National News

Allexer Namundjebo Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo has called on inspector general of the Namibian Police Joseph Shikongo to urgently implement structural and mental health reforms within the force.  The call follows an incident in Khomasdal in which police officer Ivanoi Inacio Vatilifa (39) allegedly shot and injured his 36-year-old girlfriend with a service pistol during an argument.  He later turned the gun on himself and died from his injuries on Saturday. Monday, Amoomo expressed condolences to affected families and said years of close professional engagement with the police system had shown that internal reforms are long overdue. “The news on Police…

Justicia Shipena  The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested an inmate and a police officer following investigations into alleged corrupt practices at the Ondangwa police station. On Monday, the ACC said it arrested Fillemon 'Kasita' Kadhikwa (36), an inmate at the Ondangwa police holding cells and Sgt Victory Hafeni Vateleni (37), a police officer based at the same station.  The two were arrested on 22 January.  ACC interim spokesperson Marina Matundu said that while Kadhikwa was in police custody on 30 January 2023, he allegedly offered a bribe of N$2 000 to a certain detective warrant officer Hashoongo to avoid being…

Allexer Namundjembo Environmental protection and gender inclusion must form the basis of Namibia’s disaster preparedness, government leaders said during the opening of the environmental stewardship and gender mainstreaming for state resilience to shocks and disasters workshop on Monday. The two day workshop is taking place in Windhoek.  The workshop brings together government officials, members of parliament, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, academics, development partners and private sector representatives to discuss how Namibia can strengthen its ability to withstand and recover from recurring shocks such as droughts, floods and wildfires. The executive director in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism,…

Justicia Shipena  The High Court has dismissed a bid by Skybuild Construction CC and its two members to set aside a default judgment granted to First National Bank of Namibia over unpaid loan and overdraft debts worth millions. FNB obtained default judgment on 12 August 2024 after Skybuild failed to repay a N$9.05 million loan advanced in 2019, as well as an overdraft facility.  The court granted judgment for more than N$7.5 million, plus interest, and an additional amount linked to the overdraft.  Skybuild’s members, Ralph Rickert Mouton and Rosetta Hendrietta Mouton, were held jointly liable after signing suretyship agreements.…

Allexer Namundjembo  Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah has said liberation struggle veteran Mathias Kanana Hishoono deserved the state funeral he was accorded. He said actions must be understood within the harsh colonial context of the time. “In my view, Kanana Hishoono still deserved the state funeral he was accorded,” Kamwanyah said in response to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Sunday.  He said that Hishoono testified in the 1968 terrorism trial involving Andimba Toivo ya Toivo and other accused freedom fighters, but the circumstances under which that testimony was given remain unclear. “While it is true that he might have testified…

Renthia Kaimbi Africa should not shy away from nuclear energy, Namibia’s National Planning Commission (NPC) director general Kaire Mbuende has said.  Mbuende said nuclear power remains a necessary option for meeting future energy needs. He was speaking at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, last week.  Mbuende said global debates around energy security must include nuclear power, especially for countries that already supply uranium to the world. “As the largest producer of uranium in Africa and the third largest in the world, we cannot shy away from the prospect of generating nuclear energy, especially when our raw…

Justicia Shipena  The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) plans to establish wellness clinics and improve water and sanitation facilities for truck drivers operating along Namibia’s main transport corridors.  This was revealed by WBCG acting chief executive officer Edward Shivute during an engagement with truck drivers in Walvis Bay on Wednesday.  The plan forms part of efforts to develop practical responses to challenges faced by drivers and to strengthen safety, efficiency, and reliability along the corridor network. Shivute said the proposed wellness clinics are intended to bring basic health services closer to truck drivers, many of whom cannot leave high-value cargo…

Justicia Shipena The High Court has placed Omuthiya Classic Investment CC, trading as Omuthiya Build It, under provisional liquidation after finding that the business cannot pay its debts as they fall due. The ruling, delivered on 16 January, follows an application by The Spar Group Limited, which asked the court to wind up the Omuthiya-based retailer. Spar and Omuthiya Build It began a commercial relationship in 2015.  Under several agreements, Spar supplied building materials and related services to the retailer on credit through warehouse and drop-ship transactions.  Ownership of the goods remained with Spar until full payment. Omuthiya Build It’s…