National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) joined the world in observing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day on Thursday while making continuous strides towards ensuring accessible, equitable, and quality healthcare for all Namibians. Ben Nangombe, the health ministry’s executive director said in a statement that the day was celebrated under the theme “Healthy People Drive Economic Growth: Quality Health Services Without Financial Hardship for All”. He stated that this year’s event focused on the complex link between health and socio-economic development. “There is no wealth without health, and more wealth should also translate to more health,” he…

Martin Endjala The Khorixas Town Council is accused of hiring debushing equipment from Tiricha Investment, a mining company that operates a few kilometres outside Khorixas. The company approached the council to hire its machinery in November to de-bush the Unib riverbed in Khorixas. The equipment includes tipper trucks and excavators, among others. According to reports, Tiricha Investments received the tender without adhering to the procurement process. A whistleblower said the town council’s chief executive officer, Andreas Howoseb bypassed a finance manager and deposited 50% of the payment into the contracted company’s account ahead of the project. “Instead of appreciating that…

Allexer Namundjembo The Omuthiya Town Council failed to conduct the election of new office bearers at its last council meeting for the year held on 10 November. Elections for local authority office bearers are held annually in accordance with Section 11 (2) (c) and 22 (1) of the Local Authorities Act. According to Independent Patriots for Change’s (IPC) councillor, Nghipudilo yaShiindi, the office elections were scheduled for 10 November. “The election for political office bearers for the Omuthiya Town Council was held on Friday, the 10th of November last year. The terms of the current office bearers have now lapsed…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has invited registered political parties and independent candidates to submit nominations for the Guinas Constituency by-election in the Oshikoto Region. In an announcement on Thursday, the ECN urged interested parties to submit their nominations promptly. Registered political parties can file nominations through the political party candidate portal from December 6 to 21 December. Independent candidates, however, must submit their nominations by 19 December. The by-election is necessitated by the death of former Guinas constituency councillor, Elias Barney Martinus who died at the age of 51 last month after a short illness in…

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police (NamPol) has revealed that a video, widely circulated on social media, depicting the assault of an inmate in the holding cells of the Okahandja Police Station, was an elaborate act intended to extort money from the family of one of the detainees. Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, head of NamPol's Public Relations Division, described the incident as “an orchestrated act to solicit money,” following a thorough investigation. According to Shikwambi, the video in question showed a young man appearing to be assaulted by fellow detainees in one of the police station holding cells on 4 December.…

Niël Terblanché As the festive season approaches, Namibia’s key seaports and terminal facilities announced adjusted working hours to ensure continued service delivery while accommodating public holidays and employee leave schedules. Notifications from Namport and TIN Container Terminal outline plans to minimize disruptions during this busy period. The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) detailed the working schedules for both the Port of Walvis Bay and the Port of Lüderitz. According to Trevor Ndjadila, Namport’s Manager of Business Development, all administrative departments, general cargo terminals, and Syncrolift operations will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2024, as well as 1 January 2025.…

Stefanus Nashama The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called on the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to clarify allegations surrounding the reopening of ballot boxes at ECN warehouses across the country. IPC polling agents reported such activities in the Khomas and Erongo regions, which prompted concerns from the party. Christine !Aochamus, the IPC's national general secretary, raised the issue in a letter to Peter Shaama, the chief electoral and referenda officer of the ECN, on Tuesday. “We have received reports from IPC polling agents from various regions across the country that they are being called by ECN presiding officers…

Mallex Shipanga Following President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s electoral victory on 3 December, it is still unknown whether Swapo’s job creation promises will come to fruition during her presidency. An economist, Helana Mboti explained the economic implications of the job creation promises that are not kept. “I will not comment on Swapo’s ability, but on the economic need as a whole,” she said. Mboti emphasized quality over quantity. “While ambitious job creation targets are possible, it's crucial to prioritize quality over quantity. We need to consider the sustainability of these jobs and their impact on people's lives,” she said. Mboti also explained…

Mallex Shipanga The Namibia Media Professionals Union (Nampu), Namibia Media Trust (NMT), and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Africa (FesMedia) hosted a Human Rights Day event on December 11, themed “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.” The gathering held on Wednesday, brought together human rights activists, journalists, and policymakers to reflect on Namibia's human rights challenges, focusing on media freedom and freedom of expression. The chief advocate of the office of the Ombudsman, Ingrid Husselmann, addressed attendees and focussed on the intersection of human rights and social justice. “Our constitution enshrines these principles of equality, non-discrimination, and freedom. But is that a reality? Inequality…

Allexer Namundjebo The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has emulated the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) in filing legal action to gain access to election materials following the recently concluded elections. The IPC submitted a court application on Monday, requesting permission to inspect the contents of electoral materials related to the elections. While the IPC has announced alliances with various political entities such as the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), the Body of Christ, the Republican Party (RP), and the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) to challenge the election outcome, the court documents indicate that IPC is the sole applicant in…