National News

Justicia Shipena An eight-month-old baby is among two confirmed mpox cases in the country.  Namibia confirmed its first mpox case on Sunday, linked to recent cross-border travel within the SADC region.  The Ministry of Health declared an outbreak after confirming the case in Swakopmund. Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao told parliament on Tuesday that the infant is in close contact with the first confirmed patient from Swakopmund.  She said both patients are in stable condition and receiving treatment in isolation at the Swakopmund District Hospital. Luvindao also disclosed that Rundu Intermediate Hospital has reported a third suspected case.  However, she…

Justicia Shipena The Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) has not shown ownership or risk of loss over the stolen diamonds, G4S Secure Solutions Namibia has told the High Court.  Namdia is suing G4S for N$314 million in damages after a diamond theft at its headquarters on 18 January. The security company says Namdia's lawsuit is “vague, embarrassing and discloses no cause of action.” In its court papers, G4S filed an exception, arguing that Namdia’s claim lacks essential details about the alleged theft of 446 parcels of diamonds. G4S says the claim does not specify the quantity, grade, carats, quality, or value…

Allexer Namundjembo The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has blamed the government’s delay in passing the Public Passenger Road Transport Bill for continued road deaths.  This comes after a fatal accident near Oniimbwele village in Oshikoto on Monday, which left nine people dead and ten others injured. IPC’s shadow minister of works and transport, Nelson Tuhafeni Kalangula, said the lack of updated road safety laws and poor road maintenance continue to cost lives.  He said the crash should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to fix Namibia’s unsafe roads. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and…

Justicia Shipena The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has launched an investigation into the killing of an endangered female black rhino in the Sorris Sorris Conservancy in the Kunene region. MEFT spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela confirmed the incident and said officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the poaching.  The rhino, known as Dorsland, was one of the conservancy’s key breeding females and had given birth to up to eight calves since 2015.  At the time of her death, according to reports, she was with a calf and expecting another. “The ministry confirms a poaching incident involving one black rhino…

Allexer Namundjembo Residents of Eengodi Constituency in the Oshikoto Region are pleading with the government to help with their severe water shortage. They say the situation has become life-threatening. In a letter to the prime minister, ministers and members of parliament, the Concerned Citizens of Eengodi said that for more than six months, villages including Okakodhi, Okashana k’Elago, Uudhiya, Onunkulu A and B, Omena, and Othimbika have had no reliable access to clean and safe water. “We fear that if immediate action is not taken, human lives may soon be lost due to dehydration and waterborne diseases,” said the group’s…

Renthia Kaimbi Former Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) member Richard !Hoaeb says he still considers himself part of the party despite being expelled for running as an independent candidate. On Tuesday, PDM expelled seven of its members, citing violations of the party’s constitution. Those expelled include !Hoaeb, Florence Uapakua Ndinda, Erenst Muraranganda, Piet Mostert, Dankeni Tjilongo, Hermina Khairabes and Jenny Kandukira. !Hoaeb, who chairs the management committee of the Walvis Bay municipality, confirmed his expulsion but said he only learnt about it through the media.  “I did not resign from the party. They made the choice to distance themselves from me,”…

Justicia Shipena Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has urged members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to support an emergency item proposed by the Africa Group on the political situation in Madagascar. Speaking at the 151st Assembly of the IPU, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila highlighted a proposed item titled “Global Call for Parliamentary Solidarity and Coordinated Action on Madagascar.”  She said the proposal aims to tackle threats to democratic governance, regional stability, and the rule of law. “This proposal is not only a regional concern but a global call to action. The unfolding political situation in Madagascar poses a serious threat to…

Allexer Namundjembo Windhoek community activist Shaun Gariseb says the City of Windhoek only began clearing sewage blockages after residents dumped buckets of raw sewage at the Katutura Customer Care Office. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Monday, shortly before handing himself over to the police, Gariseb said the municipality had ignored complaints from residents for years. The municipality has filed a criminal case against him after Gariseb and residents of Salm Street in Windhoek’s Nama 10 dumped buckets of raw sewage at the office last week. “Since the day we dumped the dirt at their office, they started clearing blockages…

Renthia Kaimbi Erongo region education director Erenfriede Stephanus has called on parents and schools to remain calm and vigilant following reports of new Covid-19 cases in Walvis Bay and a confirmed mpox case in Swakopmund. The appeal comes after two local schools, Duinesig High School and Seaside Primary School, informed parents of confirmed Covid-19 cases over the weekend. Stephanus said the education directorate is monitoring the situation and working closely with health officials in the region.  “We are on the ground and busy investigating the matter. We call for calm from schools, parents and learners alike while we await official…

Justicia Shipena The Public Service Commission (PSC) plans to roll out an automated recruitment and management system to improve hiring processes in the public sector. The system aims to make recruitment more transparent, fair, and efficient. PSC chairperson Salmaan Jacobs said this forms part of wide-ranging reforms aimed at restoring the commission’s independence and accountability.  He was speaking at the PSC Reform Retreat held in Windhoek on Monday.  Jacobs says the reform drive seeks to reposition the commission as a truly independent oversight body that ensures fairness, efficiency and integrity in the public service.  Jacobs said the PSC’s independence has…