National News

Kasuto accused of illegal withdrawal of N$250 000

Kasuto accused of illegal withdrawal of N$250 000

Martin Endjala The former President of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), Ismael Kasuto, is being accused of illegally withdrawing N$250 000 from the Namibia Miners Investment Trust (MAMIT), founded by MUN. This is according to the National Executive Committee (NEC), which discovered that on April 29, Kasuto allegedly withdrew the money for personal use by transferring it into one bank account of a local law firm to avoid future litigation. MUN's acting president, Poco Mberiuana, made this revelation on Thursday during a media update on the organisational self-correcting and renewal process. Mberiuana said that by the time Kasuto withdrew…
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Construction of 500-bed Windhoek district hospital commences

Construction of 500-bed Windhoek district hospital commences

Stefanus Nashama The long-awaited district hospital for Windhoek at Havana Informal Settlement has begun construction. Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the 500-bed hospital on Thursday. According to her, the construction of the new hospital represents the government's commitment to ensuring healthcare service delivery to its nation. She expressed confidence that the hospital's construction phase would create hundreds of jobs. “The contractor is under instructions to make sure that the people closer by should be the first beneficiaries,” she stated. Talks for the construction of the hospital have been ongoing for years. The City of Windhoek…
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Namibia not affected by De Beers separation plans in RSA

Namibia not affected by De Beers separation plans in RSA

Erasmus Shalihaxwe De Beers Group Chief Executive Officer Al Cook said Anglo American's announcement regarding its intention to explore a range of options to separate De Beers' business will not affect its operations in Namibia and other countries. Cook announced this on Tuesday after Anglo American announced the demerging of its interests from De Beers. Cook said that De Beers Group remains fully focused on delivering its strategy and creating value in the interests of all its stakeholders. “De Beers has led the diamond industry for more than a century. We have unparalleled expertise, outstanding assets across more than 20…
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NIP employees receive salary increase

NIP employees receive salary increase

Stefanus Nashama Employees at the Namibian Institute of Pathology (NIP) received a salary increase of between six and 10 percent for the 2024/25 financial year. The Namibia Public Workers Union (NAPWU), which represented the employees, and NIP signed a collective wage agreement. According to a statement issued by NIP on Thursday, the agreement took effect on 1 April. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mateus Ndeshikeya, the deputy general secretary of NAPWU, commended the parties for negotiating in good faith and avoiding the involvement of a third party. “We should continue finding amicable solutions without having to go to a third…
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Lion sightings cause panic and force school closures in Kavango East

Lion sightings cause panic and force school closures in Kavango East

Niël Terblanché Panic ensued amongst certain communities of the Kavango East Region following the sightings of stray lions in areas where hundreds of learners walk to and from school daily. This has led to the temporary suspension of classes at four schools in the Mukwe circuit. According to a warning issued by the Directorate of Education, Arts and Culture in Kavango East, the schools affected are Kangongo Combined School, Thikanduko Primary School, Mayara Combined School, and Katanga Primary School. The authority added that classes have been suspended for Thursday and Friday, while teachers and support staff members will have to…
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Iran aims to expand its economic footprint in Namibia

Iran aims to expand its economic footprint in Namibia

Niël Terblanché Iran has announced new investment plans in Namibia, including the possibility of establishing an oil refinery and oil storage facilities in Walvis Bay. Iran's ambassador to Namibia, Seyed Ali Sharifi, made this announcement at a business event for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event, hosted in collaboration with the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), sought to foster business networks and future investment opportunities. Ambassador Sharifi emphasised Iran's intention to expand bilateral relations with Namibia across various sectors, particularly focusing on the oil market. He emphasised Iran's ability to help Namibia achieve self-sufficiency in fuel production.…
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Robust partnerships needed to achieve clean cooking goals

Robust partnerships needed to achieve clean cooking goals

Niël Terblanché Cooking on fires fueled by wood or animal dung has severe health, environmental, and gender equality implications, leading to approximately 600,000 premature deaths annually, mostly among women and children around the world. The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, stressed an urgent need for robust partnerships with industrialised countries, multinational companies, and the global private sector to finance clean cooking initiatives across Africa. Schlettwien spoke at the Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, which is currently underway in Paris. He pointed to the financial constraints that have impeded Namibia and many other African countries from…
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Judiciary mourns Lady Justice Mokgoro

Judiciary mourns Lady Justice Mokgoro

Erasmus Shalihaxwe The Namibian Office of the Judiciary has described the late Lady Justice Jennifer Mokgoro, a former South African judge, as a true legal giant who made immense legal contributions to the southern African region, including Namibia. The executive director of the Office of the Judiciary, Benhardt Kukuri, said on Tuesday that Mokgoro, a retired judge, died on 9 May in Johannesburg, South Africa. She said that the legal community held Justice Mokgoro in high regard, not just in her native South Africa but also in the Southern African Development Community and globally. Justice Mokgoro was one of the…
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Amushelelo and CoW’s cleaners case dismissed

Amushelelo and CoW’s cleaners case dismissed

Stefanus Nashama The Windhoek Magistrate's Court dismissed the case against social activist Michael Amushelelo and three City of Windhoek cleaners for allegedly inciting public violence after demanding salary increases. This was confirmed on Wednesday by lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, who represented Amushelelo and the workers. “The criminal political case of Michael Amushelelo was thrown out of court today,” he said. Amushelelo represented contract cleaners in the City of Windhoek in February 2023, which led to his arrest and the arrests of three others: Immanuel Mbonda, Alfred Kashimbi Sabas, and Padelia Hamukwaya. Workers, among other things, demanded fixed employment, improved wages, and…
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Second desalination plant to combat water scarcity

Second desalination plant to combat water scarcity

Niël Terblanché In a strategic move to combat the ongoing water scarcity in Namibia's coastal and central regions, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has announced plans to start the construction of a second desalination plant in early 2025. This project, set to enhance the country's water infrastructure, will soon be submitted to the Cabinet for approval. Agriculture Minister Calle Schlettwein confirmed that NamWater will collaborate with the Swakop Uranium on this initiative. The new plant intends to significantly boost the Erongo Region's water supply capacity by converting seawater into potable water. This is in response to escalating…
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