National News

Justicia Shipena  The High Court has dismissed a bid by Skybuild Construction CC and its two members to set aside a default judgment granted to First National Bank of Namibia over unpaid loan and overdraft debts worth millions. FNB obtained default judgment on 12 August 2024 after Skybuild failed to repay a N$9.05 million loan advanced in 2019, as well as an overdraft facility.  The court granted judgment for more than N$7.5 million, plus interest, and an additional amount linked to the overdraft.  Skybuild’s members, Ralph Rickert Mouton and Rosetta Hendrietta Mouton, were held jointly liable after signing suretyship agreements.…

Allexer Namundjembo  Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah has said liberation struggle veteran Mathias Kanana Hishoono deserved the state funeral he was accorded. He said actions must be understood within the harsh colonial context of the time. “In my view, Kanana Hishoono still deserved the state funeral he was accorded,” Kamwanyah said in response to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Sunday.  He said that Hishoono testified in the 1968 terrorism trial involving Andimba Toivo ya Toivo and other accused freedom fighters, but the circumstances under which that testimony was given remain unclear. “While it is true that he might have testified…

Renthia Kaimbi Africa should not shy away from nuclear energy, Namibia’s National Planning Commission (NPC) director general Kaire Mbuende has said.  Mbuende said nuclear power remains a necessary option for meeting future energy needs. He was speaking at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, last week.  Mbuende said global debates around energy security must include nuclear power, especially for countries that already supply uranium to the world. “As the largest producer of uranium in Africa and the third largest in the world, we cannot shy away from the prospect of generating nuclear energy, especially when our raw…

Justicia Shipena  The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) plans to establish wellness clinics and improve water and sanitation facilities for truck drivers operating along Namibia’s main transport corridors.  This was revealed by WBCG acting chief executive officer Edward Shivute during an engagement with truck drivers in Walvis Bay on Wednesday.  The plan forms part of efforts to develop practical responses to challenges faced by drivers and to strengthen safety, efficiency, and reliability along the corridor network. Shivute said the proposed wellness clinics are intended to bring basic health services closer to truck drivers, many of whom cannot leave high-value cargo…

Justicia Shipena The High Court has placed Omuthiya Classic Investment CC, trading as Omuthiya Build It, under provisional liquidation after finding that the business cannot pay its debts as they fall due. The ruling, delivered on 16 January, follows an application by The Spar Group Limited, which asked the court to wind up the Omuthiya-based retailer. Spar and Omuthiya Build It began a commercial relationship in 2015.  Under several agreements, Spar supplied building materials and related services to the retailer on credit through warehouse and drop-ship transactions.  Ownership of the goods remained with Spar until full payment. Omuthiya Build It’s…

Justicia Shipena The High Court has ruled that Trustco Bank Namibia Ltd knew as early as August 2023 that its review application challenging a Bank of Namibia (BoN) directive to remove its board, halt deposits and lending, and pave the way for liquidation had lost its purpose but failed to act. High Court judge Lotta Ambunda on 16 January ordered Trustco and its holding company to pay the state’s legal costs from 1 September 2023. The ruling relates to a review application filed in September 2022 by Trustco Bank Namibia Ltd and Trustco Group Holdings against the BoN, the attorney…

Renthia Kaimbi A Windhoek-based accountant has approached the High Court of Namibia to stop the OvaMbanderu Community Court from hearing a divorce-related claim brought by his ex-wife.  He argues that their marriage was already legally and finally dissolved by the High Court almost three years ago. Zikamisee Justice Mbuende (39) filed an urgent review application in December 2025 against the clerk of the OvaMbanderu Community Court, his ex-wife Komao Lydia Ndjarakana, and the OvaMbanderu Traditional Authority.  He is asking the court to declare the community court’s decision to hear the matter “invalid and of no force or effect.” In his…

Allexer Namundjembo The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has awarded nine new spectrum and broadcasting licences.  The licences cover mobile, fixed and satellite services. They form part of Cran’s efforts to improve telecommunications and broadcasting coverage across Namibia. QTEL (Pty) Ltd received two licences. One allows the company to provide mobile international mobile telecommunications services in the 3300–3350 MHz frequency band.  The coverage includes Khomas, Erongo (excluding Walvis Bay), Otjozondjupa, Oshana, Kavango East, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Hardap and parts of the ||Kharas region. The second licence allows QTEL to provide fixed services in the same areas using several additional…