Namibia Minute.
Monday, 25 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 25 May 2026
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Archive Minute from Monday, 25 May 2026
Politics

High Court rejects secret trial request for NCIS director

The News

Deputy judge president Shafimana Ueitele dismissed an application by Namibia Central Intelligence Service director general Bamba Nghipandua to have a defamation case heard in secret, ruling that a clear case showing it is truly necessary must be made before restricting public access to court proceedings on national security grounds.

Why it matters

High Court's rejection of secret trial for NCIS director sets important precedent on transparency and national security claims in Namibian courts.

25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Politics

  1. High Court rejects secret trial request for NCIS director

    Deputy judge president Shafimana Ueitele dismissed an application by Namibia Central Intelligence Service director general Bamba Nghipandua to have a defamation case heard in secret, ruling that a clear case showing it is truly necessary must be made before restricting public access to court proceedings on national security grounds.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. President orders forensic probe into Swapo fishing company

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has ordered a forensic investigation into Gendev Fishing Resources and its sister company amid allegations of missing millions, lack of transparency, and failure to deliver fish worth over N$49 million to clients.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Namibia joins Africa Day calls for continental unity

    Namibia marked Africa Day with renewed calls for continental unity and self-reliance. President Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized that African nations face economic disruptions, climate change, disease outbreaks and geopolitical uncertainty, and urged strengthening regional cooperation, intra-African trade, and investment in local institutions.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Government plans dual carriageways on high-risk roads

    The Ministry of Works and Transport plans to construct dual-carriageway freeways across Namibia to reduce road accidents and improve transport efficiency. The government will start construction of the Usakos-Arandis dual-carriageway this year, prioritising key roads with heavy traffic volumes and accident records including Windhoek-Okahandja, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Business

  1. NSFAF sues former chief for N$4.3m repayment

    The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund has sued former chief executive Hilya Nghiwete for N$4.3 million following a Supreme Court judgment that overturned earlier rulings in her favour. The fund argues Nghiwete was unfairly enriched after receiving salaries, benefits, and backpay linked to an arbitration award that was later set aside.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Erongo governor orders mining contractor halt over dumped CVs

    The Erongo governor's office has ordered M15 Mining Contractor, hired by Osino Resources Corp, to halt operations immediately after jobseekers' CVs were found dumped at Karibib. The governor called the incident "disrespectful and unacceptable" and directed the company to appear before her office to account for the matter, though Karibib Town Council suggested it resulted from a misunderstanding during a relocation and clean-up process.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. High Court orders auction of Hodago Fishing's freezer trawler

    A Windhoek High Court judge has authorised the deputy sheriff to sell Hodago Fishing's vessel Venus 1 through public auction after the financially troubled company failed to repay Standard Bank Namibia N$36 million in loan and facility agreements. Gendev Fishing Resources, in which the Swapo-owned company Guinas Investments holds 96.5%, has 45% shareholding in Hodago Fishing.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Agriculture & Land

  1. Company faces charges over unauthorized farm auction advertising

    Progress Farming Co. faces possible charges for advertising the auctioning of Farm Neu Progress No. 506 in Khomas without the Ministry of Agriculture's approval. The ministry says the advertisement falsely claimed the farm is open to international buyers without government approval, contradicting Namibian agricultural land transaction laws.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Society

  1. Pipeline damage causes water discolouration in Windhoek areas

    The City of Windhoek attributed recent water discolouration to pipeline damage between the Von Bach Water Treatment Plant and Windhoek that interrupted NamWater supply. The reduced inflow lowered reservoir levels, disturbing sediment and causing brown-coloured water in areas including Katutura and Okuryangava, though the city said the issue is aesthetic and does not affect water safety.

    25 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Omusati teenager saves twin babies from drowning in pond

    Cornelius Shimwaafeni, 16, a non-swimmer from Omutundungu village in Omusati, rescued twin babies (9 months old) from a pond on Sunday after the twins' mother allegedly threw them in. Shimwaafeni dived in without hesitation and removed both babies; the twins' mother subsequently turned herself in to police, and the Omusati governor visited to show support.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Windhoek says discoloured water poses no health risk

    The City of Windhoek stated that discoloured water reported in parts of the capital is aesthetic and does not affect water safety. The discolouration resulted from a pipeline interruption that caused reservoir levels to drop, allowing settled residue to mix with water; supply has since stabilised but discoloured water may persist in parts of the distribution network.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Windhoek discoloured water caused by pipeline damage, not unsafe

    The City of Windhoek says discoloured water in some parts of the capital is aesthetic only and does not pose a health risk. The discolouration followed a pipeline interruption from the Von Bach Water Treatment Plant that caused reservoir levels to drop, allowing settled residue to mix with water; supply has stabilised but discoloured water may persist as the distribution network flushes.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Sport

  1. Kimi Antonelli wins fourth straight F1 race in Canada

    Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli claimed his fourth consecutive victory for Mercedes at the Canadian Grand Prix, extending his championship lead to 43 points and becoming the first driver in F1 history to secure his first four wins in succession. Lewis Hamilton finished second for Ferrari and Max Verstappen third for Red Bull.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Swiatek, Rybakina advance; Wawrinka bids farewell

    Four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek and second seed Elena Rybakina both won their opening matches at Roland Garros on Monday, with Swiatek defeating Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 and Rybakina beating Veronika Erjavec 6-2, 6-2 in sweltering conditions. Stan Wawrinka made an emotional farewell appearance at the tournament.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Djokovic defeats Perricard in opening Roland Garros match

    Novak Djokovic battled from behind to beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 in his opening Roland Garros match, keeping alive his bid for a 25th major title. Alexander Zverev also advanced comfortably in the first round of the clay-court Grand Slam.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. Como, Roma qualify for Champions League; Milan, Juve eliminated

    Como qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history after a 4-1 win at Cremonese on the final day of Serie A, joining Roma in the top four. AC Milan's 2-1 defeat by Cagliari and Juventus's loss in a delayed derby left both clubs outside the Champions League positions.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Villarreal finish third in La Liga with 5-1 win over Atletico

    Villarreal claimed third place in La Liga with an emphatic 5-1 victory over fourth-placed Atletico Madrid in the final match of the Spanish season, marking the club's highest La Liga placement in 13 years. It was manager Marcelino Garcia Toral's last match in charge and captain Dani Parejo's final game for the club.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  6. Sundowns win CAF Champions League on aggregate over FAR Rabat

    Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa won the CAF Champions League with a 2-1 aggregate victory over FAR Rabat of Morocco, drawing 1-1 in the second leg on Sunday. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams played key roles in the final.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  7. Mohamed Salah bids emotional farewell after nine years at Liverpool

    Mohamed Salah played his final match for Liverpool on Sunday in a 1-1 draw with Brentford, leaving as the club's third-highest goalscorer of all-time with 257 goals after nine years at Anfield. The 33-year-old Egyptian winger provided an assist for Curtis Jones before being substituted.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  8. Greek swimmer breaks 50m freestyle record at Enhanced Games

    At the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev posted a time of 20.81sec in the men's 50m freestyle, faster than the world record of 20.88sec, though the record is not official as the event permits performance-enhancing substances. The time earned him a $1 million bonus, though athletics governing bodies have refused to recognize records from the competition.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  9. Wembanyama leads Spurs to level NBA Western Conference finals

    Victor Wembanyama scored 33 points as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-82 on Sunday, leveling the NBA Western Conference finals at two games each. The 22-year-old French center also added eight rebounds, five assists, and three blocked shots in 31 minutes.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  10. Iranian VP calls for footballer Azmoun's reinstatement to team

    An Iranian vice president has urged that striker Sardar Azmoun be reinstated to the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, after he was omitted from the initial squad. Azmoun, 31, recently posted on Instagram affirming his loyalty to Iran and rejecting allegations of treason.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  11. Spain names 2026 World Cup squad led by Lamine Yamal

    Coach Luis de la Fuente named Spain's 2026 World Cup squad on Monday, headlined by 18-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal and including Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino after his return from injury. The squad features eight Barcelona players and notably excludes Real Madrid representatives for the first time at a World Cup.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  12. Vingegaard chases Grand Tour sweep, plans career exit

    Giro d'Italia leader Jonas Vingegaard is bidding to become the eighth man to win all three Grand Tours, having already won the Tour de France twice and the Vuelta a Espana. The 29-year-old said he does not see himself riding professionally past age 35.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

World & Region

  1. Africa Day 2026: Liberation meaning evolves beyond political independence

    As Africa marks the 63rd anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity's founding on 25 May 1963, questions persist over what liberation means. While older generations view Africa Day as a victory against colonial rule, younger Africans increasingly define liberation through economic control, wealth, technology, and jobs rather than political flags and anthems.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Botswana couple launches court case for same-sex marriage

    A same-sex couple in Botswana has filed a court case seeking the right to marry after being told it was illegal when they attempted to register their intent at a local government office. Hearings are scheduled for 14 and 15 July; if successful, Botswana would become the second African country to legalise same-sex marriage after South Africa in 2006.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Opinion

  1. Africans' devotion to European football overshadows Africa Day celebration

    An opinion piece argues that while Namibia and other African cities marked Africa Day to reflect continental unity and achievement, thousands in Windhoek, Nairobi and Johannesburg instead filled public spaces celebrating Arsenal's English Premier League triumph, raising questions about identity priorities and neo-colonial influence over African football loyalty.

    25 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →

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