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Justicia Shipena  Delays in the construction of the Swapo's new headquarters have pushed the project cost beyond initial estimates, ballooning to over N$900 million. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah confirmed the revised figure during the party’s 66th anniversary celebrations, which coincided with the official opening of the building. “As it stands now, it is over N$900,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said, adding that the project was delayed by two years, moving it beyond the earlier estimate of between N$600 million and N$700 million. The headquarters project has faced scrutiny over the years, especially on financing the project.  In 2023, contractor Unik Construction Engineering halted work…

Patience Makwele  Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) director general Paulus Noa says the ACC is still waiting for details from the Ministry of Health and Social Services on the suspected fraud scheme at the Central Medical Stores (CMS).  Last Friday, the health ministry revealed it had uncovered suspected irregularities at CMS, where some staff may have manipulated stock records and diverted medicines. The ministry's executive director Penda Ithindi said the discovery prompted the ministry to launch an investigation into possible fraud within the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain. “The obligation is upon the ministry to provide us with the names of those implicated…

Renthia Kaimbi The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) has questioned why similar exclusive tourism agreements in national parks have not faced scrutiny, such as those of venture arrangements in the Brandberg area. This week, the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) launched an investigation into joint-venture arrangements in the Brandberg area. The investigation targets Ultimate Safaris and three conservancies, Doro !Nawas Conservancy, Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy and Sorris Sorris Conservancy.  It focuses on agreements that grant exclusive tourism rights, which may limit access for other operators. HAN chief executive officer Gitta Paetzold, in a letter dated 21 April 2026 to NaCC, said the…

Patience Makwele Outrage is growing among Windhoek residents as families facing home repossessions question the fairness of the process.  One of those people is 70-year-old Friedrich Willy Schroeder, who has spent more than a decade challenging the sale of his Hochland Park home.  He says it was sold based on what he calls a “null and void” court judgement. His dispute dates back to April 2013, when his property was sold after legal action linked to a loan with FNB Namibia Holdings now known as FirstRand Namibia.  “They auctioned a non-existent property,” Schroeder said, pointing to differences between Erf 1520…

Renthia Kaimbi A customer service charter audit has placed the Office of the President, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services among the lowest-performing institutions in the 2024/2025 financial year. The audit, compiled by the Office of the Prime Minister, assessed 18 offices, ministries and agencies (OMAs) on customer service standards.  According to the document seen by the Windhoek Observer, only six institutions scored above 50%. The Ministry of Health and Social Services ranked last at 18th with 22%.  The Office of the President followed in 17th position with 25%.  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries,…

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) has launched a formal investigation into alleged anti-competitive conduct involving Ultimate Safaris (Pty) Ltd and three conservancies in the Brandberg area. The probe follows a complaint lodged on 26 September 2024 by mining claim holder Timoteus Mashuna. In a letter dated 14 April 2026, signed by acting chief executive officer Johannes Ashipala, the commission confirmed it has started an investigation under section 33 of the Competition Act. The investigation targets Ultimate Safaris, Doro !Nawas Conservancy, Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy and Sorris Sorris Conservancy. NaCC said it issued a cautionary notice on 18 December 2024.…

Patience Makwele Former and current members of parliament have raised legal and practical concerns over a directive requiring senior civil servants to seek healthcare at public hospitals. The directive came into effect on 1 April as part of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Vision April 2026 reforms.  It targets 294 senior government officials, including political office-bearers, executive directors and security chiefs. Under the arrangement, affected officials are expected to use public health facilities.  Those who opt out can retain access to private healthcare through a N$240 monthly allowance linked to the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas). The government says the…

Justicia Shipena  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Cabinet has approved the upstream local content policy in principle.  The national upstream petroleum local content policy is aimed at building local capacity and facilitating skills transfer, with the stated goal of directing the benefits of large-scale energy projects primarily toward Namibians. It also seeks to create a globally competitive petroleum sector that maximises national benefits by fostering meaningful and lasting participation by Namibians and local businesses across the value chain. Through the policy, the government also aims to diversify Namibia’s revenue sources beyond taxes and royalties by focusing on value extraction through backward,…

Allexer Namundjebo  Policy analysts say stricter qualification requirements introduced by the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) could limit the pool of eligible experts.  They raise concerns about how effective the reforms will be in improving procurement processes. The CPBN recently introduced new measures for appointing Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) members.  These include mandatory qualifications recognised by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA), police clearance certificates, structured training, and competency assessments. According to CPBN spokesperson Johanna Kambala, the aim is to improve how public bids are evaluated.  Kambala said the strengthened procedures are aimed at promoting integrity, fair dealing, transparency and…

Patience Makwele Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has approved the suspension of Katima Mulilo Raphael Liswaniso with full pay. A ministerial letter confirms the approval was granted under the Local Authorities Act and takes immediate effect. The decision comes after the Labour Court of Namibia ordered Liswaniso’s reinstatement last Friday in a separate matter linked to his suspension. That earlier suspension, effected on 28 October last year, was challenged through arbitration. The ruling found it was procedurally unfair. It said Liswaniso was not notified, was not warned and was not informed of the charges. The arbitrator ordered his…