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Justicia Shipena  The United Kingdom (UK) plans to remove fast-track visa services for Namibian diplomats and VIPs as part of a penalty system aimed at countries that do not take back people the UK classifies as illegal migrants and foreign criminals. Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are also listed under the planned measures.  The UK says the three countries have refused to repatriate more than 4 000 unauthorised immigrants and offenders.  If cooperation does not improve within a month, the restrictions will escalate to a full visa ban on all citizens. UK home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced…

Renthia Kaimbi Details of a Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) bailout intended to rescue the Ongopolo copper mine in Tsumeb in the early 2000s have resurfaced.  Residents and sources now allege that former executives acquired multi-million-dollar company properties for almost nothing during liquidation. More than N$100 million in government support, including GIPF funding, had been injected into Ongopolo Mining and Processing Ltd under former managing director Andre Neethling in an attempt to revive the collapsed mine. Court documents filed in 2005 showed that Ongopolo owed Standard Bank N$95 million, backed by a government guarantee.  The documents also showed that GIPF…

Justicia Shipena  The National Assembly has put on hold a proposal that seeks to shift key powers under the Petroleum Act from the minister of industries, mines and energy to the President.  The amendment would give President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah authority to grant, renew, or revoke oil and gas exploration licences and production rights. The move was shelved after interim minister of industries, mines and energy Frans Kapofi asked the house on Wednesday to allow him to table a bill on it as urgent.  The speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, would have had to adjust the order of the…

Justicia Shipena and Shellygan Petersen  Former prime minister Nahas Angula yesterday told the Windhoek Observer that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is “taking a big risk” by assuming direct powers over the licensing of the oil and gas sector.  Angula’s concerns originated from the decision by the executive to move the powers given to the minister of industries, mines and energy under the Petroleum Act to the office of the President.  The transfer of these powers includes the authority to grant, renew, or revoke oil and gas exploration licences and production rights.  Angula said the decision shifts critical responsibilities away from specialised…

Renthia Kaimbi and Allexer Namundjembo Chief magistrates could earn a total package of about N$1.02 million per year, according to the proposed salary scales for magistrates across the country, detailed in a letter by the Magistrates Commission.  This includes an annual salary of N$653 212.49, bonuses of N$54 434.37, a housing allowance of N$153 816, and a car allowance of N$162 201. The deputy chief magistrate could take home a total package of roughly N$969 000 per year.  This includes a basic salary of N$625 642.81, bonuses of N$52 136.90, a housing allowance of N$142 104, and a car allowance…

Justicia Shipena Only 19% of Namibians aged 18 to 35 would choose to start their own business if given the opportunity. This makes the country’s youth the least entrepreneurial in Africa.  This is according to the latest Afrobarometer survey covering 38 African nations. The data stands in sharp contrast to Namibia’s youth population, which makes up 2.1 million of the country’s three million people, according to the 2023 Housing and Population Census by the Namibia Statistics Agency.  Despite their numbers, the survey shows that most young Namibians prefer the government as their employer. The survey asked the youth about their…

Allexer Namundjembo The High Court has found the chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Salmaan Jacobs, guilty of corruption in a case that dates back more than a decade. High Court judges Naomi Shivute and Marilize du Plessis delivered the judgement on Friday, ruling that Jacobs contravened section 43(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2003, which prohibits public officials from using their position for personal gain. The case against Jacobs began with investigations in 2007, when he served as chief regional officer of the ||Karas Regional Council.  This followed allegations that he irregularly claimed allowances and approved payments to…

Justicia Shipena The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) says it remains confident in its ability to recover value from its investments despite a tax claim by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) that led to a major impairment. This is despite the fund saying the claim created “significant uncertainty” for its ability to recover full value of its assets. The claim against one of GIPF’s offshore investment vehicles, the Signal Structured Finance Fund, resulted in an impairment of N$815 million in its 2025 financial statements. GIPF chief executive officer Martin Inkumbi said this formed part of a total impairment provision…

Renthia Kaimbi The chief executive officer of the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam), Albert Nicanor, will continue to receive his full salary and benefits while on suspension.  Nascam's board announced Nicanor’s immediate suspension on Wednesday following allegations of workplace misconduct.  The board said the decision was a neutral administrative step intended to ensure an unbiased investigation. The board stated that the allegations relate to workplace misconduct, including bullying and causing psychological harm under Nicanor’s leadership. During his suspension, he is barred from entering company premises or using its systems. To ensure operations continue, the board appointed…

Allexer Namundjembo The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement in the Otjozondjupa region says the government must stop treating the judiciary as an afterthought and act quickly to address the problems faced by magistrates. AR regional activist Johannes Johannes said the movement supports magistrates nationwide who plan to strike today.  The magistrates demand dignity, fairness and better working conditions. “The government must stop treating the judiciary as an afterthought. These are men and women who uphold justice daily under impossible conditions. Their grievances are valid and must be addressed urgently,” he said. Johannes said the continuous postponement of cases and poor court…