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namib times SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6597 TUESDAY 18 OCTOBER 2016 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Spate of robberies targeting tourists in Swakopmund Erwin Leuschner The Swakopmund Neighbourhood Watch is appealing to the tourist industry to be vigilant and educate guests from other countries on safety and security tips. This appeal comes in the wake of a series of robberies reported within the past few days. Some tourists were robbed in their sleep, others even mugged at knife point. “We believe there are a couple of people that are very well-organised. They have a lot of time and observe tourists carefully. They know exactly when and where to strike,” said Dewald Swart from the Neighbourhood Watch to namib times. Since Thursday last week at least six cases were reported, where tourists fell victim of the rising crime rate. “It is of utmost importance that tourists get safety tips and should something happen, that we are called immediately. Even if only 15 minutes pass after an incident it is too late to catch the perpetrators,” he said. The most recent case was reported on Sunday morning at a hotel in town. Two perpetrators entered the establishment under the pretence that they were looking for a certain guest staying at the hotel. One guy kept the staff Continues on page 2
Learners at Private School sent home for non-payment Erwin Leuschner Some parents of learners at the Pro Ed Akademie Private School in Swakopmund are up in arms after their kids were allegedly shown the door for school fees in arrears. In an interview with namib times the school described the unfortunate situation as a last resort. “There usually is a long history attached to such cases,” said chairperson of the school board Wulff Wieland. On Monday last week at least two learners attending the Pro Ed Akademie Private School were sent home. “I dropped off my son at the school like every day. I was told later that I should come and pick him up, because we are a bit behind on our payments,” said a concerned mother to namib times. She wishes to remain anonymous out of fear for victimization, but added that the “emotional trauma” caused to her family is severe. “We definitely do not send any learner home from school when the parents are one or two months behind with their school fees,” said Wieland. “In fact, there are a couple of parents who owe quite substantial amount, but we usually sit down and draw up an agreement Continues on page 2
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Coastal aircraft makes emergency landing
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Platz Am Meer officially opened Erwin Leuschner The shopping mall at the Swakopmund Waterfront development “Platz am Meer” was officially opened by Mayor Paulina Nashilundo on Friday. Many invited guests, amongst them contractors and various other stakeholders, witnessed the auspicious event. “The waterfront is the first of its kind in Namibia and a landmark for the country,” said Nashilundo during her brief address. She added that the municipality of Swakopmund is committed to create an enabling environment for businesses to ensure that the buying power increases. “We hope to encourage other companies to follow suit and invest in Swakopmund,” she said. In his speech Francois Marais, Chief Executive Officer of Safari Investments, thanked all parties
involved in making the development a success. The waterfront opened its doors to the public in September after a construction period of two years. While many shops are since open for business, some are still under construction. “All will come together at the end of November,” Marais said. In a small booklet released during the event the history of the Waterfront is outlined. According to this document the first time Town Council investigated the possibility of a beach development was in 1994. It was
determined that it is indeed feasible to construct a small craft harbour north of the Mole basin. In the following years a couple of developers took on the project, but none could secure sufficient finances to put it into reality. Safari Investments took over the project in 2009 and submitted a new design to Council in the same year. A year later, in October 2010, Safari signed a development agreement with the municipality paving the way for the development. Continues on page 2
Another rape in Erongo
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Namibia’s live marine creatures not for export!
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Beach volleyball academy
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