Namibia’s trade balance worsened in March 2025, recording a deficit of N$2.7 billion, according to the latest Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). This marks a deterioration from the N$2.0 billion deficit recorded in February, though it reflects an improvement from the N$4.6 billion shortfall registered in March 2024. Releasing the report, statistician-general and chief...
Only 25% of SOEs submit procurement plans
Rudolf Gaiseb Out of over 173 State-owned enterprises (SOEs), only 42 submitted their procurement plans to the Public Procurement Unit for the 2025/26 financial year, a report has revealed. Of the 42, only five were made on time. These statistics were revealed by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) yesterday. The institute raised concerns that public access to annual...
HIV claims 3 700 lives in 2023
Eba Kandovazu A total of 3 700 Namibians succumbed to HIV/AIDS in 2023, with 2 100 being women and 1 600 men. This information was revealed by Axel Tibinyane, the acting executive director of health and social welfare policy in the Health ministry.He shared these statistics at the 19th International Conference on HIV Treatment, Pathogenesis and Prevention Research in Resource-Limited...
PDM 6 demand N$1.5m each … as dust refuses to settle
Six former Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmakers have dragged their party, the Electoral Commission of Namibia and the National Assembly to court, demanding over N$1.5 million each. This is money they believe they lost in salaries, allowances and benefits which could have accrued to them had they been sworn in as Members of Parliament in 2020, and not two-and-a-half years...
Police intensify hunt for Okahandja butchers
The Namibian Police Force has intensified its manhunt for suspects linked to the horrific murders of three Okahandja girls – Ingrid Maasdorp (5), Roswinds Fabianu (6) and Beyonce !Kharuxas (15). The killings, which sent shockwaves through the nation, have sparked outrage and prompted increased police visibility and investigations across the town. NamPol Deputy Inspector General Elias Mutota yesterday told New...
GBV burning Namibia …over 4 400 cases recorded in 11 months
Isabel Bento SWAKOPMUND – Namibia recorded 4 405 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) between April 2024 and February 2025, with 1 345 of those being rape cases, Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force Joseph Shikongo has said. The rising number of child sexual abuse cases, in particular, has sparked concern among authorities and civil society. “These statistics are shocking,...
298 cars stolen in 2024
Iuze Mukube According to statistics provided by the Namibian Police Force show that 298 motor-vehicles were stolen across the country between 2024 and January 2025. This marks a slight decrease from the 379 vehicles reported stolen between 2023 and 2024. The statistics were confirmed by police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi. She noted that unlike other crimes, most cases involving theft of...
Arson-accused denies confession
The trial of a woman accused of a fatal shack fire that claimed the lives of her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend in December 2022 has descended into a trial within a trial. This was after the accused refuted an alleged confession and admissions she made to police officers shortly after her arrest. Mechtilde Karomo (32) objected to the admissibility...
‘Herbalist’ denied bail … accused of attempted murder, kidnapping, firearm charges
Auleria Wakudumo Self-proclaimed herbalist Kennedy Thiogo Kasume, well- known as Dr Andrew, was denied bail on Tuesday after his appearance at the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, obstructing the course of justice and firearm offences. It is alleged that the suspect shot his 28-year-old housemate and co-worker Nahum Shanyengadje in the left thigh and left hand...
Seven gun for Kamanjab, Sesfontein constituencies
Uakutura Kambaekua OPUWO – The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has announced the names of candidates set to contest the by-elections of the Kamanjab and Sesfontein constituencies on 17 June 2025. Seven candidates were vetted and approved. ECN Kunene regional electoral officer Mike Nganjone informed Nampa on Friday that three candidates have been successfully registered to compete in the by-elections...