Windhoek Observer

18 Dec

NamWater owed N$2.8bn …unpaid water bills jumped by nearly N$400m in nine months

National News

Justicia Shipena Town councils recorded the highest increase in unpaid water bills as the Namibia Water Corporation's (NamWater) outstanding debt climbed to N$2.8 billion. NamWater said total outstanding water debt stood at about N$2.8 billion as of 30 November 2025. This marks an increase of roughly N$387 million or 15.9%, from about N$2.4 billion recorded in February 2025. Debt owed by town councils rose by N$150.8 million over the period, making them the largest contributors to the growth in arrears. Rural water communities followed with an increase of N$107 million, while municipalities added N$42.4 million. Debt from mines rose sharply…

18 Dec

Zambezi inmate loses N$300 000 lawsuit over escape charge

National News

Justicia Shipena The High Court has dismissed a N$300 000 damages claim brought by inmate Ndozi Ndozi against prosecutor general Martha Imalwa and senior police officials, finding that there was no malicious prosecution in his case. Ndozi sued the Imalwa, the minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security and the inspector general of the Namibian police, arguing that he was wrongly and maliciously prosecuted on a charge of escaping from lawful custody. He claimed the state continued with the prosecution despite knowing there was not enough evidence to secure a conviction and that this violated his constitutional rights. The…

18 Dec

Governor declines to receive Zambezi secession petition

National News

Allexer Namundjebo Zambezi regional governor Dorothy Kabula on Wednesday refused to accept a petition calling for the secession of the Zambezi region after a protest by a group linked to the banned United Democratic Party (UDP). The protesters attempted to hand over the petition following a demonstration held in the region. Kabula said on Wednesday that she was not prepared to receive it, citing her right as governor to decline. “I’m ready to not receive any petition because our elders have said they want peace, unity and development for this region for their grandchildren and children of the Zambezi region,”…

18 Dec

Transparency is the best medicine

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

The Ministry of Health and Social Services deserves recognition for the urgency and coordination it has shown in responding to the threat of poliovirus in the Kavango East and Kavango West regions. The rapid rollout of a preventative vaccination campaign targeting children under the age of 10, the mobilisation of international partners, and the strengthening of surveillance systems all reflect a ministry that understands the gravity of polio and the catastrophic consequences of complacency. The detection of poliovirus type 2 through environmental surveillance at Ndama sewage could easily have been dismissed or delayed. Instead, it triggered action. The involvement of…

18 Dec

OBSERVER COASTAL | Man arrested in Mondesa for false burglary report

National News

Renthia Kaimbi A 23-year-old man is due to appear in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court today after his arrest for making a false statement under oath and attempting to defraud an insurance company. Erongo police said the arrest serves as a warning against the deliberate misreporting of crimes. The case dates back to Saturday at about 16h51, when the man reported to the Mondesa Police Station. According to police, he made a sworn statement before a Commissioner of Oaths, alleging unknown suspects had broken into his house. In his statement, he reported the theft of a refrigerator, a four-plate stove, an…

18 Dec

OBSERVER COASTAL | Walvis Bay council checks festive season readiness of safety teams

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga last week led a delegation of councillors on a tour of the municipality’s Traffic and Fire Brigade departments. The visit aimed to give councillors a clearer view of the daily work and challenges faced by essential service providers responsible for public safety and emergency response in the town. Councillors received guided tours of both departments and observed operations firsthand. The visits focused on service readiness ahead of the busy festive season. At the traffic department, acting chief traffic officer Clifton Jacobs outlined key operational challenges. These include limited resources and rising service demands. …

18 Dec

OBSERVER COASTAL | Namport wraps up year with stakeholder awards and community outreach

National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) closed its operational year with two events over the weekend that reflected its focus on port operations and community support. The activities took place in Lüderitz and Henties Bay. On Friday evening, Namport hosted its annual port users and stakeholders dinner at the port of Lüderitz. Held under the theme “Collaborate to Elevate”, the event recognised the role of clients and service providers in the port’s performance and growth. Senior Namport management and officials attended and engaged with members of the port community. The dinner featured an awards ceremony that recognised clients based…

18 Dec

OBSERVER COASTAL | MTC backs summer festivals with transport and sponsorship

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC) has announced partnerships with two summer events along the coast. The company will serve as the official transport partner for the Savanna Sound of Summer Festival and as a headline sponsor of the Camp Out Dune Fest. MTC’s first partnership marks the 10th anniversary of the Savanna Sound of Summer Festival. Eight MTC-branded buses, each with 65 seats, will run daily between Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and the Long Beach festival grounds. The buses will operate in two shifts, from 10h00 to 16h00 and from 22h00 to 02h00. The shuttle service is expected to transport…

18 Dec

Fishrot fugitive lawyer to testify virtually

Main

Renthia Kaimbi The Supreme Court has authorised fugitive lawyer Marén de Klerk to testify via video link in the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) and Sea Flower Pelagic matter. This would enable the hearing of his testimony regarding an allegedly corrupt 50 000 metric-tonne fishing quota. The ruling overturns a 2022 High Court decision that refused the request and settles a dispute over the use of courtroom technology. It allows testimony that Fishcor says is critical to its case against Seaflower Pelagic Processing and others. The case centres on a commercial arrangement in which Fishcor, a state-owned enterprise, agreed…

18 Dec

NAMIBIA’S GREEN HYDROGEN DREAM MEETS HARD REALITY

Editorial, Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) Namibia’s green hydrogen ambitions were once framed as a historic leap: a small Southern African nation powering Europe’s decarbonisation, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, and positioning itself as a global climate-finance success story. International headlines hailed a “once-in-a-generation opportunity.” Today, the narrative is markedly different. Senior executives have exited the programme. Donor support has thinned. Anchor investors have stepped back. And the export-led hydrogen vision that once sat at the centre of Namibia’s economic and climate strategy is now being quietly recalibrated behind closed doors. This is not a…