National News – Page 98 – Windhoek Observer

22 Apr

Locust outbreak in Zambezi threatens food security

Featured, National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform (MAFWLR) has reported a locust outbreak in the Zambezi region, with swarms currently in the hopper and fledgling stages. The ministry’s executive director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, said in a statement that the outbreak began in early February 2025, following substantial rainfall in the area. She indicated that affected locations include Ibbu near the Chobe River, Sachona, Lubuta, Singalamwe, Omega, Chinchimane, Kanono, Batabaja, Muyako, Ngala, Mahundu, and Seke. “The presence of green vegetation over large areas in the north-eastern, north-central regions, and to some extent in neighbouring Zambia, Botswana, and Angola,…

22 Apr

Auditor flags financial mismanagement at Land Fund

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Land Acquisition and Development Fund has come under scrutiny after the Auditor General, Junias Kandjeke, flagged a series of financial and operational shortcomings in its 2022 financial statements, revealing a concerning pattern of mismanagement. According to a report tabled in Parliament last week, the fund failed to submit a complete set of financial statements as required by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), including the omission of a statement of changes in net assets or equity. Discrepancies were also identified between the fund’s financial records and tax information from the valuation roll, with gaps of N$29.5…

22 Apr

Catholic parishes directed to hold daily Mass in honour of the late Pope Francis

National News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Archbishop Liborius Nashenda has instructed all Roman Catholic priests across Namibia to hold daily masses or include intentions for the late Pope Francis in their Divine Offices until his burial. The directive, issued on Tuesday, comes as the Catholic Church enters a mourning period following Pope Francis's passing. Nashenda urged the Catholic community to remain prayerful and united during this time. “We are all shocked and saddened by his passing. Nevertheless, as people of faith, we should continue to pray for the repose of his soul unceasingly. I hereby request all priests in each parish to celebrate Mass…

22 Apr

Hardap council fails to report Build Together, Housing Funds

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Hardap Regional Council failed to include the Build Together Fund and Housing Fund in its financial statements for the 2022/2023 financial year, according to a report tabled in Parliament last week by Auditor General Junias Kandjeke. The report noted that the Council did not explain the omission, nor did it make any disclosures relating to these funds. In the previous financial year, the Council had recorded closing balances of N$635 892 for the Build Together Fund and N$2.5 million for the Housing Fund. The Auditor General also found that completed projects worth N$9 million were incorrectly listed…

22 Apr

Hunting season opens with strict guidelines on meat exports

National News

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has officially opened the 2025 hunting season for registered conservancies and commercial farms, confirming that the season will proceed under clearly defined periods and regulatory conditions. This follows Cabinet approval in line with Section 25 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance of 1975. According to the announcement made by the environment minister, Indileni Daniel, last week, hunting will only be permitted on registered conservancies and commercial farms that meet specific size and fencing requirements. “From 1 May to 31 August 2025, hunting may be conducted on all registered conservancies and commercial farms…

22 Apr

Agriculture deputy minister urges results-driven planning

National News

Niël Terblanché Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ruth Masake, has called on senior officials within the ministry to focus on tangible results as the new five-year strategic planning cycle begins. Masake delivered the message during a high-level strategic and annual planning workshop held in Swakopmund on Tuesday. “Our nation looks to us not just for plans, but for results. The time for excuses and delays is long gone. I call on every single management official here today to commit to excellence, accountability, and responsiveness,” she urged. The workshop was convened to shape the ministry’s strategic plan…

22 Apr

New vehicles and equipment set to enhance NamWater’s capacity

National News

Niël Terblanché The procurement of 26 new vehicles and a suite of infrastructure support equipment enhanced the operational efficiency of the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) and expanded service delivery throughout Namibia. The announcement about the acquisition, valued at N$12.6 million, was made by NamWater’s spokesperson, Lot Ndamanomhata, on Tuesday. He described the purchase as a broader effort to improve the national water utility’s ability to serve communities across the country. According to Ndamanomhata, the contract for the procurement was awarded on 11 December 2024, and all the vehicles have now been received and are ready to be deployed. The new…

21 Apr

Infrastructure sabotage disrupted water supply to central coastal towns

National News

Niël Terblanché Swakopmund and Henties Bay residents are facing a critical water supply disruption following a double setback involving criminal vandalism and adverse environmental conditions. According to Lot Ndamanomhata, spokesperson for the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), a severe act of vandalism affected the power infrastructure needed to operate the Omdel water supply scheme. “The theft and destruction of seven power poles has critically affected power supply to NamWater’s infrastructure that is critical to the water supply system,” he said. He stated that the damage, which was discovered over the weekend, occurred on Erongo RED’s network, has rendered the Omdel scheme…

21 Apr

Okakarara town boundaries extended for urban development

National News

Allexer Namundjembo The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has extended the borders of Okakarara to include five surrounding farms. According to a government notice, the expansion brings Farms Sohlangen No. 965, Teutoburg No. 458, Otjahewita No. 291, Panorama No. 967, and Portion 1 of Farm 968 under the jurisdiction of the Okakarara local authority. All the farms fall within the Otjozondjupa Region. The ministry said the move empowers the town to improve spatial planning and service delivery in line with national development priorities. “By incorporating these additional areas, the government aims to provide Okakarara with the capacity to better…

21 Apr

Pensioner arrested for possession of suspected diamonds

National News

Ester Mbathera A 64-year-old Namibian pensioner was arrested at the Ariamsvlei Border Post on Friday evening after authorities discovered 26 objects suspected to be unpolished diamonds in his travelling bag. According to the weekend police report, the man entered the country from South Africa. The arrest occurred at around 20h38 on 18 April 2025 during a routine border check. The suspect reportedly left Namibia on 11 April 2025 through the Noordoewer Border Post. The seized items were booked under Pol 7, and the value of the objects is yet to be determined. He is expected to appear in the Karasburg…