Windhoek Observer – Page 129 – Windhoek Observer

18 Sep

OBSERVER COASTAL | First covid victim’s burial site finally cordoned off

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Nearly five years after Walvis Bay became the epicentre of the country's Covid-19 pandemic, the Narraville cemetery is finally being secured. The site holds the grave of the first Namibian to die from the virus and has long remained unprotected. The project, led by the Walvis Bay Municipality, includes building a perimeter wall and a formal gated entrance. The grave of a 45-year-old man who died in July 2020, was buried under strict health protocols. Over the years, its exposed state caused distress for residents and the victim’s family. His sister, Suoma Kashava, told the Windhoek Observer that…

18 Sep

NamRA boss told to probe own nepotism

Main

Justicia Shipena The ministry of finance has instructed Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) commissioner Sam Shivute to investigate allegations of nepotism and favouritism lodged against him. On 6 May 2025, finance ministry executive director Michael Humavindu told Shivute in a letter that the seriousness of the complaint required a “prompt and thorough investigation”. He requested a formal report with findings and corrective actions by 30 June 2025 and emphasised confidentiality and urgency. The complaint was filed on 22 April 2025 by NamRA's human resource officer, Ndamononghenda Nampweya, who was suspended in October 2023. In a letter addressed to finance minister Erich…

18 Sep

NNN to announce new ambassadors before Friday

National News

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to announce new ambassadorial appointments before Friday. Presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo confirmed the timeline to the Windhoek Observer. “The news is coming out soon. Definitely before Friday,” he said. Sources say as many as 23 new diplomatic appointments are planned. The Windhoek Observer has also learnt that the ministry of international relations and trade has reportedly already sent 23 requests for agrément, the official approval from host countries, to those being considered. The sources said so far, 15 have accepted the offers, while responses from the remaining eight are still pending. The…

18 Sep

Windhoek needs central bus station and trains – Nawases-Taeyele

National News

Justicia Shipena Urban and rural development deputy minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele has called for a new central bus station and discussions on commuter trains as part of efforts to ease Windhoek’s public transport challenges. !Nawases-Taeyele said the proposals are necessary to improve accessibility and reduce congestion. She spoke after joining residents on Wednesday for a “Commuter Ride Experience”, where leaders spent the morning using public transport under the theme “Leadership in Motion”. “We woke up early, stood at the bus stop, felt the waiting times, experienced the pace of traffic, and shared a seat on the bus just as thousands of…

18 Sep

Housing applicants upset over NHE housing verification process

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Khomas Residents and Ratepayers Association (KRRA) has challenged the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) over a verification deadline set for 18 September 2025, calling it unfair to applicants who have waited decades for housing. KRRA spokesperson Shaun Gariseb said the association wrote to NHE acting regional manager Veginia Tjitemisa after receiving complaints from Windhoek residents and applicants currently out of town. “We have written to NHE acting regional manager Veginia Tjitemisa to explain to us what the logic is behind having a due date when people have waited for 30 years,” Gariseb said. The association said some applicants…

18 Sep

OBSERVER COASTAL | Suspended IPC councillor faces arrest over N$116k fraud

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Suspended Walvis Bay Rural constituency councillor Florian Donatus faces imminent arrest over a fraud and theft case involving the Erongo Regional Council. The case, registered in Swakopmund, alleges Donatus used a council credit facility to procure goods worth N$116 464.31 during his tenure. Initial reports in July suggested unidentified individuals had used the same facility to buy items worth N$32 000. Investigators now indicate that Donatus acted alone. He is accused of taking items from Metro Walvis Bay and charging them to the council’s refreshment account without approval from the council administrator. Erongo regional commander commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona…

18 Sep

OBSERVER COASTAL | Pensioner caught with N$100k illicit cigarettes near Usakos

National News

Renthia Kaimbi An 81-year-old pensioner was arrested on Monday after police in the Erongo region found illicit tobacco products worth nearly N$100 000 during a routine traffic stop near Usakos. Senior inspector Judith Shomungula of the Erongo Police said officers searched a white Toyota Quantum with Swakopmund registration plates travelling from Oshakati towards Henties Bay. They discovered 2 495 packets of “Yes” brand cigarettes. The driver, Namibian pensioner Rusia Ugwanga, was arrested for contravening Sections 16 and 17 of the Tobacco Products Control Act of 2010, which regulates the possession of illicit tobacco products. Ugwanga appeared before the Usakos Magistrate’s…

18 Sep

Association challenges benefits extension to exile kids

National News

Justicia Shipena The Namibian Inside Kids Association (NIKA) has asked parliament’s standing committee on constitutional and legal affairs to stop amendments to the Veterans Act of 2008 that would extend benefits to all children born in exile. In a letter dated 17 September 2025, NIKA said such changes would worsen the exclusion of Namibians born inside the country during and after the liberation struggle. The association defines “inside kids” as all Namibians born within the borders of the Republic before and after independence, regardless of region or ethnicity. It said these citizens have long faced economic hardship despite living through…

18 Sep

Health ministry confirms 10 measles cases in Kunene

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The ministry of health and social services (MoHSS) has declared a measles outbreak in Opuwo District, Kunene Region. As of 12 September 2025, 20 suspected cases were reported, with 10 confirmed positive. All patients are in stable condition, and no deaths have been recorded. Under national guidelines, two confirmed cases out of five suspected cases are enough to declare an outbreak. “Measles is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects children, but unvaccinated teenagers and adults are also at risk. The outbreak in Opuwo highlights the need for vaccination,” said health minister Esperance Luvindao. Measles symptoms usually appear…

18 Sep

Telecommunications investments down 48% in Q2

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Telecommunications investments dropped to N$164 million in the second quarter of this year, down 48% from the previous quarter, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) said in its quarterly statistics bulletin. The regulator said the drop followed major capital spending in the first quarter, including a once-off infrastructure investment by Loc8 Mobile. “It is also important to note that Telecom Namibia and Paratus Telecommunications continued to make considerable investments during the period,” the report said. Cran reported that cyber-threat events more than doubled during the quarter. “Reported cyber vulnerabilities also increased by approximately 2%, sustaining an upward…