Namibia Minute.
Friday, 3 April 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 3 April 2026
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Archive Minute from Friday, 3 April 2026
Politics

Fishrot accused lose Supreme Court appeal on asset restraint

The News

Three accused in the Fishrot fraud case—former attorney general Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi, and Pius Mwatelulo—lost their Supreme Court appeal against an assets restraint order imposed under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The court upheld the High Court's 2023 confirmation of the restraint, which freezes assets including bank funds, property, vehicles, and luxury goods belonging to six of the accused, and ordered the three appellants to pay the prosecutor general's legal costs.

3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Politics

  1. Fishrot accused lose Supreme Court appeal on asset restraint

    Three accused in the Fishrot fraud case—former attorney general Sacky Shanghala, James Hatuikulipi, and Pius Mwatelulo—lost their Supreme Court appeal against an assets restraint order imposed under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The court upheld the High Court's 2023 confirmation of the restraint, which freezes assets including bank funds, property, vehicles, and luxury goods belonging to six of the accused, and ordered the three appellants to pay the prosecutor general's legal costs.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Finance minister reshapes Namra board with new appointments and reappointment

    Finance minister Ericah Shafudah has made new appointments and reappointed Peter Kruger as chairperson of the Namibia Revenue Agency board, with changes taking effect on 1 April and running for three years. The moves, made under the Public Enterprises Governance Act, include appointing Ndatega Shikalepo as deputy chairperson, along with Helmuth Naweseb, Mubusisi Mabuku, and Ndahambela Ndoroma-Iipinge to strengthen governance and oversight at Namra.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. President calls for road safety and unity during Easter

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah extended Easter well-wishes to Namibians, urging reflection on spiritual values of sacrifice, compassion, and forgiveness while emphasising the importance of road safety during the holiday period and encouraging national unity and reconciliation.

    3 April 2026 · Informanté →

  4. President appoints minister and deputy ministers to strengthen government

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed Charles Mubita as Minister in the Presidency and Moses //Khumub as Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, along with seven deputy ministers and an advisor to the Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister. The President said the appointments are intended to strengthen the Executive arm and improve institutional coordination and service delivery.

    3 April 2026 · Informanté →

Agriculture & Land

  1. B2Gold and Agra launch agricultural bursary scheme

    Mining company B2Gold and agricultural firm Agra ProVision launched their first joint bursary scheme, awarding 20 bursaries to students for practical training in plant and animal production through Agra's Agricultural Academy. B2Gold committed N$560,000 annually over four years to address Namibia's agricultural skills gap.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Rainfall recorded across country; severe storms forecast

    Rain showers persisted across multiple regions this week, with southern areas experiencing moderate to heavy falls — Maltahöhe recorded 48mm and several //Kharas Region areas recorded 30–38mm between Wednesday and Thursday. The Namibia Meteorological Services forecasts severe thunderstorms on Friday for north-western, central, Erongo, Hardap, and //Kharas regions, with flash floods likely across most of the country.

    3 April 2026 · Informanté →

Society

  1. Housing expansion hindered by N$2.5 billion sewerage shortfall

    The government's housing expansion programme is constrained by a N$2.5-billion funding gap for sewerage infrastructure upgrades, as about 80% of local authorities have ageing systems unable to accommodate new developments. Minister Sankwasa said the shortfall prevented the ministry from meeting its target of 3 000 new houses last year, and that many systems date from the colonial era and no longer suit current population levels.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Government allocates N$2.53 billion to Unam and Nust universities

    The government has allocated N$2.53 billion to Namibia's two public universities for the 2026/27 financial year, with Unam receiving N$1.9 billion and Nust N$631 million, representing a 31% increase aimed at sustaining the rollout of subsidised tertiary education. The funding is intended to maintain affordability, expand higher education access through new campuses and hybrid learning, and support infrastructure projects including student accommodation and science facilities.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Housing expansion blocked by N$2.5bn sewerage infrastructure gap

    The government's housing programme is constrained by a N$2.5-billion shortfall for sewerage infrastructure upgrades, with 80% of local authorities having ageing systems unable to accommodate new developments. Minister Sankwasa said the ministry failed to meet its target of 3,000 houses last year and warned that lack of investment poses public health risks in fast-growing urban areas.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Wernhil Park denies dress code after woman barred entry

    Wernhil Park shopping complex has distanced itself from an incident in which a shopper was allegedly prevented from entering the mall by a security official acting on instruction from a Windhoek City Police officer. The mall's management stated it has no dress code and welcomes all shoppers, respecting what consumers choose to wear.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. President urges safe driving, unity during Easter weekend

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on Namibians to drive safely and reflect on compassion and unity during Easter, noting the period records high numbers of road accidents and holds spiritual significance for sacrifice and forgiveness.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  6. Erongored executive manager Claude Tjizo dies after twenty years

    Erongo Regional Electricity Distributor's executive manager Claude Tjizo has died. Tjizo served the company for over 20 years in several senior roles including general manager for network support services and executive manager for network operations and maintenance before leading the supply business unit from 2018 until his death.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  7. Police urge caution and vigilance during Easter long weekend

    The Namibian Police have issued a nationwide advisory for the Easter long weekend (3–6 April 2026), warning of increased criminal activity and road incidents during the period. The force will intensify patrols and roadblocks, and urges the public to remain vigilant against property crime, fraud, and road hazards.

    3 April 2026 · Informanté →

Sport

  1. Marginalised youth selected for Region 5 games team

    Players from marginalised communities will represent Namibia at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games in Mozambique later this year, selected through community games held by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare. The 2026 National Youth Games will use a clustered format to manage a reduced budget.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Anti-Doping Namibia raises awareness at 2026 Newspaper Cup

    Anti-Doping Namibia is hosting an exhibition booth at the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup in Keetmanshoop to educate young athletes about the dangers and broader definition of doping, which extends beyond banned substances to include missed tests and possession of prohibited items. The organization is working toward establishing a fully independent National Anti-Doping Organisation, with a draft bill submitted to Cabinet for approval.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Senior players back //Kharas youth squad at Newspaper Cup

    Namibian footballers Moses Shidolo and Awilo Stephanus have thrown their support behind the //Kharas Region team hosting the 23rd Nedbank Namibian U20 Newspaper Cup, with both highlighting the tournament's importance as a launching pad for young players' careers. Shidolo noted talent exists across the region's smaller towns, while Stephanus reflected on his own breakthrough through the competition in 2007.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Omaheke netball team targets Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup

    Omaheke's netball team manager Estmerelda Bendt says they aim to win the coveted Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, drawing in group B alongside defending champion Kavango East and Khomas. The team, coached by Monica Bohitile and Gregg Makari, finished second last year and has received support from the regional council and municipality for preparation.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Sport medic Donatha Ngunovandu marks 20 years with youth football

    Veteran sport medicine practitioner Donatha Ngunovandu has spent over 20 years providing medical care and mentorship at the annual Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, expanding her role to include injury assessment, recovery support, and mentoring other medical professionals in the sport medicine field in Namibia.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  6. Steven Tjenao: From Coblenz school to Brave Warriors

    Former Chief Santos and national team defender Steven Tjenao, born in Okakarara and who started playing organised football at age eight, won two NPL titles and three NFA Cups with Santos before earning four caps for Namibia under coach Ted Dumitru in 2002. Now a truck driver, Tjenao reflects on his football career and advises young players to remain fit, punctual and confident in their abilities.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  7. Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup regional tournament history summary

    The article traces the history of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, Namibia's premier developmental regional football tournament, from its inaugural 2001 edition in Khomas (won by Omaheke) through 2025, highlighting past champions, individual award winners, and notable players who went on to represent Namibia including Brave Warriors members Maximilian Mbaeva and Eslin Kamuhanga. The 2026 edition is scheduled for the ||Kharas region over the Easter weekend.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  8. Victor Wembanyama leads Spurs to tenth straight NBA win

    French star Victor Wembanyama scored 41 points and grabbed 18 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Golden State Warriors 127-113 for their tenth consecutive victory, propelling them to second place in the Western Conference and emerging as genuine NBA title contenders.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tourism & Environment

  1. Bus collides with elephant on Omusati road, no human injuries

    An Iveco bus struck an elephant on the Omakange–Iitananga main road early Thursday morning; the bus occupants were unharmed but the vehicle was damaged, and the elephant's condition remained unclear as it disappeared into the wilderness.

    3 April 2026 · Informanté →

World & Region

  1. Burkina Faso military leader rejects democracy, extends autocratic rule

    Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2021 coup, declared that democracy "kills" and said Burkina Faso must abandon it in favour of an unspecified alternative approach. The junta leader, who broke a pledge to restore elections by July 2024, has dissolved political parties, suppressed dissent, and extended his rule for five additional years.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Iran war disrupts India's condom supply chains

    India's condom industry, which produces over six billion units annually, faces material shortages and rising production costs after Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted supplies of silicone oil and ammonia used in manufacturing. Pharmacies in major Indian cities are already reporting stock shortages as prices for key materials surge.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Nasa's Artemis II crew leaves Earth orbit towards moon

    Nasa's Artemis II spacecraft, carrying four astronauts, fired its engines to break out of Earth's orbit and head towards the moon, the first crewed departure from Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. The crew will circle the moon before returning to Earth, setting a new record for the furthest spaceflight and paving the way for future lunar landings and Mars missions.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Four children killed in stabbing attack at Uganda nursery school

    A suspect who posed as a parent gained access to a nursery school in Kampala, Uganda and fatally stabbed four children aged two to three years old. Security forces arrested the suspect as angry residents attempted to lynch him; the motive remains unclear and police are investigating.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Opinion

  1. Universal health coverage plan lacks realistic funding strategy

    An editorial argues that while Namibia's goal of universal free healthcare is commendable, the government's N$16 billion upgrade proposal cannot succeed without new revenue streams or a hybrid insurance model, given that public hospitals already struggle with overcrowding, medicine shortages, and infrastructure deficits. The author warns that expanding access without addressing these systemic challenges risks creating a free but overstretched system.

    3 April 2026 · The Namibian →

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