National News

Martin Endjala The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) has denied allegations that soldiers were coerced to vote for a particular political party during the special voting day held on 13 November. Responding to claims made by Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda, MODVA executive director Wilhelmine Shivute on Wednesday refuted the accusations, emphasizing that soldiers exercise their civil rights independently. “The soldiers participate in an election to exercise their civil rights and are not in any way mobilized or coerced to vote for a particular political party or movement,” Shivute explained. Amupanda alleged that senior military officials pressured soldiers…

Martin Endjala The United People’s Movement (UPM) president, Jan van Wyk, has called for amendments to legislation regulating Namibia's public transport sector, citing concerns over illegal operators. He said many public transport operators evade taxes, reducing the sector’s contribution to the economy. Van Wyk was responding to questions sent to him by the Windhoek Observer, on the current status quo of public transport in the country and how to address it. “We have realised that the industry has been flooded with illegal operators, which makes it difficult to regulate the industry, especially between local authority boundaries. Therefore, the UPM’s position…

Allexer Namundjembo Rundu Rural Councillor and National Council member, Paulus Mbangu has raised concerns over the accuracy of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)'s recent census report, which estimates the VaMbunza population at only 5 000. Mbangu described the figure as “highly questionable,” arguing that it does not reflect historical and demographic realities. “In Kavango East and West, the "VaKavango NEC" grouping stands out as another example of such problematic classifications. With over 81 000 people who reportedly ‘did not disclose their dialect,’ this category ends up larger than established communities like the VaMbunza, VaGciriku, HaMbukushu, VaSambyu and Nyembas,” he said.…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The City of Windhoek has reiterated its commitment to enforcing municipal by-laws that regulate street vending, following a recent incident involving law enforcement’s intervention in Katutura. The city insists that its actions aim to balance public order, safety, and the needs of vendors. The CoW’s spokesperson, Harold Akwenye, explained that the city operates under specific by-laws to govern street vending. “The city is responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations, which are in place to maintain public health and safety, as well as urban aesthetics. Areas around shopping centres like Balck Chain in Katutura are subject to these…

Mallex Shipanga The Omaheke Region is experiencing a surge in vehicle accessory theft, with ten cases reported between September and November, according to the Namibian Police’s regional head of community policing, Chief Inspector Fina Sakajengenga. Two suspects have been arrested in connection with these crimes. “Criminals are stealing wheels and other accessories from vehicles by using special tools to unlock universal lock nuts on wheels. They target vehicles where the house fence or boundary wall is low as well as houses without garages and dogs. Vehicles owned by females and motor mechanic garages without security guards and CCTV cameras are…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Sam Nujoma Foundation has condemned the circulation of fake news on social media that abuses the image of Namibia’s founding president for political propaganda and electioneering purposes. In a statement issued on 21 November, the Foundation called on the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling for deceptive tactics aimed at spreading misinformation. The Foundation clarified that these actions seek to damage the reputation of Sam Nujoma, whose contributions to the nation are widely recognised. "The Sam Nujoma Foundation distances itself and the Founding President from any partisan agenda or misuse of his image," the Foundation stated.…

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) called on the media to help raise awareness and protect the public in addressing the growing threat posed by bogus educational institutions. Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) Governing Council member Valerie Garises of the council chairperson Dr Romanus Shivoro, emphasised the need for increased public awareness. “Fraudulent institutions compromise the integrity of our education system. By disseminating accurate and timely information, you can equip Namibians with the knowledge to make informed decisions,” she said. She made the call during a media engagement dinner held in Windhoek on Tuesday. During the event, the NQA also…

Allexer Namundjembo Street vendors operating at the Havana Four-Way intersection in Windhoek have renewed calls for the construction of open markets, citing decades of trading in unsuitable conditions. The traders, many of whom have been working in the area for years, say they are battling dust and uncertainty about their future as road construction progresses. Hileni Namwandi, a vendor at the Havana Four-Way for three years, expressed frustration over the lack of proper trading facilities in the area. “We are just hoping that we will get open markets in Havana, as there is a huge population, and we have many…