Main – Windhoek Observer

16 Jan

NCS defends hiring of police chief’s daughter

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibian Correctional Service (NSC) has defended the recruitment of Leefa Shikongo, the daughter of Namibian Police Inspector General Joseph Shikongo. This comes in response to claims on social media that her hiring process was flawed. In a statement issued yesterday by NSC commissioner general Raphael Hamunyela, the NCS said allegations that Shikongo was recruited without the required qualifications, including claims that her highest grade was Grade 9, were “misleading”. Questions about whether she met the minimum requirements for her post sparked an online debate. The NCS said Leefa was recruited for a specific advertised position as a…

15 Jan

Nekundi dismisses talk of rift with PM Ngurare

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Transport and works minister Veikko Nekundi has dismissed social media claims alleging that he is betraying prime minister Elijah Ngurare and positioning himself to take over his job. He described the claims as an attempt to create division within Swapo ahead of its 2027 congress. The claims circulate on social media under headlines that suggest rivalry and betrayal between the two leaders. The posts refer to their time in the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL), where Nekundi served as deputy secretary under Ngurare. More recently, speculation has surfaced that Nekundi is plotting to replace Ngurare as prime minister…

13 Jan

Six young Namibians held by Myanmar army …police investigations and coordination are underway

Main, National News

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) says it is aware of reports that young Namibians have been trafficked to Myanmar. The confirmation follows a revelation by a member of parliament and Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement leader Job Amupanda that six young Namibians were trafficked out of the country and are currently being held in Myanmar. The Windhoek Observer approached the ministry for comment and MIRT confirmed awareness of the situation. MIRT spokesperson Rosalia Uushona said the ministry has received the report and will respond to the Windhoek Observer with more information today. She did not provide…

12 Jan

Grant chaos: beneficiaries by Nampost inefficiencies

Main, National News

Allexer Namundjembo Social grant beneficiaries have expressed disappointment with Namibia Post Limited (Nampost) over the way social grants are being distributed. This has led to many calling for the return of Epupa Investment Technology (EIT). Beneficiaries who spoke to the Windhoek Observer said grant payouts have become slow and difficult since Nampost took over, unlike when Epupa handled the process. Some beneficiaries reported that the situation escalated last week due to ongoing long queues and delays. Emma Amakali, a pension grant beneficiary, said distributions were faster and more organised under Epupa. “It was never this chaotic. Now you go to…

10 Jan

NYC ‘headless’ after interim board chair resigns

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The National Youth Council (NYC) is without leadership after interim board chairperson Kennedy Kariseb resigned, just a week after the contract of its director, Calista Schwartz-Gowases, ended. The Windhoek Observer understands that the council currently has no interim chairperson or director in place. Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp confirmed that she received Kariseb’s resignation letter in December 2025. “I do confirm that, indeed, I did receive the resignation letter from Dr Kennedy and we will always remain indebted and grateful for the time that he worked with us,” Steenkamp said. She confirmed…

08 Jan

Education ministry warns against school placement bribery

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has warned teachers and school administrators against asking for or accepting bribes for school placements as schools prepare to reopen on Monday. The ministry also urged parents and guardians to follow official admission procedures and to act with patience and honesty during the placement process. The warning comes at a time when schools often face pressure from parents seeking last-minute placements, sometimes leading to reports of scams and illegal payments. Education executive director Erastus Haitengela instructed all school and office staff not to solicit or accept any bribe,…

07 Jan

New Omuthiya open market still incomplete …as vendors reject to move to incomplete market

Main, National News

Allexer Namundjembo More than three years after the Omuthiya Town Council began construction of a new open market in the 2022/23 financial year, the facility remains incomplete. This has led to frustration among vendors and community leaders who expected improved trading conditions in the regional capital. The modern open market was meant to provide a hygienic and formal space for informal traders who have long operated along the busy B1 road and other central areas of Omuthiya. The council said the market would accommodate about 500 vendors and serve residents and travellers once operational. Despite early assurances that the project…

06 Jan

Tunacor replaces MD with former CEO …Hitula denies being fired or demoted over fishrot claims

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Tunacor Fisheries Limited, a Walvis Bay-based fishing company, has replaced its managing director with the company’s former chief executive officer, Gerrie Hough. Outgoing MD Peya Hitula confirmed to the Windhoek Observer that Hough had taken his place. However, Hitula refuted allegations of his firing or demotion. He said he has moved into a more senior governance role within the company. This comes as talks that started circulating in mid-December suggested that Hitula was dismissed over alleged links to the fishrot scandal or had stepped down under pressure. “It is true that I am no longer the managing director…

05 Jan

‘Land board failures behind Ondonga shooting’ – Sankwasa

Main, National News

Renthia Kaimbi Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa says the fatal shooting of headmen in the Ondonga Traditional Authority happened because of systemic failures in the Communal Land Board. He warns that weaknesses in land dispute resolution structures continue to fuel violence. This comes as a land dispute within the Ondonga Traditional Authority turned deadly on Friday during an attempt to resolve a conflict over communal land. A suspect opened fire, resulting in the death of Onelago village headman Sam Nepando and injuring Iikokola village headman I-Ben Nashandi. Nashandi is also the National Planning Commission (NPC) executive director.…

19 Dec

Sankwasa’s adviser accused of corruption

Main

Renthia Kaimbi Residents of Keetmanshoop have accused a recently appointed adviser to the minister of urban and rural development, James Sankwasa, of benefiting from an alleged irregular municipal contract. This is part of claims of governance failure at the Keetmanshoop Municipality. The allegations are contained in a formal petition submitted by the Concerned Residents of Keetmanshoop and addressed to newly elected mayor Melody Swartbooi. The petition, dated 9 December 2025 and seen by the Windhoek Observer, calls for urgent intervention into what residents describe as deep-rooted problems within the municipality. The petition has also been copied to Sankwasa, //Kharas Regional…