Windhoek Observer – Page 9 – Windhoek Observer

22 Oct

Baby among first two confirmed mpox cases …third case suspected in Rundu as ministry races to procure vaccines

National News

Justicia Shipena An eight-month-old baby is among two confirmed mpox cases in the country. Namibia confirmed its first mpox case on Sunday, linked to recent cross-border travel within the SADC region. The Ministry of Health declared an outbreak after confirming the case in Swakopmund. Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao told parliament on Tuesday that the infant is in close contact with the first confirmed patient from Swakopmund. She said both patients are in stable condition and receiving treatment in isolation at the Swakopmund District Hospital. Luvindao also disclosed that Rundu Intermediate Hospital has reported a third suspected case. However, she…

22 Oct

G4S says Namdia failed to prove ownership of stolen diamonds

National News

Justicia Shipena The Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) has not shown ownership or risk of loss over the stolen diamonds, G4S Secure Solutions Namibia has told the High Court. Namdia is suing G4S for N$314 million in damages after a diamond theft at its headquarters on 18 January. The security company says Namdia's lawsuit is “vague, embarrassing and discloses no cause of action.” In its court papers, G4S filed an exception, arguing that Namdia’s claim lacks essential details about the alleged theft of 446 parcels of diamonds. G4S says the claim does not specify the quantity, grade, carats, quality, or value…

22 Oct

IPC blames absence of transport bill for deadly road crashes

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has blamed the government’s delay in passing the Public Passenger Road Transport Bill for continued road deaths. This comes after a fatal accident near Oniimbwele village in Oshikoto on Monday, which left nine people dead and ten others injured. IPC’s shadow minister of works and transport, Nelson Tuhafeni Kalangula, said the lack of updated road safety laws and poor road maintenance continue to cost lives. He said the crash should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to fix Namibia’s unsafe roads. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and…

22 Oct

MEFT probes poaching of breeding black rhino in Kunene

National News

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has launched an investigation into the killing of an endangered female black rhino in the Sorris Sorris Conservancy in the Kunene region. MEFT spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela confirmed the incident and said officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the poaching. The rhino, known as Dorsland, was one of the conservancy’s key breeding females and had given birth to up to eight calves since 2015. At the time of her death, according to reports, she was with a calf and expecting another. “The ministry confirms a poaching incident involving one black rhino…

22 Oct

Eengodi villages go six months without water

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Residents of Eengodi Constituency in the Oshikoto Region are pleading with the government to help with their severe water shortage. They say the situation has become life-threatening. In a letter to the prime minister, ministers and members of parliament, the Concerned Citizens of Eengodi said that for more than six months, villages including Okakodhi, Okashana k’Elago, Uudhiya, Onunkulu A and B, Omena, and Othimbika have had no reliable access to clean and safe water. “We fear that if immediate action is not taken, human lives may soon be lost due to dehydration and waterborne diseases,” said the group’s…

22 Oct

Expelled PDM member says he still belongs to the party

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Former Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member Richard !Hoaeb says he still considers himself part of the party despite being expelled for running as an independent candidate. On Tuesday, PDM expelled seven of its members, citing violations of the party’s constitution. Those expelled include !Hoaeb, Florence Uapakua Ndinda, Erenst Muraranganda, Piet Mostert, Dankeni Tjilongo, Hermina Khairabes and Jenny Kandukira. !Hoaeb, who chairs the management committee of the Walvis Bay municipality, confirmed his expulsion but said he only learnt about it through the media. “I did not resign from the party. They made the choice to distance themselves from me,”…

22 Oct

IPU assembly confronts Madagascar power struggle

National News

Justicia Shipena Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has urged members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to support an emergency item proposed by the Africa Group on the political situation in Madagascar. Speaking at the 151st Assembly of the IPU, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila highlighted a proposed item titled “Global Call for Parliamentary Solidarity and Coordinated Action on Madagascar.” She said the proposal aims to tackle threats to democratic governance, regional stability, and the rule of law. “This proposal is not only a regional concern but a global call to action. The unfolding political situation in Madagascar poses a serious threat to…

22 Oct

OBSERVER DAILY | Carnage on our roads: Enough is enough: We must all act

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

Namibia is once again mourning. Eight lives, fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners, dreamers, lost in an instant at Oniimbwele village. The images and reports from the scene are gut-wrenching. A nation stands in grief, united by sorrow but also by frustration, because deep down, we know that much of this tragedy was preventable. Every holiday, every long weekend, every festive season, the pattern repeats itself: twisted metal, flashing sirens, tears by the roadside, and the haunting wail of families shattered forever. Then come the statements, the condolences, the promises, and we move on. Until the next one. This cycle of mourning…

22 Oct

Windhoek building plans rise by 28.4%

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Windhoek’s approved building plans rose by 28.4% in September, increasing from 176 in August to 226. Swakopmund recorded a smaller rise of 4.9%, with approvals going up from 81 to 85. Simonis Storm Securities analyst Almandro Jansen said that on an annual basis, Windhoek’s approvals dropped by 15.8%, while Swakopmund’s approvals rose sharply by 91%, from 45 to 85. “The latter can be attributed to a low base effect. Despite the mixed monthly results, the total number of approvals for both Windhoek and Swakopmund increased by 19% and 30%, respectively, quarter on quarter, during the third quarter of…

22 Oct

FirstRand Namibia shareholders approve all AGM resolutions

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira FirstRand Namibia Limited shareholders have approved all ordinary resolutions presented at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday, 17 October. The company said the meeting, which covered governance and financial matters, recorded a voting participation of 85.87% of issued shares, with most resolutions receiving unanimous support. Shareholders approved the Annual Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2025 and confirmed declared dividends. They also reaffirmed the appointments of independent non-executive directors Otto Shikongo and Emile van Zyl, while formally accepting the resignation of non-executive director I-Ben Nashandi. Samantha Balsdon was confirmed as a new non-executive…