The Namibian
Breastfeeding at work
DEPUTY health and social services minister Suzan Ndjaleka has called on employers in both the public and private sectors to introduce breastfeeding-friendly workplace policies, saying mothers should never have to choose between their careers and their...
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N$381m Windhoek road falls apart before handover
SECTIONS of Windhoek’s newly constructed N$381million Eneas Peter Nanyemba Road have begun to deteriorate before the project has been handed over to the City of Windhoek. The 6.1-kilometre dual carriageway road upgrade stretches from the western...
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Man accused of murdering girlfriend awaits trial dates
THE legal representation of a Windhoek resident accused of murdering his girlfriend by stabbing her 18 times with a knife will have to be confirmed before dates can be set for his trial. Murder accused Dencel Kapitako’s current defence lawyer, Rennie...
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‘Lead us not into municipal land’ More landless farmers want livestock kept in towns
Get your bumper edition of copy of our in FARMER Markus Aoxamub (58) says if the Gobabis municipality does not want him to keep his goats and donkeys in town, the government needs to give him a piece of land to farm. “I am willing to leave town,...
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Lawyer faces criminal case after death threat
He has not been arrested yet, because of pending evidential documents from the doctor, which should be presented by the complainant. A WINDHOEK-BASED lawyer and politician is facing criminal charges after allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill...
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Calls for MPS to work more hours
CIVIL society and some members of parliament (MPS) have called for the National Assembly to extend its sitting hours to properly discuss and pass laws. Parliament passed only the budget bill in 2025. Currently, the National Assembly sessions run from...
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‘Everything’s going up except salaries’ Unions to negotiate better pay
Get your copy of our bumper ‘Mining Magazine’ in Thursday’s edition of The Namibian. NEWS THOMAS Shilunga*, a finance clerk at an investment company, says the rising cost of living is making it hard to make ends meet – even for those with...
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Bid for oil and gas supply base at Lüderitz rejected
THE Namibian Ports Authority has rejected a proposal by a Ghanaian businessman and his Namibian partners to develop a N$4-billion oil and gas supply base at the Port of Lüderitz. The project was intended to support Namibia’s emerging offshore oil and...
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CONDOLENCES ...
President Netumbo Nandi-ndaitwah yesterday visited the family of the late Toini Hausiku, the widow of former deputy prime minister Marco Hausiku, to offer her condolences following Hausiku’s death on Sunday at the age of 73 after a prolonged illness....
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Windhoek is ‘boring’, tourists say
NEWS BUSINESS HOSPITALITY Association of Namibia (HAN) chief executive Gitta Paetzold says a number of tourists find Windhoek boring, saying the city does not have much to offer in terms of attractions. She was commenting on urban tourism within...
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PG targets property of fugitive Fishrot lawyer
ACTING prosecutor general Martha Imalwa has obtained a Prevention of Organised Crime Act property restraint order in respect of assets of fugitive lawyer Marén de Klerk valued at up to N$75.3 million. Imalwa is targeting assets valued at up to N$75.3...
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The Love Scam Empire
IN JUNE 2023, a young Namibian man spent two weeks in Windhoek learning how to pretend to be a rich woman so he could scam men over the age of 50 on the internet. The man, which the state has identified as Kambonde Nashitope, was recruited by a close...
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Stuck in traffic
ROAD users in Windhoek have voiced frustration over worsening traffic congestion, with many reporting that they spend hours on the road during peak periods, making it difficult to reach their destinations on time. Elisenheim resident Charmaine Nel...
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Church gives homeless a second chance
A WINDHOEK church is providing shelter, warm meals and hope to people experiencing homelessness this winter, with some residents describing it as a chance to rebuild their lives. Pastor Kenneth Linnon at Khomasdal Baptist Church in Khomasdal told The...
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Couple jailed on N$9.9m fraud, theft charges
A MARRIED couple who admitted guilt on more than 1 700 charges of fraud and theft involving a total amount of N$9.98 million were sent to prison for effective periods of 14 years and nine years, respectively, in the Windhoek High Court...
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2 600 nursing graduates fail exam to practise
MORE than 2 600 nursing and midwifery graduates have failed the national exam to practise in Namibia since last year, adding to widespread concerns about the quality of nursing training in the country. The figures, which the Health Professions...
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Pensioners’ millions gone
AT LEAST N$250 million belonging to Namibian pensioners and families has been lost after a Windhoek financial advisory firm risked their savings on foreign investments. After losing money overseas, Wealth Management Solutions (WMS) owner Hanjo...
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MOUNTING THE MOUND ...
An elephant sits atop a termite mound in the Ongava Game Reserve near the southern border of Etosha National Park. Elephants are known to break apart and consume mounds to ingest the nutrient-dense, mineral-rich clay.
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Zim court recognises SME Bank liquidation
THE High Court of Zimbabwe has recognised the liquidation of the Small and Medium Enterprises Bank in Namibia in a step that paves the way for the bank’s liquidators to recover the bank’s assets that may be in Zimbabwe. The news outlet New Zimbabwe on...
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Govt funding freeze ‘setback’ for sport
NAMIBIA’S sport bodies have slammed the government’s decision to suspend all financial support to recognised sport federations and umbrella organisations, describing it is an “undoubtedly serious setback”. Stakeholders say the decision threatens...
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State lawyers losing millions in medical cases
■ Chief medical officer demands 10 years’ payout records ■ Govt spent N$14.7m on medical claims between 2019 and 2024 ■ About N$5.5m spent over past year HEALTH minister Esperance Luvindao has raised concerns over delays in a nationwide medico-legal...
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Standard Bank top brass accused of self-enrichment
STANDARD Bank Namibia workers are threatening industrial action after wage negotiations collapsed this week, accusing bosses of rewarding executives while offering staff a mere 5% increase. If approved, the strike could disrupt services at one of...
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Independence Stadium consultant to pocket N$337m
■ Total estimated project cost – N$2 billion ■ Consultant to take 17.5% ■ Govt budgets only N$50 million initially ■ Govt yet to settle invoices worth N$66 million for 2025 A CONSULTANT advising the state on renovating Windhoek’s neglected...
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More than 100 Namibians want out of SA
Pius Dunaiski MORE than 100 Namibians living in South Africa, both legally and illegally, have voluntarily approached the Namibian high commission in Pretoria seeking repatriation to Namibia as a result of rising xenophobic tensions in the...
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Bail appeal fails in N$40m fraud case
A BAIL appeal of a woman facing charges of fraud and money laundering involving a total amount of N$40 million has been dismissed in the Windhoek High Court. In a judgement delivered yesterday, acting judge Marilize du Plessis said a magistrate who...
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Swakop snake park secures new den
THE Living Desert Snake Park, which has been operating at Swakopmund for three decades, has finally secured a new place after narrowly escaping closure due to the planned demolition of its current building. Co-owner Angela Curtis tells The Namibian...
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Urgent N$1b health tender blocked Committee says bypassing could expose process to abuse
THE health ministry’s procurement committee has blocked senior ministerial officials’ proposal to buy medicine worth N$1 billion without a public tender, warning that the urgent tender process could be abused. This decision points to a potential...
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From petrol attendant to ACC boss nominee
IN 1987, Bryan Eiseb pumped petrol on Friday nights at a service station at Katutura. The busiest shifts ran until the station closed at 22h00. “I enjoyed filling up vehicles, especially on Friday nights,” he says on his Linkedin account. Eiseb...
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Cheap car imports Namibia’s dilema
MOTOR industry stakeholders are divided over plans to relax Namibia’s restriction on importing vehicles older than 12 years, with calls for greater consumer protection alongside efforts to improve access to affordable vehicles. The government this...
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All 96 canyon hikers unhurt, ‘slightly traumatised’
ALL 96 hikers stranded in the Fish River Canyon since Sunday have been rescued after overflowing dams caused dangerous water levels downstream. ||Kharas regional police commander commissioner Marius Katamila yesterday said the police have successfully...
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‘Curse’ of the youth council
THE state-funded National Youth Council’s future is in jeopardy after violence and the electoral committee’s resignation forced the postponement of its Swakopmund general assembly this weekend. Critics are calling for the institution to be...
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Zambezi ‘food basket’ with rice from Korea
ALICE Sishango stares down into the pot of rice she’s cooking on the fire. “I’ve just put on this rice, and now it’s turned into pap. What rice has the government given us? We don’t know this rice,” she says. The rice is part of a 5 000-tonne...
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Health cancels N$45m orders
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services has cancelled pharmaceutical and clinical product orders worth N$44.8 million after suppliers allegedly failed to deliver medicines to the Central Medical Stores (CMS). The orders, which were extended to 12...
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Culture, apartheid blamed for men’s silent suffering
TRADITIONAL leaders and social commentators say cultural norms, historical injustices and societal expectations have contributed to many men remaining silent about abuse and emotional distress. These remarks come in the wake of a recent case in which...
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Speed humps defeat ‘purpose of highway’
ROAD transport experts have criticised the installation of speed humps on major highways around Windhoek, warning that the measure could increase accidents and congestion rather than improve road safety. The Roads Authority, in collaboration with the...
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NNN names relative as AG legal adviser
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-ndaitwah has appointed a relative of hers, retired chief legal adviser Chris Nghaamwa, as an adviser to attorney general Festus Mbandeka. Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo yesterday confirmed the appointment, saying...
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‘Baby Blue’ sells properties worth N$200 million
A PROPERTY development company owned by politically connected businessman Josef Andreas is selling 264 plots valued at N$200 million across the country, after years of concerns about his influence at Grootfontein and about speculative land...
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Nasan fuel stations run dry
AT LEAST four service stations supplied by Nasan Energies have run dry over the past few days. Fuel and Franchise Association chairperson Michael Ludeke says he is aware of at least three association members whose stations have run dry. The Namibian...
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NNN directs intelligence to screen health staff
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-ndaitwah has ordered the Namibia Central Intelligence Service to run background checks on about 360 health ministry officials following allegations of fraud and corruption. The officials are mostly from the Ministry of Health...
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Hamutenya denies oil capture
BUSINESSMAN Mathews Hamutenya says he has no political connection to State House and has nothing to do with the recent government decision to award international oil trader Vitol the sole right to supply fuel to Namibia. Hamutenya, whose son Miguel...
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Nasan ‘forces’ clients into prepaid contracts
NASAN Energies will require upfront payments for fuel from the 52 service stations it bought from Vivo Energy, fuelling speculation that the company does not have the cash flow to afford normal operations. This is according to some of the 52 service...
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NNN picks booze fest over genocide event
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandindaitwah’s absence from yesterday’s national Genocide Remembrance Day events has drawn sharp criticism from political and community leaders despite her active public schedule. The main event yesterday took place at Shark Island...
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State, businesses face utility cutoffs
GOVERNMENT offices, institutions and businesses that owe local authorities will have their water and electricity cut if they do not settle their debt by 5 June. The directive is contained in a circular dated 21 May, seen by The Namibian, that forms...
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Minister flags N$179m August 26 quote
AGRICULTURE minister Inge Zaamwani has questioned a N$179 million quotation from August 26 Construction for a border fence project, citing cost concerns and procurement issues amid efforts to curb foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Zaamwani is understood...
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LAYING OF WREATHS...
President Netumbo Nandi-ndaitwah laid wreaths at the Outapi People’s Liberation Army of Namibia fighters’ mass grave site as the country commemorated Cassinga Day yesterday.
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BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS
... An International Workers’ Day rally in 1988 being addressed by former National Union of Namibian Workers secretary of finance and administration Anton Lubowski, together with former Metal and Allied Namibian Workers Union secretary Simon Mbako and...
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Baby dumped in pit latrine
A WOMAN (37) was arrested after allegedly dumping a newborn boy in a pit latrine at Okafitu ka Kahala village at Outapi on Sunday. Omusati police commander commissioner Ismael Basson says the incident took place at around 10h00. “The suspect, who is...
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FOR SALE
... Eight bull and heifer breeds will go under the hammer at the Namibia Genetics Auction at the Agra Bank Windhoek Ring in Windhoek at 18h00 today. A Hereford calf moves in for a scratch during a recent photo shoot.
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RECOGNISED
... Kaptein Jacky Britz of the Rehoboth Baster community was officially designated as leader of the Baster Gemeente Traditional Authority at Rehoboth on Friday by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development. Urban and rural development deputy minister...
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Tribal jobs under scrutiny
MINISTER of works and transport Veikko Nekundi’s order to investigate alleged tribal bias in recruitment at the Roads Authority has reignited the issue of hiring practices across state-owned enterprises and government offices. Nekundi, who ordered the...
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Seven accused in crypto scam case escape
WARRANTS for the arrest of seven people charged with operating an international online fraud scheme from Namibia were issued yesterday, after the accused failed to appear in the Windhoek High Court for a pretrial hearing. State advocate Basson...
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Ministry pulls plug on N$194 million medical stores tender
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services has asked the Central Procurement Board of Namibia to cancel a N$194-million tender to build new central medical stores in Windhoek. The tender’s cancellation comes amid allegations of political interference...
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ACC connects healthrot dots
ANTI-CORRUPTION Commission (ACC) director general Paulus Noa says the Ministry of Health and Social Services is facing multiple ongoing investigations linked to alleged fraudulent activities. In an interview with The Namibian yesterday, Noa confirmed...
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Kunene floods swallow gardens, risk health
FLOODING along the Kunene River has destroyed crops across several Epupa villages and cut off clean water supply to Otjimuhaka Primary School, leaving hundreds of pupils vulnerable. Epupa constituency councillor Kuuoko Tjimutambo yesterday said:...
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Attempt to evict Swapo office campers fails
AN URGENT application in which Swapo tried to obtain a court order for the eviction of a group of people who set up a tented camp at the party’s national headquarters in October last year has failed in the Windhoek High Court. The party’s urgent...
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NTB boss gets N$1.5m car
THE Namibia Tourism Board has bought a N$1.5-million luxury vehicle for its chief executive, Sebulon Chicalu, despite internal warnings regarding overspending and potential financial instability. The board is said to be fighting a financial crisis...
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Banks ‘wash hands’ of fraud
NAMIBIAN commercial banks have no policies in place to refund clients’ money once they are defrauded. This is despite the Bank of Namibia recently revealing that Namibians lose over N$6 million to fraudsters every month. The central bank says...
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NNN’S deputy appointments ‘bloating wage bill’
SOME political analysts have questioned president Netumbo Nandi-ndaitwah’s appointment of deputy ministers in some ministries, arguing it may increase government costs and duplicate existing administrative roles. They say the U-turn by Nandindaitwah...
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UNDER WATER
... The Roads Authority (RA) over the weekend announced that eight roads in the ||Kharas region have been temporarily closed due to heavy rainfall and flooding. The RA says the closures are necessary to ensure the safety of all road users, who have...
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Govt hospital’s ‘elite wing’ raises eyebrows
THE establishment of a separate unit for senior government officials at Windhoek Central Hospital has drawn criticism from the opposition, with some saying it undermines equal public healthcare and borders on discrimination. This follows president...
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President’s 500 000 jobs explanation questioned Critics say registration and job creation differ
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-ndaitwah’s clarification that the government will not directly create 500 000 jobs by 2030 has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and labour experts over unmet targets. Speaking during her state of the nation address in...
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RCC wants N$500m DBN loan for stadiums
THE Roads Contractor Company (RCC) has requested an additional N$500 million loan from the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) to construct sport stadiums in 14 regions. This request comes as the state-owned company, which was on the verge of bankruptcy...
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AND THE WINNERS ARE ...
Erongo players celebrate after beating Kunene 2–1 in extra time to win the football tournament at the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at Keetmanshoop yesterday.
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