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Justicia Shipena The government will dispose of 1 500 vehicles that have exceeded both their age and mileage limits under the government fleet policy. Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi announced this in Parliament on Wednesday.  He said the process is aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency in state transport operations. “The government fleet across our ministries, agencies, and regions has experienced significant ageing over the past decade, necessitating an urgent and comprehensive phase-out and renewal programme,” Nekundi said. The policy requires vehicles to be replaced after five years of service or once they have clocked 120 000 kilometres. …

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) executive Kornelius 'Cedric' Willemse told the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court that his wealth was built from personal investments and not from funds derived from the oil company. He made the statement during his bail application before Magistrate Olga Muharukua, saying that although he held senior positions at Namcor, his assets and businesses did not originate from the company. Willemse outlined his current financial situation, stating that before his arrest he earned about N$250 000 a month, plus N$95 000 from businesses in South Africa and his Namcor salary.  “Since my detention I…

Allexer Namundjembo More than ten traditional authorities in the country remain without leadership due to succession disputes.  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah revealed this on Monday at the opening of the 26th annual meeting of the Council of Traditional Leaders at Ekamuti Guesthouse in Ondangwa.  The country has 53 recognised traditional authorities, but several are caught in long-running leadership battles.  Nandi-Ndaitwah warned that the disputes are undermining traditional governance and consuming resources meant for urgent priorities.  “As I am speaking to you now, out of 53 recognised Traditional Authorities, there are more than ten Traditional Authorities without leadership due to succession disputes,”…

Allexer Namundjembo The death of reggae legend Ras Sheehama has reopened a painful conversation about mental health in the country, sparking calls for urgent action to ensure that no one suffers in silence. Sheehama died by suicide  on Friday at the age of 59. He was known for his powerful blend of African rhythms and socially conscious lyrics, Sheehama’s music resonated far beyond Namibia’s borders.  His passing has drawn attention to the struggles faced by artists and ordinary citizens alike, particularly the silent battles of mental health. “The tragic circumstances of his death highlight the urgen need for our nation…

Justicia Shipena The High Court has given Linden Beef Close Corporation, owned by David van der Linden, more time to fight off liquidation.  High Court acting judge Andrew Corbett extended the provisional order against the company to 3 October 2025. Van der Linden, who is already linked to the disappearance of 400 Meatco cattle worth about N$7 million from his Linden Beef Feedlot, faces additional financial trouble.  Bank Windhoek is seeking to liquidate his company over N$28.8 million in unpaid loans dating back to 2022.  A provisional liquidation order was granted in August, but Van der Linden, who has been…

…Mariental accident victims remembered  Justicia Shipena  The nation remember lives lost in a tragic accident in a memorial service. This follows the death of 16 people in a head-on collision near Mariental on 30 August, including 14 officers from the Namibian Police Force and Namibia Correctional Service (NSC) and two civilian sisters, Diana Jagger and Roseltha Higoam.  Among the deceased were officers David Musambani, Naemi Shipena, Silvanus Hofeni, Simon Sinyemba, Alina Simeon, Petrus Mbuale, Adreheid Taapopi, Noa Hameho, Tomas Shikongo, Johannes Mbeeli, Jason Amadhila, Katjitombua Muheue, Mercia Louw, and Gerson Hepute. The crash happened in the early hours of Saturday…

Justicia Shipena Four United Nations human rights experts have asked the Namibian government to explain what steps it is taking to address the impact of the Tsumeb Smelter on local communities.  In a report dated 11 June 2025, the experts raised “serious concern” over environmental damage and human rights violations linked to the smelter. The facility has been in operation since 1963, producing blister copper and sulphuric acid.  Ownership has shifted over the years from Weatherly International to Dundee Precious Metals, which later sold it to the Chinese-owned Sinomine Resource Group Corporation Limited in 2024 for N$930 million (about US$49…

Allexer Namundjembo A heavily pregnant woman, her unborn baby, and her sister were among 16 people who perished in the deadly head-on collision near Mariental on Saturday morning.  The accident  also claimed the lives of 12 correctional officers, two police officers, and two civilians. The collision occurred just after 07h00 on the B1 road, about seven kilometres north of Mariental. Four police officers had rushed to Withuis location to assist Diana Jagger, who had gone into labour and had no transport to hospital.  They picked up Jagger along with her sister Roseltha Higoam but never reached their destination. Inspector general…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Rehoboth Town Council is facing the auction of its property to settle a N$1.8 million payout to former employee Bertha Drotsky, following a High Court ruling delivered in June. Councillor Jackie Jackson ‡Khariseb confirmed the ruling, saying, “The matter was agitated in favour of Bertha to a value of N$1.8 million, the council applied for an appeal under the judgement in June. The court held that whilst the appeal is granted, the order must be upheld and the N$1.8 million be paid out.” The council attempted to comply with the court order while safeguarding funds during the appeal…

Renthia Kaimbi Documents obtained by the Windhoek Observer reveal that cash-based payment data for 2013 and 2019 went missing from the USB drive Namibia Post Ltd (NamPost) provided to the government. On Friday it emerged that the ministry of gender equality and child welfare (MGECW) allegedly found that about N$65 million in cash-based grant funds handled by NamPost was unaccounted for and owed back to the state. The unreturned funds relate to the period from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2019, excluding the missing data from 2013 and 2019.  The documents indicate that payments were made “over the counter”…