Lahja Nashuuta The removal of former Agriculture, Water and Land Reform minister Mac-Albert Hengari from Parliament has triggered mixed reactions, with several political and legal commentators questioning the legality of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s move. Hengari was fired from Cabinet towards the end of April, following his arrest on allegations of attempted bribery after claims he...
23 posts to cost Walvis N$15m
WALVIS BAY – Walvis Bay council management committee has recommended the creation of several new positions to be included in the proposed 2025/2026 budget. The estimated cost for the new positions is N$15 million. However, the positions will be gradually filled. The recommendation was tabled by the chairperson of the management committee, councillor Richard Hoaeb,...
Ministry urges precautions against wildfires
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has urged Namibians to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautions against wildfires. This follows a fuel load assessment conducted across the country, which found that the fuel load is high and the risk of wildfires is currently imminent. In a media statement issued on Wednesday, the...
Govt commits N$40m to boost infrastructure
Information minister Emma Theofelus announced on Tuesday that the government has committed N$40 million to expand information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in Namibia. The investment aims to support and complement the efforts of existing mobile network operators, reinforcing the country’s digital transformation agenda. Theofelus made the announcement during the Huawei Namibia and Pinnacle gala...
Epako murder, rape accused pleads not guilty
John Kangumbe Mutirua (23) pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of robbery with aggravating circumstances. Mutirua also pleaded not guilty to one count of defeating or attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, one count of abduction (alternatively kidnapping), two counts of kidnapping,...
Rape-accused Keetmans learner in court
The 18-year-old pupil who stands accused of raping three minor girls made his first appearance in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Jerome Burtze made his first appearance before Magistrate Unchen Konjore, who postponed his case to 24 June 2025 for further police investigation. During the court hearing, the accused indicated that he will conduct...
Forbes’ sabotage claims draw Nkosi’s ire
WALVIS BAY – In a swift turn of events this week, Walvis Bay councillor Albertina Nkosi expressed dissatisfaction with mayor Trevino Forbes’ claims that the municipality was under siege from internal saboteurs. Forbes, while addressing an Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) press conference recently, alleged that there was political sabotage at one of the country’s...
Nations implored to lead climate fight
Rudolf Gaiseb Namibia has called on developed countries to take the lead in global emission reductions by adhering to the common responsibility of States principle. This is captured in the report of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) and related meetings to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)...
Namibia gets water loan from Germany
Suzith Tjitaura Minister of Finance, Ericah Shafudah, signed a N$1.5 billion loan agreement on Tuesday with the German government through the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) to fund Namibia’s second Water Sector Programme. The loan carries an interest rate of 10.09% and has a 20-year repayment period, including a five-year grace period. “This interest rate is...
On the spot with Lahja Nashuuta – Outgoing Media Ombudsman reflects on tenure
Namibia recently joined the rest of the world to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day. In light of this, the outgoing Media Ombudsman John Nakuta (JN) sat with New Era Journalist Lahja Nashuuta (LN) to reflect on the country’s media landscape, challenges to press freedom and the road ahead. LN: What is the role of...









