Windhoek Observer

08 May

IPC demands answers on Shikongo’s suspension process

Latest

The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) says it will not, at this stage, take a position on whether inspector general of Police Joseph Shikongo should remain in office, but insists that due process must be followed in any decision regarding his suspension. IPC leader Panduleni Itula said the matter must follow procedures outlined in the Constitution of Namibia and the Security Commission Act 18 of 2001. “The concern of the official opposition is whether the required procedure has been followed,” Itula said on Friday. According to Itula, the law requires several steps before the suspension of an inspector general can…

08 May

Namibia on alert over Hantavirus outbreak

Uncategorised

Namibia has not recorded any cases of Hantavirus despite a recent outbreak linked to a cruise ship travelling across the South Atlantic, executive director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services Penda Ithindi has said. Ithindi on Friday said the ministry is closely monitoring the global and regional situation and has put precautionary measures in place. “We wish to reassure the public that, while we have not reported any case of Hantavirus in Namibia, we are closely monitoring the global and regional situation and are taking all necessary precautions,” Ithindi said. The outbreak was reported on a cruise ship…

08 May

Petition to remove Shikongo surfaced last year …as he is accused of fraud, robbery and intimidation

Main

Patience Makwele A 161-page dossier submitted to the Security Commission months before the suspension of inspector general Joseph Shikongo contains allegations of corruption, criminal interference, intimidation and abuse of state institutions involving senior police officials, legal practitioners, business figures and members of the judiciary. In the document, a letter, submitted on 15 April 2025 by Windhoek resident Joseph Nghilonguandunge Nakalemo, formally requested President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and the Security Commission to remove Shikongo from office. Earlier this week, Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed major general Anne-Marie Nainda as acting inspector general of the Namibian Police for one year, replacing Shikongo. Nandi-Ndaitwah did not publicly…

08 May

No fare hike for illegal taxis and passenger buses

Uncategorised

Renthia Kaimbi Illegal taxi and bus operators will not be allowed to increase fares under the newly approved 15% public transport tariff adjustment, works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi has warned. The new fares will take effect on 18 May. The minimum taxi fare will increase from N$13 to N$15 following approval by the Road Transportation Board of Namibia. In an interview with the Windhoek Observer, Nekundi said the approved fare increase only applies to legally registered public transport operators. “Fares are for legal operators; we cannot regulate illegal operators,” Nekundi said. The ministry announced the increase in a statement…

08 May

Ovaherero chieftaincy battle costs reach N$10m

National News

Justicia Shipena The legal cost linked to the dispute over the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) paramount chieftaincy has reached an estimated N$10 million. This comes as the Herero chief of Ovitoto, Vipuira Kapuuo, continues his court challenge against professor Mutjinde Katjiua’s claim to the position of paramount chief. “The teams acknowledged the substantial financial costs associated with the ongoing legal battles. It is estimated that the collective legal expenditure has reached approximately N$10 million,” a joint statement issued on Thursday said. Kapuuo argues that under Ovaherero customary law, tradition and protocol, the chairperson of the Chief’s Council automatically becomes acting…

08 May

Silence at the top breeds mistrust at the bottom

Editorial

The suspension of Namibia’s inspector general of police, lieutenant general Joseph Shikongo, for a period of 12 months has triggered precisely the kind of public confusion that should concern every serious institution of state. Not merely because of the suspension itself, but because of the vacuum of credible information surrounding it. A vacuum never remains empty for long. In the absence of clear, timely and coherent communication from the highest offices in the land, speculation has predictably rushed in to fill the gap. First came reports of an alleged breach at State House involving an intruder said to have entered…

08 May

Debt position still in manageable range

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s debt position remains manageable, but pressure on the country’s finances is increasing as borrowing requirements continue to rise, according to financial services firm Simonis Storm. The firm said Namibia has not lost access to financial markets and still benefits from a strong domestic investor base. “The domestic investor base remains deep. The eurobond was redeemed. The debt office is actively managing maturities. These are important positives,” Simonis Storm said. However, the firm warned that the broader fiscal picture remains under pressure. “It transformed hard currency risk into domestic debt, commercial bank exposure and reserve pressure. The total…

08 May

‘The challenge is to convert FDIs into job creation’ — Kauta

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia is positioning itself to benefit from growing foreign investment linked to oil and gas, mining, green hydrogen, infrastructure and industrial development as government and industry push for more value addition, job creation and economic diversification. According to legal and advisory firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Namibia, foreign direct investment inflows into Namibia reached N$151 billion between 2021 and 2024, compared to N$50 billion recorded between 2009 and 2020. Speaking during a recent webinar hosted by the firm, managing partner and director of dispute resolution Patrick Kauta said much of the recent investment has gone into exploration activities, which…

08 May

Otjikoto Mine produced 24 529 ounces of gold in Q1

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Otjikoto Mine near Otavi, in which B2Gold holds a 90% stake, produced 24 529 ounces of gold in the first quarter of 2026, exceeding expectations. According to the company’s operational and financial results released on Thursday, the higher production was mainly driven by better-than-expected ore grades. This was partly offset by slightly lower mill throughput caused by repairs during the quarter. During the first quarter of 2026, the mine recorded a mill feed grade of 1.06 grams per tonne. Mill throughput reached 0.74 million tonnes, while gold recovery averaged 98.1%. Cash operating costs for the quarter were…

08 May

Standard Bank appoints Deloitte & Touche Namibia as external auditors

Observer Money

Staff Writer Standard Bank Namibia has appointed Deloitte & Touche Namibia as its new independent external auditor, replacing PricewaterhouseCoopers Namibia with effect from 29 April 2026. The appointment was announced in a notice issued by The Standard Bank of Namibia Limited in line with the JSE Limited debt and specialist securities listings requirements. According to the bank, the change follows the requirements of the Bank of Namibia’s BID-10 regulation, which requires external auditors to rotate every 10 years. The bank said the appointment also complies with JSE Limited's debt and specialist securities listings requirements. The notice was issued in Johannesburg…