National News – Page 3 – Windhoek Observer

05 Feb

New law bars officials from oil stakes

Main, National News

Justicia Shipena and Allexer Namundjembo Senior officials who will run the upstream petroleum sector will now be required to declare their assets and business interests under amendments to the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act tabled in Parliament this week. The Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill requires the director general and deputy director general of the newly created Upstream Petroleum Unit to submit statements of their assets, liabilities and business interests to the President shortly after appointment and whenever required. This includes any interests linked to petroleum activities. The draft bill aims to enhance transparency and minimise conflicts of interest. …

04 Feb

Opposition wary as President pushes oil law changes

National News

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on the National Assembly to urgently consider proposed amendments to laws governing the country’s natural resources. Nandi-Ndaitwah said legislation related to natural resources must be treated with urgency, especially proposals that seek to ensure that the country’s wealth benefits many Namibians and not only a few. “The wealth generated in this country should benefit many of our people, not just a few,” she told parliamentarians as she officially opened the third session of the eighth Parliament yesterday. She said Parliament must ensure that Namibia’s natural resources are used responsibly and sustainably. She stressed…

04 Feb

Technology seen as answer to cancer care gaps

National News

Justicia Shipena Cancer Association of Namibia (CAN) chief executive officer Rolf Hansen says technology and innovative service models must be used to close gaps in cancer care where human capacity is limited. Hansen made the remarks as Namibia joins the rest of the world today to mark World Cancer Day under the theme “United by Unique”. He said access to early screening and diagnosis remains difficult, especially in remote and rural areas, where patients often travel long distances to Windhoek for specialist care. He said technology can help reduce these barriers and shorten delays in treatment. “We acknowledge that receiving…

04 Feb

Walu Fishing has no legal right to quota – MAFWLR

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) says Walu Fishing Company (Pty) Ltd has no legal right to any fishing quota. On Monday, the ministry issued a statement responding to claims made in a social media video. It clarified that the company does not hold fishing rights under the Marine Resources Act and is therefore not legally entitled to receive any fishing quota. The ministry explained that Walu Fishing only participated in the Government Employment Redress Programme during the 2024 and 2025 fishing seasons under a special arrangement aimed at protecting jobs in the horse…

04 Feb

Windhoek residents urged to waterproof documents

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The City of Windhoek has urged residents to prepare emergency kits and keep important documents in waterproof containers. The municipality also advised residents to know how to safely switch off electricity and gas supplies if evacuation becomes necessary. This follows a storm over the weekend in which the city said it recorded damages in the Khomasdal area. The municipality reported two weather-related incidents after a storm hit the capital on Saturday evening, 31 January 2026. The storm occurred between 21h00 and 22h00 and the incidents were recorded by the Emergency Operations Centre. On Sunday morning, the Emergency Operations…

04 Feb

Malaria cases climb to 8 760 in one month

National News

Justicia Shipena Namibia has recorded 8 760 confirmed malaria cases in the first four weeks of the year. This is a sharp rise from 5 229 cases reported during the same period last year, representing an increase of 68%. She said 604 malaria-related hospital admissions and 11 deaths have been recorded so far. Health and social services minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced this on Monday. She said the Ministry of Health and Social Services has identified 20 health districts that have exceeded the malaria epidemic threshold. These include Andara, Nyangana, Kamagoro, Nkurenkuru, Eenhana, Ongela, Okongo, Grootfontein, Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Tsumeb,…

04 Feb

Widow of slain guard to sue Namdia for N$4m …‘My husband was killed protecting diamonds’

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The widow of slain Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) security officer, Shirley Eiseb, says she plans to sue Namdia for more than N$4 million over her husband’s death. The move escalates a legal dispute linked to the killing of Francis Eiseb, a senior protection officer at Namdia, who was shot dead during a diamond heist at the company’s premises in January 2025 in Windhoek. In a letter of demand dated 18 December 2025 and addressed to Namdia’s acting chief executive officer, Lelly Usiku, Florian Beukes of Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys accused the company of negligence. The firm acts for Shirley…

03 Feb

ACC investigates Walvis Bay over N$3.4m pothole tender

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has opened an investigation into the Walvis Bay municipality over alleged irregularities linked to a N$3.4 million pothole repair tender. The probe also covers the recruitment process of a senior manager. ACC interim spokesperson Marina Matundu confirmed the investigation to the Windhoek Observer. “We confirm that a case has been registered with us, but the investigations are still at an early stage,” she said. The investigation centers the allegations around the municipality's chief executive officer, Victoria Kapenda. According to documents and sources, the ACC is examining a tender awarded for pothole repairs across the…

03 Feb

NNN opens Cabinet with warning on limited time

National News

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the 2026 Cabinet year with a call for decisive action, saying the current global climate demands a clear break from routine governance. Speaking to ministers and senior officials yesterday, she emphasised that reverting to the status quo was not a viable option. She urged Cabinet to adopt a “business unusual” mindset to respond to the country’s most urgent needs. She said the administration has limited time to deliver on its mandate, with only four years left to advance Namibia’s Vision 2030. “Time is therefore not on our side. Every day, every hour, and every…

03 Feb

Manual payroll system raises cost and control issues

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Senior accounting and financial adviser Mefflint de Waal said removing the digital aspect of the payroll deduction management system (PDMS) and replacing it with a manual helpdesk could cause problems with salary payments. He said the change may slow down payroll services and reduce proper financial checks for public servants. De Waal said the move from an automated digital platform to a manual system marks a step back in public sector service delivery. “For more than two decades, Namibia operated a fully automated PDMS that linked government payroll directly with banks and insurers in real time. That system…