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Allexer Namundjebo Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi’s directive to shift vehicle-related fines from drivers to vehicle owners is facing scrutiny from the public and transport business owners. On Tuesday, Nekundi informed the National Assembly about his directive that traffic officers must stop issuing fines to drivers for mechanical faults on vehicles that are not owned by them.  He stated that the registered owners should now receive those fines instead.  He said the directive covers citations related to maintenance issues, overloading, and other vehicle faults. “Enforcement officers must ensure that their practices align with a framework that clearly distinguishes the…

Allexer Namundjebo  After years of inactivity following a 2018 court order that ended the lease agreement with Ramatex Textiles, the City of Windhoek is now taking steps to revive the dormant Ramatex site. The 43-hectare property has remained unused since the textile factory abruptly shut down in 2008. On Monday, the City of Windhoek announced that it is working to turn the idle Ramatex site into a new economic hub.  This was revealed when Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja met with internal stakeholders to assess the current state of the property.  According to the City, the meeting formed part of plans…

Justicia Shipena  Namibia has yet to fully use a N$2 billion loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for massive transport infrastructure.  With only six months left before the loan disbursement deadline on 31 December 2025, more than N$110 million remains undisbursed. The latest Implementation Progress and Results Report from the AfDB shows that Namibia has used just over 94% of the approved loan amount as of April 2025.  This implies that the government can only access the remaining funds prior to the loan's expiration.  The government must fast-track activities to avoid losing the remaining money. The remaining work needs…

Allexer Namundjebo Cheetah Cement did not inform its workers about the planned merger with Ohorongo Cement.  This came to light during a stakeholders’ conference held in Windhoek on Thursday by the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC).  Cheetah Cement, operated by Whale Rock Cement (Pty) Ltd, said it deliberately withheld the information from workers. A spokesperson for the company, Tabby Moyo, stated that they deliberately withheld the information to prevent speculation and confusion. “The decision is to avoid speculations and confusion among employees,” Moyo said. Meanwhile, Meyer van den Berg, the legal representative of Ohorongo Cement, informed their employees about the planned…

Justicia Shipena A routine inspection conducted on Monday uncovered several shortcomings in Fabupharm Namibia (Pty) Ltd’s oral liquid dosage block, the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) has said. As a result, the NMRC instructed the company to recall all its oral liquid products and halt production on the affected liquid line until the issues are corrected. “The inspection of the oral liquid dosage block observed shortcomings which necessitated various corrective and preventative actions,” said Fransina Nambahu, registrar of the NMRC. The directive follows pressure from member of parliament Job Amupanda, who last week urged the council to act after claiming…

Allexer Namundjebo The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has arrived in Namibia and is currently available only in private healthcare facilities.  The Ministry of Health and Social Services is finalising plans to roll out the vaccine nationwide through public health facilities. Walters Kamaya, the ministry’s public relations officer, confirmed the vaccine’s availability in the private sector.  “The HPV vaccine is available in the private sector, and the government is currently determining a date to launch it in the public sector,” he said. This comes as the ministry postponed a media engagement that coincided with the vaccine’s arrival at Hosea Kutako International…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Sex workers in Namibia used International Sex Workers Day on 2 June to renew their call for the government to reform laws that criminalise their work. While exchanging sex for money is not illegal in Namibia, laws under the Combating of Immoral Practices Act and municipal by-laws criminalise related activities.  These include public solicitation, brothel operation, procuring sex work, and exposing oneself in public. Deyonce Naris, who identifies as a sex worker, said the current legal setup puts them at risk and prevents them from reporting crimes. “We cannot report crimes committed against us because we are criminalised…

Allexer Namundjebo The City of Windhoek is under fire for poor road repairs, with residents and activists saying the work is already falling apart just months after rains damaged streets across the capital. Katutura Residents Committee spokesperson Shaun Gariseb questioned whether the City is following proper standards.  He believes the current approach does not meet those requirements. Gariseb said some roads are wearing off even without rain and warned that the City is wasting money on temporary fixes instead of doing proper repairs.  He added that the poor work affects residents financially, especially those with low-profile cars.  He said his…

Justicia Shipena Fabupharm (Pty) Ltd says its children’s paracetamol syrup is safe.  The pharmaceutical company, based in Otjiwarongo, said it has not received any formal notice from the Namibian Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) indicating that its paracetamol syrup is defective, unsafe, or non-compliant. This comes after parliamentarian Job Amupanda claimed he has evidence that the syrup is unsafe.  The paracetamol syrup is used to treat pain and fever in children. In a media statement, Fabupharm said the syrup is manufactured under strict international Good Manufacturing Practices standards, following guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and local laws. The company…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has condemned the eviction of generational workers from farms, calling the practice “inhumane” and “unacceptable”. Minister Inge Zaamwani spoke out during a handover of resettlement allotment letters in Windhoek on Tuesday. “The practice of forcefully evicting long-serving generational farm workers and abandoning them in corridors next to the roads is not only inhumane but is also unacceptable. We urge all farm owners to exercise restraint from such practice and embrace dialogue in order to seek dignified and sustainable solutions, which uphold the dignity and rights of such individuals, who…