Windhoek Observer

19 May

Russian farmers dismiss concerns over in-situ mining method

Latest

Allexer Namundjebo Farmers operating near the Dalur in-situ leaching uranium mine in the Dolmatovsky district of Russia’s Kurgan region say their agricultural activities have continued without disruption since the mine was established, with no decline in product quality reported.The remarks were made on Monday during a meeting between local farmers, mine management and representatives of Headspring Investments (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Uranium One. Headspring Investments, a Russian-owned state subsidiary of Rosatom is exploring for uranium in Namibia’s Omaheke region using the same method. Farmers said the mine has maintained open communication and responded to concerns when raised.“The mine has…

19 May

Nasan appeals fuel sourcing ban through Ndaitwah’s law firm

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Nasan Energies has formally appealed the Namibian Competition Commission’s (NaCC) decision to block the company from sourcing fuel from Vitol and related companies following its acquisition of 52 fuel stations. The appeal was confirmed in government gazette notice no. 158 of 2026, published on 8 May. Court documents show that Ndaitwah Legal Practitioners filed the review application on 8 April 2026 on behalf of Nasan Energies. The law firm belongs to Ndeli Ndaitwah, one of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s sons. The appeal challenges conditions imposed by the NaCC when it approved the merger on 1 April 2026. NaCC approved…

19 May

Linden Beef collapses under N$28m debt …as it fails to oppose Bank Windhoek’s liquidation application

National News

Justicia Shipena The High Court has placed Linden Beef Close Corporation under final liquidation after the company failed to appear in court during a winding-up hearing held in Windhoek yesterday. High Court judge Beatrix de Jager issued the order. “The respondent is placed under a final order of winding-up,” De Jager ruled. Linden Beef had already been placed under provisional liquidation on 8 August 2025. The matter returned to court for a final hearing after several postponements. The company had legal representation when the case was postponed on 3 December 2025. The court noted that notices of the hearing were…

19 May

Andreas pursues defamation claims over Facebook comments

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Businessman Joseph Andreas has launched legal action against two Facebook users, demanding public apologies, removal of social media posts and N$250 000 each in damages over alleged defamation. Through his lawyers, Afrika Jantjies & Associates, Andreas issued letters of demand on Monday to Kawana Mandume and Nghipundilo ya Shiindi. The dispute relates to Facebook posts published on or about 15 May, which Andreas says contained false and damaging claims about his character and business affairs. According to the letters, the posts described Andreas as a “thug” who “parades as a businessman”, a “buffalo with the big stomach from…

19 May

New taxi fare brings little relief outside Windhoek

National News

Patience Makwele Taxi drivers in Katima Mulilo say the new N$15 taxi fare mainly benefits operators in bigger towns like Windhoek. Yesterday, the taxi fare increase took effect across the country. A taxi driver in Katima Mulilo, Kamwi Muhamubi, said even the previous N$13 fare was difficult to enforce because many commuters negotiated lower prices or claimed they did not have enough money. “This N$15 is only benefiting drivers in bigger towns like Windhoek. Here in Katima Mulilo, people never even wanted to pay N$13,” he said. “Sometimes you spend the whole day working and go home with only N$500…

19 May

NamRA says old customs system was 11 versions behind

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) says delays experienced at major border posts following the rollout of the new automated system for customs data (ASYCUDA) have been resolved after staff worked around the clock to address technical problems. NamRA officially upgraded and rolled out version 4.4.1 of the ASYCUDAWorld system on 5 May as part of its move toward a fully paperless customs environment. NamRA commissioner Sam Shivute said the new system has already processed goods worth N$18 billion between 5 May and 17 May. ASYCUDA is a computerised customs management platform developed by the United Nations Conference on…

19 May

Otavi residents slam council over poor service delivery

National News

Patience Makwele Otavi residents have accused the town council of failing to deliver basic services. Residents say the town council is failing to provide proper sanitation, water access and street lighting. They also complained about poor infrastructure in residential areas and dark streets caused by a lack of high mast lights. The complaints emerged during the Otavi Municipality’s public consultation meeting on the proposed 2026/2027 budget, where residents questioned why many basic services remain unresolved despite years of complaints. Several community members said the town’s open market still lacks proper public toilets, forcing vendors and shoppers to operate under poor…

19 May

Vehicle market cools after March surge

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s vehicle market slowed in April after a strong surge in March driven by fleet deliveries and rental sector demand, according to analysts at Simonis Storm Securities. Total vehicle sales dropped by 20.6% month-on-month to 1 320 units in April from 1 662 units in March. Despite the decline, sales remained 5.7% higher than the 1 249 units sold in April 2025. Simonis Storm anticipated the April slowdown following March's record-breaking vehicle sales performance, the strongest in over a decade. Simonis Storm said March sales were boosted by large commercial fleet orders, rental sector expansion and strong passenger…

19 May

CoW halts Havana house demolition

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The City of Windhoek says it has resolved the matter involving a house built without municipal approval in Havana Informal Settlement earlier this year. City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said the homeowner approached the municipality after compliance directives were issued and requested that some of the conditions be relaxed. Amutenya said the city considered the request and revised some of the conditions, subject to strict compliance measures. “As part of the agreement reached, the owner committed through a sworn affidavit that the structure will primarily be used for residential purposes, while limited charitable activities such as Bible…

19 May

Banks recover from pandemic impairment surge

Observer Money

Staff Writer Namibia’s four largest commercial banks recorded a sharp rise in loan impairments during the Covid-19 pandemic before conditions gradually stabilised, according to a new banking sector report released by Cirrus Capital. The report, cited by Fimanekeni Mbodo, shows that combined impairments at First National Bank of Namibia, Bank Windhoek, Nedbank Namibia and Standard Bank Namibia increased from about N$230 million in June 2015 to a peak of about N$1.5 billion in December 2020. According to the report, the banking sector’s impairment cycle over the past decade can be divided into three phases. Between 2015 and 2018, impairments remained…