National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The moratorium on the procurement of new vehicles for government agencies, including regional governors and councillors, will remain in effect. The late President Hage Geingob introduced the five-year moratorium in 2020 as part of austerity measures to reduce government expenditure. The moratorium specifically prohibited the acquisition of new vehicles for ministers and other senior public officials. On Thursday, Alfredo Hengari, the Presidential Press Secretary informed the Windhoek Observer that President Nangolo Mbumba has not addressed the matter yet. This is despite calls from regional councillors and governors to lift the ban, citing that a lack of vehicles has…

Niël Terblanché The N$17.5 million allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture for the construction of earth dams and the restoration of existing water retention infrastructure in the Ohangwena and Oshana regions will likely only be utilised in the next financial year, 2024/2025. This was revealed by the National Council Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources in its regional visits report released earlier this week. The committee's visit to the Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena, and Oshikoto regions highlights the annual challenges these areas face due to flooding. Floodwaters in these regions disrupt daily life, keeping children out of school for…

Martin Endjala The Rally for Democracy Party’s (RDP) president and former small business consultant, Mike Kavekotora criticised the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board’s (NIPDB) international missions. Kavekotora argued that quantifying the benefits of these trips for Namibian businesses is challenging, particularly when considering the possibility of securing some opportunities through the private sector. “In general terms, however, the Namibian government is known for undertaking these NIPDB trips without mapping out the anticipated outcome,” he argued. The NIPDB this week invited business people to participate in upcoming investment attraction missions to Ghana, Russia, Cuba, Angola, Brazil and China. The trips…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Works and Transport has been criticised for not implementing regulations for driving schools in Namibia. Issues like unqualified instructors and inadequate training materials have highlighted concerns about the quality and standards of these schools. Road safety activist, Felix Tjozongoro criticised the Ministry's lack of control over driving schools, which he believes has led to an increase in road fatalities. He stated that the ministry has failed to enforce existing regulations, allowing poorly trained drivers on the roads. He referenced the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund crash and claims report of 2023, which states that road…

Niël Terblanché In a series of intelligence-led operations, the Namibian Police and the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) intercepted two drug shipments in Windhoek and near the Ariamsvlei Border Post over the past three days. According to a joint statement, NamPol and NamRA officials, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a truck driver from South Africa on Newcastle Street in the Northern Industrial Area of Windhoek on Tuesday. A thorough search of the truck revealed 120.62 kilogrammes of cannabis, valued at N$6 million. The incident led to the arrest of three Zimbabwean nationals, ages 54, 45, and 34. They are expected to…

Niël Terblanché Telecom Namibia (TN) took another step in enhancing internet connectivity with the inauguration of its Equiano Cable Station and the activation of its segment of the Equiano subsea cable. The inauguration event in Swakopmund on Wednesday was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, who praised TN's commitment to infrastructure development. "This strategic investment in network modernization and the collaborative co-landing of the Equiano Cable alongside Paratus exemplifies a commendable initiative," Mutorwa said. Telecom Namibia's Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Shanapinda, highlighted the operational benefits of the new 100G link via Equiano…

Niël Terblanché Namibia has officially taken another step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and enhancing the country's public healthcare infrastructure with the official inauguration of the Gcaruhwa Clinic in the Kavango West Region. Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, the Minister of Health and Social Services, said during the ceremony on Wednesday that the newly opened clinic will provide accessible and affordable health care to all Namibians while also aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the country. "This facility is paramount because it will serve communities that for a long time had to work long distances, confronting the elements…

Stefanus Nashama Rundu Rural Constituency Councillor, Paulus Mbangu has questioned the allocation of heroes and state funerals to prominent politicians and other famous Namibians. “We are a nation whose cup overflows with hypocrites who give heroes and heroines nothing but pain during their lives and mourn and groan inappropriately upon their deaths. It is painful to note that the state discarded and forgot the contribution of our heroes before Mother Earth accepted the bones of our heroes,” he said in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. According to Mbangu, the issue has turned into a political script that…

Martin Endjala The Lüderitz Town Council has approved the cancellation of pensioners' debts, which are estimated to be several thousands of dollars. The chairperson of the management committee, Annemarie Hartzenberg, presented a motion last month to write off pensioners' debts. The council made this decision last week during the ordinary council meeting. "It is necessary for such a motion to be implemented and executed. We have observed that unemployment and poverty levels in Lüderitz are increasing, and there is also a growing concern with regard to household but income remains stagnant due to economic decline," she said. Hartzenberg, the committee…

Stefanus Nashama The leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani has called on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources to conduct an urgent investigation into the revenue loss of approximately N$230 million at Namdia. He also called on relevant stakeholders to address the issue decisively. "An expedited investigation is necessary to ascertain the full extent of the losses, identify any underlying issues, and hold accountable those responsible for this situation," he said. In a statement released by the party on Wednesday, Venaani said the impact of such financial losses goes beyond the immediate figures. "It has broader…