National News

Renthia Kaimbi Zambezi regional councillors involved in an unauthorised trip to Botswana and Zambia have fully repaid N$136 000 in subsistence and travel allowances (S&T), the Windhoek Observer has learnt. Sources close to the matter confirmed that those who repaid the money include former chairperson of the management committee Matengu Simushi, who is the husband of Zambezi governor Dorothy Kabula. Other councillors involved were Humphrey Divai, Kennedy Simasiku and Ivene Kabunga.  Of the four, only Simasiku currently serves on the new council. Kabula was also part of the trip but obtained separate authorisation from the Presidency. The repayments follow an…

Justicia Shipena Security service provider G4S Secure Solutions (Namibia) has withdrawn its legal exception in the High Court, which challenged the legal sufficiency of Namibia Desert Diamonds’ (Namdia) lawsuit, according to court documents seen by the Windhoek Observer. This means G4S has dropped its court objection in the lawsuit.  The withdrawal followed Namdia's filing of a rule 52 notice together with amended particulars of claim on 1 December 2025.  G4S lodged the exception on October 24, 2025, but confirmed in a joint status report filed on December 11, 2025, that it would no longer pursue it while reserving its rights. …

Renthia Kaimbi American YouTube star IShowSpeed has been forced to cancel his visit to Namibia after aviation authorities denied permits for his private flight and drone operations due to applications submitted mere hours before arrival. The Namibia Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed the denial, saying there was no time to process the requests. NCAA manager for stakeholder relations and communications Nelson Ashipala said in a media statement released yesterday that a foreign operator permit for a Kenyan-registered private aircraft scheduled to land in Namibia on 30 December 2025 could not be issued. Ashipala said the application was received at 16h34…

Allexer Namundjembo Businessmen Peter Elindi and his brother Malakia Elindi have appealed against the Magistrates Court’s decision to deny them bail in the Namcor fraud and corruption case. The brothers were arrested last year with four other co-accused following an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into fuel supply contracts linked to the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor). In written heads of argument filed in the Windhoek High Court and seen by the Windhoek Observer, their lawyers, led by Sisa Namandje, argue that the decision to refuse bail was based on misrepresentations and a selective reading of the evidence.…

Allexer Namundjembo A 59-year-old man accused of fatally shooting Onelago village headman Sam Nepando and injuring Iikokola village headman and National Planning Commission (NPC) executive director I-Ben Nashandi made his first court appearance in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday.  The accused, Sinskus Johannes, was remanded in custody.  The case was postponed to allow the prosecution and defence to prepare further submissions. The shooting occurred on 2 January during a community court session at Johannes’ homestead in the Oshikoto Region. The two traditional leaders had gone to address a land dispute. An eyewitness, David Nangombe, told the Namibian Sun that…

Allexer Namundjembo Voices in the political space have expressed mixed views on transfers of executive directors across government ministries.  While some see the reshuffles as a way to improve performance and curb corruption, others warn they could disrupt service delivery if not carefully planned. Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the movement of executive directors can be useful when guided by clear objectives and proper planning.  Speaking to the Windhoek Observer last week, Kamwanyah said transfers can help share institutional knowledge, bring in new ideas and reduce over-familiarity with long-standing systems. “Moving executive directors can improve performance, particularly in ministries where…

Allexer Namundjembo Namibia has called for an urgent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting following reports that the United States attacked Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.  The Namibian government said the actions constitute a breach of international law and a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. On Sunday, the Ministry of International Relations and Trade said the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all nations must be respected in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law.  “The respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is essential for the enhancement of global peace and…

Justicia Shipena President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged young people to care for the elderly and stand with the vulnerable, emphasising that the youth continue to be the nation's lifeblood and vitality. In her New Year message on Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah urged young Namibians to be protectors of those who cannot always protect themselves and to look out for one another in 2026.  She called on the nation to renew its commitment to guarding society against social ills that threaten progress.  She said efforts toward women’s emancipation must address all forms of abuse and discrimination.  Nandi-Ndaitwah urged citizens to reject gender-based violence,…