National News – Page 48 – Windhoek Observer

23 Jul

Ex-Nored staff stole over N$2.6m

National NewsNorthern Electricity Distributor (Nored)

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The High Court has found that four former Northern Electricity Distributor (Nored) employees defrauded the company of over N$2.6 million between 2013 and 2015. The court ruled they abused their positions of trust to carry out the scheme. Judge Eileen Rakow delivered the judgement last week, finding that the employees exploited Nored’s electricity top-up system. The court found that the quartet loaded electricity credits without receiving payments, deleted legitimate receipts, and collected cash from vendors without handing it over to the company. Nored told the court that the accused manipulated vendor accounts by entering credits without payment, removing…

23 Jul

Cross border hydrogen pipeline deal almost finalised

National NewsNamibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P)

Justicia Shipena The governments of South Africa's Western Cape and Namibia's Erongo Region are finalising a twinning agreement on the green hydrogen pipeline between the two countries. This is part of broader efforts under the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P), as outlined in its mid-year review for 2025. The collaboration follows an agreement signed between Namibia and South Africa during the World Hydrogen Summit in May 2024 to explore the feasibility of a cross-border green hydrogen pipeline. The N$5 million (€250,000) pre-feasibility study, completed in December 2024, assessed the technical, commercial, environmental, and social viability of linking hydrogen hubs in…

23 Jul

Elindi’s wife denies knowledge of N$3.8m in fraud case

National NewsLydia Elindi

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Lydia Elindi, the wife of former Enercon Namibia owner Malakia Elindi, was on Tuesday cross-examined in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court, where she distanced herself from a N$3.8 million payment made to Onyeka Clearing and Forwarding CC, a company in which she holds a 50% interest. She was testifying during her bail application hearing, where state prosecutor Menencia Hinda confronted her with details linking her to the allegedly fraudulent transaction. Hinda told the court that state investigators would testify that Lydia was informed during her arrest that she was a member and beneficial owner of Onyeka Clearing and Forwarding…

23 Jul

Cran targets August for new sharing policy

National NewsCommunications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN)

Allexer Namundjembo The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) plans to finalise the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) report by August. The report would incorporate feedback from a validation workshop held in Windhoek last week. The workshop brought together mobile operators, service providers, policymakers, and the media to discuss improving Namibia's telecommunications infrastructure sharing framework. The RIA, supported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), forms part of the country's broader strategy to advance inclusive digital development. It draws on global examples from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, and Mauritius and recommends reducing infrastructure duplication, boosting competition, and expanding access to affordable broadband. Emilia…

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…