Windhoek Observer

Staff Writer  Wildfires are becoming more frequent in Namibia’s Kavango East Region. One resident, Benita Makena Kaghuvi, is working to protect her forest and community. “When I was younger, forest fires were rare,” says Benita, seated under a false mopane tree in Cakuma village. “Now they are happening all the time. It’s not just the heat or the wind; it’s also how we use fire without thinking.” Benita is 42 years old. She lives in the Muduva Nyangana Conservancy with her husband and five children. She has seen how wildfires have become a serious threat in recent years. What used…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has again thanked the Cuban revolutionary forces for saving survivors of the 1978 Cassinga massacre.  She said their support will never be forgotten. “We thank the Cuban revolutionary people. The internationalist will never go away. And you must understand, Namibians—current and future—will stand with Cuba in whatever situation,” she said during the 47th Cassinga Day commemoration on Friday. On 4 May 1978, South African airborne troops attacked the Cassinga camp in southern Angola.  The camp served as a refugee reception centre and was run by Swapo.  More than 600 people were killed, many of them…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Nearly 200 former fishermen from Merlus Cormorant, Iyaloo, Namfi, and Rukatuka are demanding government intervention over unpaid salaries, failed transfers, and unresolved exit packages under the Government Employment Redress Programme (GERP). In a letter dated 28 April and addressed to Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Ithete, the Logistics and Chemicals Workers Union of Namibia (LAC Workers) secretary general Lawrence Ihuhua accused the former executive director and the former Minister of Fisheries of mishandling the programme. He said this has left many fishermen in financial distress. “We, the undersigned, acting in our capacity as the legitimate representatives of the majority…

Julia Heita Journalists in Namibia mostly work freely, but some face suspensions for expressing critical views, says Reporters Without Borders in its latest press freedom report.  The report states that while the independent press enjoys relative freedom, it is not free from political pressure, especially from government influence over certain media outlets. It notes that media outlets did not face major pressure before the November 2024 elections, but the government still controls board appointments at key publications, shaping their editorial direction.  “Although journalists are mostly free to report, the media landscape remains influenced by political control, especially in the case…

Niël Terblanché The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has seized assets worth over N$2 million from the premises of Etango Petroleum in Walvis Bay. This comes as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected corruption involving a Roads Authority (RA) employee and a supplier of industrial scales. ACC spokesperson Josefina Nghituwamata said the investigation focuses on the procurement and handling of weighbridge equipment. She said an invoice of N$2,37 million for a new weighbridge was allegedly certified without the equipment being delivered. “Following the acquisition of the new weighbridge, the old weighbridge was refurbished by the same supplier for an amount of…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has suspended one of its staff members after uncovering a fraudulent tax refund scheme tied to the Mass Tax Refund Initiative. The scheme led to the illegal payout of over N$666 000 to 47 individuals between January and April 2025. NamRA confirmed in a statement on Monday that the staff member was suspended and that the secondment of a Ministry of Finance official involved in the matter had been revoked. Three suspects linked to the scheme were arrested and appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court last week on fraud charges. An internal investigation…

Justicia Shipena  Former Agriculture Minister Mac-Albert Hengari has accused the Namibian Police of criminal conduct, claiming they attempted to embarrass him and manipulate public opinion in a rape case he is involved in. In a letter dated 2 May 2025, Hengari’s legal team, Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Inc., alleges the police violated legal procedures and unlawfully disclosed sensitive information.  The letter demands the release of key documents for formal bail proceedings. Hengari made his first court appearance last week alongside his co-accused on charges of attempting to obstruct justice.  He was denied bail, and the case was postponed to…