National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Archbishop Liborius Nashenda has instructed all Roman Catholic priests across Namibia to hold daily masses or include intentions for the late Pope Francis in their Divine Offices until his burial. The directive, issued on Tuesday, comes as the Catholic Church enters a mourning period following Pope Francis's passing. Nashenda urged the Catholic community to remain prayerful and united during this time. “We are all shocked and saddened by his passing. Nevertheless, as people of faith, we should continue to pray for the repose of his soul unceasingly. I hereby request all priests in each parish to celebrate Mass…

Allexer Namundjembo The Hardap Regional Council failed to include the Build Together Fund and Housing Fund in its financial statements for the 2022/2023 financial year, according to a report tabled in Parliament last week by Auditor General Junias Kandjeke. The report noted that the Council did not explain the omission, nor did it make any disclosures relating to these funds. In the previous financial year, the Council had recorded closing balances of N$635 892 for the Build Together Fund and N$2.5 million for the Housing Fund. The Auditor General also found that completed projects worth N$9 million were incorrectly listed…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has officially opened the 2025 hunting season for registered conservancies and commercial farms, confirming that the season will proceed under clearly defined periods and regulatory conditions. This follows Cabinet approval in line with Section 25 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975. According to the announcement made by the environment minister, Indileni Daniel, last week, hunting will only be permitted on registered conservancies and commercial farms that meet specific size and fencing requirements. “From 1 May to 31 August 2025, hunting may be conducted on all registered conservancies and commercial farms…

Niël Terblanché Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ruth Masake, has called on senior officials within the ministry to focus on tangible results as the new five-year strategic planning cycle begins.  Masake delivered the message during a high-level strategic and annual planning workshop held in Swakopmund on Tuesday. “Our nation looks to us not just for plans, but for results. The time for excuses and delays is long gone. I call on every single management official here today to commit to excellence, accountability, and responsiveness,” she urged. The workshop was convened to shape the ministry’s strategic plan…

Niël Terblanché The procurement of 26 new vehicles and a suite of infrastructure support equipment enhanced the operational efficiency of the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) and expanded service delivery throughout Namibia. The announcement about the acquisition, valued at N$12.6 million, was made by NamWater’s spokesperson, Lot Ndamanomhata, on Tuesday. He described the purchase as a broader effort to improve the national water utility’s ability to serve communities across the country. According to Ndamanomhata, the contract for the procurement was awarded on 11 December 2024, and all the vehicles have now been received and are ready to be deployed. The new…

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund and Henties Bay residents are facing a critical water supply disruption following a double setback involving criminal vandalism and adverse environmental conditions. According to Lot Ndamanomhata, spokesperson for the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), a severe act of vandalism affected the power infrastructure needed to operate the Omdel water supply scheme. “The theft and destruction of seven power poles has critically affected power supply to NamWater’s infrastructure that is critical to the water supply system,” he said. He stated that the damage, which was discovered over the weekend, occurred on Erongo RED’s network, has rendered the Omdel scheme…

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has extended the borders of Okakarara to include five surrounding farms. According to a government notice, the expansion brings Farms Sohlangen No. 965, Teutoburg No. 458, Otjahewita No. 291, Panorama No. 967, and Portion 1 of Farm 968 under the jurisdiction of the Okakarara local authority.  All the farms fall within the Otjozondjupa Region. The ministry said the move empowers the town to improve spatial planning and service delivery in line with national development priorities. “By incorporating these additional areas, the government aims to provide Okakarara with the capacity to better…

Ester Mbathera  A 64-year-old Namibian pensioner was arrested at the Ariamsvlei Border Post on Friday evening after authorities discovered 26 objects suspected to be unpolished diamonds in his travelling bag.  According to the weekend police report, the man entered the country from South Africa. The arrest occurred at around 20h38 on 18 April 2025 during a routine border check.  The suspect reportedly left Namibia on 11 April 2025 through the Noordoewer Border Post.  The seized items were booked under Pol 7, and the value of the objects is yet to be determined.  He is expected to appear in the Karasburg…

Hertta-Maria Amutenya  Police are investigating a series of housebreaking and theft cases reported across the country between 16 and 21 April. In Windhoek West, a break-in was reported at the Ministry of Health and Social Services' head office.  An unknown suspect gained entry into the Minister’s office using an unidentified object.  Although several items, including a laptop, a computer, and a gift bag, were tampered with, nothing was stolen. No arrest has been made. In Otjomuise, Mpanda Street, a suspect cut a padlock to access a residence between 02h00 and 04h00 on Saturday. Items stolen include clothes, blankets, pots, a…

Niël Terblanché President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah spent the past weekend visiting communities displaced by recent flooding in  the northern parts of the country. According to the Office of the President, her visits to relocation centres in the Oshana, Ohangwena and Omusati regions were aimed at engaging directly with affected families and overseeing the government’s emergency response measures. Speaking to relocated residents at Ehenye in the Oshana Region, Onamhinda B and the Ohangwena Relocation Centre, the President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a coordinated national response. “Floods and rains cannot be stopped, but we must find ways to stay safe,” she said,…