National News

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.…

Allexer Namundjembo The Kavango West governor's office has refuted claims of money theft during a break-in at the governor's home. The response follows a report by the Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) on Tuesday that a 22-year-old man, Andreas Muyongo, was denied bail in Rundu after allegedly breaking into the home of governor Verna Sinimbo and stealing perfumes and funds meant for a borehole project. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the governor’s office said no funds were stolen. “It is correct that a criminal break-in occurred at the governor’s parents’ homestead, where the governor also resides when in the village.…

Renthia Kaimbi Nash Serenity Foundation has partnered with a local driving school to help tackle youth unemployment by offering 20 regular soup kitchen attendees a fully funded opportunity to obtain their learner’s licences. The Mondesa Youth Licence Empowerment Programme will launch its first intake next weekend. The foundation is also calling on the community to support the initiative. Founder Patrick Nashandi said the idea followed research showing major challenges faced by young people trying to obtain licences. “A survey showed that 90% of youth fail their learner’s licence more than four times, and most never reach the driver’s licence stage.…