National News

Justicia Shipena The City of Windhoek (CoW) has confirmed it will not hire replacement workers to perform the duties of striking solid waste management employees. The fixed-term workers are set to begin a protected strike today. City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya stated that the municipality respects the workers’ constitutional right to strike, but it will not deploy substitutes unless work is necessary to prevent danger to life, health, or personal safety. The strike follows a dispute over pay and benefits. The employees involved handle litter picking, street sweeping, and general cleaning in residential and business areas across Windhoek. “The City shall…

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibian Police (Nampol) arrested 211 people on drug-related charges in September. Nampol spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi said on Wednesday that 202 of the suspects are Namibians, while the others include two Angolans, one Burundian, one Tanzanian, and five Zambian nationals. Shikwambi said cannabis topped the list of seized substances between 1 and 30 September. Police confiscated 1.08 tonnes of cannabis, 1 037 Mandrax tablets, 33 grams of cocaine powder, and 186.5 units of crack cocaine. She said the arrests and seizures demonstrate intensified police operations against illicit drug networks operating within and across Namibia’s borders.  “Our…

Justicia Shipena The Namibian government has argued that Germany can only be sued in its own courts. It said the country’s High Court has no jurisdiction over Germany in the ongoing genocide case. In its heads of argument, government lawyers representing the speaker of the National Assembly, the National Assembly, the President, the cabinet and the attorney general said Germany enjoys sovereign immunity under international law and cannot be brought before Namibian courts. The state's legal team, which includes Raymond Heathcote, Sakeus Akweenda, Sisa Namandje, and Eliaser Nekwaya, argued that the rule of state immunity, accepted by international law and…

Renthia Kaimbi Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Fillemon Wise Immanuel will meet with leaders of the Okapare fishermen next week to address their ongoing grievances. He confirmed the meeting to the Windhoek Observer. The meeting comes days after Immanuel accompanied the fishermen into a packed Kuisebmond Stadium, where they were special guests of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during the launch of the Swapo party’s regional and local authority election campaign in Walvis Bay on Saturday. On that day, the fishermen had rejoined Swapo.  The fishermen have been in conflict with the government since 2015, when mass layoffs left hundreds unemployed…

Staff Writer The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), Nedbank Namibia, and the Powerhouse Cycling Club have confirmed the dates for the 2025 Walvis Bay Namport Nedbank Powerhouse Challenge. The multisport weekend will take place from 1 to 2 November 2025 in Walvis Bay. Following the success of the inaugural event held in March 2025 during the Lüderitz Crayfish Festival, the second edition promises to be bigger, drawing top Namibian cyclists, runners, and fitness enthusiasts for a weekend of competition and community spirit. The challenge will feature various races for both professional athletes and recreational participants. Running events include a 21 km…

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) has championed the well-being of Walvis Bay’s youngest and oldest residents through two recent community initiatives focused on wellness and support. The first event, the Namport Community Wellness Initiative, was launched on 27 September at Dunes Mall.  The launch drew a large turnout, including many senior citizens eager to participate.  The mall’s atrium was transformed into a wellness hub offering free health checks, screenings, and fitness sessions led by TBT, featuring Zumba, Tae-Bo, and aerobics. Attendees also received advice on nutrition and mental well-being. One of the most popular activities was the “Adopt-a-Seedling…

Chamwe Kaira The government must decide whether promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) is necessary to reverse the long-term decline in private sector investment, economist Robin Sherbourne has said. Sherbourne said the government should first focus on “improving the product” rather than selling something that “does not withstand scrutiny.”  He said this involves eliminating policy uncertainty and addressing issues that are crucial to investors. “These uncertainties include having an internationally competitive tax regime, clear property rights, and protection from arbitrary government nationalisation or the forced incorporation of local partners,” he said. He added that investors also need clear dispute resolution mechanisms,…

Allexer Namundjembo  The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has accused the government of siding with Germany at the expense of justice for victims of the 1904–1908 Herero and Nama genocide.  The accusation comes as LPM, together with the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) and the Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA), continues its legal challenge against the 2021 joint declaration between Namibia and Germany. On Monday, LPM described the government’s recent legal actions as a “betrayal” of genocide victims, saying it has chosen to protect Germany instead of pursuing accountability.  The party criticised the decision to hire advocate Raymond Heathcote to argue that…