Vice President Lucia Witbooi says African nations face challenges seeking reparations for colonial crimes but must continue pressing for compensation. She spoke Tuesday at Open Society Africa in Windhoek, urging women to lead the fight for restorative justice. Witbooi emphasized that these payments represent justice owed to Africans, not special favors.
Her comments addressed Namibia's ongoing efforts to secure reparations from Germany for the 1904 massacre. German forces killed more than 100,000 Nama and Ovaherero people during their colonial rule, considered among Africa's worst colonial atrocities. The vice president stressed that listening to victims remains essential for any meaningful resolution.
Witbooi noted that Namibians...
Rehoboth residents launched a petition called "Clean Up Our Streets," asking police to fight against illegal drugs and alcohol trade. Social worker Levina Negongo said the campaign lets people speak out about drug dealing and alcohol problems in their town. The community wants more visible police presence and better law enforcement to stop drug trafficking and substance abuse. They believe current failures to enforce laws have led to more crime, violence, and poverty throughout the area. Residents hope their petition will create positive change.
The petition requests several specific actions from authorities. People want regular roadblocks at town entrances, random vehicle checks, and sniffer dogs to catch smugglers. They demand that...
The sewage system at Katima Mulilo faces disaster as old pipes crumble into the soil. Town Council CEO Raphael Liswaniso told The Namibian yesterday that infrastructure designed for 8,000 people must serve a population of 46,401. Sewage problems plague the New Look, Soweto, Ngweze, Greenwell, and Boma areas. Houses built above these lines make repairs nearly impossible because pipes installed before 1980 have disintegrated.
The government set aside N$491 million over three financial years for a treatment plant. This addresses only part of the problem since existing lines cannot transport waste to any new facility. An additional N$500 million would need to be spent to replace the entire system. Current pump stations run constantly...
South African soldiers cannot return home from their peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo because Goma International Airport is closed. SANDF sources told IOL the troops remain stuck with no clear timeline for their departure. The DRC government banned airport operations earlier this month over security worries about M23/AFC/RDF forces nearby. This decision complicates recent agreements between the Southern African Development Community and M23 about fixing and reopening the airport facilities.
Rwanda expressed anger about the closure since it prevents businesspeople and officials from traveling to the Great Lakes region, hurting trade. DRC officials insist only they can authorize the airport reopening. They...
Street vendors at Rehoboth have multiplied since early this year. They sell everything from produce, clothing, footwear, beauty items, and headwear to hair products. Single mother Caroline Beukes started selling shoes after losing her domestic worker job when her employers relocated to Windhoek. She applied for positions for months without success before purchasing inventory on credit to launch her business. She believes that unemployment nationwide remains challenging and encourages jobless people to create income opportunities.
Beukes spent considerable money preparing resumes and traveling to submit applications. She warns that financial hardship can drive desperate people toward suicide, theft, or illegal trade. Another merchant...
Three men face justice after killing an Omaheke stock theft investigator who tried solving a cattle theft 12 years ago. Acting judge Alfred Siboleka found Stockley Kauejao, Matheu Kakururume, and Muvare Kaporo guilty of murder yesterday in Windhoek High Court. The court also convicted these three men and Afas Kamutjemo of stealing livestock and obstructing justice. The case started because Kauejao planned the theft of 15 cattle from a Gobabis district farm in December 2012. He later masterminded the murder of investigator Wilfred Kazeurua.
Kakururume and Kaporo killed 55-year-old Kazeurua on December 28, 2012, after the cattle owner asked them to investigate. They burned and buried his body, which searchers found about 10 days later...
The //Kharas Regional Council meets today about an irregular payment authorized by acting chief Ralph Sachika that police currently investigate. Council members want answers from Sachika regarding money intended for August 26 Construction allegedly paid to a third party. Reports claim N$700,000 ended up with Sachika's two-year-old daughter.
Council leader Joseph Isaacks knows about regular payments to August 26 Construction for classroom projects but expressed surprise about N$3 million sent to Tushiko Internet Technologies CC. He stressed that finding the truth quickly remains their priority for this special meeting, where Sachika must present all payment documentation.
Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda raised these...
Khomas governor Sam Nujoma Jr visited a grieving mother Sunday after her two children died in a shack fire at Windhoek's One Nation settlement. The tragedy happened around 10 p.m. Saturday when flames engulfed their home as the children slept. Their mother was at work during the incident. The older brother, age 20, had gone to a neighbor's house. The fire claimed a six-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl.
Nujoma told family members the deaths shocked the entire nation. He promised the Khomas Regional Council would support them throughout their mourning period. He emphasized that no parent should experience burying children under such terrible circumstances. The incident highlights serious problems with housing safety and inadequate...
A suspended Namibia Revenue Agency worker plans to sue over her delayed case. The Windhoek staff member has remained on paid leave for two years. Officials suspended senior human resources officer Ndamonoghenda Nampweya amid allegations of nepotism and document forgery. Her lawyer, Diaz Kavu, claims agency leaders waste public money paying someone who cannot work.
Nampweya received suspension orders in 2023 pending investigation. The disciplinary committee chairperson suggested a final written warning instead of firing her last September. Kavu argues this recommendation should have led to her immediate return to work. Despite formal demands for reinstatement, Namra commissioner Sam Shivute has not responded to any communications from...
