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Sostenus Wilherm An Ondangwa councillor has called for the full accounting of public funds allegedly spent on an official trip after accusing the town's mayor of deviating from a council resolution to attend a different event while claiming official travel benefits. Councillor Angelina Immanuel has submitted a formal notice of questions to the chief executive officer of the Ondangwa Town Council, demanding written explanations and supporting documents relating to the mayor's attendance at the Namibia Local Authorities Sports and Recreation Association (NALASRA) games in Grootfontein in May 2026. The submitted questions seek to establish whether council resources, including a vehicle,…

Sostenus Wilherm The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has moved to contain the fallout from the resignation of former Erongo regional mobiliser Rudolf Kahingunga, dismissing his allegations of centralised decision-making and claims that some party branches may boycott upcoming regional elections as baseless. IPC spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge described Kahingunga's accusations as "fake news", saying the party was focused on broader organisational issues rather than what he characterised as the views of one former member. "Fake news. I am just a spokesperson in the party. I don't make decisions," Nashinge said. "We wish him well, especially in his labour/union politics. Non-issue.…

Renthia Kaimbi The Financial Institutions and Markets Act (FIMA), designed to protect retirement savings, may be unintentionally shutting out thousands of ordinary Namibians from accessing affordable housing finance through their pension funds. However, the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has moved to assure its members that its housing loan schemes remain fully operational and unaffected by the new restrictions. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer, Vincent Shimutwikeni, a retirement funds author and pension industry professional, raised concerns that Section 282(2) of FIMA, which came into effect on 1 May 2026, imposes a first mortgage bond requirement that could render housing loans…

Allexer Namundjembo Local authority councillors across Namibia are set to receive salary increases after the ministry of urban and rural development approved adjustments to their allowances, saying the move seeks to recognise councillors' contributions while taking into account the financial challenges facing local authorities. The revised remuneration was announced in a circular dated 2 July, signed by the ministry's executive director Wilhelmine Shivute and addressed to chief executive officers of municipalities, town councils and village councils. According to the circular, the ministry conducted “a comprehensive assessment of the current allowances payable to Local Authority councillors, taking into account the financial…

Staff Writer The Office of the Attorney-General has rejected demands to postpone Parliament's vote on the appointment of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) chairperson and commissioners. However, it has agreed to make documents bearing President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's signature available to Members of Parliament during the sitting. The development follows a legal demand served on the Speaker of the National Assembly by Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners, acting on behalf of Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader and Member of Parliament Job Amupanda. In a letter dated 8 July 2026, the law firm demanded the immediate deferment of Parliament's vote on the approval…

Staff Writer  A multimillion-dollar dispute over the stalled upgrading of the Okakarara Vocational Training Centre (VTC) has moved closer to possible settlement. This came after the High Court was asked to refer the matter to court-connected mediation before proceeding to trial. The dispute involves the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN), Octagon Construction (Pty) Ltd and the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) over a N$64.2 million construction contract awarded for the upgrading of the Okakarara VTC in the Otjozondjupa Region. The parties requested that the matter be referred to mediation, noting that the NTA had not yet been joined when the…

Renthia Kaimbi Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has issued a warning to local authorities failing to comply with auditing regulations, stating that those with outstanding financial reports will not have their budgets approved. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer, Sankwasa revealed that some councils have not had their books audited since 2015 and have pending financial reports, a situation he described as unacceptable and a direct contravention of the law. "Government money needs to be audited and even the Regional Councils and Local Authorities Acts talk about annual auditing, every year," Sankwasa stated, questioning how the…

Allexer Namundjembo  The State has applied for parts of the terrorism trial involving Jona Hangula to be heard behind closed doors, citing security concerns surrounding the testimony of a United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent. According to court documents seen by the Windhoek Observer, the prosecution has invoked Sections 153 and 158 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 51 of 1977, which provide for proceedings to be held in camera where evidence may pose a security risk. In its application, the State requests that the FBI special agent's testimony be heard in camera before the presiding judge.…

Renthia Kaimbi The Kunene Regional Council has bowed to the demands of the urban and rural development minister, James Sankwasa. The council agreed to immediately remove George Kamseb as acting chief regional officer (CRO), appoint a legally recognised accounting officer and pave the way for the release of withheld employee salaries. The breakthrough ends weeks of administrative paralysis that had crippled the council’s operations and left employees without pay. Confirming the agreement, Sankwasa, who held a closed meeting with regional officials on Wednesday, said Kamseb would vacate the position with immediate effect because he was not legally qualified to serve…