National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A Toyota Fortuner owned by a nurse, Mathilde Kadhikwa from northern Namibia is scheduled to be sold on auction on 21 November in Tsumeb. This follows a Windhoek High Court ruling requiring Kadhikwa to cover the legal costs of Shapwa Tangeni Kanyama and his wife, Beata. Judge Beatrix de Jager recently ordered Kadhikwa to cover the Kanyamas’ wasted legal costs on the scale of one instructing and one instructed legal practitioner, leading to the attachment of her assets. The Toyota Fortuner, one of the attached assets, will be held in storage until the auction. “In terms of the…

Niël Terblanché A gang of armed robbers killed a security guard and wounded another during a cash-in-transit robbery at the Platz Am Meer shopping mall in Swakopmund on Monday. Eyewitnesses on the ground level of the centre’s parking structure said a group of four or five men suddenly appeared as if out of nowhere at the cash-in-transit van while the security officers were busy loading boxes filled with money into it. A bystander said that all the robbers were armed with pistols or revolvers and that they were threatening to shoot the security guards. Some of the robbers held the…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (Natau) is set to lead peaceful, nationwide demonstrations in protest against the reappointment of TransNamib’s Executive for Human Capital, Webster Gonzo today. According to a statement by Natau’s acting general secretary Narina Pollmann last week, the demonstrations will be in response to growing discontent among TransNamib employees who have raised concerns over Gonzo’s management practices and alleged disregard for company policy. “The dissatisfaction stems from the decision made by the TransNamib board to reappoint Gonzo, despite repeated appeals from employees,” she said. Pollmann said workers feel their concerns have been ignored.…

Niël Terblanché With an increasing number of foreign students choosing Namibia as their educational destination, the timely acquisition of study permits is essential for ensuring a smooth transition into the country’s academic institutions. In this regard, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security has announced the official opening of the application period for study permits for the 2025 academic year. In a statement, the executive director of the home affairs ministry, Etienne Martiz, said that foreign students who wish to pursue their education in Namibia are required to secure these permits to enrol in local educational institutions. “This…

Niël Terblanché Amid a rising wave of cholera cases across southern Africa, which has claimed hundreds of lives, the Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, opened a workshop on water treatment in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The workshop, aimed at addressing water quality, brings together delegates from SADC countries and East African nations. The event, hosted by NamWater, focuses on the importance of proficiency in water testing and the collaborative efforts needed to maintain water safety amid increasing regional challenges. The cholera outbreak, which has already caused significant loss of life, highlights the urgent need…

Niël Terblanché As the school year draws to a close, Namibia has received a timely boost to its educational infrastructure through a generous donation from the Chinese government. The Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Ester Anna Nghipondoka, officially received newly constructed educational facilities for two rural schools in Kavango West: Satotwa Combined School and Simanya Combined School. She said the Chinese government’s gift, delivered through the Agency for International Economic Cooperation, will help address the growing need for learner accommodation and improve the overall learning environment in these remote areas. “The donation includes crucial infrastructure such as classrooms, administration…

Martin Endjala Sophia Shaningwa, the Swapo party secretary general has called on people who are predicting that the party presidential candidate, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will fall ill before taking office, to stop. She was defending Nandi-Ndaitwah after she allegedly collapsed while delivering her statement at a recent party rally in Otjiwarongo. “Stop it. Leave our candidate. It must end in Otjiwarongo. You are busy discussing her and her vehicle. It must stop you witches. Leave the servant, who is here chosen by God and by the hand of man, to serve. Leave our candidate alone. Stop it with immediate effect,” she…

Martin Endjala The acting Khomas regional police commander, Deputy Commissioner Chrispin Mubebo, has issued a stern warning, stating that law enforcement will not tolerate unlawful acts following the arrest of Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) member Michael Amushelelo. Amushelelo was arrested and charged with malicious damage to property and contravening various laws after burning tyres and blocking traffic during a protest in front of the Ministry of Labour office in Khomasdal on Friday. “We were notified about the incident and dispatched a team of police officers and Amushelelo has been charged with malicious damage to property, in this case the…

Allexer Namundjembo Regional councillors in the country’s northern regions are urging the government to prioritise the renovation and construction of earth dams to address water shortages. As the country expects normal to above-normal rainfall in the coming months, councillors argue that these dams could help store floodwaters for later use, benefiting communities and agriculture. Okatyali Constituency councillor Joseph Mupetami highlighted the need for the government and NamWater to construct dams along main water pipelines supplying communities. “Constructing new dams may be costly and time-consuming. However, prioritising the renovation of existing earth dams could significantly address our water challenges. In my…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The residents of Grootfontein are growing increasingly frustrated as mud-coloured water continues to flow from taps. This affected especially the Mini-town, Luiperdheuwel, and Extensions 7, 8, and 9, as well as parts of Tuliang. The issue, which has persisted for weeks, stems from ongoing repairs at the Buitekamp Boreholes and Water Reservoir. Emmerencia Ndara, a resident of Luiperdheuwel, said they rely on clean water for their daily needs. “It is unacceptable that we have to deal with brown water for an extended period,” said Ndara. Many residents took to social media to express their frustration. “This is the…