National News

Martin Endjala The police plan to put up shade ports and roofs at all major police checkpoints. Ongwediva has become the latest police checkpoint with infrastructure that provides shade for officers and their equipment. The infrastructure at the Ongwediva police checkpoint will be inaugurated on Saturday, according to police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi. “The Namibian Police Force has been and will continue to construct and/or upgrade our facilities, depending on the available or allocated budget. The total cost is still unknown. Indeed, the Oshiko police checkpoint will be inaugurated on Saturday, 20 July 2024, and the cost implications and…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Businessman Shapwa Kanyama defended his company's medical supplies delivery record during court proceedings this week. He was refuting claims made by lawyers defending Mathilde Kadhikwa, who claimed that a Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) report had cited his company, Africure, for failing to deliver medical supplies on time. "It does not say it’s my company. We have no record of not delivering or not delivering on time," said Kanyama. Kadhikwa engaged Henry Shimutwikeni's legal services. Kanyama’s statement came in response to allegations presented by Shimutwikeni, suggesting that his company was part of those criticised in the GIZ…

Niël Terblanché President Nangolo Mbumba stressed the importance of a structured approach to development projects within the country. This statement followed a proposal by Austrian company Global Housing Solutions to address Namibia's housing backlog by offering innovative modular building solutions. During a visit to State House on Wednesday, former Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer presented the proposal, which includes a contract with a state-owned Austrian bank for a loan featuring a three-year grace period before repayments commence. Global Housing Solutions has proposed to build affordable houses in Namibia using a government-backed loan of N$1.4 billion (70 million euros). Gusenbauer, who introduced…

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund is grappling with a severe housing crisis exacerbated by rapid urbanization and a burgeoning population in the sprawling DRC informal settlement. This settlement, established in 2001, has seen a continuous influx of Namibians from various regions seeking job opportunities, resulting in over 20 000 residents living below the poverty line. In response to this pressing issue, Swakopmund Mayor Dina Namubes has said the need for targeted approaches to affordable housing. "To make our town inclusive and spur economic growth, it is imperative to adopt new strategies that address the housing needs of low-income earners," Namubes said. Against…

Ester Mbathera Richard Metcalfe has announced his withdrawal from representing the Walvis Bay municipality in legal matters involving RedForce Debt Management Close Corporation. He said the decision was based on findings from an investigation into the municipality's appointment of RedForce as its exclusive debt collector and subsequent actions. The decision was included in a report he presented to the council this week, seen by the Windhoek Observer. “Our firm cannot continue to represent a client of your ilk who refuses to comply with the provisions of the Local Authorities Act, the Public Procurement Act 15 of 2015, its own credit…

Niël Terblanché The low turnout of eligible voters to register for the upcoming November elections has become a significant concern, prompting President Nangolo Mbumba to call for urgent action. During a meeting with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) at State House on Tuesday, President Mbumba stressed the importance of addressing the issue to ensure a comprehensive and credible electoral process. Only 900 000 out of over 1.6 million eligible voters have registered. The voter registration period ends on 1 August. President Mbumba, along with Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa, expressed concerns about potential accusations of irregularities if the voter…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The former minister of education, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, will be laid to rest in her home in Mariental on 27 July. Her husband, Ngeno Himarwa, confirmed this on Wednesday. “This is also my birthday. We are in Windhoek until Saturday. We will have a memorial service at home, and we will have a main one on Friday at Tanidare Parish in Soweto. We will move to Mariental, where we will have an opening service on Sunday,” he said. According to Ngeno, discussions with the state are ongoing as the presidency has yet to announce the type of funeral to…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Road safety executives were absent from the 9th Annual Road Safety Conference for 2024, held in Ongwediva from 10 to 12 July. This absence sparked concerns among attendees and road safety activists about the conference's effectiveness and the implementation of critical safety measures. The conference aimed to bring together various stakeholders in the road safety sector to discuss concerns and find solutions. Road safety activist Felix Tjozongoro highlighted the conference's tendency to avoid addressing real issues. “My experience with this type of conference is that participants shy away from addressing the real issues as they don’t want to…

Martin Endjala The Walvis Bay mayor, Trevino Forbes has condemned the actions of councillors who have been disrupting council meetings, a practice he said he could no longer tolerate. On Tuesday, Swapo councillors Paulus Kauhondwamwa, Albertina Nkoshi, Ephraim Shozi, and Landless Movement Councillor Ryan Gordon held the council meeting, demanding answers on the legitimacy of the appointment of the acting chief executive officer, David Uushona. The matter was not part of the adopted agenda. According to Forbes, the four have been disrupting meetings when things don't go the way of the minority. “We are being threatened and told that the…

Martin Endjala The Gibeon Village Council is reactivating the Build-Together programme, which will provide affordable houses to low- and middle-income families. The village's acting chief executive officer, Pederius Tjihoreko, confirmed this to the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday. “The programme is targeting families with a combined income of N$3 000 per month to allow an equal opportunity to acquire serviced land and affordable houses,” he said. The established names on the 2012/2013 list, consisting of about 32 beneficiaries, have until 15 August to submit all necessary documents. “The council requests that all 32 individuals listed resubmit their documents and verify the…