National News – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

27 Apr

New science hub to open in Katutura

National News

Patience Makwele The City of Windhoek has signed an agreement with the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) to establish a science, technology and innovation centre in Katutura. The agreement was signed on Friday and sets out plans to build the centre at the UN Plaza Community Complex. Windhoek Mayor Sakarias Uunona said the project aims to link science with community needs. “This is not merely about signing a document. It is about forging a future where science and society intersect and where young people are empowered to innovate solutions to real challenges facing their communities," Uunona said. …

27 Apr

Legal platform to strengthen wildlife laws

National News

Staff Writer The newly launched Sustainable Wildlife Management Legal Hub will help identify gaps in laws and strengthen natural resource governance. Justice and labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel said this while launching the hub on Friday. “This Legal Hub will serve as a dedicated platform to display laws and policies that protect our biodiversity and the people who live alongside it,” he said. Immanuel said the platform is designed to go beyond storing laws and will help link policy with implementation. “It is not merely a library of statutes but a dynamic platform designed to bridge the gap between…

24 Apr

ACC in the dark as ministry sits on medical fraud files

Main, National News

Patience Makwele Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) director general Paulus Noa says the ACC is still waiting for details from the Ministry of Health and Social Services on the suspected fraud scheme at the Central Medical Stores (CMS). Last Friday, the health ministry revealed it had uncovered suspected irregularities at CMS, where some staff may have manipulated stock records and diverted medicines. The ministry's executive director Penda Ithindi said the discovery prompted the ministry to launch an investigation into possible fraud within the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain. “The obligation is upon the ministry to provide us with the names of those implicated…

24 Apr

New coins are ‘rusting’ …BoN says coin damage not a production issue

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Bank of Namibia (BoN) says deterioration of new coins in circulation can be influenced by factors beyond production quality. This follows concerns from the public that some of the country’s new coins show signs of corrosion after exposure to water. The coins have been in circulation for less than a year. The central bank told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that it is aware of the complaints and is reviewing the matter. “The Bank of Namibia has taken note of the concerns raised. The matter will be considered in line with the bank's established processes, which include…

24 Apr

Govt to end fishing jobs programme

National News

Justicia Shipena The government’s redress programme in the fishing sector will come to an end in April 2027. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced this at the close of a fishing industry engagement in Walvis Bay, where she said the sector is undergoing a transition. “Come April 2027, the redress programme will have to come to an end,” she said. The Government Employment Redress Programme (GERP) was introduced to address job losses linked to the 2015 illegal industrial action and the fallout from the fishrot scandal. It uses fishing quotas to support companies that rehire retrenched workers. The announcement comes a month…

24 Apr

Mushelenga’s return may shift Swapo dynamics — Analyst

National News

Patience Makwele Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says Peya Mushelenga’s return to the National Assembly could carry political implications within Swapo. Mushelenga is set to return to the National Assembly, where he will take the seat left vacant by the late Swapo member of parliament James Uerikua. He will be sworn in today with his oath to be administered by deputy judge president Shafimana Ueitele, following a designation by deputy chief justice Petrus Damaseb. “His return may shift internal dynamics, as he is often seen as aligned with a different faction within the party. This could subtly affect balances within Swapo,"…

24 Apr

NSA spends N$130m on national income survey

National News

Chamwe Kaira and Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) spent close to N$130 million on the 2025/2026 Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey. The total cost of the survey reached N$129.4 million, covering activities from the pilot phase to the end of data collection. Out of this amount, N$38.6 million was used to pay field staff over 12 months and to cover four weeks of training allowances for 237 fieldworkers before data collection began. A further N$32 million was spent on purchasing 46 vehicles for the survey instead of renting them for the same period. The remaining funds covered…

23 Apr

Tourism industry pushes back on Ultimate Safaris probe …claims NaCC’s investigation is selective and unfair

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) has questioned why similar exclusive tourism agreements in national parks have not faced scrutiny, such as those of venture arrangements in the Brandberg area. This week, the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) launched an investigation into joint-venture arrangements in the Brandberg area. The investigation targets Ultimate Safaris and three conservancies, Doro !Nawas Conservancy, Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy and Sorris Sorris Conservancy. It focuses on agreements that grant exclusive tourism rights, which may limit access for other operators. HAN chief executive officer Gitta Paetzold, in a letter dated 21 April 2026 to NaCC, said the…

23 Apr

Disability conference flops after Ngurare’s no show directive

National News

Justicia Shipena The government withdrew its participation from the Disability Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Conference shortly before it was due to begin in Windhoek. A conference on disability and inclusion failed to take place after the government withdrew its participation. The conference was cancelled shortly before it was due to begin in Windhoek. The Disability Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Conference, organised by the Intelligence Transfer Centre, was set to start on Wednesday but was postponed hours before opening. A directive from the Office of the Prime Minister dated 17 April 2026, seen by the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday night, instructed…

23 Apr

Namdia heist investigation remains classified

National News

Patience Makwele The minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, Lucia Iipumbu, says the investigation into the diamond that took place at Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) in January last year will remain classified. The armed robbery at Namdia’s headquarters in Windhoek resulted in the theft of diamonds estimated at N$315 million. She said details of the case cannot be made public while investigations continue. “Details surrounding the case remain classified and will only be made public once investigations are concluded,” she said, adding that early disclosure could affect operations. She said the case is still active and that the…