Windhoek Observer

Allexer Namundjembo The Institute for Public Policy Research Research (IPPR) associate Frederico Links has said the ECN should provide clarity on the costs of the contract for ballot paper printing. At the IPPR procurement tracker unveiling on Tuesday, Links said the cost escalation from what had been estimated to the eventual costs that will be paid is questionable. He said ECN, in a statement issued on 18 October, denied allegations of corruption regarding the award of the tender to South African printing company Ren-Form CC. He said the ECN said the total cost of the contract is N$6.2 million, which…

Stefanus Nashama The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) says the release of the main 2023 population and housing census report was never influenced by external sources. The NSA stated that the report would be released in accordance with the laws governing the release of official statistics. Alex Shimuafeni, Namibia’s statistician-general, announced this in Windhoek on Tuesday. The NSA is expected to launch the main report on Wednesday, 30 October. Shimuafeni said the dissemination of such information is impartial and all stakeholders will receive information at the same time. “The NSA would like to inform the nation that this dissemination of tomorrow…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The High Court has ruled against the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader, Job Amupanda’s request for protection from legal costs in his case challenging the constitutionality of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, commonly known as the Red Line. High court judge Ueitele ordered Amupanda to cover the legal costs of the opposing parties for pre-trial applications in the ongoing case, which is scheduled for trial from 20 January to 31 January 2025. The judgement, issued this week, clarified that Amupanda would not face an adverse cost order in the trial itself, regardless of the outcome. However, he must pay for…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted President Nangolo Mbumba in Cape Town on Tuesday. The two heads of state engaged in bilateral discussions aimed at deepening relations and addressing issues of national concern for both nations. The Namibian Presidency announced that the visit is expected to focus on Namibia’s national interests and provide a platform for further collaboration. The working visit comes on the heels of a recent diplomatic engagement, with South Africa’s minister Ronald Lamola, who attended the South Africa-Namibia Bi-National Commission in Swakopmund earlier this month. “This visit underlines our commitment to strengthening regional partnerships,” said…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police Force has issued a stern warning to young people to refrain from criminal activities, particularly armed robberies, which have seen a disturbing spike recently. The warning came from Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, the head of NamPol’s public relations division after two violent robbery incidents that occurred on Monday, in Windhoek and Swakopmund, where substantial sums of money were stolen, and a security guard lost his life. In Swakopmund, a cash-in-transit heist at Platz am Meer Shopping Mall ended tragically when armed robbers shot and killed a 32-year-old security guard, identified as Ernest Araeb. Araeb, employed…

Niël Terblanché Residents of the Zambezi region celebrated the official handover of two newly constructed facilities at schools in Liselo and Masokotwani settlements. The initiative to enhance infrastructure for education, facilitated by the Chinese government, is part of a broader effort to improve educational infrastructure in rural areas, providing resources that offer long-term benefits for students, teachers, and the surrounding communities. During the handover ceremony, the Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, pointed to the transformative potential of the newly constructed facilities. She said that the donated infrastructure which includes dormitories for 336 students at each school,…

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Botswana have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing regional trade and economic cooperation through the development of the Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR) project, with construction set to begin in January 2025. This was confirmed during a meeting between deputy prime minister and minister of works and transport, John Mutorwa and his counterpart from Botswana, Eric Molale, in Windhoek last week. The two ministers, joined by senior officials and representatives of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor Secretariat, discussed ongoing progress and the Trans-Kalahari Corridor (TKC) and Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR) projects. The TKC, operational since 2003, has simplified customs operations and established…