possession of Confidente.
The Chief arbitrator of Ondangwa labour office, Phillip Mwandingi further ordered Lwande to compensate Auala by paying him what he should have earned if he was never dismissed from the date of dismissal to the date of reinstatement an amount of about N$131 904 not later than the 30 March. When contacted for comment, Lwande refused to comment.
“Are you his lawyer or what? I cannot discuss such things with you because it is none of your business (sic),” he said.

By Eliaser Ndeyanale

WATER utility NamWater says the funding it gets from government is not sufficient and it cannot do more to arrest the looming water crisis in the central part of the country.
According to NamWater, supply dams to the central area of Namibia will run dry as soon as October this year if urgent measures are not implemented.
NamWater has given a summary of short term results, of which one shows that from this month if Berg Aukas is not reducing its water consumption of 3.5, Kombat also with 3.5, Karibib with 0.5 percent and City of Windhoek with 5.3 Von Bach will run dry by October 3.
NamWater water supply manager Koos Theron said the dams that supply the central part of the country with water might run dry by early October this year if the dams have not received much inflow.
The revelation came after NamWater took the media to the Von Bach and Swakopport dams on Friday last week to acquaint themselves with the water level at the two biggest dams in the central part.
According to NamWater officials, percentage of water at Omatako, Von Bach and at the polluted Swakopport is at 14 percent which means that the dams need an inflow of 86 percent so Namibia can be on the safe side. These dams supply water to Windhoek which has a consumption of 25 percent, Karibib with 0.3 percent, Novachab mine with 1.19 and Okahandja with 2.04 percent.
This means that Windhoek residents need to reduce their water usage by 20 percent; and it is not only Windhoek that needs to use water sparingly, Okahandja and Karibib should also save water.
Currently NamWater pumps water from Swakopport and Omatako dams to Von Bach to avoid losing it through evaporation which Theron said was their biggest enemy.
“People need to change the practice, let’s save water. We are in a serious draught situation, it’s a responsibility of everybody to save water,” he said adding that people should stop putting water in swimming pools. “Fix the leaks in your house,” he said. He also urged people to desist from planting tropical trees because they require a lot of water.
Andre Mostert a hydrology at NamWater says that, “If we are not standing together and NamWater and City of Windhoek are not doing something to save water, and residents are not saving water we will run out of water by early October this year.”
It was recently reported that government was pumping water from Kombat to the central dams, however, according to NamWater; the water level at Kombat is running at 5.5 percent.
Contacted for comment Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Abraham Nehemia said, “We cannot dish out our money to prastatals,” adding that there are plans to pump water from the ocean and the Kavango River, but he could however not say when this would commence.
It seems that global warming has taken its toll in Namibia, especially during the past four years. The weather pattern seems to be moving from one extreme to the next; that is from too much rainfall/ flooding to droughts. The central part of the country is now faced with one of the most severe droughts. This condition is also affecting several countries in southern Africa. In an interview with Confidente, City of Windhoek spokesperson Joshua Amukugo urged Windhoek residents to use water sparingly.
“We are increasing the number of our boreholes and upgrading our water reclamation plants but we are also encouraging our residents to use water sparingly”. According to weather experts, the current situation is due largely to a paucity of precipitation by a particularly harsh El Niño. The situation has been further aggravated by the presence of an abnormal amount of dust and dry air over the southern Atlantic region.