National News – Page 3 – Windhoek Observer

17 Feb

‘Animal reflector tender was not awarded in secret’ – NRSC …Tagging livestock estimated to cost Govt N$180m annually

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The N$5 million tender for reflective livestock gear was first advertised on the e-procurement platform in November 2025, but the availability of companies that could supply immediately led to an emergency procurement process, according to the National Road Safety Council (NRSC). This comes as questions have been raised about the transparency of the tender, which was piloted in the Khomas, Omusati and Oshana regions late last year. Concerns centred on the decision to award the tender on an emergency basis just weeks before the festive season. Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Nelson Kalangula last week…

16 Feb

Beifang roster changes triggers union leadership crisis

National News

Justicia Shipena Beifang Mining Services (BMTS) and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) have suspended two branch executive committee members at the Husab Project and withdrawn recognition of them as union representatives. In a joint memorandum dated 13 February seen by the Windhoek Observer and addressed to all BMTS employees at the Husab Project, the company said Gebhard Shikongo and Elia Katupose have been suspended from work. The two previously served as BEC members. The matter was communicated to both national and regional union leadership. The memorandum states that Shikongo, described as interim chairman, had been spreading claims about officials…

16 Feb

Clinics get portable sonar scanners

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Health has introduced three handheld sonar probes into the public healthcare system to improve diagnosis in clinics and rural areas. Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said the move is about changing how healthcare is delivered, not just adding new tools. “The ministry is not merely adding equipment. We are redesigning how care is delivered,” she said. The three devices were funded by the Capricorn Foundation after discussions with the ministry late last year. “Late last year, as we advanced our vision to decentralise healthcare and empower regions, we approached the Capricorn Foundation knowing their track…

16 Feb

High Court to deliver verdict on Nored strike this week

National News

Justicia Shipena The High Court will this week deliver judgement in the dispute between the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) over a planned strike. Nored approached the Labour Court last month on an urgent basis to stop the strike. The utility warned that the industrial action could disrupt electricity supply across large parts of northern Namibia. The dispute began after wage negotiations for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years collapsed. Talks started in June 2025 and reached a deadlock in September 2025 after several meetings. Last Friday, workers issued a notice of strike…

16 Feb

NNF to host ocean symposium in Swakopmund

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibia Nature Foundation will host the Ocean in Focus Symposium in Swakopmund on 18–19 February. The event will take place at the Plaza Hotel and will bring together scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, artisanal fishers and young people to discuss Namibia’s relationship with the ocean. In a press release issued last week, the foundation said the country's marine environment plays a central role in food security, the economy and cultural identity. “Namibia’s coast is more than a long stretch of shoreline,” said Disney Andreas, senior communications officer at NNF. “It underpins food security, economic opportunity, cultural heritage, social…

16 Feb

EY report haunts TransNamib executives

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi TransNamib Limited Holdings has suspended two senior executives with immediate effect following a forensic investigation into alleged property mismanagement, disposal irregularities and statutory breaches. Executive for human capital Webster Gonzo and executive for properties Alynsia Platt were placed on precautionary suspension on Friday by the TransNamib board. Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi confirmed that he approved the decision. The suspensions follow a forensic probe commissioned into the conduct of the executives. The board has resolved that disciplinary proceedings will now follow. Two days before the suspensions, the company acknowledged that an internal investigation was under way.…

13 Feb

Venaani accuses government of ‘killing’ Mwilima

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani says the government must take blame for the death of former Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) member of parliament and Caprivi high treason convict Geoffrey Mwilima. Mwilima died in Windhoek on Thursday at the age of 70. He was receiving treatment at Lady Pohamba Private Hospital. He had been battling diabetes while in prison. Mwilima was released on 24 December on remission after serving part of a 15-year sentence that began in December 2015. Remission is the reduction or cancellation of the remainder of a prison sentence after a person has served…

13 Feb

Namibia’s maritime legislation stuck in another century

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Namibia’s maritime laws are outdated and could undermine the country’s offshore oil and gas ambitions, industry bodies and legal experts say. This week, minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi tabled notice in Parliament for Namibia to adopt the amended protocols of the Inter-Governmental Standing Committee on Shipping. The 2006 instrument seeks to transform the regional body into a maritime organisation aligned with African Union frameworks. If ratified, Namibia will gain voting rights in the organisation’s Assembly. Namibian ports and logistics firms will also access associate membership, allowing them to take part in regional freight negotiations and strategy…

13 Feb

Muteka pushes for safer parks in Windhoek West

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Windhoek West Constituency councillor Emma Muteka wants public parks in her constituency to be safe, clean and accessible. She met Windhoek mayor Sakarias Uunona on Wednesday to discuss park safety, student transport, informal trading and proposed changes to municipal by-laws. Muteka said conditions in some parks have declined and called for better maintenance and oversight. Both sides agreed to improve cooperation between the city and the constituency office to address the issue. Student transport was also discussed. Muteka said university students who rely on public buses face daily challenges, especially those attending the University of Namibia (Unam) and…

13 Feb

Karibib Town Council denies claims of marble waste dumping

National News

Justicia Shipena Karibib Town Council has rejected claims that marble dust and related by-products distributed in the town contain asbestos fibres. This follows a report circulating this week alleging that marble mining and processing waste has been illegally dumped across Karibib and that some of the dust contains asbestos fibres that pose long-term health risks to residents. On Thursday, Karibib Town Council Chief Executive Officer Tangeni Enkono said independent laboratory testing was carried out in June 2025 on marble dust and related by-products referred to as marble waste. Enkono said the testing was conducted by National Environmental Health Consultants CC,…