National News

Allexer Namundjembo  A group of young people in Tsumkwe have joined a cleaning campaign in Tsumkwe in the Otjozondjupa Region and say the initiative is changing both their surroundings and their lives. One of the participants, Erastus Kampasi Mukonda, said the project has made him more responsible.  “It took me off the streets and made me a responsible citizen. I now feel motivated to focus on positive things,” he said. Another, Sophia Goreses, described the campaign as life-changing.  “Before, we used to roam around the streets, but now we are cleaning them. Tsumkwe looks much better, and we feel proud…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The High Court has rejected an attempt by the commissioner of inland revenue, the minister of finance, and the attorney general to file a counterclaim in their ongoing battle with Stuttafords Stores Namibia (Pty) Ltd over a disputed N$3.8 million value added tax (VAT) refund. In a ruling delivered on 15 August 2025, acting judge Gerson Narib also refused part of the defendants’ application to amend their plea.  The case stems from tax disputes going back more than 20 years.  In 2002, Stuttafords received N$2.6 million, which it treated as capital, while the commissioner regarded it as revenue…

Renthia Kaimbi One of Namibia’s biggest law firms, Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Incorporated (WKH), is set to split at the end of this month.  The firm confirmed that some of its top directors will leave to form a new practice.  Its directors, Patrick Kauta, Frieda Kishi, Magano Erkana, and Mercy Kuzeeko, together with associates and support staff, will establish Kauta, Barendse & Kishi Incorporated. The new firm will trade as CDH Namibia. “Namibia deserves a future-fit commercial law firm,” Kauta told the Windhoek Observer. According to a letter sent to clients on 18 August 2025, CDH Namibia will become…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has accused minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa of abusing his power by dissolving the Katima Mulilo Town Council, saying the move undermines the rule of law and the Constitution. IPC spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge described the minister’s action as unconstitutional and authoritarian.  On 15 August, a government gazette issued through Sankwasa announced the removal of all council members under Government Notice No. 194.  In the notice, Sankwasa cited section 92(2) of the Local Authorities Act and declared that all powers, duties, and functions of the council now vest in his…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Commonwealth Heads of Mission in Namibia, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) launched a six-month initiative to improve nutrition, health, and protection for children and communities in Mpungu Constituency, Kavango West.  The initiative called Building Brighter Tomorrows is valued at N$188 000 and will run from August 2025 to January 2026.  The Commonwealth Heads of Mission contributed N$100 000, while UNFPA and WFP jointly provided N$88 000.  The program ill be implemented with government ministries, local authorities, and community stakeholders. UNFPA communication officer Emma Mbekele said the programme will…

Allexer Namundjebo Attracting private sector investment of at least US$30 billion (about N$540 billion) per year into the water sector requires strong governance, institutional capacity, efficiency, and regulatory reforms, minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani has said. Speaking at the just-ended AU-AIP Water Investment Summit 2025 in Cape Town, Zaamwani said the government is committed to turning Namibia’s water security challenges into opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth. “This is one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and climate change is intensifying our challenges. Yet, we are determined to turn these challenges into opportunities for…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The ministry of defence and veteran affairs (MoDVA) is legally obliged to pay Enercon Namibia PTY Ltd monthly service bureau charges dating back to 2016, a legal opinion has found. The opinion, dated 19 December 2024 and addressed to minister Frans Kapofi by attorney general Festus Mbandeka, states that the charges are contractually owed regardless of whether Enercon rendered services during the period. “Service bureau charges are a fixed amount which becomes owing at the completion of each contractually stipulated time. A service bureau company, Enercon in this instance, agrees to provide services during that period, each month…

Justicia Shipena Procurement expert Mirjam Bauleth-Nashima has warned that without strong checks and balances, politically connected individuals could exploit the new code of good practices under the Public Procurement Act of 2015. The government recently announced amendments to the act to introduce guidelines that will give preferential treatment to SMEs, women-owned businesses, youth-owned enterprises, and previously disadvantaged individuals. The announcement was made by minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi during the third ministerial regional business engagement in the Zambezi Region. Bauleth-Nashima said the code aims to promote fairness but warned against sacrificing quality and cost. “The government’s intention…

Allexer Namundjebo The High Court has dismissed three special pleas raised by TransNamib Holdings Limited in its long-running dispute with Marmorwerke Karibib (Pty) Ltd over the transfer of land dating back more than 30 years. The dispute stems from a written agreement in 1992/1993 for the sale of immovable property owned by TransNamib.  The purchase price was N$3 000, with Marmorwerke covering the costs of subdivision, surveying, and registration.  Marmorwerke took possession of the land on 1 April 1993, pending transfer and said it fulfilled its obligations. TransNamib, however, according to court documents, failed to complete the transfer despite repeated…

Allexer Namundjebo The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Movement in Otjozondjupa region has condemned what it calls a systemic failure in the distribution of drought relief food in the Otavi Constituency after buried cans of suspected drought relief fish were discovered near Gabus Lodge on Friday. According to the police, an unspecified quantity of canned fish was uncovered along a gravel road by residents, who alerted law enforcement and the Otjozondjupa Regional Council. AR said the incident reflects a recurring crisis where expired food aid is wasted instead of reaching those in need.  In a statement on Monday, the movement described the…