National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Lüderitz Crayfish Festival is facing tensions behind the scenes as the Crayfish Festival Trust is accusing the Lüderitz Town Council of withholding vital fishing quota funds. The Trust claims this has disrupted the festival’s preparations and operations. The 18th edition of the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival began on Tuesday and will run until Monday, 5 May. The event, under the theme “Safeguarding our Ocean Riches”, celebrates the town's maritime culture and features seafood dishes. But the Crayfish Festival Trust and the Town Council are at odds over financial matters, with both sides accusing the other of failing in…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Chief Executive Officer of Daures Green Hydrogen Village (DGHV), Jerome Namaseb, says it is too early to assess revenue generation from the fertiliser production at the village. Namaseb stated that the project has not yet reached that stage. Namaseb made the statement during a media visit to the facility this week. He announced that the village, located in the Daures Constituency in the Erongo Region, is set to produce its first fertiliser by the end of 2026 or early 2027. The project, supported by a N$220 million grant from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research…

Ester Mbathera  Chinese-owned lithium mining giant Xinfeng Investments has won a Supreme Court battle confirming its ownership stake in Orange River Exploration Mining CC after a disputed cancellation of company records. The matter was heard on 12 March, and judgment was delivered on Wednesday by a panel consisting of Chief Justice Peter Shivute, Acting Justice of Appeal Rita Makarau, and Acting Justice of Appeal Dave Smuts. Justice Makarau wrote the judgment, with Shivute and Smuts concurring. The case stems from an April 2022 agreement where Peter Shifwaku, who owned 100% of the mining company, sold 85% of his interest to…

Niël Terblanché An investigation has been launched following reports of an alleged attempted kidnapping of a learner from Moses Garoeb Primary School in Windhoek earlier this week. The Namibian Police confirmed that the Gender-Based Violence Unit’s social workers are interviewing the learner in the presence of her mother. “The Police had to act, given the current situation of learners raped and killed in Okahandja, because we cannot overlook nor ignore such posts of threats to peace and security disruption,” said Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, head of the Police’s public relations division. According to the learner, while walking from Havana to…

Allexer Namundjembo Nursing graduates are raising concerns over the high exam fees set by the Nursing Council, with many saying the N$2,000-plus cost is an unfair barrier to entering the workforce.  Former lawmaker Hidipo Hamata condemned the charges, calling them unjust and harmful to the country’s health system.  “How can unemployed graduates, most of whom still depend on their struggling parents, be expected to afford such exorbitant fees? It is completely wrong and unfair! These are the same nurses we desperately need in our hospitals and clinics, yet we are blocking them with expensive, unnecessary barriers,” Hamata said.  He added…

Ester Mbathera  Protests broke out across the country on Tuesday as communities, especially children, voiced fear and frustration over their safety. The protests followed the murder of three young girls in Okahandja. In Okahandja, residents filled the streets demanding justice. The killings of young girls have shaken the town, once known as the garden town. The peaceful march was joined by Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Dino Balloti, Swapo member of parliament Fenny Tutjavi, and LPM member of parliament Utaara Mootu. The leaders stood in solidarity with protestors and called for urgent action to protect…

Allexer Namundjembo Following reports from traditional leaders in Ekungira, Epupa Constituency, that ongoing mining activities are illegal, community members have reached an agreement with mining companies to contribute to local development. This was revealed in a report by the Ombudsman, conducted after some traditional authorities complained that mining was taking place without their consent. The agreement includes conditions that the mining companies drill a borehole for the community, assist with a community garden, contribute to a community fund, and establish a school garden project. Media Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha, in a report presented yesterday, stated that a complaint was lodged with…

Niël Terblanché Water rationing in Walvis Bay will continue until 30 June 2025, following an extension announced by the Municipality of Walvis Bay. The extension adds 31 days to the initial measures, which were due to end today.  The decision follows ongoing electricity supply problems affecting the Rooi Bank and Dorop South aquifer systems, which are key to the town’s water supply. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the utility advised the municipality to maintain water rationing to avoid complete depletion of reservoir levels. Voltage drops and ageing infrastructure continue to limit water extraction from the boreholes. Daily water supply interruptions…

Niël Terblanché A three-year-old boy, Lihoneni Mingeli, died early Monday morning after being bitten by a snake at the Ovitapita farm near Omatjete. The incident happened around 04:00, according to Inspector Judith Shomongula, spokesperson for the Namibian Police in the Erongo Region. She said the child's mother was sleeping on a bed with her two children, while a visitor slept on the floor in the same room. "The visitor felt something moving on her blanket. She woke up, lit a torch and saw the snake," Shomongula said. The visitor tried to alert the mother, but the snake had already disappeared.…

Niël Terblanché Police have recovered N$55 000 and a getaway vehicle used in an armed robbery at the Namcor Soweto Service Station in Katutura.  According to Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, one of the suspects was arrested after being shot in the leg during a confrontation with city police officers. Four other suspects fled and remain at large, with a manhunt underway. The robbery occurred around 09h00 on Monday when five armed individuals arrived in a black sedan with a fake number plate. They stormed both the fuel station and the adjacent Pick n Pay Express store. A 39-year-old employee was…