National News

Patience Makwele The case of the naked State House intruder with a mental health condition does not automatically remove criminal responsibility, says legal expert advocate Paulus Nambili. Nambili said the court must first determine whether the accused is fit to stand trial. “The court first has to determine whether the accused understands the proceedings and can participate in his defence. That is why a mental evaluation has been ordered,” Nambili said. He said the outcome of the case will depend on that assessment. “Mental illness does not automatically remove criminal responsibility. The court will look at the extent to which…

Renthia Kaimbi A debt swap agreement between the City of Windhoek and the government will unlock more than 6 000 residential erven in the Khomas region. The deal, approved by Cabinet, converts N$357.8 million of the city's historical debt into 423 hectares of land. This opens up land for development in Windhoek and surrounding areas. Khomas governor Sam Nujoma Jr welcomed the agreement on Thursday, saying it will help address the shortage of serviced land. The arrangement allows the city to settle its debt through land transfers to the state. This reduces its financial burden and restores its ability to…

Allexer Namundjembo Opposition leaders say national events such as Cassinga Day and Workers’ Day are being treated as political party platforms instead of state occasions. The concern follows the presence of the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe at Workers’ Day in Opuwo and the Cassinga commemoration in Outapi. Although both days are public holidays and state events, the use of a group linked to Swapo has raised concerns. Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaan said the days have become political mobilisation events. “Cassinga Day and Worker's Day are observed as Swapo mobilisation days to garner support. There is nothing national in…

Patience Makwele  Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge has urged young people in the region to take the lead in agriculture and reduce dependence on food from other areas. Speaking at a youth agricultural engagement in Oshakati, he said rising food prices and unemployment make it urgent for the region to produce its own food. “We cannot continue depending on others to feed us,” he said. “That must change now.” Iipinge said young people must use available land and opportunities to produce food to improve food security and create jobs. Iipinge urged young people to openly discuss their challenges and advocated for…

Renthia Kaimbi A road accident between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo on Friday has claimed eleven lives, including two nurses and a driver employed by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, but sources have disputed the ministry’s claim that the other victims were patients, saying they were hitchhikers. In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry said the two nurses and driver were transporting eight patients from Khorixas District Hospital to Katutura Intermediate Hospital for follow-up care in a fourteen-seater minibus. The vehicle reportedly swerved to avoid a kudu and crashed into a truck. “As a result of this horrific accident,…

Allexer Namundjembo  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Namibians to uphold unity and protect the country’s independence.  Speaking at the 48th commemoration of the Cassinga massacre in Outapi on Monday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the attack exposed the brutality of apartheid South Africa and strengthened Namibia’s fight for freedom. “Hundreds of innocent Namibians, mostly women and children, were killed in cold blood,” she said. She said the commemoration, held under the theme “48 years of Honour and Sacrifice Inspiring the Future", reminds the country of its duty to defend independence and ensure national resources benefit future generations. Nandi-Ndaitwah paid tribute to founding…

Justicia Shipena  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged Namibian workers to take initiative in improving their skills.  This she said includes developing their own training programmes. She said workers must use available learning opportunities, especially online. “In the world of technology, workers can also arrange their own training programmes; more particularly, there are a number of courses that can be followed online,” she said during International Workers’ Day commemorations in Opuwo on Friday.  Nandi-Ndaitwah said the 2026 theme, which focuses on continuous in-service training, highlights the need for a skilled workforce. “This theme is calling for a skill-driven labour force if…

Justicia Shipena The Supreme Court of Namibia has ruled that the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) did not meet the legal standard to claim “wasted costs” in a dispute linked to the veterinary cordon fence, known as the redline.  The court made the ruling on Thursday. Deputy chief justice Petrus Damaseb presided, with acting judges of appeal Dave Smuts and Elizabeth Makarau concurring. The case focused only on legal costs and not the main constitutional issue involving livestock movement restrictions along the redline.  The court explained that wasted costs arise when one party forces another to spend…

Patience Makwele Home affairs, immigration, safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu has warned new correctional officers not to abuse their power.  She spoke at the 32nd Basic Training Graduation Ceremony of the Namibian Correctional Service, where 399 recruits graduated on Thursday.  Iipumbu said officers must treat inmates with dignity. “No officer is made stronger by mistreating an inmate. No institution is made safer by violating human dignity. You have earned the right to wear the uniform, but you must now earn the trust that comes with it every single day,” she said, adding that the uniform is a symbol of…

Justicia Shipena  Agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani says the Hyphen Green Hydrogen Project could open new opportunities for agriculture, including a green scheme in Aus supported by desalinated water. She spoke on Sunday during a site visit to the Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project near Lüderitz. “As a minister responsible for agriculture, water, fishery, and land reform, I'm also seeing opportunities, especially when they talk about the desalination plant. With that desalination coming so close to Aus, and we know Aus is already a water-stressed farming community, I'm seeing a solution of us piping the water down…