National News

Justicia Shipena The legal cost linked to the dispute over the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) paramount chieftaincy has reached an estimated N$10 million. This comes as the Herero chief of Ovitoto, Vipuira Kapuuo, continues his court challenge against professor Mutjinde Katjiua’s claim to the position of paramount chief. “The teams acknowledged the substantial financial costs associated with the ongoing legal battles. It is estimated that the collective legal expenditure has reached approximately N$10 million,” a joint statement issued on Thursday said. Kapuuo argues that under Ovaherero customary law, tradition and protocol, the chairperson of the Chief’s Council automatically becomes acting…

Justicia Shipena  Refuelling into containers, drums and fuel cans is prohibited across the country for the next three months.  Industries, mines and energy minister, Modestus Amutse, announced the temporary restriction during a media briefing at the Government Information Centre in Windhoek on Thursday. Amutse said the move aims to stop panic buying and fuel hoarding following another sharp increase in fuel prices. “To support the continued availability of fuel across the country, service stations are directed, for the next three months, to only refuel directly into the customers’ vehicles. The filling of additional drums, cans, or other containers will not…

Allexer Namundjembo  The family of 23-year-old Martha Uupindi is appealing to the public for financial assistance to help fund life-saving medical treatment in South Africa. Uupindi, a stylist and TVET student, was diagnosed in 2022 with very severe aplastic anaemia (VSAA).  VSAA is a rare condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells. The illness has forced her to pause her studies and step away from her beauty salon business, which employs five people. According to her brother, Goodman Uupindi, the diagnosis changed the family’s life completely.  Since then, Martha has depended on frequent blood transfusions…

Justicia Shipena  Namibia is expected to submit its sectoral transformation investment plan (STIP) under the Climate Investment Funds Industry Decarbonisation Programme by October.  This is as the country pushes to unlock up to US$250 million (approximately N$4.7 billion) in concessional climate finance for low-carbon industrial development. The investment plan aims to attract concessional finance and boost support from development finance institutions, multilateral banks, and private investors. “This process is designed to help Namibia unlock catalytic concessional finance and crowd in further support from development finance institutions, multilateral development banks and private investors,” said Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme interim head Joseph…

Justicia Shipena  The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at improving customer service standards and strengthening cooperation in the tourism sector. The agreement was signed in Windhoek on Thursday during the launch of NTB’s national customer service excellence initiative, known as Welcome Host. The initiative focuses on improving service delivery across the tourism sector and creating better experiences for visitors entering Namibia. NTB chief executive officer Sebulon Chicalu said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving tourism services and positioning Namibia as a leading…

Allexer Namundjembo The Retirement Funds Institute of Namibia (RFIN) has cautioned that the implementation of the Financial Institutions and Markets Act (Fima) must be carefully managed to avoid legal and operational problems in the financial sector. The act, together with the Namfisa Act, officially came into effect on 1 May after determinations by the finance minister and publication in the government gazette. The legislation introduces a new regulatory framework for the non-banking financial sector. Namfisa stated that the framework aims to enhance consumer protection, financial stability, and market confidence. RFIN, however, said some technical provisions under Fima have not yet…

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…