National News

Renthia Kaimbi Beifang Mining Technical Services says there is no labour dispute at the Husab Mine and that operations have returned to normality.  Beifang said employees have returned to work after complying with a revised shift roster and that operations are proceeding normally.  This comes amid reports from employees at the mine who spoke on conditions of anonymity that workers are being suspended due to a new roster put in place.  “Employees have returned to work and operations are proceeding normally. There is no ongoing labour dispute,” the company said. However, the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) says the suspensions…

Justicia Shipena The Electricity Control Board (ECB) has moved closer to finalising changes to the rules that govern the electricity sector after years of consultations with stakeholders. Speaking at a validation workshop in Windhoek on Monday, ECB chief executive officer Robert Kahimise said the review focuses on the tariff methodology, economic rules and net metering rules that underpin the electricity supply industry. “Today, we gather for a comprehensive review of the foundational pillars for our sector’s future: the Economic Rules, the Net Metering Rules, and the Tariff Methodology for generation, transmission and distribution," he said.  The process began in 2023…

Renthia Kaimbi Retired lieutenant general Martin Shalli says the late former cabinet minister and veteran Erkki Nghimtina was a great fighter and leader.  Nghimtina died on Sunday at the age of 78. Shalli said his path was closely linked with Nghimtina’s for more than five decades.  He recalled that they both left Namibia in 1974 to join the liberation struggle and later received military training in the former Soviet Union.  “We joined the front at almost the same time,” Shalli said, recalling their early operations from Zambia. He said Nghimtina distinguished himself in several battles before moving into communications, where…

Justicia Shipena Government employees evicted from state-owned houses will not receive special treatment or automatic relocation, Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi has said. Nekundi said the ministry cannot create a system where people who breach contractual obligations are treated differently from others on the housing waiting list.  “The ministry cannot establish a precedent whereby persons who have breached their contractual obligations or who occupy government property unlawfully are granted preferential treatment through automatic reallocation,” he said while responding to questions from member of parliament Enea Emvula in parliament on Thursday.  The government’s immovable assets are valued at about…

Allexer Namundjembo Absolute Engineering Enterprises CC has launched an initiative to repair school furniture in the Otjozondjupa region.  The company is fixing chairs, lockers, beds, and tables for schools in the Okahandja district at its own expense. The company’s owner, Shatyohamba Haihambo, said the project forms part of its social responsibility programme and started after schools were invited to apply for help. “We officially commenced with our first batch of school tables, lockers, beds and chairs under the company’s social responsibility programme. We started in January,” Haihambo told Windhoek Observer on Sunday at Okahandja Secondary School, where repair work is…

Justicia Shipena The National Housing Enterprise will begin constructing 100 houses for low-income earners in Eenhana this month.  Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for Eenhana Extension 10 on Monday, NHE manager for infrastructure development Indileni Set-Sam Iipinge said the project responds to housing demand in the Ohangwena region.  He said the development targets low-income earners.  “This initiative is not just another project on our books – it is a direct response to the housing demand for low-income earners, the very citizens who need affordable shelter the most,” Iipinge said. According to Iipinge, the project will deliver one-bedroom houses of 30.1…

Justicia Shipena  The failure by China Town shop owner Li Bailong to pay court-ordered damages has led to his property being attached for sale by public auction to settle a claim brought by a former employee. The High Court authorised the attachment of Bailong’s movable property after he failed to comply with a judgement ordering him to pay N$230 000, interest at 20% per year, and legal costs to Itakeya George.  The court found that Bailong violated George’s dignity by stripping her naked in full view of the public. A writ of execution was issued and carried out on 27…

Renthia Kaimbi A dispute over shift changes at the Beifang Mining Technology Services (BMTS) Husab Project has escalated, leading to the suspension of 10 employees and growing tension between management and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN). The issue began on 24 January when the company’s human resources department issued a joint memorandum with the MUN branch executive committee.  The notice announced a mandatory shift from a reverse to a forward rotation, effective 27 January. The memorandum, signed by human resources head Abraham Christian and branch chairperson Gebhard Shikongo, said the change was “imperative” to comply with Section 20 of…