News shorts

Still a long way to go to redress social imbalances Prime Minister Hage Geingob says there is still a long way to go to redress the social imbalances in the country, which were caused by systems that were meant to favour only one section of the population. Therefore, Geingob said, the scale-up of safety nets should focus on programmes that are well targeted and provide the most needed benefits, while gradually reducing regressive or ineffective programmes. He was speaking at the opening of the Bank of Namibia's 15th annual symposium, which was held under the theme: 'Social safety nets in Namibia: Assessing current programmes and future options.' According to the 2010 Income and Expenditure Survey, Namibia's social safety net consists of pension (12.1%); state child maintenance grant (0.8%); disability grant at 0.7%; foster care at 0.3%; war veterans at 0.1% and drought relief assistance at 0.5%. Farmer to go on trial next year Aranos farmer Willem Visagie Barnard, 58, who stands accused of shooting and killing his wife with a revolver at his farm in the Hardap Region three years ago, will go on trial in the High Court in October 2014. Barnard made another appearance in the High Court before Judge Naomi Shivute yesterday where he was informed that his murder trial will begin on October 21 next year. This trial is set to run until November 7, 2014, and the prosecuting authority has lined up 13 State witnesses. Barnard will face a charge of murder, and his case will be dealt with as per the provisions of the Combating of Domestic Violence Act, which calls for a long prison term if convicted. Reports by Nampa