Windhoek Observer

Hetta-Maria Amutenja  Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chief investigating officer Oberty Inambao told the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday that part of the money allegedly linked to corrupt dealings at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) was used to settle a mortgage for former finance executive Jennifer Hamukwaya and her husband, Panduleni. The amount paid towards the mortgage was N$643,000. Testifying in the bail hearing of the accused in the high-profile fuel fraud case, Inambao said the funds were channelled through Panduleni Farming, an entity solely owned by Hamukwaya’s husband. “Gratification can actually be received indirectly. In this regard, we know…

Former Namibian Defence Force (NDF) chief, lieutenant general Solomon “Jesus” Hawala has died at the age of 89.  Hawala died on Monday in a northern Namibian hospital after a prolonged illness. Hawala was a veteran of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), Swapo's military wing, and is regarded as one of the founders of the NDF. He served as the NDF’s army commander from 1990, following Namibia’s independence, and became chief of the NDF in 2000.  He held the position until his retirement in October 2006, succeeding founding commander lieutenant general Dimo Hamaambo. In 2004, the late founding president…

Renthia Kaimbi  Local contractors in Walvis Bay have accused the municipality of bias and unfair practices in awarding pothole repair tenders. In letters dated June 2 and 5 2025, Kapepo Construction CC, Mweshiitya Trading CC, Shamrock Investment CC, and V Jay Construction CC said they were overlooked for five pothole repair contracts divided into lots.  They alleged the tenders went to four specific contractors without proper public advertising or consideration of established local firms. The contractors bypassed the municipality’s general manager of roads and building control, Theo Potgieter, and took their concerns directly to chief executive officer, Victoria Kapenda.  They…

Allexer Namundjembo The minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi says the government will no longer construct gravel roads, with all future projects to be built to tarred ( bitumen) standard. He made the announcement on Monday at the official launch of the 58-kilometre Omuthiya–Elambo road in the Oshikoto Region, which was initially planned as a gravel road.  The Omuthiya–Elambo road will now be upgraded to tarred standard. Nekundi said gravel roads will no longer form part of the ministry’s construction strategy. “From today on, there will be no road that will be constructed as a gravel road. Even this…

Allexer Namundjembo Walvis Bay residents have rejected claimsby the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) that their recent public meeting with national leaders was politically motivated. The residents, led by Kobus Van Schakwyk, said it is their constitutional right to engage national leaders on issues affecting the town.. In a statement on Monday they responded  to IPC’s criticism of Saturday’s engagement between Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa and the community. The meeting was initiated by concerned residents who invited Shaningwa and deputy minister of urban and rural development Evelyn Mwases-Taeyele to discuss the town’s growing infrastructure problems, including poor waste management,…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The absence of a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy or policy is limiting Namibia’s ability to coordinate and govern AI development in a holistic and forward-looking way. This was the message from minister of education, innovation, youth, sports, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp during the launch of the Artificial Intelligence Assessment Methodology report on Monday. Her speech was delivered by deputy minister Dino Balloti. Steenkamp said the lack of a regulatory framework specific to AI increases the risk of unchecked technological experimentation, algorithmic bias, and harm to vulnerable populations. She highlighted digital divides in gender, geography, income, and…