Windhoek Observer

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The High Court has rejected an attempt by the commissioner of inland revenue, the minister of finance, and the attorney general to file a counterclaim in their ongoing battle with Stuttafords Stores Namibia (Pty) Ltd over a disputed N$3.8 million value added tax (VAT) refund. In a ruling delivered on 15 August 2025, acting judge Gerson Narib also refused part of the defendants’ application to amend their plea.  The case stems from tax disputes going back more than 20 years.  In 2002, Stuttafords received N$2.6 million, which it treated as capital, while the commissioner regarded it as revenue…

Renthia Kaimbi One of Namibia’s biggest law firms, Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Incorporated (WKH), is set to split at the end of this month.  The firm confirmed that some of its top directors will leave to form a new practice.  Its directors, Patrick Kauta, Frieda Kishi, Magano Erkana, and Mercy Kuzeeko, together with associates and support staff, will establish Kauta, Barendse & Kishi Incorporated. The new firm will trade as CDH Namibia. “Namibia deserves a future-fit commercial law firm,” Kauta told the Windhoek Observer. According to a letter sent to clients on 18 August 2025, CDH Namibia will become…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has accused minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa of abusing his power by dissolving the Katima Mulilo Town Council, saying the move undermines the rule of law and the Constitution. IPC spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge described the minister’s action as unconstitutional and authoritarian.  On 15 August, a government gazette issued through Sankwasa announced the removal of all council members under Government Notice No. 194.  In the notice, Sankwasa cited section 92(2) of the Local Authorities Act and declared that all powers, duties, and functions of the council now vest in his…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Commonwealth Heads of Mission in Namibia, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) launched a six-month initiative to improve nutrition, health, and protection for children and communities in Mpungu Constituency, Kavango West.  The initiative called Building Brighter Tomorrows is valued at N$188 000 and will run from August 2025 to January 2026.  The Commonwealth Heads of Mission contributed N$100 000, while UNFPA and WFP jointly provided N$88 000.  The program ill be implemented with government ministries, local authorities, and community stakeholders. UNFPA communication officer Emma Mbekele said the programme will…

Allexer Namundjebo Attracting private sector investment of at least US$30 billion (about N$540 billion) per year into the water sector requires strong governance, institutional capacity, efficiency, and regulatory reforms, minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani has said. Speaking at the just-ended AU-AIP Water Investment Summit 2025 in Cape Town, Zaamwani said the government is committed to turning Namibia’s water security challenges into opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth. “This is one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and climate change is intensifying our challenges. Yet, we are determined to turn these challenges into opportunities for…