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Extradition plans unclear in ambassador’s son’s stabbing case

Extradition plans unclear in ambassador’s son’s stabbing case

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (MIRCO) has stated that it is awaiting the outcome of an investigation by the relevant authorities into the death of the son of Namibia’s ambassador to Cuba, Samuel Goagoseb. The case involves allegations that the ambassador’s son, Enrico Nerongo, fatally stabbed his younger brother during an altercation at the diplomatic residence in Havana. Bertha Amakali, director of information and research at MIRCO, confirmed that the ministry’s actions regarding the incident would be guided by the investigation's findings and in line with ministerial policies and procedures. “The ministry’s action in relation to…
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Robbery suspect shot by police

Robbery suspect shot by police

Martin Endjala One robbery suspect was shot on Tuesday and four more were arrested after members of the Windhoek City Police reacted swiftly to reports of a break-in at a house in Khomasdal. The police then arrested the suspects in Grysblock on Florence Nightingale Street, at the four-way stop, between Papa G's Chicken and a car wash. The Namibian Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed this on Tuesday. The suspects face charges of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, according to a preliminary report. The incident occurred at around 11h57 in Hofsanger Street, Khomasdal. The five suspects allegedly…
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Festive wheels or costly deals?

Festive wheels or costly deals?

Hertta-Maria Amutenja As the festive season approaches, many people are using their year-end bonuses and savings to fulfil their dream of owning a car. For some, it is about gaining independence, while others simply want to be mobile and make travel during the holidays more convenient. However, the excitement of buying a second-hand car can quickly turn into a nightmare. Hidden issues, inflated prices, and vague regulations often leave consumers frustrated and feeling cheated. Windhoek resident Maria Haufiku knows this all too well. Haufiku says she started her journey to car ownership with high expectations. “I was excited to get…
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Nedbank volleyball tournament set for Swakopmund

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Organisers of the third edition of the 2024 Nedbank Volley 1st Tournament, scheduled for 21 December at Mole in Swakopmund, have confirmed that all systems are for the highly anticipated social event. Nedbank Namibia has partnered with Connect People to People (CPTP) for this year's tournament, moving it from the northern parts of the country to the coast for the first time, according to a statement this week from Nedbank spokesperson Selma Kaulinge. The tournament's first two editions took place in the north, but this year, according to CPTP representative Dave Hammond, the focus has shifted to Swakopmund…
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Mbakera leaves FC Ongos

Mbakera leaves FC Ongos

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Football Club Ongos and former head coach Mervin Mbakera have parted ways following the club's poor performance, which saw them end at the bottom of the log in the Debmarine Premiership under Mbakera’s reign. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the club confirmed the departure of Mbakera, stating that the mutually agreed upon contract termination is effective from 17 December 2024. “FC Ongos would like to announce that the club and coach Mbakera have mutually agreed to terminate the agreement effective 17 December 2024. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to coach Mervin Mbakera for his…
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Telecom Namibia hack: Namibia’s Cybersecurity wake-up call

Setson Tangeni Haidula The recent hacking of Telecom Namibia has exposed serious flaws in the nation’s approach to cybersecurity. Sensitive data was reportedly compromised, exposing vulnerabilities in critical systems—an event that underscores how unprepared we are for modern digital threats. This breach isn’t just Telecom’s problem; it reflects the vulnerability of Namibia’s digital infrastructure, including public institutions and government ministries. It’s a wake-up call to take cybersecurity as seriously as other countries have done. Namibia’s approach to cybersecurity is outdated and reactive. For instance, the United States established the National Security Agency (NSA) as a central pillar of its cyber…
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Lack of oversight and legislation blamed for cyber attack

Lack of oversight and legislation blamed for cyber attack

Niël Terblanché The absence of a robust Data Protection Act and more stringent regulatory oversight by Namibia’s Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) is partly to blame for the massive cyber terrorist attack on the country’s key telecommunications provider and other government institutions almost three weeks ago. Paul Rowley of My Digital Bridge Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the lives of marginalized communities through equitable access to technology, said a comprehensive data protection act in Namibia could have significantly reduced the damage caused by the attack. He explained that the Act could have established clear guidelines and obligations for…
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Windstorms rip through Eengodi and Omuthiya leaving many homeless

Windstorms rip through Eengodi and Omuthiya leaving many homeless

Martin Endjala Heavy windstorms last Wednesday left several houses in the Eengodi and Omuthiya constituencies without roofs. People in Onamushi, Onyavia, Ongaka and Okambuguthe villages were badly affected by the strong winds. Mwawendange Petersen, a priest at the House of Healing International Ministry in the Ongaka area, told the Windhoek Observer on Monday that the roof sheets were blown off and lying around the ground, along with poles and trees that were uprooted by the windstorm. “At this stage, it is hard to tell or put the exact number of houses or people affected because other areas in the Oshikoto…
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Labour unions and media advocates welcome NAMPU registration

Labour unions and media advocates welcome NAMPU registration

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Labour unions, media advocates, and stakeholders widely celebrate the Namibia Media Professionals Union's (NAMPU) official trade union registration as a significant step towards strengthening workers' rights in Namibia's media industry. NAMPU received its certificate of recognition from the Office of the Labour Commissioner on Monday, 16 December 2024, after a four-year campaign for formal recognition. The media ombudsman, John Nakuta, hailed the development as a landmark moment for media workers. “It is really good news to hear that NAMPU has finally been registered officially as one of the many trade unions in the country. For that reason, I…
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Child Marriage in the SADC Region: A Persistent Human Rights Crisis

Child Marriage in the SADC Region: A Persistent Human Rights Crisis

Sally Ncube and Moses Magadza Child marriage remains a pressing human rights issue globally, with alarming rates and low progress toward addressing the crisis persisting in regions such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Although there has been a global decline in child marriage, progress is insufficient to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of eliminating it by 2030. At the current rate, it will take 300 years to eradicate child marriage entirely, according to the latest research from UNICEF. The SADC’s statistics are stark, with almost 40% of children married before 18 years in at least five…
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