* IF a poor Namibian steals a goat valued at N$400 he can go to prison for up to 10 years, but if a well-paid regional councillor poaches protected game, he gets away with a N$2 000 admission-of-guilt fine. The regional councillor's behaviour is criminal and he is not fit to hold public office any longer, although the Swapo Government regards him fit to continue in his office. Mr President please walk your talk now and remove Mr Shangheta or we the people from Otavi will remove him.

Food For Thought

* WE observed that our President and Government are turning a deaf ear to the water problem the public experiences with NamWater. Our water management is praised internationally, yet we are starving of thirst caused by the exorbitant, unaffordable water prices charged by NamWater to local authorities. Government must pay the bills as it is the Government's duty to comply with the provision of quality and potable water to all its inhabitants. Ironically, our Government apparently regards the provision of water, which is a basic necessity, above all as a non-issue. The Government order earlier this year to open all closed taps may have been political bluffing out of fear of a possible regime change.

* THE Namibian Police have lost a leader. Deputy Inspector General Junias M'Lukeni will leave a void in the force. The question is who will be appointed in this vacancy. I would suggest that the position should not be filled by an Oshiwambo-speaking person to fight what we call tribalism so that the top structure of the Namibian Police is balanced.

* IT is an outrage that the City of Windhoek is evicting poor, helpless pensioners for being in arrears, while allowing stinking-rich politicians and businessmen to run up debts of tens of thousands of dollars. We ratepayers demand an explanation for these appalling double standards!

Politics

* This flag-hoisting fiasco is all Jerry Ekandjo's doing. How can you instruct people to put up flags on trees? Public trees should not be used for party politics, period! They should all remove their flags with immediate effect if they can't co-exist.

* What is going on with our political parties? Instead of working together for nation building they are complaining over flags on trees. We are one nation. Both parties of Namibia can put their flags on one tree to show that we are united. And I hope there will be deputy ministers from opposition parties after the next national elections.

* COMRADE President ... please fire Jerry Ekandjo, the Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Regional Development, because he is promoting instability and chaos in the country. Fire the following governors: Usko Nghaamwa of Ohangwena and Penda Ndakolo of Oshikoto Regions. They are divide-and-rule governors. We are Swapo voters and do not want instability and chaos in Namibia.

* I'M very disappointed in the Head of State for changing his mind on firing Erkki Nghimtina. This gives us the impression that our Head of State is not strong enough for being a president. It would appear that Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana has more power than him. Please he must think again about the decision. We have lost trust in him as Head of State, because what was done by Erkki should not be allowed in this country and the money he is talking about, it's our tax money not Swapo money. Please Head of State let him go to set a good example to the others in Swapo.

* HIS Excellency President (Hifikepunye) Pohamba should not have accepted the resignation withdrawal of Minister (Erkki) Nghimtina after (Pendukeni) Iivula-Ithana consulted him. His decision must be final. By the way when is he going to appoint a Deputy Minister of Safety and Security? - Kulaumone

* OOPS, knives were out for Comrade Erkki Nghimtina's throat at State House for a serious offence he committed as a lawmaker. That's a good example to other comrades, but we still need to hear about the same knives, to teach a lesson to Comrade Shangheta (Otavi councillor) that he'll never be above the law.

* ACTS of democratic cowardice like that demonstrated by Erkki Nghimtina cannot be tolerated in modern day Namibia. Please Mr Nghimtina must leave the job with immediate effect. - Tuna, Oshikango

* IT'S your right to join and associate yourself with any political party! But, young people should be careful about causing their parents unnecessary heartache. As young people, we should rather concentrate on our education. Education is the key to a better future, not politics! - Am'nya

* MR President, is RDP affiliation really worth a person's life, if shooting is not worth an arrest? - BAB, Karas.

* I WONDER why the Minister of Justice doubling as the Secretary General of Swapo Party is not advising party members to stop harassing RDP supporters? If the Party fails, the Attorney General should intervene and advise the Government to act accordingly. Why are these two offices so quiet, are they biased? - Nauta

* HELLO, my fellow Namibians. I want to see our legal system taking the course of justice this time. A case of negligent handling of a firearm can be opened against Minister Erkki Nghimtina, as he is a citizen like all of us.

* DON'T blame Governor Usko Nghaamwa for his unbecoming behaviour. He is simply playing Jerry Ekandjo's tune.

Education

* OTJOZONDJUPA education office in Otjiwarongo is a total disaster. Personnel files are not found, queries not attended to and teachers' salaries and allowances outstanding for up to six months. Director and deputy wake up, teachers are very disappointed in you.

* NANTU when are you going to protect teachers who are being intimidated by some politician? What a shame.

In And From The Regions

* ARE the old-age pensioners paying N$30 for the NamPost staff throughout Namibia or is it only at Tses?

* ONE SMS in Wednesday's edition implied that people from the North went back and developed the North. Nonsense! The majority of diplomats abroad are from the North and promote mainly the North, thus investments go there. I was in a meeting with donors when a director from the North, who was also there, mentioned that historically people in the North are poorer than those in other regions. That's rubbish. Go to the South and see for yourself. The GRN doesn't develop the South. Senior positions in GRN and parastatals are occupied by those from the North who meet with donors. That money is being managed by those officials. Look at the issue of railways and think again.

* A POSITIVE step has been made at Khorixas now with the tarring of roads. I just hope that the tarring of the streets is not the start of the campaign for next year's elections.

* WE the community of Grootfontein humbly request the ACC to do investigations at the municipality regarding employment.

Service Please

* NABTA do your job. It does not make sense for a person to wait for a bus at Monte Christo for six hours just because there is no system. Bus drivers are fighting for people's luggage leaving passengers angry and confused. And in the end they drive like maniacs as if they have pieces of dead meat in their vehicles. I am referring especially a minibus (N944664W) which overtook almost every vehicle he found on the road on Wednesday. Please do not take customers for granted just because they depend on you, but value them for tomorrow. - Selma

* LEGAL Shield changed its policies and rules overnight. I have a labour case which is scheduled to start today at Swakopmund. When I approached Legal Shield for a lawyer to represent me in this case. They had the following to say: I have to pay travel costs if I want a lawyer from Windhoek. When I asked them why it was not the case before, the answer was: it is our new policy. I was surprised, as no such notice was given to members. They fax me a list of all their lawyers to choose from. I was informed that if I want a lawyer not based at the coast I must pay for transport and other expenses. While being a paid-up member of Legal Shield, I have to go to court today without a legal representative. Picking a lawyer of your choice is something of the past. What a shame. Be careful Legal Shield customers. - M Damaseb

* I DON'T know where the staff at Standard Bank Ongwediva were trained, but I would suggest that staff of other branches go there too. These guys at Ongwediva take their company slogan very serious. Their service is truly excellent.

General

* PLEASE leave the space around Avis Dam undeveloped and unspoilt!

* THUMBS up to Dirk Conradie (NRU president) for calling a spade a spade in the presence of Pohamba Shifeta, Deputy Minister of Sport. It's time that the Government invests money in sports codes which deliver the goods, let alone being bailed out by MTC while Government is folding its hands. We want to compete and not just participate. Congratulation boys (under-19 rugby), you did us proud. - Kgalemang Makgone

* IN response to the SMS 'Air Force does nothing'. We do: Airlifting of food, medicine, the sick during humanitarian crises, notably Caprivi Region floods, the recent flood in the North, polio and other vaccinations in remote areas. We fly Dr [Helen] Ndume (eye specialist) and her equipment to her areas of operations, just to mention a few. For further information contact the Prime Minister's Emergency Unit and Ministry of Defence operations.

* MY concern is about the murder of late Jafet Nangolo who was shot dead at Swakopmund by an unknown person on August 19 2008. Erongo Police must be serious with the investigations as they promised because the family wants to know the reasons for his killing.

* MINISTER of Health and Social Services are you aware that corruption has started at Health Training Centres especially Windhoek. I applied twice in Windhoek with all the requirements but they never replied. Please Dr (Richard) Kamwi do something we want to see change!

* MR President, I like your leadership style, but civil servants are undermining you because they are not service oriented! The Government must set up a watchdog agency to ensure effective services in the public service. - Tomas

Disconnections

* NBC Radio Chat Show Presenter Mwala Muchila has previously threatened to blacklist some known callers for alleged and unproven insults 'against the leaders'. But to my shock, during the talk show yesterday, a youthful caller who habitually and militantly sloganeers attacked the former Councillor of Tobias Hainyeko Constituency. The councillor's only crime was to be expelled and 'excommunicated' from the Swapo Party. Was that not regarded as disrespect or an insult to 'Kaptein' Hendjala as a leader? The programme records are there to speak for themselves.

* IS it time to reshuffle the NBC Board of Directors and some presenters (TV). All the time you watch programmes, they are not educative and entertaining. Day and night is Kasie music. Why not programmes like traditional music, detective stories, gospel. Please NBC improve, we also pay licence fees.

Letters Of The Last 48 Hours

•  SMSes Of The Day : Monday