Main – Windhoek Observer

15 May

Irregularities plague Uukwambi Traditional Authority

Main

Renthia Kaimbi Human rights activist Phil ya Nangoloh has called for an urgent investigation into the Uukwambi Traditional Authority over alleged administrative irregularities and governance failures. Ya Nangoloh, founder and executive director of NamRights Incorporated, said the alleged irregularities undermine administrative justice, fairness and constitutional rights. He said the situation may also create conditions for corruption and unlawful payments. A government gazette no. 8746, published on 23 September 2025, recognises Lukas Nendongo, a junior village headman, as an ordinary traditional councillor and member of the Windhoek-based Council of Traditional Leaders, according to Ya Nangoloh. Ya Nangoloh said Nendongo is not…

13 May

Namibian families allegedly leave Windhoek International School due to bullying.

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Renthia Kaimbi More than 40 Namibian learners are leaving the Windhoek International School (WIS) every year, according to a confidential whistleblower complaint sent to the Windhoek Observer. The complaint alleges that Namibian children and employees are treated as less important than foreign counterparts and that school leaders handle problems internally while presenting an image of stability to the public. It also claims some board members may not have the proper work permits required under Namibian law. In a letter sent to parents on 10 May, WIS educational director Ethan van Drunen rejected the allegations and described the complaint as “anonymous,…

12 May

High Court overturns prison study restrictions

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Allexer Namundjebo The Windhoek High Court has overturned restrictions imposed at the Windhoek Correctional Facility that reduced inmates’ study hours and prevented inmates from different security classifications from studying together. In a judgement delivered on Thursday, High Court acting judge David Mangota ruled in favour of 18 inmates who challenged the decision by correctional authorities to reduce study time from six hours to two hours per day. The court set aside decisions made by Windhoek Correctional Facility deputy commissioner general Oscar Numwa and senior superintendent Elisia Haiduwa. “The decision of the senior superintendent Elisia Haiduwa and the deputy commissioner Oscar…

11 May

Education ministry wants out of Chicco building deal …as it pays N$1.1 million monthly for empty building

Main, National News, Uncategorised

Renthia Kaimbi The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has sought urgent legal advice from the office of the attorney general to cancel a lease agreement with northern businessman Erastus ‘Chicco’ Shapumba for an unoccupied building in Independence Avenue, documents seen by the Windhoek Observer reveal. The lease agreement, signed in December 2023 between the Ministry of Works and Transport on behalf of the education ministry and Shapumba’s City Place and Property Management (Pty) Ltd, has cost the state about N$1.1 million per month since 2024 for a building that remains empty and is allegedly unsuitable for…

08 May

Petition to remove Shikongo surfaced last year …as he is accused of fraud, robbery and intimidation

Main

Patience Makwele A 161-page dossier submitted to the Security Commission months before the suspension of inspector general Joseph Shikongo contains allegations of corruption, criminal interference, intimidation and abuse of state institutions involving senior police officials, legal practitioners, business figures and members of the judiciary. In the document, a letter, submitted on 15 April 2025 by Windhoek resident Joseph Nghilonguandunge Nakalemo, formally requested President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and the Security Commission to remove Shikongo from office. Earlier this week, Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed major general Anne-Marie Nainda as acting inspector general of the Namibian Police for one year, replacing Shikongo. Nandi-Ndaitwah did not publicly…

07 May

Nampol tight lipped on Shikongo’s suspension benefits

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…as naked State House intruder’s family demands proof Justicia Shipena The Namibian Police (Nampol) is mum on whether inspector general Joseph Shikongo’s reported suspension comes with full benefits. Responding to questions from the media, Nampol spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi did not directly address whether Shikongo remains entitled to his salary and benefits during the suspension. Instead, Shikwambi referred the media to the Presidency’s press release — a statement whose silence on the conditions of Shikongo’s suspension now speaks even louder. “Kindly refer to the press release by the Office of the President for further guidance on this matter,” Shikwambi…

06 May

Pension funds, employers to pay interest on late benefit payments

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Justicia Shipena Retirement funds must now pay interest to members when there are delays in transferring benefits or paying contributions under new rules introduced through the Financial Institutions and Markets Act 2021 (Fima). The regulations were published in the government gazette on 30 April and came into effect on 1 May. Under the new rules, pension and retirement funds must pay interest if a member’s benefits are not transferred within 60 days after a request. The interest is calculated daily and linked to the Bank of Namibia (BoN) repo rate, with an added margin. Last week, BoN kept its repo…

06 May

Elderly woman killed crossing road

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A 71-year-old woman died after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the road near Onankali Village on Thursday evening. Police said the accident happened at around 19h20 along the B1 road between Omuthiya and Ondangwa. The deceased has been identified as Ndeshihafela Kayambu. It is alleged that Kayambu was attempting to cross the road when she was hit by an oncoming vehicle. She died at the scene. Police confirmed that her next of kin have been informed. Investigations into the accident are ongoing.Reporter: Allexer Namundjembo 

05 May

Army ready to protect President if required

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Patience Makwele Defence minister Frans Kapofi says the Namibian Defence Force has not taken over presidential security, despite reports of a breach at State House. Kapofi dismissed claims that the military had assumed responsibility for protecting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. “It is not true; as far as I’m concerned, that is not the case. The ministry of defence did not take over the security of the president,” he told the Windhoek Observer on Monday. He said the defence force could step in if required. “The Ministry of Defense, the president is the commander in chief of the defence force, and should…

30 Apr

NNN orders ministries to fund graduate internships

Main, National News

Patience Makwele President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has directed all government offices, ministries and agencies to allocate funds for internships and apprenticeship programmes to address graduate unemployment. The directive requires government institutions to create and fund structured internship and apprenticeship opportunities to give graduates work experience. “We therefore expect governments, offices, ministries and agencies to create budgetary allocations for internships and apprenticeships, including hiring graduate interns in order to gain industrial experience,” Nandi-Ndaitwah made the announcement at the University of Namibia (Unam) graduation ceremony in Windhoek on Wednesday. She called on the private sector to support the programme and said cooperation between…