Windhoek Observer

Renthia Kaimbi Namibian academic professor and political analyst Joseph Diescho told an audience in Rundu on Monday that Namibia’s judiciary is compromised, lacks quality and is “captured” by the ruling party. Diescho made the remarks during a public lecture on social development and community empowerment organised by the Muzokumwe Volunteers Organization.  His comments followed a question-and-answer session where an attendee raised concerns about the constitutional process that gives the President the power to appoint judges to the High Court and Supreme Court, based on recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The question asked whether real judicial independence and democracy…

Justicia Shipena Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has warned part-time tuition and examination centres against exploiting learners, saying the ministry will not tolerate practices that put profit ahead of academic support. Steenkamp made the remarks on Tuesday during the release of the 2025 national examination results.  She said part-time centres play an important role in giving learners a second chance to improve their results or return to formal education but said this responsibility must be handled with integrity. “These centres exist to serve candidates, many of whom are vulnerable but highly motivated to change their life’s journey through education,” Steenkamp said. …

Justicia Shipena Former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) executive Jennifer Hamukwaya says a magistrate wrongly concluded that she contradicted herself during testimony.  She stated that the magistrate's finding is a key element of her appeal against the decision that denied her bail. Magistrate Linus Samunzala denied bail to Hamukwaya and her co-accused in September last year. In his ruling, Samunzala said five of the six people accused in the N$480 million Namcor corruption and fraud case lied during their bail testimonies. Samunzala said this finding was one of the reasons he refused to grant bail to the six accused.…

Allexer Namundjembo The Kavango West governor's office has refuted claims of money theft during a break-in at the governor's home. The response follows a report by the Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) on Tuesday that a 22-year-old man, Andreas Muyongo, was denied bail in Rundu after allegedly breaking into the home of governor Verna Sinimbo and stealing perfumes and funds meant for a borehole project. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the governor’s office said no funds were stolen. “It is correct that a criminal break-in occurred at the governor’s parents’ homestead, where the governor also resides when in the village.…

Renthia Kaimbi Nash Serenity Foundation has partnered with a local driving school to help tackle youth unemployment by offering 20 regular soup kitchen attendees a fully funded opportunity to obtain their learner’s licences. The Mondesa Youth Licence Empowerment Programme will launch its first intake next weekend. The foundation is also calling on the community to support the initiative. Founder Patrick Nashandi said the idea followed research showing major challenges faced by young people trying to obtain licences. “A survey showed that 90% of youth fail their learner’s licence more than four times, and most never reach the driver’s licence stage.…