Page 55 – Windhoek Observer

25 Sep

Usakos man dumped in Spitzkoppe after police assault

National News

Allexer Namundjembo A Usakos resident, Melvin Areseb, is suing the Namibian Police for N$3 million after claiming he was unlawfully arrested, assaulted, and abandoned by police officers. His lawyers, Sisa Namandje & Co. Inc., set out the allegations in a letter of demand dated 19 September 2025 to inspector general Joseph Shikongo. The letter states that in August, Areseb was taken from his home in Usakos by warrant officer Jonas Flai, Constable Raphael Kaundu, and Constable Willem Jantze. “It is apparent that the members of the Namibian police arrived at our client’s residence at around 03:00 am, while our client…

25 Sep

MPs challenge lack of asset register in government

National News

Allexer Namundjembo Opposition members of parliament have questioned the Ministry of Works and Transport over government spending on luxury vehicles and ballooning office rental costs. They also raised concern about the absence of a complete asset register to track state properties and vehicles. On Wednesday, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani criticized the procurement of luxury vehicles such as Toyota Prados while the country faces fiscal constraints. In March, the ministry confirmed spending N$20 million to procure 20 Toyota Prados to supplement the vehicle fleet. Earlier this month, it announced plans to auction 1 500 government vehicles that have…

25 Sep

Activist blames pedestrian deaths on poor infrastructure

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Road safety activist Felix Tjozongoro says government neglect of safe pedestrian infrastructure is costing lives. His comments follow the death of a 20-year-old man who was struck by a vehicle on the Western Bypass on Tuesday morning while attempting to cross the B1 highway at the bridge from Hakahana Service Station to China Town. The man succumbed to his injuries instantly. Three passengers in the vehicle were injured. The Windhoek City Police confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing. The identity of the deceased has not been released, pending notification of his family. Tjozongoro said the tragedy…

25 Sep

Charcoal activities suspected in Etosha wildfire

National News

Hertta-Maria Amutenja Charcoal activities are suspected to have caused a wildfire that broke out in Etosha National Park this week. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) confirmed yesterday that the fire likely started with nearby charcoal production before spreading into the park. According to the ministry, the blaze began outside the park on Monday evening and moved into the south-western parts of Etosha, pushed by strong winds and dry vegetation. MEFT spokesperson Ndeshipanda Hamunyela said firefighting teams are struggling to contain the fire. “Despite efforts, the blaze remains difficult to contain and is advancing rapidly in several directions,”…

25 Sep

Standard Bank backs Rosh Pinah expansion with N$2.78 billion

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Rosh Pinah Zinc and Appian Capital Advisory Limited have secured a US$150 million (about N$2.78 billion) debt facility underwritten by Standard Bank to finance the mine’s RP2.0 expansion project. The company stated that the financing will cover the remaining construction costs of the project, which is currently funded up to the ramp-up phase. Construction is more than 80% complete and remains on budget. Appian, the majority shareholder of Rosh Pinah Zinc, ran a competitive tender process with several parties before selecting Standard Bank as the partner. “The financing will fund the remaining construction costs of Rosh Pinah’s said…

25 Sep

Strong lending boosts NedNamibia growth

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira NedNamibia Holdings Limited recorded a profit after taxation of N$193 million for the six months ended in 2025, up slightly from N$191 million in the previous six months. Profit before taxation rose 8% to N$228 million, compared to N$212 million in the prior period. The group said loans and advances remained the main growth driver, increasing 16% year-on-year. “This strong momentum reflects the strategic efforts made over the past six to 18 months and provides a solid foundation for future expansion,” the group said. Growth in advances was supported by a 7% rise in net interest income and…

25 Sep

Bannerman Energy poised to capitalise on uranium demand

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Bannerman Energy, developer of the Etango uranium project in the Erongo Region, says it made strong progress in 2025, marked by the execution of its strategic plan, safe operations, and a solid financial position. Bannerman Energy executive chairman Brandon Munro said these factors position the company to benefit from rising global demand for nuclear energy. He said the Etango Project is moving closer to a final investment decision after completing key early works, including construction water supply, site access roads, and bulk earthworks. “These foundational activities were delivered safely on schedule and within budget. This year, we also…

25 Sep

Safari exits Platz am Meer with stronger balance sheet

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Safari Investments Limited has released its audited consolidated annual financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025, following the sale of its Platz Am Meer property in Namibia. The group also declared a dividend and distributed its integrated annual report with a notice of its upcoming annual general meeting. The company said the fair value of investment properties rose by 3.74% to N$4.19 billion, compared to N$4.04 billion in 2024. “It must, however, be noted that the current year number excludes the Platz Am Meer property after the sale of Safari Investments Namibia Pty Ltd on 30…

25 Sep

Cran welcomes ruling against exclusive fibre agreement

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has welcomed a High Court ruling that declared an exclusive fibre lease agreement between NamPower, MTC, and Telecom Namibia invalid. On 31 July 2025, the High Court ruled that clause 3.2 of the agreement, the automatic renewal clause, was invalid. The court confirmed that the agreement legally ended on 31 May 2022, when its 10-year term expired. In 2012, NamPower, MTC, and Telecom Namibia signed a tripartite agreement for the lease of NamPower’s dark fibre telecommunications services. The agreement granted MTC and Telecom exclusive access to the fibre and included an…

25 Sep

The cost of caring

Featured, Opinions

Ashante Manetti In Namibia, the workplace is changing but not like we might think. Apart from the performance appraisal level, team meetings, and productivity monitoring, an emerging crisis is financial stress. The 2024 Old Mutual Financial Services Monitor revealed that over half of working Namibians are feeling financially strained. It's more than a statistic: it's a silent struggle that affects how people arrive at work, how they treat their teams, and how they work. Financial stress doesn't have a work schedule when employees clock in. It goes to the office with them, to the meetings, and to the interactions. It's…