National News

Renthia Kaimbi A project meant to preserve one of Tsumeb’s oldest landmarks and boost tourism has turned into a dispute over alleged misuse of funds and poor workmanship. The rehabilitation of the historic De Wet mining shaft, funded by a €100,000 (about N$2 million) donation from the German government, was completed only months ago.  Local residents have already raised concerns after rust began to appear on the structure five months after it was sandblasted, coated, and welded. The project was intended to make the shaft safe for visitors, but accusations now suggest that the work left the structure more vulnerable. …

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Four local associations in Namibia have applied for registration with the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN), signalling a growing mobilisation ahead of the next local authority elections. A government gazette published on September 11, 2025, lists the Association for Localised Interest—Swakopmund (ASOLI-Swakopmund), Walvis Bay Community Association (WBCA), Outjo Residents Association (ORA), and Grootfontein Rates and Taxpayers Association (GRTPA) as applicants under Section 148 of the Electoral Act, 2014.  The notices were signed by ECN chief electoral officer Peter Shaama on 5 September and published six days later. The gazette includes details of each association’s office-bearers, addresses, membership numbers,…

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MoDVA) is accused of failing to pay soldiers’ subsistence and travel allowance, with some members deployed to Katima Mulilo for the 26 Heroes' August Day parade allegedly receiving nothing. Sources within the ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said ceremonial defence members often go without allowances, especially when deployed outside their duty stations.  “Only top military officials are receiving S&T, and if you’re not close to a senior officer, you won’t receive anything,” they said.  They also claimed that ceremonial soldiers sent to Katima Mulilo did not recieve allowances and…

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) has dismissed corruption allegations contained in anonymous letters circulating on social media, saying it will not act on unverified claims. Three weeks ago, a 40-page dossier surfaced online  accusing vice chancellor Erold Naomab and senior officials of syphoning millions through irregular procurement, reckless spending, and abuse of authority.  The document, allegedly addressed to Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) director general Paulus Noa . It also flagged the absence of audited financial statements since 2019.  Among the allegations were nepotistic appointments, inflated contracts , favoritism in tenders,  a N$30 million “rebranding” project handled…

Renthia Kaimbi Swapo secretary of finance, Lucia Iipumbu, has rejected claims that the party’s assets have depreciated, saying recent reports on its financial state were misleading and lacked verification. In a recent statement, Iipumbu said references to asset depreciation were misplaced.  She explained that the financial notice published was only an abridged report of the political funding account, submitted to meet electoral act requirements, and did not include fixed assets that could depreciate. “These assets far exceed the meagre N$12 million,” she said, citing holdings such as Kalahari Holdings and other subsidiaries. She added that the figure of N$958 986…

Justicia Shipena The City of Windhoek and Rani Group International are still negotiating the rental prices for Grow More Investments to lease parts of the Ramatex Complex in Otjomuise. On Friday, the city council announced that it had approved the lease of portions seven and  eight of Farm 466 to Grow More Investments, a subsidiary of Rani Group, for logistics and manufacturing operations over 25 years.  The two plots measure 41 258 m² and 42 306 m² and house the Tai-Wah Warehouses.  While the initial proposal set a monthly rental of N$100 000 per portion, amounting to N$200 000 in…

Allexer Namundjembo Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has accused works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi of influencing recent resignations within his party. Speaking to the Windhoek Observer on Sunday, Venaani claimed that some young PDM members were leaving after receiving job promises allegedly linked to Nekundi.  “The resignations are triggered by the ruling party’s shenanigans. Nekundi has been offering jobs to some of our youth league members who were in the Central Committee. They were invited to weddings in the north with Nekundi. For the last five months we have been noticing the mishaps of these young people,”…

Justicia Shipena Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhao Weiping says China will soon work with Namibia to implement zero-tariff treatment for African countries soon. In June, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China will remove tariffs on imports from all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties. He made the announcement at a China–Africa cooperation meeting. China has been Africa's largest trading partner for the past 15 years. In 2023, African exports to China were valued at about US$170 billion, roughly N$3.15 trillion.  The announcement comes as the continent faces increased tariffs on products entering the United States. “We will work with…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda’s recent video of him cleaning a gun could harm his political image and weaken support for the AR.  Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the video, posted on Amupanda’s Facebook page showing him holding a firearm and asking how guns are cleaned, risks being used by opponents to paint him as reckless and unfit for leadership.  “Given the recent drama in Parliament, this video could be seen as adding fuel to the fire and may alienate some supporters,” Kamwanyah told the Windhoek Observer. He said the timing of the video compounds its impact. …

Justicia Shipena Over 2.2 million Namibians are set to vote in the upcoming regional and local authority elections scheduled for 26 November 2025, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has revealed.  The supplementary voter registration,  conducted between  4 and 19 August was aimed at ensuring all eligible Namibian citizens with the opportunity to register to vote and participate in local governance. According to ECN, the provisional register for regional councils shows 1.67 million eligible voters, with 1.5 million confirmed.  This represents a 90% national registration rate.  For local authorities, 949 890 voters were eligible, and 745 429 were confirmed, giving…