National News – Page 4 – Windhoek Observer

17 Feb

Namibia closer to leaving FATF greylist

National News

Staff Writer Namibia has made progress in addressing concerns raised by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) after it was placed on the FATF grey list. The government said in an update that the country continues to implement reforms to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework in line with FATF recommendations. Finance Intelligence Centre (FIC) director Bryan Eiseb said Namibia remains under increased monitoring while it works to complete its agreed action plan. Namibia was greylisted by the FATF Plenary on 23 February 2024 due to concerns about gaps in the effective implementation of international anti-money laundering, combating…

17 Feb

Inmates take NSC to court over study restrictions

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Eighteen inmates at the Windhoek Correctional Facility have filed an urgent application in the High Court to challenge a decision by the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) to reduce their weekday study time from six hours to two. The urgent case was filed last week. The applicants are long-term inmates enrolled with various tertiary institutions. They are represented by Ujama Tjingee. In their founding affidavit, the inmates state that they enrolled at tertiary institutions while serving their sentences with permission from prison authorities. “Whilst serving our respective sentences, we undertook to enrol with various institutions of tertiary education for…

17 Feb

Universities under pressure over withholding qualifications

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Student representative bodies have raised concern over the continued practice by institutions of higher learning of withholding students’ academic records, transcripts and qualifications due to outstanding fees. They argue that the policy blocks graduates from entering the job market and repaying their debts. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Sunday, Student Union of Namibia (SUN) secretary for information and publicity Johannes Malapi said the practice traps thousands of graduates in a cycle of poverty and exclusion. He said while institutions face financial pressure and must recover outstanding fees, graduates are left with no way to repay their debts…

17 Feb

Speaker calls for job security in mining sector

National News

Justicia Shipena “The end of a life of a mine or a change in its production model should not result in job losses or job insecurity,” speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said as she called for stronger efforts to promote decent work in Namibia’s mining sector. She made the remarks on Monday at Droombos in Windhoek while opening a public dialogue on advancing decent work in Namibia’s mining sector. The parliamentary standing committee on poverty eradication, labour and industrial relations, with support from the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), convened the dialogue. “Mining continues to be a strategic pillar of Namibia’s…

17 Feb

‘Animal reflector tender was not awarded in secret’ – NRSC …Tagging livestock estimated to cost Govt N$180m annually

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The N$5 million tender for reflective livestock gear was first advertised on the e-procurement platform in November 2025, but the availability of companies that could supply immediately led to an emergency procurement process, according to the National Road Safety Council (NRSC). This comes as questions have been raised about the transparency of the tender, which was piloted in the Khomas, Omusati and Oshana regions late last year. Concerns centred on the decision to award the tender on an emergency basis just weeks before the festive season. Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) member of parliament Nelson Kalangula last week…

16 Feb

Beifang roster changes triggers union leadership crisis

National News

Justicia Shipena Beifang Mining Services (BMTS) and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) have suspended two branch executive committee members at the Husab Project and withdrawn recognition of them as union representatives. In a joint memorandum dated 13 February seen by the Windhoek Observer and addressed to all BMTS employees at the Husab Project, the company said Gebhard Shikongo and Elia Katupose have been suspended from work. The two previously served as BEC members. The matter was communicated to both national and regional union leadership. The memorandum states that Shikongo, described as interim chairman, had been spreading claims about officials…

16 Feb

Clinics get portable sonar scanners

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Health has introduced three handheld sonar probes into the public healthcare system to improve diagnosis in clinics and rural areas. Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said the move is about changing how healthcare is delivered, not just adding new tools. “The ministry is not merely adding equipment. We are redesigning how care is delivered,” she said. The three devices were funded by the Capricorn Foundation after discussions with the ministry late last year. “Late last year, as we advanced our vision to decentralise healthcare and empower regions, we approached the Capricorn Foundation knowing their track…

16 Feb

High Court to deliver verdict on Nored strike this week

National News

Justicia Shipena The High Court will this week deliver judgement in the dispute between the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) over a planned strike. Nored approached the Labour Court last month on an urgent basis to stop the strike. The utility warned that the industrial action could disrupt electricity supply across large parts of northern Namibia. The dispute began after wage negotiations for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years collapsed. Talks started in June 2025 and reached a deadlock in September 2025 after several meetings. Last Friday, workers issued a notice of strike…

16 Feb

NNF to host ocean symposium in Swakopmund

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibia Nature Foundation will host the Ocean in Focus Symposium in Swakopmund on 18–19 February. The event will take place at the Plaza Hotel and will bring together scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, artisanal fishers and young people to discuss Namibia’s relationship with the ocean. In a press release issued last week, the foundation said the country's marine environment plays a central role in food security, the economy and cultural identity. “Namibia’s coast is more than a long stretch of shoreline,” said Disney Andreas, senior communications officer at NNF. “It underpins food security, economic opportunity, cultural heritage, social…

16 Feb

EY report haunts TransNamib executives

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi TransNamib Limited Holdings has suspended two senior executives with immediate effect following a forensic investigation into alleged property mismanagement, disposal irregularities and statutory breaches. Executive for human capital Webster Gonzo and executive for properties Alynsia Platt were placed on precautionary suspension on Friday by the TransNamib board. Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi confirmed that he approved the decision. The suspensions follow a forensic probe commissioned into the conduct of the executives. The board has resolved that disciplinary proceedings will now follow. Two days before the suspensions, the company acknowledged that an internal investigation was under way.…