National News – Page 4

14 Jul

ECN to rent over 1 000 vehicles from public

info_e12wt4csNational NewsECN to rent over 1 000 vehicles from public

Justicia Shipena The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is seeking 1 306 vehicles from private owners across the country. The vehicles will be used during the supplementary registration of voters, set to take place from 4 to 19 August 2025. According to the ECN, the vehicles will assist with voter registration operations in all 14 regions. Omusati requires the most vehicles at 136, followed by Ohangwena with 127, Kunene with 115, and Oshikoto with 111. Khomas and Kavango West need 100 each, while Otjozondjupa requires 85, Kavango East 81, and //Kharas 70. Erongo will need 69, Zambezi 61, Hardap 52,…

14 Jul

Kantema unveils tools to fight child marriage

info_e12wt4csNational NewsEmma Kantema

Allexer Namundjembo The ministry of gender equality and child welfare has launched a national campaign to address child marriage. The campaign includes child-friendly materials based on the child care and protection act of 2015. The materials aim to help children, parents, and communities understand the law, especially the provision that prohibits marriage under the age of 18. The campaign was officially launched on 12 June during the Day of the African Child. Minister Emma Kantema announced the initiative in the National Assembly last week. She said the campaign includes posters, pamphlets, videos, social media graphics, booklets, and radio dramas. “Child…

14 Jul

No civilian has right to disarm police – Shikwambi

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNo civilian has right to disarm police – Shikwambi

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, national spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force, said allowing civilians to disarm police officers undermines the law and compromises the officer’s ability to carry out their duties. Shikwambi shared this in an interview with the Windhoek Observer in response to an incident at Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter, where the company reportedly demanded that bodyguards of minister of justice and labour relations, Fillemon Immanuel, surrender their firearms to company security before being allowed entry. The incident occurred last week, during the minister's visit to the Chinese-owned company to inspect a labour dispute. Media reports indicate the…

14 Jul

MIRT denies excluding IPC during Modi visit

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNarendra Modi, Panduleni Itula

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The ministry of international relations and trade (MIRT) has dismissed claims by the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) that the party’s leader, Panduleni Itula, was excluded from official events during the recent visit of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. In a statement issued on Thursday, MIRT said Itula was formally invited to attend a state luncheon hosted in Modi’s honour. The ministry called the IPC's accusations “false” and “misleading”. “The Leader of the Opposition Party was invited to the luncheon hosted in honour of His Excellency Narendra Modi. The invitations to both the Leader of the Official Opposition…

11 Jul

Health ministry blames tender delays on emergency tenders

info_e12wt4csNational NewsCentral Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it was forced to spend over N$54.8 million through emergency and direct procurement due to delays by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) in awarding tenders. Health executive director Penda Ithindi told the Windhoek Observer that legal challenges and slow tender processes forced the ministry to use emergency, direct, and restricted procurement methods. He said these steps, including requests for quotations, were necessary to prevent service interruptions. The auditor general’s 2022/2023 report revealed that the ministry used emergency procurement worth N$19.2 million and direct procurement worth N$35.6 million. The…

11 Jul

IPC cries foul over exclusion from state functions during Modi visit

info_e12wt4csNational NewsIndependent Patriots for Change (IPC)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has accused the Namibian government of excluding the party from official events during Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit, calling it an insult to democracy and the voters who supported them. IPC leader Panduleni Itula said the government continues to sideline the opposition, despite the IPC being the second-largest party in Parliament. He said the situation was especially disappointing during Modi’s visit, given that the Indian leader represents the world’s largest democracy. “While India’s prime minister, representing 1.4 billion people, who exercise their democratic rights, stands on Namibian soil, our own government…

11 Jul

Outdated transport permits to be replaced by end of 2025

info_e12wt4csNational NewsUrban Mobility Conference

Allexer Namundjembo The ministry of works and transport is reviewing outdated transport permits, some dating back to the 1970s. By the fourth quarter of 2025, these will be replaced with renewable, owner-based permits tied to vehicle safety and service quality. This was revealed by works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi during the Urban Mobility Conference on Thursday. The conference hosted by the City of Windhoek was held under the theme “Driving Economic Growth through Urban Mobility”. Nekundi also revealed plans to shift legal accountability for traffic fines from drivers to vehicle owners. He said the ministry is working with international…

11 Jul

Venaani urges NNN to tackle insider trading

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has challenged President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to dismantle what he describes as an organised insider trading network within government. He said this is necessary to effectively combat corruption. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Venaani accused senior government officials of engaging in insider trading. He claimed directors and executive directors are using their positions to benefit from state tenders and contracts. “Most importantly… one structure we must agree upon as a legislature and a country together is that we need to dismantle a very organised insider trading network. I want to…

11 Jul

Delayed results leave nurses jobless

info_e12wt4csNational NewsHealth Professional Council of Namibia (HPCNA)

Allexer Namundjembo Nearly a month after graduating from the University of Namibia, many nursing graduates are still waiting for their evaluation results from the Health Professional Council of Namibia (HPCNA). The delay is preventing them from registering and applying for jobs in the healthcare sector. The evaluation test, held last month, is required for registration with the council. Without registration, graduates cannot apply for positions in either public or private healthcare facilities. Several graduates, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the delay has left them frustrated and financially strained. “Job opportunities are being released in both the public and…

11 Jul

ACC campaign runs as graft case grips Namibia

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAnti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Erna van der Merwe, Stanley Similo

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has partnered with the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to launch a nationwide media campaign aimed at educating the public on fighting corruption. The partnership was formalised on Wednesday during a signing ceremony between ACC acting director general advocate Erna van der Merwe and NBC director general Stanley Similo. The event was held ahead of African Anti-Corruption Day, observed annually on 11 July. This year’s theme is “Promoting Human Dignity in the Fight Against Corruption”. Van der Merwe said the campaign will use NBC’s platforms, including radio, television, social media, and billboards, to inform the…