National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Police in the Erongo Region have confirmed that missing police officer George Hamanja Isaacks has been found in good health.  He was discovered alive and well at a house in Kuisebmond on Wednesday morning. Inspector Judith Shomongula, the regional police spokesperson, said Isaacks was located safely after disappearing in Walvis Bay last Friday. Isaacks had travelled to Walvis Bay for official duties. His colleagues last saw him around 14:00 on Friday. Thereafter, he had no contact with anyone. At the time of his disappearance, Isaacks was wearing khaki trousers, a shirt, a blue jean jacket, and…

Niël Terblanché President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will visit Angola today for her first official trip abroad since taking office on 21 March 2025. The two-day working visit aims to strengthen the close relationship between Namibia and Angola. A statement from the Namibian Presidency said Nandi-Ndaitwah will meet Angolan President João Lourenço during the visit. “This visit provides an opportunity for the two countries to further deepen the strong bilateral and trade relations for the benefit of the two Nations,” the statement read. The leaders will discuss ways to boost cooperation in agriculture, trade, and the oil and gas industry. They are…

Niël Terblanché Two men linked to a fraudulent weighbridge deal involving the Roads Authority appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.  They were each granted N$30 000 bail, and the case was postponed to 1 August 2025 for further investigation. The suspects are Richard Milinga, Divisional Manager of the Transport Inspectorate at the Roads Authority, and Grant Cloete, Managing Director of SASCO.  They were arrested earlier this week as part of an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation into procurement fraud and misappropriation of public assets. ACC spokesperson Josefina Nghituwamata said the case involves an invoice of N$2 372 704 certified…

Niël Terblanché Construction at the Oshikuku siphon in Namibia’s north-central region is moving forward. The project is part of efforts by the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) to restore and upgrade the area's water supply system. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said workers are currently casting reinforced concrete structures. These include the inlet and outlet chambers, as well as anchor and support blocks. “These structural components are essential to ensuring the long-term stability and efficiency of the siphon,” he said. The original infrastructure was badly damaged during recent floods. The flooding disrupted water flow and put pressure on local water treatment facilities.…

Niël Terblanché Communities along the lower Orange River in southern Namibia are on alert. Dam systems upstream in South Africa continue to release large volumes of water after heavy rains this season. Authorities warned of possible flooding in Noordoewer, Aussenkehr, Oranjemund, and nearby irrigation areas, mining sites, and low-lying settlements. Road users and residents were urged to stay vigilant. The Oranjemund Town Council also notified all residents and visitors that water levels in the Orange River are rising, and the flow is currently very strong and dangerous. “Under no circumstances is anyone permitted to enter the river or engage in…

Allexer Namundjembo The Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) has remained silent following reports that its e-learning system may have been hacked between 18 and 20 April. During the Easter weekend, students could not access the eLearning platform. The system was reportedly down, and some learners were unable to submit their assignments. Sources within the university, who requested anonymity, claimed that the breach may have caused some students’ assessments to disappear. “Some students were asked to resubmit their assessments, especially assignments. I cannot confirm whether the hackers managed to access student information or not, but you can find out…

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund residents will pay more for municipal services in this financial year.  A five percent increase in service fees is proposed in the town’s draft budget. Councillor Wilfried Groenewald, chairperson of the Swakopmund Municipality’s management committee, tabled the N$579 million budget during a special council meeting on Friday. The budget allocates N$494 million for operational costs and N$85 million for capital development. Groenewald said the tariff adjustments are necessary to maintain service quality despite rising costs.  “The five percent increase is a measured approach aimed at sustaining service delivery without placing too much strain on residents,” he said.…

Moses Magadza The president of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Justin Tokely, has praised Namibia for its support of regional integration and parliamentary diplomacy. He called for stronger cooperation as the Forum moves toward becoming a regional parliament. Tokely made the remarks during a recent courtesy call to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah by members of the SADC PF Executive Committee. He congratulated Nandi-Ndaitwah on her election as the country’s first female head of state. “Your recent assumption of office is a source of inspiration to our entire region. It represents a landmark victory for gender equality in African leadership,” he…

Staff Writer  Wildfires are becoming more frequent in Namibia’s Kavango East Region. One resident, Benita Makena Kaghuvi, is working to protect her forest and community. “When I was younger, forest fires were rare,” says Benita, seated under a false mopane tree in Cakuma village. “Now they are happening all the time. It’s not just the heat or the wind; it’s also how we use fire without thinking.” Benita is 42 years old. She lives in the Muduva Nyangana Conservancy with her husband and five children. She has seen how wildfires have become a serious threat in recent years. What used…