National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Former Hartlief Corporation Ltd employees who were dismissed in December 2022 say they are frustrated by delays in receiving an arbitration ruling from the Office of the Labour Commissioner, more than two years after their case was heard. The case was heard in February 2024 by arbitrator Louise Likando, and closing arguments were submitted in April. Since then, the workers say they have made repeated follow-ups but have not received a clear explanation for the delay. They were initially promised a ruling in February, then again in early March, and now by 31 March, but none of these…

Ester Mbathera  NamWater has been dealing with multiple water supply disruptions across the country due to technical difficulties affecting its infrastructure in recent days. A pipe break on the evening of 29 March on the Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime pipeline near Oniipa has affected water supply to Ondangwa, Oniipa, Omuthiya Town Councils, and nearby constituencies.  NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata confirmed that its maintenance team is on-site conducting repairs. “Our maintenance team is on-site conducting repairs, and water supply will resume as soon as the repair work is completed,” the utility said. Essential service institutions such as hospitals, schools, police stations, and clinics in…

Niël Terblanché The media's role in covering gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and mental health issues was interrogated during the second media summit and awards in Windhoek last week. The event hosted by the One Economy Foundation brought together journalists, editors, social workers, and subject experts to interrogate and was held under the banner of encouraging more responsible, ethical, and trauma-informed reporting. The event included panel discussions, speeches, and workshops designed to promote dialogue, reflection and the sharing of practical strategies. Josina Ziyaya Machel, a survivor of GBV and founder of the Kuhluka Movement, offered a harrowing…

Niël Terblanché The collapse of a bridge between Windhoek and Rehoboth almost two weeks ago forced NamPower to reroute the transport of its latest mobile substations, named Rhino and Buffalo. The rerouting of the very heavy equipment affected its scheduled deployment.  The national power utility said in a statement on Monday that the original route to Windhoek for the substations, which departed from Benoni, South Africa, on 25 March, had to be changed to ensure that the substations could arrive safely in Namibia. The two 20 MVA substations, which are designed with voltage ratios of 132/66kV to 33/11kV and 132/66kV…

Allexer Namundjembo The Editors' Forum of Namibia (EFN) has extended the term of media ombudsman John Nakuta by three months, from 1 April to 30 June. The EFN said the extension will allow time for a proper call for nominations in line with the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Namibian Print, Broadcast, and Online Media.  Nakuta’s term ended on 31 March. The nomination process was meant to start in February but was delayed due to the national mourning period following the death of Namibia’s Founding President, Sam Nujoma, on 8 February. “This extension also provides Nakuta the opportunity to…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Windhoek City Police, in partnership with social services and other stakeholders, are developing a plan to address the growing presence of child beggars at intersections in Windhoek. This follows a recent incident in which a young boy narrowly escaped serious injury while begging at a busy intersection in the central business district. City Police spokesperson Marcelline Murapo said the dangers posed by high-traffic areas and the ongoing efforts to tackle the issue.  She said that while Windhoek municipal bylaws impose a N$500 fine for loitering, begging, or obstructing streets, the City Police are prioritising rehabilitation over punishment.…

Niël Terblanché The minister of health and social services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, has committed to intensifying the country’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB), describing it as a national priority.  Speaking at the World TB Day commemoration held in Tsandi on Friday, Luvindao said the country must act urgently to end the spread of what remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. “In 2024 alone, 8 360 people were diagnosed with drug-susceptible TB and 292 with drug-resistant TB. It is a public health concern that, according to WHO estimates, up to 33% of people with TB remain undiagnosed,” she said. She also…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) are struggling to locate crocodiles in Etaka Dam following a recent attack on a man. The officials cited the reservoir’s size and thick vegetation as major obstacles. Omusati regional governor Erginus Endjala said the dam, which stretches over 13 kilometres, is difficult to search due to heavy shrubbery in the water. “The Ministry of Environment is trying to locate the crocodiles, but identifying their exact location is very difficult because the reservoir stretches over 13km and has a lot of shrubs in the water. At this point, all…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has pledged its continued support in ensuring that the government’s fiscal agenda is adequately resourced, following the recent tabling of the national budget by the Minister of Finance and Social Grants Management, Ericah Shafudah. NamRA’s commissioner, Sam Shivute, commended the Minister’s presentation of the N$106.3 billion national budget for the 2025/2026 financial year and reaffirmed the agency’s role in securing the funds necessary for delivering on the country’s policy objectives. He said that NamRA remains fully aligned with the government’s drive to mobilise domestic revenue in a manner that strengthens the national economy.…