National News

Justicia Shipena Maize meal producer Goal Maize CC will pay a fine of N$300 000 after the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) found that it has engaged in anti-competitive conduct through an exclusive distribution deal that blocked other traders in northern parts of the country. The Namibian Competition Commission resolved on 14 March 2022 to initiate an investigation against Goal Maize CC and Ondangwa Farmers Market CC. The commission’s investigation, registered under case number 2020FEB0003COMP, found that Goal Maize signed a sole distributorship agreement with Ondangwa Farmers Market CC.  The deal gave the company full control to supply maize meal in…

Hertta-Maria Amutenja  Calls for an international anti-corruption court have grown stronger, with advocates pointing to the Fishrot scandal as a clear example of why such a court is needed to handle large-scale corruption across borders. Frederico Links’ report, A Perfect Case for an International Court, published in this year’s international edition of Good Governance Africa, highlights the limits of national courts in dealing with corruption that spans several countries. “The Fishrot case illustrates the limitations of national courts in prosecuting corruption involving multiple jurisdictions,” said Graham Hopwood, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).  He added that…

Justicia Shipena  As European Union foreign ministers prepare to meet later this month, Namibia is calling for decisive action to bring peace and end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Namibia urged the European Union to address the situation in the Gaza Strip and push for a ceasefire for the Palestinian people. This call came during the Europe Day celebration held in Windhoek on Thursday. Every month, EU foreign affairs ministers meet at the Council of the European Union for the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC). International and Trade Deputy Minister Jennelly Matundu said Namibia hopes the upcoming meeting will lead to…

Niël Terblanché Namibia and Zambia are exploring ways to boost reciprocal trade by identifying goods each country can supply to the other.  Officials from both sides have been tasked with studying their import lists and finding products that can be sourced through mutual trade. The plan was revealed during President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s working visit to Zambia.  She returned to Windhoek on Friday afternoon after a two-day visit to Botswana and Zambia, focused on cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, and industry. In Lusaka, Nandi-Ndaitwah met with President Hakainde Hichilema. The two leaders held private and official talks.  They agreed that human-centred development…

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Landless Peoples Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi has proposed a five-year term limit for civil servants in senior positions to boost accountability and improve service delivery.  Speaking during a meeting with the Public Service Commission in Swakopmund last week, where members of parliament were undergoing a week-long induction, Swartbooi suggested directors, deputy directors, and others in senior roles should have contracts like politicians. He said politicians face five-year terms and are expected to deliver within that period. Swartbooi said civil servants often remain in office for 20 to 35 years without innovation and reject new ideas.  Members of…

Niël Terblanché The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism confirmed renewed concerns from Ngonga residents after a pride of lions returned just days after being relocated.  On Friday, 9 May, six lions, two adult females and four cubs, were moved from Ngonga to the Kasimba area within Bwabwata East (Kwando Core Area).  By Tuesday evening, the lions had crossed back over the B8 road through the Kwando Gate and returned to Ngonga. “The return has understandably heightened fears and frustration among the residents in the area,” said ministry spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela.  She added that one adult female and two cubs…

Niël Terblanché The Nambaza Shopping Centre in Onankali is expected to employ up to 200 people once fully operational.  So far, it has created about 70 permanent and 15 temporary jobs. The centre officially opened on Thursday and will serve residents, nearby villages, and travellers along the B1 road. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines, and Energy, Natangue Ithete, praised the locally owned project at the inauguration.  He said it adds value to the community and creates jobs. “This shopping mall, owned by Namibians, is evidence that Namibia is a country that has a lot to offer…

Justicia Shipena A 90-year-old woman in Damaraland's Kunene region needs approximately N$45 000 to install an electric fence around her garden.  Known as Ouma Elsie, she has cared for her garden for over 70 years.  She settled on her homestead at the age of 20 and has grown vegetables and fruits like spinach, tomatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage, watermelon, sweet potatoes, beetroot, and strawberries. In 2020, the Elephant Human Relations Aid (EHRA), a Namibian non-profit, built a stone wall around her garden to keep elephants out.  The wall helped for a while, but elephants eventually broke through. Damaraland is home to…

Justicia Shipena  Residents of Otjivero–Omitara say their lives have worsened since the Basic Income Grant (BIG) pilot program ended.  They report increased hunger, crime, and school dropouts in the settlement. These concerns appear in a new report by the National Council's Standing Committee on Health, Social Welfare, and Labour Affairs.  The committee, chaired by Emma Muteka, held consultations with community members and other stakeholders.  They conducted door-to-door interviews to hear directly from beneficiaries and assess the long-term impact of the BIG pilot. Before the BIG, the community relied mainly on old-age pensions and child grants.  The majority of the residents…

Allexer Namundjebo The Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, urged the public to report police officers who are drunk or misbehaving. Speaking on a local radio station, Shikongo said he has received many complaints about officers suspected of being drunk. “The calls to implement mandatory breathalyser tests at police stations are many, but at the moment, there are no resources to implement such measures. We have many police stations, and that might not be possible to implement,” he said. Shikongo warned officers who show up drunk at work to stop this behaviour. “They have the responsibility…