Windhoek Observer

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The High Court has ruled that subpoenas issued by AR’s leader, Job Amupanda in the ongoing "Red Line" case are irregular and void, citing non-compliance with procedural deadlines set by the court. Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and former Justice Minister Sacky Shanghala were among those subpoenaed to testify in the constitutional challenge brought by Amupanda against the Veterinary Cordon Fence, known as the Red Line.  The subpoenas, issued on 16 January 2025, came over a month after the court-ordered deadline of 13 December 2024. “The subpoenas issued out of this court by the plaintiff are not in compliance with…

Stefanus Nashama The European Union (EU) delegation to Namibia, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Namibian government, has launched a good governance programme to tackle corruption and enhance transparency in the country.  On Monday, the EU allocated approximately N$19.5 million to support the UNDP-led initiative, which will run from 2025 to 2028. The initiative seeks to promote sustainable development, accountability, and effective governance practices.  It also seeks to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration and advance critical reforms within Namibia’s governance systems. UNDP country representative Alka Bhatia highlighted the detrimental effects of corruption, saying that it undermines democracy…

Mallex Shipanga At just 23 years old, Ryan De Wee is making waves in Namibia’s contemporary art world with his innovative and diverse artwork.  Born in Windhoek and raised in Tsumeb, De Wee grew up balancing academics and a passion for art, both of which have played a significant role in shaping his life. De Wee described his upbringing as a busy and creative time, surrounded by family and driven by his artistic pursuits.  “I am the middle child with an older sister and a younger brother. I remember always being surrounded by family and friends. I had a very…

Niël Terblanché In a major step towards modernising its operations, Namibia’s national rail transporter, TransNamib announced the acquisition of 23 new locomotives and the refurbishment of seven existing ones. This ambitious undertaking, announced last week, follows the successful securing of a N$2.6 billion loan from the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) in June last year. TransNamib’s chief executive officer, Desmond van Jaarsveld, during the announcement, described the initiative as essential for the state-owned company's future."We are going to procure 23 new locomotives and the rebuild of seven existing ones. When I say…

Stefanus Nashama Political analyst Sakaria Johannes has raised doubts about the transparency of the Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) recruitment process. On Monday Johannes questioned whether the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo can accurately assess the absence of backdoor recruitment practices. Shikongo, while addressing the 908 cadet constables undergoing training at the Ruben "Danger" Ashipala Police Training Centre in Ondangwa on Monday, reassured the public that the recruitment process had been conducted fairly and without favouritism. “The recruitment of police officers is done fairly without backdoor benefits,” Shikongo said. Johannes, however, expressed concerns about Shikongo’s ability…

Niël Terblanché Residents of Walvis Bay have expressed mounting frustration over delayed refuse removal services, citing broken refuse trucks as the root cause of the problem. Overflowing bins and litter scattered by animals and vagrants have become a regular sight, sparking complaints about the municipality’s slow response. “All the refuse removal trucks are broken. People are complaining about overflowing bins, and rubbish is being strewn all over by dogs and people. It feels like nothing is happening,” lamented a resident on a neighbourhood community social media group. To address the issue, the municipality resorted to using teams of workers equipped…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says she lacks direct knowledge of the issues central to the case of the Veterinary Corridor Fence, commonly referred to as the Red Line. Nandi-Ndaitwah on Saturday filed an urgent High Court application to set aside a subpoena requiring her to testify in the upcoming trial challenging the legality of the Red Line. In her founding affidavit, Nandi-Ndaitwah argued that the subpoena, issued on 16 January 2025, constitutes an abuse of court processes. She contends that the information sought is within the purview of the minister of agriculture, water and land reform. In her application,…