National News

Martin Endjala The Lüderitz Town Council is facing challenges in service delivery due to ongoing staff shortages, with several key positions remaining vacant for years. The council announced various vacancies in November 2024, including posts for a chief executive officer, a chief procurement officer, a chief technician of infrastructure, a supervisor for roads and streets, and two electricians.  The deadline for applications is set for 14 February. Lüderitz Mayor Phillippus Balhao told the Windhoek Observer last week that, despite the staff shortages, council operations have continued without major disruptions. However, he acknowledged the added workload and pressure on acting personnel…

Niël Terblanché The Government of Namibia has expressed strong disapproval of President Donald Trump's recent decision to reinstate Cuba on the United States list of state sponsors of terrorism. According to the executive director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Ambassador Penda Naanda, this move reverses the action taken by former President Joe Biden on 14 January 2025, when he signed an executive order to remove Cuba from the list. In an official statement, Naanda described President Trump's decision as "not only disappointing but also running counter to the belated decision made by former US President Joe Biden."…

Niël Terblanché The upgrade and maintenance of healthcare infrastructure in the Erongo region received a boost following a N$1,25 million donation from uranium miner Rössing Uranium. Anna Jonas, Erongo Regional Director of Health, during the handover ceremony in Swakopmund on Tuesday, expressed gratitude for the intervention, noting the impact the improvements will have on the community. She said that the funds will be used to address critical infrastructure needs in hospitals across Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, and Usakos, enhancing the delivery of healthcare services in the region. “This means a lot to our community, our patients, and our dedicated staff members.…

Ester Mbathera There are still barriers keeping aspiring aquaculture start-ups from entering the market. According to fisheries and aquaculture expert Alushe Hitula, financing and bureaucracy are but some of the challenges in the way of prospective development. “Namibia has an excellent policy framework for aquaculture development. However, there are still barriers to entry, such as finance and severe bureaucracy, for example, the aquaculture application process for aspiring aqua start-ups,” she said. Hitula was appointed to the board of directors of the World Aquaculture Society-African Chapter (WAS-AC) last week.  Her new role involves overseeing regional memberships, programs, and initiatives while contributing…

Allexer Namundjembo The extradition of a Namibian woman arrested in Zambia in October 2024, has been delayed.  The extradition of Chante Coetzee (38) was initially scheduled for 20 January 20. Coetzee was apprehended in Zambia after fleeing Namibia in a stolen vehicle with a South African accomplice.  She is facing charges of theft and violations of Namibia's Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The pair is accused of crossing into Zambia between 24 June and 2 July 2024 using unofficial border entry points without the vehicle owner's consent. Zambian authorities confirmed Coetzee’s arrest on 18 October 2024, after an Interpol notice…

Niël Terblanché Structural engineers are assessing the damage to a railway bridge over the Swakop River after a cross bracing came loose and collided with a passing cargo train. The incident, which occurred on Sunday night near Swakopmund, involved a train transporting cargo from Walvis Bay. Initial evaluations suggest that the damage to the railway infrastructure is minor. Abigail Raubenheimer, spokesperson for TransNamib, confirmed the incident. She stressed that no derailments or spillage of hazardous substances occurred. “We are relieved that no harm came to our personnel, the public, or the environment. Safety remains our highest priority, and a full…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe After securing maximum points in two away games over the weekend, newly promoted King Kaluma Palace Football Club (KK Palace FC) is confident about retaining their spot in the Debmarine Premier League by the end of the season. On Saturday, KK Palace defeated Mighty Gunners 2-1 at Otjiwarongo, followed by a 1-0 victory over Okahandja United in Okahandja.  These back-to-back wins lifted the team from the relegation zone to 11th place on the log with nine points from eight matches. Head coach Anderson Phiri said the team had to make significant adjustments after a challenging start to the…

Stefanus Nashama The Women and Men Network has lauded the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo for his decision to increase the recruitment quota of cadet constables from the network to ten members per region.  Ohangwena Region Coordinator Joseph Nakashona on Tuesday expressed gratitude, emphasising the government’s recognition of the network’s efforts in community crime prevention. "We thank General Shikongo for doing a wonderful job in linking us to the government through the network,” he said. We received the message regarding the recruitment of ten members from the network, and we truly appreciate this gesture. It…

Martin Endjala The First National Bank of Namibia (FNB) is tracing a 60-year-old pensioner who was defrauded of N$1.1 million last week by an unidentified suspect. According to police reports, the victim, a resident of Uukwamatsi village in the Okahao Constituency of the Omusati region, fell prey to an unknown method used by the suspect to gain access to her bank account.  Funds were then transferred to various FNB accounts without her consent. No money has been recovered yet, and investigations into the matter continue. FNB communications manager Kirsty Watermeyer said the bank is treating the case as a top…

Allexer Namundjembo Environment Minister and Swapo’s Secretary for Legal Affairs, Pohamba Shifeta, expressed hope that the recent Electoral Court decision to pause the LPM and IPC election court challenge until the Supreme Court’s ruling next month is not a delay tactic by the applicants. Speaking to the media outside the High Court on Monday, Shifeta said he finds the court's decision appropriate, given the circumstances that led to the suspension of the National Assembly election challenge proceedings. “As long as it is not just the applicants’ delay tactics because otherwise, it would result in a constitutional crisis. We need to…