National News – Page 22 – Windhoek Observer

23 Jul

Legal loophole clears man jailed for stealing plates

National NewsMalonga Nghilukwa

Justicia Shipena The High Court at Oshakati on Monday overturned the conviction and 32-month prison sentence of a man who stole 32 dining plates in March this year. This followed the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court’s decision to convict Malonga Nghilukwa of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft after he admitted to stealing the plates. Nghilukwa, a first-time offender, pleaded guilty in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court after he was charged with stealing plates valued at N$3,965. However, High Court Judges Duard Kesslau and Johanna Salionga ruled that the magistrate failed to properly establish Nghilukwa’s intent at the time of the break-in,…

23 Jul

New cybersecurity measures unveiled

National Newscybersecurity

Allexer Namundjembo Minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus has announced new national efforts to address rising cybersecurity threats. She spoke during a cybersecurity conference and exhibition held in Windhoek last week, which brought together cybersecurity experts, government officials, industry leaders, and civil society. Theofelus said the country must take a united approach to tackle cybercrime, scams, digital fraud, and cyberbullying. “The evolving nature of cyber threats demands vigilance, innovation, and collaboration across all parts of society,” she said. “It is crucial that the public and private sectors, academia, and young innovators come together not only to discuss problems…

22 Jul

Youth wrap up EU advisory role

National News

Staff Writer The first cohort of the EU-Namibia Youth Sounding Board (YSB) has completed its two-year term. To mark the end of their service, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Namibia held a farewell event over the weekend at the EU residence in Windhoek. Launched in July 2023, the EU-Namibia YSB was created to give young Namibians a platform to influence EU development work in the country. The board brought together 25 youths between the ages of 18 and 30 from diverse regions and backgrounds to advise on EU policies and programmes in Namibia. The initiative forms part…

22 Jul

Ngaringombe warns of make or break moment for PDM

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe says the upcoming local and regional elections in November will be a test of the party’s credibility and cohesion. He was addressing delegates on Tuesday during a leadership training at the PDM Central Committee leadership training, part of the party’s preparation for the elections. Ngaringombe told party leaders that winning back public trust will depend on showing unity through shared purpose, not slogans. He urged them to build strong teams and communities that cross regional and ideological lines. “If they want to win back the trust of the people, they…

21 Jul

Enercon in covert fuel rights sale

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja A document presented in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court revealed that Enercon Namibia (Pty) Ltd sold fuel station assets to the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) without informing the ministry of defence and veterans affairs. The document, signed by the ministry’s executive director Wilhelmine Shivute, stated that Enercon never communicated its intention to sell the assets, which were situated on ministry property. The state argued that the ministry had not granted any authorisation for the sale. During cross-examination on Monday, state prosecutor Menencia Hinda told accused Malakia Elindi—then a director at Enercon—that he had no legal right to…

21 Jul

‘This plan will deliver’ – NNN

National News

Allexer Namundjembo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has launched the sixth national development plan (NDP6), presenting a clear roadmap to transform the economy, improve public services, and reduce structural inequality. “We can no longer continue to speak the language of ‘plans are not implemented.’ This plan will deliver,” she said during the launch on Monday. The launch comes after repeated delays. In 2023, then prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila had announced that NDP6 would be launched in March 2025. The National Planning Commission later stated in January 2025 that it was finalising consultations and waiting for Cabinet approval. In the same month, the…

21 Jul

Grootfontein in the dark over N$8.9m discrepancy

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Grootfontein municipality has come under scrutiny following revelations in the auditor general’s report highlighting a significant discrepancy of over N$8.9 million between the bank balance reported in its financial statements and the reconciled cash book balance. During a recent public hearing convened by the parliamentary standing committee on public accounts, officials were questioned over the variance, as well as several other irregularities identified in the financial year under review. According to the auditor general Junias Kandjeke’s findings, the financial statements for the 2019/2020 financial year reflected a bank balance of N$11.1 million. However, the actual reconciled cash…

21 Jul

Zaamwani learns of Meatco shake-up from the press

National News

Justicia Shipena Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani says she only officially learnt about the suspension of the Meat Corporation of Namibia (Meatco)’s acting chief executive officer, Patrick Liebenberg, on the same day it was reported in the media. “I read it in the newspapers, and I was informed telephonically on the day of the suspension, which was on Tuesday morning I think, 15 July 2025,” Zaamwani told the Windhoek Observer on Friday. She said no reasons were provided at the time. “They have not indicated the issue and said they are still investigating.” Meatco suspended Liebenberg on 14 July pending an…

21 Jul

MPs challenge PAP selection process as four sworn in

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Members of parliament from the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) and Body of Christ parties are challenging the process used to select Namibia’s representatives to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), accusing the National Assembly of secretive and unlawful conduct. On Monday four MPs were sworn in at PAP to represent Namibia. They are National Assembly deputy speaker Phillipus Katamelo and Uahekua Herunga from Swapo, Anseline Beukes from the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), and Rodney Cloete from the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC). AR chief whip Vaino Hangula has written to secretary to the National Assembly Ester Kaapanda demanding the immediate withdrawal…

21 Jul

Civil servants push back on Psemas restrictions

National NewsPublic Service Employee Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS)

Justicia Shipena The Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) has opposed the government's decision to limit the use of the Public Service Employee Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) to private healthcare facilities. On Friday, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that shehe had instructed the health ministry to work on a plan to redirect Psemas usage from private to public health institutions. She said this shift aims to boost investment in public hospitals and clinics. “We don’t use the state facilities and that is why I said, minister of health, with your team, I gave them a timeframe. We will start with senior civil…