National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Those contesting for the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) presidency at the party’s upcoming elective congress, are not allowed to campaign individually but will have to do so with other candidates to avoid divisions within the party. The party’s secretary general, Joseph Kauandenge, announced this during a media conference at Parliament on Wednesday. “As a strategic decision to avert disunity among party members, slate politics is completely obliterated. Hence, no aspirant leaders will be allowed to organise individual or solo formal public campaigns; however, aspirants can campaign freely on a small scale internally,” he said. He said this…

Martin Endjala The Walvis Bay Municipal Council, during an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, passed an unopposed motion to terminate its contract with RedForce Debt Management with immediate effect. The motion comes after the Walvis Bay community marched to the streets, demanding the termination of the debt collector’s contract. The motion titled ‘Termination of the contract to render debt collection and management services to the Municipality of Walvis Bay’ seeks and requests a firm decision, which will be made by council members, to act in good faith and the public interest when carrying out responsibilities trusted upon them. Ryan Gordon, the…

Niël Terblanché Rundu Town Council is under significant pressure to improve its infrastructure while addressing substantial financial liabilities to its residents and utility companies due to escalating debt. The council currently owes NamWater an eye-watering N$229 million, with residents contributing to a debt of N$350 million in unpaid municipal charges. Bernadus Swartbooi, leader of the Landless People's Movement (LPM), voiced concerns at a recent campaign rally in Rundu. He stressed the necessity of constructing a new town council building to replace the current deteriorated facilities. Despite these infrastructure challenges, Swartbooi also highlighted pressing issues like food insecurity, underperforming agricultural schemes…

Martin Endjala Through its corporate social responsibility, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) donated equipment worth N$65 000 over the weekend to the Otjiwarongo police and Motor Vehicle Funds (MVA). According to MTC’s spokesperson, John Ekongo, the donation made on Tuesday, aims to aid the police in the region to effectively execute its duty of enforcing law and order and to maintain traffic laws. The donated items include reflective jackets, a power generator, extension reels, road cones, foldable chairs and tables, and rubber touches amongst others. Ekongo said that despite having the world's best road network, Namibia is still one of the…

Stefanus Nashama The Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka, says the recruitment process for the Namibia College Of Open Learning (Namcol) chief executive officer is nearing a conclusion. The minister also revealed that a formal submission has been made to the ministry by the board. Nghipondoka announced this in the National Assembly last week. “The said recruitment is at an advanced stage, with a submission from Namcol’s board having been made to my office via our executive director requesting the approval of the remuneration package for the new CEO of Namcol,” Nghipondoka said. The position became vacant in…

Niël Terblanché In a detailed statement, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has provided clarification surrounding the tragic death of Lubinda Samupwa in the Nkasa Rupara National Park, Zambezi Region, amidst rising community tensions and allegations of foul play. Romeo Muyunda, the MEFT’s spokesperson confirmed in the statement that a human life was tragically lost during an operation by the anti-poaching unit in the park on 7 April 2024. The death sparked significant controversy and threats of protest from the local community. They labelled the death as “suspicious” and directly linked it to the actions of the anti-poaching…

Niël Terblanché Officials from the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD) regional councils, and various government ministries are meeting in Swakopmund to evaluate progress, share insights, and address challenges in decentralising powers to local authorities. The minister of urban and rural development (MURD), Erastus Uutoni, during the official opening of the Consultative Decentralisation Forum at Swakopmund on Tuesday, said the event is a step further in the country's journey to enhance local autonomy and sustainable development in all regions. “The decentralisation process is key to achieving democratic governance, as it emphasizes subsidiarity and local autonomy. This approach aims not…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) has stepped in to assist more than 200 hippopotamuses trapped in the mud of floodplains along the Linyanti and Chobe rivers in the Zambezi Region. After a decisive response to an environmental crisis, the ministry has assured the public that the situation is under control, with no immediate threat to the affected wildlife. Romeo Muyunda, a spokesperson of the MEFT, detailed the proactive measures taken since 2019, including installing a borehole and generator-powered pumps to supply water to the drying pond areas of the flood plains. He said that ever…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The parliamentary standing committee on gender equality, social development and family affairs stated that the abortion bill is still in progress. Despite three petitions submitted to the National Assembly in 2020, advocating for reforms to the Abortion and Sterilisation Act No 2 of 1975, definitive action is yet to be taken. The committee chairperson, Gotthard Kasuto, stated that the bill's finalisation is pending, and consultations are scheduled for next week. “The abortion bill is not yet finalised. The committee will meet next week to discuss the bill's completion. We are only left with consultations with the tertiary institutions…