Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 14 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 14 May 2026
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Archive Minute from Thursday, 14 May 2026
Politics

Workshop owner arrested for N$179k NDF repair fraud

The News

Former vehicle workshop owner Tweulongelwa Ndeiluka was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly defrauding the Namibian Defence Force of over N$179 000 through false quotations and unpaid repair work between November 2019 and February 2020. He was granted bail of N$10 000 and has been charged under the Anti-Corruption Act with using office or position for gratification, with fraud as an alternative charge.

Why it matters

Anti-Corruption Commission arrest of former workshop owner for N$179,000 NDF fraud demonstrates accountability action against defence sector embezzlement.

14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Politics

  1. Workshop owner arrested for N$179k NDF repair fraud

    Former vehicle workshop owner Tweulongelwa Ndeiluka was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly defrauding the Namibian Defence Force of over N$179 000 through false quotations and unpaid repair work between November 2019 and February 2020. He was granted bail of N$10 000 and has been charged under the Anti-Corruption Act with using office or position for gratification, with fraud as an alternative charge.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Cabinet reduces Geingos staff and vehicles to match Nujoma

    The Cabinet has decided to reduce Monica Geingos' staff from seven to three and state vehicles from three to two, effective 1 June, aligning her benefits with those of former first lady Kovambo Nujoma. Some of the dismissed staff members have reportedly approached the labour commissioner alleging unfair dismissal and unfair labour practices.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Government hands youth and sports functions to regional councils

    The government has officially transferred youth and sports functions from the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture to regional councils. Minister Sankwasa said decentralisation requires regional structures to demonstrate commitment to performance, accountability, and improved management.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Business

  1. Namibia's EU exports reached N$17.6 billion in 2025

    Namibia exported N$90.4 billion in goods in 2025, with N$17.6 billion going to the EU, supporting 46,762 jobs. Exports to six EU member states (Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and Germany) accounted for 95% of Namibian EU exports, with products including fish, uranium, meat, fruit, charcoal, crustaceans, diamonds, and ores.

    14 May 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Namibia's average house price rises to N$1.46 million

    Namibia's average house price increased to N$1.46 million in the first quarter of 2026, up from N$1.42 million the previous quarter, driven by shortages of serviced land and limited housing supply. Demand remains strong in central and coastal regions, though the market faces challenges including weak residential plot sales and low mortgage lending.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Margaret Gustavo appointed NWR acting managing director for two years

    Cabinet has approved the appointment of Margaret Gustavo as acting managing director of Namibia Wildlife Resorts for a two-year period ending April 2028, as government moves to stabilise the state-owned tourism entity. Cabinet has also directed the Ministry to develop a comprehensive turnaround strategy for the parastatal over the next 24 months.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Vice President announces Franco-Namibian Marine Institute plan

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi announced plans to establish a Franco-Namibian Marine Institute to train 1,000 technicians in shipbuilding, aquaculture, and marine robotics by 2030, with a goal of having 60% of Namibian marine products undergo secondary and tertiary processing domestically by 2030. Witbooi said the partnership would leverage French expertise in shipping and port management to reduce clearance times and deploy hydrogen-powered feeder vessels by 2029, connecting Walvis Bay with ports in Dakar, Abidjan, and Marseille via a green shipping corridor.

    14 May 2026 · Informanté →

Agriculture & Land

  1. National Council criticises rural water supply budget allocation

    National Council members have criticised the government's N$1.27-billion water and marine resources budget, saying many rural communities continue to face severe shortages despite repeated promises. Parliamentarians called for urgent implementation of stalled projects and warned that bureaucracy continues to delay access to clean water across the country.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Society

  1. Nkurenkuru VTC adds hospitality and clothing production courses

    The newly established Nkurenkuru Vocational Training Center has expanded its training offerings with the introduction of Hospitality and Tourism Level 2 and Clothing Production courses.

    14 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →

  2. Catholic deacon granted N$5,000 bail in son-killing case

    A 69-year-old Catholic deacon in Nkurenkuru was granted N$5,000 bail at Rundu Magistrate's Court after allegedly shooting his 31-year-old son twice in October 2024 following an argument over a phone. He faces four charges including murder read with the domestic violence act, and has been ordered to report twice weekly to police, remain in the Rundu district, and relocate from his village.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Oshana director criticises nurse misconduct damaging profession

    Oshana regional health director Johanna Haimene said the actions of a few healthcare workers are damaging the reputation of nurses across the country, referencing a recently circulated video of alleged patient mistreatment. She called on nurses to improve patient care, professionalism, and attitudes, and to uphold integrity, accountability and respect for human life.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Windhoek mental health facility admits systemic security failures

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services acknowledged systemic failures at the Windhoek Central Mental Health Centre, citing inadequate infrastructure and human resource deficits that contributed to poor supervision. The admission followed a patient escaping and a fatal police shooting incident.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Health ministry covers funeral costs for three staff killed in ambulance crash

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services will cover funeral costs for two nurses and a driver who died in an ambulance crash on the B1 road between Otjiwarongo and Okahandja earlier this month; nine patients also died in the crash. Health minister Esperance Luvindao said the driver tried to avoid the collision but could not find a safe escape route, and assured bereaved families the government would provide counselling services.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  6. Zambezi Region opens first state renal dialysis unit

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services inaugurated a renal dialysis unit at Katima Mulilo State Hospital, with government investment of more than N$7 million, to provide kidney disease treatment locally and reduce the need for patients to travel to other towns.

    14 May 2026 · Informanté →

Sport

  1. Barcelona lose to Alaves, miss La Liga 100-point record chance

    Barcelona's bid to match La Liga's all-time record of 100 points ended with a 1-0 defeat to Alaves on Wednesday. Hansi Flick's newly-crowned Spanish champions needed to win their remaining three matches to reach that figure but fell to Ibrahim Diabate's goal in first-half stoppage time.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. PSG win fifth consecutive French Ligue 1 title

    Paris Saint-Germain clinched their fifth straight French Ligue 1 title with a 2-0 win over Lens, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scoring before the half-hour mark and Ibrahim Mbaye adding a late goal. PSG have now won 14 French titles overall, with 12 coming in the last 14 years under Qatari ownership.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tourism & Environment

  1. Fish River hiking season opens May 15 after water safety checks

    Namibia Wildlife Resorts announced that the Fish River Hiking Season will officially open on 15 May 2026, following a temporary postponement due to high water levels in the canyon. Recent assessments confirmed water levels have subsided to safe and manageable conditions.

    14 May 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Namibia promotes sustainability-focused tourism at Africa's Travel Indaba

    Namibia's Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel told Africa's Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban that the country's tourism contribution is rooted in sustainability, policy alignment, innovation and market positioning, and called for African nations to work together to strengthen storytelling around the continent's tourism offerings.

    14 May 2026 · Informanté →

World & Region

  1. Iran stages World Cup send-off ceremony for national team

    Iran held a send-off ceremony for its national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The team, coached by Amir Ghalenoei, will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G, opening their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Vice President Witbooi urges stronger Namibia-Kenya economic ties

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi called for strengthened partnerships between Namibia and Kenya, citing Kenya's strengths in innovation and fintech and Namibia's political stability, natural resources, and infrastructure as complementary assets for industrial growth and regional value chains. She also stressed the need for African economies to trade more internally rather than relying on external markets.

    14 May 2026 · Informanté →

  3. Botswana's Boko pays respects to late president Mogae

    Botswana president Duma Boko paid respects to former president Festus Mogae, who died on 8 May after a long illness, praising him as a distinguished leader whose stewardship strengthened Botswana's democracy and stability. Botswana declared 15 May an unpaid public holiday in his honour.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Ghana to evacuate 300 citizens from South Africa

    Ghana's foreign minister announced the country will evacuate 300 citizens from South Africa following recent protests against foreign nationals and reported xenophobic attacks. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described the "protests and criminal acts directed at foreign nationals" as isolated acts of criminality, saying his government would regulate migration and enforce its laws.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Namibia reiterates call for UN Security Council reform

    Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade joined more than 40 African foreign ministers in Nairobi to reaffirm support for UN Security Council reform, including permanent African representation and abolition of the veto power. The minister described Africa's exclusion from permanent membership as a historical injustice.

    14 May 2026 · Informanté →

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