National News

Justicia Shipena Former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) executive and fraud-corruption accused Olivia Dunaiski has described the judgement denying her bail as a “shocking” one.  Dunaiski is now appealing the decision and is asking the High Court to condone delays in her bail appeal and allow the matter to be heard on its merits. Magistrate Linus Samunzala denied bail to Dunaiski and her co-accused in September last year.  In his ruling, Samunzala said five of the six people accused in the N$480 million Namcor corruption and fraud case lied during their bail testimonies.  She said the ruling which denied…

Allexer Namundjembo The Popular Democratic Movement Youth League (PDMYL) says recent changes to education policies have left many learners uncertain about their transition from secondary to tertiary education. PDMYL spokesperson Inajovandu Katjepunda stated that the changes have created confusion and could limit opportunities for further study, especially for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. “The growing uncertainty is deeply concerning,” Katjepunda said, adding that policy shifts have directly affected access to higher education. The Ministry of Education this week released the 2025 national examination results.  According to data from the ministry, only about 36% of Grade 11 learners met the minimum requirements…

Justicia Shipena Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) says it cannot comment beyond confirming the arrest of one of its employees in connection with the N$315 million diamond heist. The Windhoek Observer approached Namdia after the company confirmed on Thursday that an employee had been arrested.  The publication sought details, including the employee’s position, gender and identity, among others.  “Unfortunately, as it is an active criminal investigation, Namdia is not in a position to provide any further details of the arrest,” Namdia’s public relations and communications officer, Beverley Coussement, told the Windhoek Observer in response to questions. Coussement did however, confirm that…

Renthia Kaimbi The minister of works and transport, Veikko Nekundi, has ordered immediate action against Bluu Car Rental Namibia (Pty) Limited for running unauthorised passenger transport services using foreign-registered vehicles in Namibia. The directive was issued yesterday as part of a clampdown on unlawful cabotage to protect the local transport sector. The violations were detected during preparations for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, which Namibia is set to host. The ministry said it found that Bluu Car Rental was operating South African-registered vehicles for domestic passenger transport without the required cross-border permit. Nekundi said the conduct would not be…

Allexer Namundjembo The president of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), Shakwa Nyambe, has urged Namibians and other African energy professionals to enrol in the upcoming AIEN international oil and gas contracts and negotiations course. The course will take place from 9 to 13 February 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. Nyambe said the training comes at a critical time as Namibia and other African countries position themselves as emerging oil and gas producers.  He said this shift requires strong local capacity to manage complex contracts, commercial terms and regulatory frameworks. “As Namibia moves from discovery to execution, professionals involved in…

Just as young people were getting into the rhythm of adulthood, budgeting for brunch, arguing about whether soft life is a mindset or a scam, planning trips they may or may not afford, here come the headlines. War here. Tensions there. Missiles in one direction, sanctions in another. Suddenly the group chats have shifted from jokes about unemployment to anxious memes about conscription, nuclear bunkers, and whether learning a new language quickly might be “strategic”. It is a uniquely unfair moment to be young. After surviving a global pandemic, economic instability, and a job market that requires ten years’ experience…

Renthia Kaimbi Namibian academic professor and political analyst Joseph Diescho told an audience in Rundu on Monday that Namibia’s judiciary is compromised, lacks quality and is “captured” by the ruling party. Diescho made the remarks during a public lecture on social development and community empowerment organised by the Muzokumwe Volunteers Organization.  His comments followed a question-and-answer session where an attendee raised concerns about the constitutional process that gives the President the power to appoint judges to the High Court and Supreme Court, based on recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The question asked whether real judicial independence and democracy…

Justicia Shipena Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has warned part-time tuition and examination centres against exploiting learners, saying the ministry will not tolerate practices that put profit ahead of academic support. Steenkamp made the remarks on Tuesday during the release of the 2025 national examination results.  She said part-time centres play an important role in giving learners a second chance to improve their results or return to formal education but said this responsibility must be handled with integrity. “These centres exist to serve candidates, many of whom are vulnerable but highly motivated to change their life’s journey through education,” Steenkamp said. …

Justicia Shipena Former National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) executive Jennifer Hamukwaya says a magistrate wrongly concluded that she contradicted herself during testimony.  She stated that the magistrate's finding is a key element of her appeal against the decision that denied her bail. Magistrate Linus Samunzala denied bail to Hamukwaya and her co-accused in September last year. In his ruling, Samunzala said five of the six people accused in the N$480 million Namcor corruption and fraud case lied during their bail testimonies. Samunzala said this finding was one of the reasons he refused to grant bail to the six accused.…