National News

Niël Terblanché The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has acknowledged receipt of a public petition alleging maladministration and corrupt activities within several Namibian municipalities, particularly concerning the appointment of RedForce Debt Management as an external debt collector. The petitioners, who approached the head offices of the ACC on Monday, called for the appointment of special investigators to probe local authority matters, an inquiry into complaints lodged against the City of Windhoek, Okahandja, and Gobabis municipalities, and clarity on evidence protection measures. The petitioners demanded a comprehensive response from the ACC by 28 February 2025. While receiving the petition, the ACC’s deputy director-general,…

Martin Endjala Windhoek local authority councillor, Ivan Skrywer has called for a collaborative national approach to address the escalating urban migration and influx of people to Windhoek. He told the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday that the growing population of the city is no longer an issue the municipality can handle alone. According to the 2023 preliminary population and housing census, the Khomas region’s population has grown to 494 000, marking an urban population increase of 65% between 2011 and 2025.  Windhoek’s estimated annual population growth rate is about 4%, adding pressure to the city’s already strained resources. “There’s a big…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Police investigations will determine whether any wrongdoing occurred during a robbery incident in Windhoek’s Dorado Residential area, where a police officer intervened by shooting one of the suspects on Monday. Deputy Commissioner Chrispin Mubebo confirmed that the case is being investigated as a robbery with aggravating circumstances. The incident reportedly took place on Dr Kuaima Riruako Street, where two suspects armed with pangas attempted to rob a woman who was purchasing fruits and vegetables from street vendors.  The suspects tried to steal her phone and other valuables. A community member, who was later identified as a police officer,…

Martin Endjala Small-scale farmers in Namibia have raised concerns over the increase in stock brand fees, which came into effect on 8 January.  The fee hike, announced by the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia, is regulated under the Stock Brands Act No. 24 of 1995, which governs livestock identification and requires farmers to register official cattle brands. According to Anita Boshoff-De Witt, the executive for meat standards, the increase is tied to an average inflation rate of 4%, as reported by the Bank of Namibia's Consumer Price Index. However, for small-scale farmers, the added expense poses significant challenges.…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is calling for support from all sectors to address the malaria outbreak in the northern regions of the country.  In an interview with DesertFM on Monday, the MoHSS’s executive director, Ben Nangombe said the ministry is faced with a limited hospital capacity challenge. “We are facing space constraints for admitting patients due to the large number of cases,” Nangombe said.  He added that the ministry engaged the Disaster Risk Management Committee in the Office of the Prime Minister about a week ago to mobilise additional support from other ministries, agencies,…

Ester Mbathera  The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) party has called on the government to declare a public health emergency in Tsumeb following a recent study by the University of Bern, Switzerland, which revealed alarming levels of arsenic contamination in the town’s soil, plants, and residents. John Johannes, an AR activist for the Oshikoto Region, urged the government to prioritise the medical needs of affected residents in a statement on Monday. This, he said, should include comprehensive health screenings and necessary medical treatment.  “The extent of this contamination needs to be qualified so that our people know what precaution to take,” he…

Niël Terblanché The government has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict and deteriorating security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Penda Naanda, the executive director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, in a statement released on Monday, stressed the urgency of a diplomatic solution to prevent the conflict from spilling over into neighbouring countries, potentially igniting a regional crisis. "Namibia reiterates the need to redouble regional efforts in finding lasting solutions to the conflict in our sister country," Naanda said. He reiterated that regional peace and stability are essential for economic development and integration.…

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) has clarified that it does not prevent people from using smuggled fuel from Angola, colloquially known as ngungula. According to Andreas Sheehama, the mines and energy petroleum chief inspector, the ministry can only discourage its sale, citing negative impacts on Namibia’s economy. “The selling of Angolan fuel in Namibia is sabotaging the economy of the country. Hence, we are against it. People can use ngungula for their tractors and vehicles, but they cannot sell it in the country,” he said. Sheehama explained that Angolan fuel differs from Namibian fuel in terms…

Niël Terblanché The minister of agriculture, water and land reform, Calle Schlettwein, urged all agriculture stakeholders to prioritise food security, equitable land distribution, and sustainable water management to address pressing challenges. Speaking at the ministry’s Management Review Workshop for the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year in Swakopmund on Monday, Schlettwein outlined key achievements, ongoing efforts, and areas for urgent intervention. "This is a challenging year. The public is looking to us to continue to remedy the impacts of drought both nationally and at the household level. We should expedite the implementation of drought measures to realise immediate impact…

Niël Terblanché The Indian Navy’s state-of-the-art frigate, INS Tushil, made its maiden port call at Walvis Bay from 21 to 23 January. The ship’s visit marked another step in strengthening maritime cooperation between India and Namibia. The vessel, a multi-role stealth and guided-missile frigate, was received by the Namibian Navy, Namport, and officials from the High Commission of India (HCI). Having departed Lagos, Nigeria, after an eight-day voyage, INS Tushil docked in Namibia with a clear agenda: strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing maritime collaboration. The Commanding Officer of the vessel, Captain Peter Verghese, hosted a Namibian Naval delegation and the…