Observer

Niël Terblanché A deadly exchange of gunfire during which three suspected poachers were killed occurred over the weekend in the Etosha National Park. According to the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo the fatal exchange of gunfire followed a routine patrol by members of the Anti-Poaching Unit. “The confrontation began on Friday evening when anti-poaching officers, during their routine patrols along the park’s perimeter, discovered suspicious shoeprints indicating an illegal entry through the fence. The member of the unit immediately initiated a search operation,” he said. Shikongo said the incident occurred as law enforcement officials intensified…

Mallex Shipanga The National Pension Scheme (NPS) payout for the elderly for November and December has been paid earlier this month. Pensioners received a total payout of N$2 800, which was supposed to sustain them until the next payout at the beginning of January 2025. Many complained that they had already spent the money, leaving them with nothing for the festive season. Ndeuomono Shikonda (77) from Walvis Bay is one of the many pensioners affected by the combined pension payout. “It (the pension) is already finished,” she said. She spent the majority of her pension money on electricity and water…

Niël Terblanché Calle Schlettwein, Namibia's Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, is currently attending the World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Board's Second Regular Session in Rome. An essential agenda item is the presentation and anticipated approval of Namibia's Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for the 2025–2029 period. The CSP outlines Namibia's roadmap to eradicate poverty and hunger, aligning with the nation's Vision 2030 and the Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5). It emphasizes strengthening systems governing food security, social protection, and emergency preparedness. The plan aims to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive effective support, building upon past achievements in…

Niël Terblanché The Office of the Judiciary has dismissed claims regarding an alleged investigation into the regional demographics of magistrates qualified for appointment to Namibia's High Court. The clarification issued by the acting deputy director, Delila Salatiel, follows misinformation stemming from a media statement urging the Minister of Justice to release findings of a purported probe. The debate originated from a statistic cited in response to a media query. According to Salaltiel, the Office of the Judiciary did address allegations in an anonymous WhatsApp message, falsely claiming that 90% of High Court-qualified magistrates hailed from the Zambezi region. In a…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja To improve food safety and protect consumers, Namibia has launched a new project to strengthen import controls for fishery products and canned meat. The initiative, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will establish a more robust inspection system to address existing gaps in traceability and regulatory compliance. Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) chief executive officer, Eino Mvula, explained the importance of the project during the inauguration on 19 November at the NSI Testing and Inspection Centre. “This project marks a significant step forward in enhancing food safety, improving agricultural productivity, and safeguarding public health,” Mvula said. He…

Stefanus Nashama The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) announced on Monday that it has begun issuing duplicate voter cards. This process started on Monday and will run until 26 November across the country. The issuance of duplicate cards is intended for voters who have lost or damaged their original voter cards. The process does not apply to new voter registrations or changes to existing voter card details. To apply for a duplicate voter card, registered voters must provide an affidavit from the police explaining the loss or damage, as well as a Namibian Identification Document (ID) or a valid Namibian…