Blog – Page 10 – Windhoek Observer

06 Jan

When land disputes turn deadly: a test of law, leadership and restraint

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The fatal shooting of traditional headman Sam Nepando and the serious injury of I-Ben Nashandi, who is reportedly recovering in hospital, have sent a deep and unsettling shock through Namibia. It is not only the loss of life and the violence itself that has disturbed the nation, but the nature of the dispute from which this tragedy reportedly arose. Incidents of this kind are almost unheard of in our recent history, particularly within the context of traditional leadership and land administration. For many Namibians, this moment has forced a painful reckoning with questions we have long debated in theory but…

06 Jan

Tunacor replaces MD with former CEO …Hitula denies being fired or demoted over fishrot claims

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Tunacor Fisheries Limited, a Walvis Bay-based fishing company, has replaced its managing director with the company’s former chief executive officer, Gerrie Hough. Outgoing MD Peya Hitula confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that Hough had taken his place. However, Hitula refuted allegations of his firing or demotion. He said he has moved into a more senior governance role within the company. This comes as talks that started circulating in mid-December suggested that Hitula was dismissed over alleged links to the fishrot scandal or had stepped down under pressure. “It is true that I am no longer the managing director…

06 Jan

Zambezi councillors repay N$136k S&T

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Zambezi regional councillors involved in an unauthorised trip to Botswana and Zambia have fully repaid N$136 000 in subsistence and travel allowances (S&T), the Windhoek Observer has learnt. Sources close to the matter confirmed that those who repaid the money include former chairperson of the management committee Matengu Simushi, who is the husband of Zambezi governor Dorothy Kabula. Other councillors involved were Humphrey Divai, Kennedy Simasiku and Ivene Kabunga. Of the four, only Simasiku currently serves on the new council. Kabula was also part of the trip but obtained separate authorisation from the Presidency. The repayments follow an…

06 Jan

G4S drops attempt to block Namdia lawsuit

National News

Justicia Shipena Security service provider G4S Secure Solutions (Namibia) has withdrawn its legal exception in the High Court, which challenged the legal sufficiency of Namibia Desert Diamonds’ (Namdia) lawsuit, according to court documents seen by the Windhoek Observer. This means G4S has dropped its court objection in the lawsuit. The withdrawal followed Namdia's filing of a rule 52 notice together with amended particulars of claim on 1 December 2025. G4S lodged the exception on October 24, 2025, but confirmed in a joint status report filed on December 11, 2025, that it would no longer pursue it while reserving its rights. …

06 Jan

IShowSpeed misses Namibia due to last-minute paperwork

National News

Renthia Kaimbi American YouTube star IShowSpeed has been forced to cancel his visit to Namibia after aviation authorities denied permits for his private flight and drone operations due to applications submitted mere hours before arrival. The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the denial, saying there was no time to process the requests. NCAA manager for stakeholder relations and communications Nelson Ashipala said in a media statement released yesterday that a foreign operator permit for a Kenyan-registered private aircraft scheduled to land in Namibia on 30 December 2025 could not be issued. Ashipala said the application was received at 16h34…

06 Jan

Elindi brothers say magistrate used wrong evidence to deny bail

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Businessmen Peter Elindi and his brother Malakia Elindi have appealed against the Magistrates Court’s decision to deny them bail in the Namcor fraud and corruption case. The brothers were arrested last year with four other co-accused following an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into fuel supply contracts linked to the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor). In written heads of argument filed in the Windhoek High Court and seen by the Windhoek Observer, their lawyers, led by Sisa Namandje, argue that the decision to refuse bail was based on misrepresentations and a selective reading of the evidence.…

06 Jan

Man accused in headmen shooting remanded in custody

National News

Allexer Namundjembo A 59-year-old man accused of fatally shooting Onelago village headman Sam Nepando and injuring Iikokola village headman and National Planning Commission (NPC) executive director I-Ben Nashandi made his first court appearance in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The accused, Sinskus Johannes, was remanded in custody. The case was postponed to allow the prosecution and defence to prepare further submissions. The shooting occurred on 2 January during a community court session at Johannes’ homestead in the Oshikoto Region. The two traditional leaders had gone to address a land dispute. An eyewitness, David Nangombe, told the Namibian Sun that…

06 Jan

Private credit extension expected at 4.5% to 5% range

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Credit and liquidity data for November 2025 show that monetary easing continues to support Namibia’s economy, though growth has slowed after one-off liquidity adjustments, according to financial services firm Simonis Storm. Private Sector Credit Extension (PSCE) slowed to 4.5% year on year in November, down from 4.7% in October. The moderation reflects softer borrowing by both companies and households following liquidity effects linked to the Eurobond redemption. Despite the slowdown, PSCE remains well above the weak levels recorded in 2023 and early 2024, pointing to improved credit conditions rather than a downturn. Simonis Storm expects PSCE growth to…

06 Jan

Anglo American updates on asset sales and portfolio restructuring

Observer Money

Staff Writer Anglo American plc has given an update on its portfolio restructuring plan announced on 14 May 2024, aimed at unlocking value and improving returns for shareholders. The mining group said it is making progress and meeting its post-offer commitments linked to Nickel, Anglo American Platinum, Steelmaking Coal, De Beers and Crop Nutrients. Anglo American confirmed it remains on track with the sale of its nickel business. The company announced on 18 February 2025 that it had signed a binding agreement to sell the business to MMG Singapore Resources Pte. Ltd, a subsidiary of MMG Limited, for cash consideration…

06 Jan

More fuel used, more businesses started in Q3 2025

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Fuel consumption in Namibia increased during the third quarter of 2025, pointing to firmer economic activity, according to the Bank of Namibia’s (BoN) third-quarter economic indicators. BoN said total fuel consumption rose by 7.2% year-on-year to 320 million litres during the quarter. The increase was driven by higher demand for diesel and petrol, which grew by 4.8% and 13.5%, respectively. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, total fuel consumption increased by 7.3%. Business registrations also recorded strong growth during the quarter. BoN, which treats business registrations as a leading indicator of future economic activity, reported that new registrations rose by…