National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has reaffirmed that only original identification documents are acceptable for voter registration. This announcement follows an incident earlier this month where an individual attempted to register using a laminated copy of an identity document belonging to a Wagner Siegfried at the Lions Old Age Home registration point in Swakopmund. A video circulating on social media shows an official stating that fake identification documents were used at the time. “We have experienced a fake identity document. I have told my team to remove the laminated identity documents from the lamination. And soon after…

Martin Endjala Kadhila Amoomo, the lawyer for the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF), has announced that the party will challenge the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) in court. This decision comes in response to the ECN's recent statement affirming its decision to deregister the NEFF. Last week, the ECN deregistered the NEFF for failing to submit its financial statements by the 10 May deadline, as required by Section 158. The ECN also cancelled the party's registration certificate. “We will now meet in court," said Amoomo. Last week, Amoomo demanded clarification from the ECN on its decision to deregister its client.…

Stefanus Nashama The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has urged the government to waive income taxes for electricity companies to lower electricity costs for consumers. This plea follows the Electoral Control Board's recent tariff increase from N$1.82 to N$1.98 per kilowatt-hour, with further hikes anticipated. Hidipo Hamata, the party's secretary for information and publicity, expressed concerns about the tariff increases in a statement on Sunday, calling them "deeply troubling." “Namibian households are already grappling with economic hardship, exacerbated by inflation and a sluggish economy. Electricity is a fundamental necessity. The additional costs will be catastrophic for households already on the brink…

Niél Terblanché Namibia is set to overcome its challenges and build a brighter, more prosperous future for all its citizens by providing access to safe, clean water. Calle Schlettwein, the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the N$250 million Ohangwena II Wellfield Water Supply Scheme in Oshandi. He said the project aims to enhance water accessibility across the region, providing a vital resource to communities and supporting economic growth. The project includes the construction of 203 kilometres of pipelines, the installation of four boreholes, and the development of three concrete reservoirs in Omakango, Ondobe,…

Ester Mbathera Northern Namibia Abattoir (NNA) and Meatco are currently in negotiations to form a joint venture. Ben Shikongo, the chairperson of NNA, made this statement in an interview with the Windhoek Observer on Thursday. NNA operates two abattoirs, located in Eenhana and Outapi. Shikongo said this development follows a 2020 directive from the Cabinet aimed at addressing significant operational challenges faced by NNA. “The primary challenges cited by Shikongo include the lack of a market and financial constraints. We could not secure the financing because how are you going to return that financing when you have no capital? You…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Health and Social Services has urged Namibians to exercise caution following reports of an increase in the number of mpox cases in South Africa. Although Namibia has not recorded any cases, the health ministry’s Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, emphasised that the situation warrants concern. He added that the ministry is adhering to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, with healthcare workers advised to maintain a high level of suspicion for potential cases. Close contact with infected people or animals, as well as contaminated materials, can spread the viral infection known as mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.…

Martin Endjala The Electricity Control Board (ECB) has cautioned that utility companies that fail to apply for tariff adjustments stand to lose revenue. The board’s chief executive officer, Robert Kahimise, explained that failing to apply for tariff adjustment on time coincided with the implementation of the bulk tariff, which is effective 1 July. “As we cautioned last year during the tariff review period, all distribution utilities ought to apply for their annual tariff review immediately after the announcement of the NamPower bulk tariff. This is so because utilities that do not apply for tariff adjustments in time stand to lose…