National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Editors' Forum of Namibia (EFN) has extended the term of media ombudsman John Nakuta by three months, from 1 April to 30 June. The EFN said the extension will allow time for a proper call for nominations in line with the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Namibian Print, Broadcast, and Online Media.  Nakuta’s term ended on 31 March. The nomination process was meant to start in February but was delayed due to the national mourning period following the death of Namibia’s Founding President, Sam Nujoma, on 8 February. “This extension also provides Nakuta the opportunity to…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Windhoek City Police, in partnership with social services and other stakeholders, are developing a plan to address the growing presence of child beggars at intersections in Windhoek. This follows a recent incident in which a young boy narrowly escaped serious injury while begging at a busy intersection in the central business district. City Police spokesperson Marcelline Murapo said the dangers posed by high-traffic areas and the ongoing efforts to tackle the issue.  She said that while Windhoek municipal bylaws impose a N$500 fine for loitering, begging, or obstructing streets, the City Police are prioritising rehabilitation over punishment.…

Niël Terblanché The minister of health and social services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, has committed to intensifying the country’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB), describing it as a national priority.  Speaking at the World TB Day commemoration held in Tsandi on Friday, Luvindao said the country must act urgently to end the spread of what remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. “In 2024 alone, 8 360 people were diagnosed with drug-susceptible TB and 292 with drug-resistant TB. It is a public health concern that, according to WHO estimates, up to 33% of people with TB remain undiagnosed,” she said. She also…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) are struggling to locate crocodiles in Etaka Dam following a recent attack on a man. The officials cited the reservoir’s size and thick vegetation as major obstacles. Omusati regional governor Erginus Endjala said the dam, which stretches over 13 kilometres, is difficult to search due to heavy shrubbery in the water. “The Ministry of Environment is trying to locate the crocodiles, but identifying their exact location is very difficult because the reservoir stretches over 13km and has a lot of shrubs in the water. At this point, all…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has pledged its continued support in ensuring that the government’s fiscal agenda is adequately resourced, following the recent tabling of the national budget by the Minister of Finance and Social Grants Management, Ericah Shafudah. NamRA’s commissioner, Sam Shivute, commended the Minister’s presentation of the N$106.3 billion national budget for the 2025/2026 financial year and reaffirmed the agency’s role in securing the funds necessary for delivering on the country’s policy objectives. He said that NamRA remains fully aligned with the government’s drive to mobilise domestic revenue in a manner that strengthens the national economy.…

Niël Terblanche President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, last week, appointed two Deputy Judges-President of the High Court while acting on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). According to a statement by the Judiciary, Justice Shafimana Ueitele and Justice Johanna Sophia (Hannelie) Prinsloo will assume their new roles on 1 April 2025. Justice Ueitele has served as a High Court Judge since 1 July 2012 and is currently acting on the Supreme Court Bench, where he has served since January 2021. Justice Prinsloo has been a High Court Judge since July 2017 and was appointed as an acting Judge of the…

Allexer Namundjembo and Niël Terblanché High Court Judge Shafimana Ueitele said he was placed in a difficult position when making his ruling in the Red Line case, following public statements made by Job Amupanda, who brought the case that challenged the legality of the veterinary cordon fence. The Red Line case was concluded in the High Court on Thursday. Uitele dismissed and struck the matter off the roll. He said Amupanda’s remarks left him uncertain about how the ruling might be perceived. “The pronouncements by Mr Amupanda and the events that followed have placed me in a dilemma, making me…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has repeated the government’s call for Germany to take full responsibility for the genocide committed against the Ovaherero and Nama people during the colonial period. In an interview with the BBC, she outlined three key demands from the Namibian government. “Our parliament discussed the German genocide against the Namibian people. One: Germany must accept that it committed genocide in Namibia. Two: Germany must apologise. Three: Germany must provide reparations,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. She said Germany’s offer of €1.1 billion remains inadequate in the eyes of the Namibian government. “Our parliament felt that it was nothing, and…

Allexer Namundjembo Walvis Bay residents have rejected a proposed 12% "shack levy" suggested by the municipality recently. The idea was met with criticism from community leaders, who argue the levy targets the poor and fails to address the root causes of the town’s housing crisis. Former Walvis Bay urban regional councillor, Knowledge Iipinge, described the proposal as an act of class warfare. In a letter addressed to the municipality and seen by Windhoek Observer, Iipinge criticised the council’s plan to tax informal housing structures. “Instead of dismantling the systemic violence of housing apartheid, you seek to criminalise poverty and legitimatise…

Niël Terblanché Dr Esperance Luvindao, the minister of health and social services, made an unannounced visit to the Katutura Health Centre on Thursday morning. In a video clip posted on the social media platforms of the health ministry, the minister said that the visit was aimed at gaining a clear view of conditions on the ground. Luvindao added that the purpose of the visit was to engage directly with patients and healthcare staff. “The goal was to come without prior notice. We want to hear what people are saying on the ground. There is no need to provide prior notice…