National News

Niël Terblanché Finance minister Ericah Shafudah opened the 52nd meeting of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Council of Ministers with a warning that the months ahead will test the bloc’s ability to protect export markets and drive industrial reform. Speaking in Windhoek on Wednesday, as Namibia’s term as SACU chair comes to an end, Shafudah told delegates, “This is indeed a critical period for SACU as we navigate these challenging times.” Ministers from the five SACU member states are meeting for two days to respond to the United States’ new tariff policies and prepare for the possible expiry of…

Niël Terblanché Defence and veterans affairs minister Frans Kapofi says Namibia remains calm and stable, with no major threats to national security detected over the past year. Speaking at a cabinet committee briefing at the Government Information Centre last week, Kapofi said the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) has supported the Namibian Police in maintaining law and order since 1 August 2024. “The Namibia Defence Force (NDF) has persistently assisted the Namibian Police in the maintenance of law and order,” he said.  He noted that soldiers stationed along the Zambezi border helped curb wildlife poaching and cattle theft. Kapofi said the…

Niël Terblanché The ministry of education has launched a national task force to lead the rollout of free tertiary education at public institutions. The task force will develop a comprehensive roadmap, expected by August 2025, to guide how the subsidy will be phased in. This move follows President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s announcement during her State of the Nation Address in April.  Nandi-Ndaitwah said that starting with the 2026 academic year, tertiary education will be fully subsidised by the government. At the time, Nandi-Ndaitwah said students will no longer have to pay registration or tuition fees at public universities, technical or vocational…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The ministry of agriculture has lifted the ban on the importation and in-transit movement of maize seeds for planting from South Africa.  The director of the ministry, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, announced that the temporary ban was initially imposed after the detection of Goss’s Wilt (Clavibacter michigansis subsp. Nebraskensis) in maize seeds from South Africa.  The ban was a precautionary measure, and Namibia updated its phytosanitary import requirements to reduce the risk of introducing the virus and other harmful plant pathogens. Despite lifting the restriction, the ministry urged importers and stakeholders to remain vigilant and strictly follow the updated phytosanitary…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The 28-year-old Doctor Mbeheva was arrested on Tuesday for giving his minor daughter a hookah pipe, also known as a hubbly bubbly, to smoke. The incident took place on Saturday, 14 June 2025, at an unknown time at a residence in Otjomuise’s 8ste de Laan, Windhoek.  The Namibian Police’s spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, confirmed the arrest and said Mbeheva unlawfully and intentionally induced the child to use a tobacco product or another harmful substance. He was arrested for violating Section 230(1)(b) of the Child Care and Protection Act, 2015 (Act No. 3 of 2015), and Section 18(1)…

Justicia Shipena Six exclusive prospecting licences (EPLs) held by gold mining companies exceeded the legal seven-year renewal limit without ministerial approval.  This is one of several violations uncovered by a government audit released by the Office of the Auditor General. The audit reviewed the licenses and operations of QKR Namibia, Navachab Gold Mine, B2Gold Namibia, and Osino Gold Exploration and Mining.  It assessed their compliance with mineral licensing laws between the 2020/2021 and 2022/2023 financial years. Auditor general Junias Kandjeke said some companies failed to reduce their exploration areas during renewal as required.  The audit also found weak enforcement of…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Landless People’s Movement (LPM) councillor Ivan Skrywer says opposition-led councils will not be forced to implement Swapo’s manifesto or its ideologies. Skrywer, who serves on the City of Windhoek council, was addressing the media on Tuesday when he made this remark.  He was responding to a meeting held last week by urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, which the LPM described as intimidation under the guise of consultation. During that meeting, Sankwasa criticised opposition councillors for taking key decisions without ministry approval.  He warned them against working independently, saying he would enforce the law if necessary. Sankwasa…

Niël Terblanché The ministry of health and social services has confirmed a new suspected cholera case in Opuwo’s Orokapare location. The patient, a 13-year-old boy, was admitted on 20 June with acute watery diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain.  According to the ministry, he had no known contact with previous cholera cases and was discharged on Sunday in stable condition.  Health officials visited his household on Monday and found all family members in good health. The ongoing recording of new cases has renewed focus on the outbreak in the Kunene region, which has already claimed one life and infected several others.…

Niël Terblanché The ministry of health and social services convened its annual National Pharmaceutical Services Forum for 2025, focusing on better governance at regional levels and improving procurement systems to increase access to essential medicines across Namibia. The forum, hosted by the directorate of pharmaceutical services and the national medicines policy coordination division, was officially opened by the ministry’s executive director, Penda Ithindi, on behalf of health minister Esperance Luvindao. Ithindi said the forum comes at a time when there is renewed pressure to deliver the ministry’s core mandate more visibly.  He said the pharmaceutical sector and its value chains…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi says unemployed graduates with master’s and PhD qualifications are now forced to apply for jobs in the police force, correctional service, and defence force. Swartbooi made these remarks on Tuesday during a press conference, where he addressed what he called poor decisions by the current administration over the past few months. He criticised prime minister Elijah Ngurare for saying the government is addressing youth unemployment by recruiting young people for law enforcement agencies.  A few weeks ago, Ngurare announced that 4,310 young people were being recruited across all 14 regions for…