Windhoek Observer – Page 253 – Windhoek Observer

25 Mar

Mbumba expands communal land before exit

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Former President Nangolo Mbumba issued a proclamation to incorporate portions of unalienated state land into existing communal areas before leaving office. The decision, made under the powers granted by the Communal Land Reform Act of 2002 and approved by the National Assembly, aims to expand communal land areas in various regions. The proclamation was published in Government Gazette No. 8602 on 9 March 2025. It includes land allocations to communities such as Otjimbingwe, Ovitoto, and Aminuis. Otjimbingwe communal land will now include the remaining extent of Portion A of Farm Okongava, covering 15 160 hectares. Ovitoto communal land…

25 Mar

NamPol launches intelligence unit to fight organised crime

National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police (NamPol) has officially launched a Crime Intelligence Analytical Unit aimed at enhancing its capacity to combat transnational organised crime through data-driven policing strategies. The new investigative unit was officially established at the headquarters of NamPol in Windhoek, and it will form part of the broader ENACT (Enhancing Africa’s Response to Transnational Organised Crime) project, supported by INTERPOL and the European Union. The new unit in Namibia is the tenth to be launched under the initiative across Africa, joining countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, Congo, Togo, Nigeria, and Uganda. Major General Anne-Marie Nainda, deputy inspector general…

25 Mar

CRAN, MICT pushes for urgent cyber law reforms

National News

Ester Mbathera The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) have renewed calls for urgent reforms to the cybercrime and data protection laws. This trend is following a rise in cyberattacks and data breaches affecting both the public and private sectors. The MICT’s spokesperson, Ngaevarue Heuva, said the Data Protection Bill has been finalised and submitted to the Cabinet committee on legislation for review. The Cybercrime Bill, though redrafted, still requires further refinement. “During the third Cabinet decision-making meeting for 2025, Cabinet directed the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to urgently…

25 Mar

Towns respond positively to N$2.4 billion Namwater debt

National News

Allexer Namundjembo NamWater has received a positive response from local authorities as it works to recover the N$2.4 billion owed to the corporation. Lot Ndamanomhata, NamWater's spokesperson, on Monday, told the Windhoek Observer that most local authorities approached for payment have shown a willingness to settle their debts. “We are pleased with the overwhelmingly positive responses we've received from local authorities so far. We will continue to approach other local authorities with outstanding debts and encourage them to meet their financial commitments,” he said. This positive turn comes after a report earlier this month revealed that local authorities were responsible…

25 Mar

Otjiwarongo municipality blames drain blockages for property damage

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Municipality of Otjiwarongo has warned residents against obstructing stormwater drainage systems, saying such actions can lead to property damage and public safety risks. According to the municipality's chief executive officer, Mberipura Hifitikeko, some residents have built barriers or structures that block the natural flow of stormwater, increasing the risk of flooding, especially in low-lying areas. The notice comes amid rising concern about the impact of blocked drains on municipal infrastructure. “It has come to our attention that there have been instances where stormwater drainage systems have been obstructed, leading to potential risks of property damage and endangerment…

25 Mar

Health ministry charts new five-year plan to improve health care

National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services is hosting a week-long strategic planning workshop in Otjiwarongo. The meeting started on Tuesday and is aimed at charting an enhanced course for public healthcare in Namibia over the next five years. The health ministry’s executive director, Ben Nangombe, said the task requires urgency and full participation from all attendees during the opening of the workshop. “We are here to plan, to analyse and to produce cogent documents that will guide our Ministry to deliver more, to deliver better, to deliver consistently, and to deliver effectively,” he said. The workshop comes…

25 Mar

Shafudah present her first national budget

Observer Money

Niël Terblanché Less than a week after her appointment by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Finance and Social Grants Management, Erica Shafudah is set to present Namibia's 2025/26 national budget to the National Assembly on Thursday. Wilson Shikoto, the spokesperson for the finance ministry, said the prompt action stresses the government's commitment to addressing the nation's financial and developmental priorities without delay. “The upcoming budget will delineate the government's financial roadmap, encompassing revenue projections, expenditure plans, and borrowing strategies,” he said. Shikoto said that it would also outline key priorities aimed at steering the country's economic direction for the fiscal year…

25 Mar

Namibia Netball Association calls under-21 players to trials

Sports

Erasmus Shalihahwe The Namibia Netball Association has invited under-21 netball players to attend trials for a chance to join the national team ahead of the upcoming netball test tournament series in Windhoek. The association’s secretary general, Sofia Simon told the Windhoek Observer that the tournament will take place from 1 to 5 May 2025 at the Windhoek Showgrounds. The event will also serve as preparation for the Region 5 Youth Games scheduled for July. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our young players to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on the under-21 national team. The test series…

24 Mar

Presidency mum over Luvindao’s appointment

Main

Ester Mbathera President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has remained silent amid growing public outcry over the appointment of Dr Esperance Luvindao to parliament and subsequently as minister of health and social services. Allegations surfaced about irregularities in the vetting process and questions surrounding her nationality. Luvindao has been open about her parents' nationality on numerous occasions, of which proof is available on the internet. In 2023, at the Africa Women's Summit 2023 in Rwanda, Kigali, where she was a guest speaker, she again confirmed it. “My parents are from the Democratic Republic of Congo, so I speak Lingala, I speak Swahili and…

24 Mar

Opposition open to accepting governor roles

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Members of opposition parties have indicated their willingness to take up governor roles if appointed by the president. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to appoint new regional governors in the coming weeks as their terms come to an end. The current governors were appointed by late President Hage Geingob in 2020. Regional governors are direct representatives of the president in the regions and are accountable to the president through the minister in the presidency, as per Article 1 of the Constitution. Their mandate is to ensure effective service delivery and adhere to strong, honest and principled leadership. They…