National News

Aminius residents oppose uranium mining

Aminius residents oppose uranium mining

Tujoromajo Kasuto Livestock farmers and residents of Aminius, in the Omaheke Region, who rely heavily on underground water for survival are outraged at the prospect of uranium mining in the area, claiming that ‘’these environmentally disastrous mining activities’’ will cause irreversible damage to their groundwater sources, threatening their livelihood and the livelihoods of future generations. More shockingly, the community is perplexed and outraged by the lack of broad consultation from regional and constituency leadership regarding the mining of a highly toxic mineral such as uranium. This follows the drilling of boreholes by Headspring Investments Project Wings, a subsidiary of Uranium…
Read More
US Under Secretary commends Namibia’s corruption fight

US Under Secretary commends Namibia’s corruption fight

Staff writer The United States Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya who visited Namibia last week for three days has commended Namibia for its efforts to combat corruption. Zeya met with senior government officials, civil society, and young leaders to discuss joint efforts to address global issues, strengthen democracy, fight human trafficking, assist refugees, and promote regional security. She also discussed joint efforts to combat corruption, fight transnational crime, and strengthen rule of law with the Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, and Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa. “The United States thanks Namibia for taking meaningful steps…
Read More
Mayor advised to communicate her donations

Mayor advised to communicate her donations

Martin Endjala The Samora Machel constituency councillor, Nestor Kalola is concerned over the lack of communication between the local authority and the regional council, which according to him causes a rift between the local authority council and its residents. Kalola told Windhoek Observer today after learning of a donation of blankets that took place last week Fridaywithout his knowledge. “We have a process on how we conduct our donations and criteria, however, with these specificdonation, one is not aware how it was done. As a local authority councillor, it is within my boundaries to know about such donations, which the…
Read More
Executor empties deceased estate…Master of High Court ordered to pay stolen money….official acted negligently

Executor empties deceased estate…Master of High Court ordered to pay stolen money….official acted negligently

Tujoromajo Kasuto A WALVIS Bay woman has won a bid against the Master of the High Court to reimbursement the estate of her late mother with N$1.2 million that was lost through negligence and without due care, resulting in the estate suffering the loss.The Master of the High Court administers deceased estates in the absence of a will. Master of the High Court appointed an executor, Mervin Kozonguizi, against the will of the beneficiaries of the estate, who claim that they not recommend, approve, nor had knowledge of his existence before the appointment. In the judgement delivered yesterday by High…
Read More
LPM exonerates Gawanas from double dipping….blames CoW ambiguous policies

LPM exonerates Gawanas from double dipping….blames CoW ambiguous policies

Obrein Simasiku The Landless People’s Movement that has shown intolerance to the breaking of rules, especially when it comes to favouritism and nepotism, is now turning a blind eye to wrong doing which favoured one of its own. Windhoek mayor, Sade Gawanas, serving on the LPM ticket on the council has been the subject of accusations of double dipping which is benefitting from generous transport allowance while having full-time use to an official vehicles of the City of Windhoek. The public has condemned Gawanas, but the municipality’s management committee has ignored the ratepayers and rewarded her with a N$9 500…
Read More
Truck gridlock at Buitepos because of staff shortage

Truck gridlock at Buitepos because of staff shortage

Tujoromajo Kasuto The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has a shortage of staff at the customs and excise unit at the Buitepos border post on the Trans Kalahari. This has led to the truck gridlock experience in recent weeks at the border post.NamRa spokesperson, Tonateni Shidhudhu told the Windhoek Observer that they have noticed in increase in the number of imports through the Trans Kalahari border post in recent weeks, resulting in long queues processed at a snail’s pace.The gridlock, he says, is due to the risk assessment profile of consignments passing through the border post, which requires a 100 percent…
Read More
Dust refuses to settle around Omuthiya festival

Dust refuses to settle around Omuthiya festival

Obrein Simasiku The war of words between the Omuthiya town council and Samuel Shinedima over the hosting of an entertainment festival is long from over. The fight is over intellectual rights over the name Othithiya, which Shinedima claims that the town council stole his idea after he pitch it to them. The local authority is now claiming that Shinedima has defamed council's reputation, image, interrupting the preparation of the event and for creating a bad impression about the council to its potential investors, clients and stakeholders. Meanwhile, Shinedima says council and its entire management do not understand the implication of…
Read More
Nobody is indispensable, accountability is brutal but must be done-Swartbooi

Nobody is indispensable, accountability is brutal but must be done-Swartbooi

Martin Endjala The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) Bernadus Swartbooi says nobody is indispensable when it comes to accountability, pointing out that it is brutal but necessary for the benefits of the people that they serve. Swartbooi sounds this strong warning to all occupying public offices adding that discipline and honesty are attributes each and every serving the people must have. Hence the LPM’s endeavour to train and equip local councilors. And at every occasions the LPM intervenes to advice and guide its councilors so that they their very best.“When a council therefore, does not live up to the expectations deliberately,…
Read More
Puma Energy revives youth comedy show

Puma Energy revives youth comedy show

Martin Endjala The popularly comedy show, free your mind, that was disrupted by Covid-19 close down measures have been revived by Puma Energy. The opening of the show this month drew a large number of fans, who described it as refreshing and finally bringing laughter to many. Artists and creatives are very proud of their work and are appreciated by the youth, but is not supported by the mainstream society, judging from the financial support they get from the wider society. The industry can provide opportunities and is accessible and can give meaningful livelihoods to artists and creatives. Puma Energy,…
Read More
Secret plan to evict Oshikoto farmers<br>….future of small stock farmers threatened

Secret plan to evict Oshikoto farmers
….future of small stock farmers threatened

Obrein Simasiku Nearly 150 small stock farmers in the Okashana woodlands in the Oshikoto Region fear eviction allegedly at the hands of the Ondonga Traditional Authority. About 10 farmers who spoke to the Windhoek Observer revealed that there was a meeting held a week ago by representatives of the traditional authority, who informed them that they are planning to establish an agricultural project where these farmers are currently settled. Against that backdrop, the OTA allegedly requested the farmers to move to an area that is about 20 kilometres away. Okashana is a free range grazing area stretching from Omuthiya all…
Read More