Windhoek Observer

Justicia Shipena  Between 2021 and 2024, a total of 165 murders were committed with firearms in the country. In 2021, the Namibian police (Nampol) recorded 36 firearm-related murders, rising to 56 in 2022, which marked the highest annual total. In 2023, 38 cases were recorded, and 35 were recorded in 2024, bringing the total to 165. Nampol deputy inspector general Elias Mutota also highlighted attempted murder cases involving firearms. In 2021, police recorded 115 cases. In 2022, there were 132 cases, rising to 141 in 2023 and 150 in 2024. He said firearm-related crimes remain high, including robberies, attempted murders,…

Allexer Namundjembo The Association of Dependents of Veterans of Namibia (ADVN) is calling on the government to amend the Veterans Act of 2008 to include children of war veterans, including those born in exile, in state benefits. During a demonstration in Windhoek, ADVN secretary general Petrus Nedongo accused the government of discrimination, calling the group “the forgotten children of the liberation struggle.” “It is now 35 years of independence; we have endured hardships and torments from poverty. We now believe and understand that we have been discriminated against, ignored and forgotten as the dependents of the living and the late…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  The parliamentary standing committee on gender equality, health and social welfare found serious gaps during its oversight visit to the region. At Kaenda Clinic, the committee learnt that the facility has no cleaners. The community rejected the recruited candidate, preferring to select one of its two volunteers. The clinic now operates without cleaning staff. Although it has a mortuary and an incinerator, both remain unused because there are no trained workers. Nurses at the clinic have housing and said they are satisfied with their living conditions. At Sachona, the situation is worse. The clinic has been operating from…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Nearly one in four children under the age of five in Namibia is stunted as malnutrition worsened due to drought.  The World Food Programme (WFP) Namibia Country Brief for July 2025 reported that 24% of children under five are stunted, 6% suffer from wasting and 13% are underweight.  It said 1 101 deaths due to malnutrition were recorded in all 14 regions during the reporting period. The WFP linked the crisis to prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall, which disrupted crop and livestock production, increased food prices, and reduced food access.  “Namibia’s deteriorating food security is mainly driven…