National News

Justicia Shipena The Windhoek High Court has sentenced Keetmanshoop resident Kevin Mathew Cloete (34) to 15 years in prison for the murder of his mother’s domestic partner, Deon Bobeje.  High Court judge Philanda Christiaan delivered the judgement on Thursday, finding Cloete guilty of murder with direct intent.  Six years of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition that Cloete is not convicted of murder or attempted murder during that period. Cloete stabbed Bobeje once in the chest with a knife during a social gathering in Keetmanshoop on 27 February 2021.  Cloete had admitted the stabbing during the trial…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Agriculture, water and land reform minister Inge Zaamwani has warned that the continued failure to pay for water services poses a serious risk to the sustainability of Namibia’s water infrastructure. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of the N$743 million Oshakati Water Treatment Plant extension on Thursday Zaamwani said the country’s main bulk water supplier, NamWater, operates on a cost-recovery basis and cannot sustain services if users do not pay. “Water infrastructure is not sustainable without payment for the water we use.While we understand the economic hardships that some households face, I must urge our people to prioritise payment…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Swapo party has rejected allegations that the late founding president Sam Nujoma covered up corruption during his presidency.  The party says the claims are false and aimed at distorting the country’s history. The statement, dated 16 July, was issued by Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa.  It follows a series of social media posts and audio recordings accusing Nujoma of protecting politically connected individuals from corruption investigations. “We categorically reject, dismiss and vehemently condemn these unfounded claims, which seek to tarnish the legacy of an iconic liberation hero who fearlessly led Namibia to independence,” the party said. Swapo…

Allexer Namundjembo Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda has questioned the government’s failure to improve civil servants’ working and living conditions, despite the recent launch of a pension-backed housing scheme. His comments come as many low-level public workers continue to struggle with poor salaries and limited access to housing.  In a social media post, Amupanda criticised the government's slogan, “We are too few to be poor,” calling it misleading. “If three million people are few, how about the 120,000 government employees? Why is their employment condition still poor? From salaries, professional development, incentives and opportunities, government employees are left behind,:…

Allexer Namundjembo The ministries  of education, arts and culture and of gender equality and child welfare have received 2 500 bags of instant porridge to support early childhood development feeding in the Erongo Region. The donation forms part of a N$29 million initiative funded by the European Union (EU), with technical support from the United Nations World Food Programme and implementation by local company WECCA Investments CC. Speaking at the handover ceremony  in Swakopmund on Thursday, education minister Sanet Steenkamp said early childhood nutrition is essential for development and education. “Nutrition is education, and no child must be left behind…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Former president Nangolo Mbumba has called for stronger ties between Africa and Spain, saying both sides can benefit from closer cooperation in economic development, migration, and security. Mbumba spoke on Thursday in Madrid at the official launch of the High-Level Advisory Council on the Spain-Africa Strategy 2025–2028.  The council is a platform aimed at strengthening diplomatic, trade, and cultural relations between Spain and African nations.  Mbumba attended the launch as a member of the newly formed council. “Spain and Africa share a long history dating back centuries. Given its geographical proximity to Africa, it is not surprising that…

Moses Magadza The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) has called on Namibia to establish a National Women’s Parliamentary Caucus to accelerate gender-responsive governance and amplify women’s voices in decision-making. Speaking at a high-level roundtable on women in politics and leadership in Swakopmund, SADC PF Secretary General Boemo Sekgoma cautioned that the journey towards gender parity in politics requires both institutional muscle and sustained commitment. She applauded Namibia’s gender milestones, including the recent election of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as the country’s first female President, but stressed that political progress must be impactful. “Women make up only 40% of…

Justicia Shipena  Former environment and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta is demanding a police investigation into how details of a rape allegation against him were leaked to the media before he was contacted by investigators. Shifeta’s lawyer, Sisa Namandje, said in a letter to inspector general Joseph Shikongo that the leak violated his client’s rights.  He said it exposed Shifeta to public scrutiny over what he described as a false and malicious allegation. “Our client was published on what is clearly a false allegation of rape without being accorded an opportunity to explain,” Namandje wrote. He further called on the police…

Justicia Shipena  Minister of trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi called for increased exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).  She urged greater participation from SMEs, women, and youth across a wider range of products and services. She was speaking on Thursday at the ministerial regional business engagement in Swakopmund.  Her remarks come after Namibia made its first official export under the AfCFTA framework last month, sending 45,000 tonnes of salt from Walvis Bay to Nigeria. She said consultations between businesses and the government will continue.  “These consultations are meant to continue engaging in order to foster a conducive business environment…