Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Ongwediva founding mayor Erastus Uutoni says he sees no immediate need for a merger
“Ongwediva founding mayor Erastus Uutoni says he sees no immediate need for a merger, arguing that neighbouring town councils can effectively serve residents.”
Oshakadiva?New Era
Former urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni challenged in the High Court the council's decision to reinstate Kamseb
“The decision was subsequently challenged in the High Court by former urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni.”
Kunene RC salaries unpaidThe Namibian
Erastus Uutoni advised them to see a lawyer to resolve the dispute
“The former minister Erastus Uutoni advised them to see a lawyer to resolve the dispute.”
Vaalgras community frustrated over eight-year delay in appointing traditional authority chiefNew Era
Erastus Uutoni challenged in court Kamseb's appointment as chief regional officer
“This decision was challenged in the High Court by the then minister of urban and rural development, Erastus Uutoni.”
Sankwasa blocks govt funds to KuneneThe Namibian
Erastus Uutoni approved an application for the designation of Felix Mashika as traditional leader in September 2023
“Uutoni approved an application for the designation of Mashika as traditional leader in September 2023.”
Judge sets aside appointment of Gciriku traditional leaderNew Era
Former Minister Erastus Uutoni approved designation of Felix Mashika as Hompa
“On Friday, Schimming-Chase set aside the 12 September 2023 decision of former urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni to approve the designation of Maraghuli Felix Mashika as Hompa of the Gciriku Traditional Authority.”
Judge overturns anointed Gciriku chief … gives minister 90 days to reconsiderThe Namibian
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni called out towns like Ondangwa, Ongwediva and Grootfontein for their lack of parks
“Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni on Wednesday called out towns like Ondangwa, Ongwediva and Grootfontein for their lack of parks for residents to enjoy.”
Uutoni criticises lack of parks at Ondangwa, Ongwediva, GrootfonteinThe Namibian
Uutoni questioned the municipalities on their parks
“"Ondangwa, where's your park? Ongwediva, where is your park? Grootfontein, where's your park," Uutoni questioned the municipalities.”
Uutoni criticises lack of parks at Ondangwa, Ongwediva, GrootfonteinThe Namibian
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni is urging local authorities to reconsider reliance on external debt collectors
“Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni is urging local authorities to reconsider their reliance on external debt collectors for recovering funds from defaulting clients.”
Red Force pushes town councils to see redThe Namibian
Uutoni stated handing over accounts to external debt collectors diminishes role of local authority employees
“According to Uutoni, the practice of handing over accounts to external debt collectors diminishes the role of local authority employees tasked with debt collection, reducing them to mere "salary collectors".”
Red Force pushes town councils to see redAn activist has proposed dissolving Ongwediva Town Council and incorporating it into Oshakati Town Council to improve service delivery and reduce administrative duplication in northern Namibia. The proposal argues that Oshakati has become the Oshana region's main commercial, administrative and economic hub, making separate local authorities unnecessary.
10 hours ago · The Namibian →
An activist has proposed dissolving Ongwediva Town Council and incorporating it into Oshakati Town Council to improve service delivery and reduce administrative duplication in northern Namibia. The proposal argues that Oshakati has become the Oshana region's main commercial, administrative and economic hub, making separate local authorities unnecessary.
10 hours ago · The Namibian →
Kunene Regional Council employees did not receive salaries as government funds remain withheld by the urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, who suspended disbursement in May citing concerns over the presence of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb. The suspension has also halted several development projects in the region.
26 June 2026 · New Era →
Joshua Seibeb, deregistered Chief of the Tsoaxudaman clan, has challenged his removal by Minister James Sankwasa in court, arguing it was unlawful. Seibeb was removed in September 2025 after failing to implement a 2022 agreement on the appointment of senior and traditional councillors, stemming from a long-standing leadership dispute within the clan.
9 June 2026 · Informanté →
Community members in Vaalgras, ||Kharas region, express frustration over an eight-year delay in appointing a new Traditional Authority chief following Joel Stephanus's death. Community member Fritz Stephanus alleges that traditional authority councillors are deliberately causing delays and artificial disputes, potentially motivated by their own ambitions to become chief.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has halted government funds to the Kunene Regional Council, demanding removal of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb, whose appointment is being challenged in court. The council's chairperson Western Muharukua describes the fund freeze as unlawful pressure and says it threatens to disrupt salaries, services, and capital projects; the council plans to seek judicial review.
20 April 2026 · New Era →
A High Court judge has set aside the former minister of urban and rural development's appointment of Felix Mashika as chief of the Gciriku Traditional Authority in Kavango East, ruling that the minister failed to properly determine the community's customary law of succession. The court ordered the current minister to reconsider the designation within 90 days, ensuring a proper determination of the applicable customary law is made.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Windhoek High Court has set aside the 2023 ministerial decision to designate Maraghuli Felix Mashika as Hompa of the Gciriku Traditional Authority, ordering the minister to reconsider the matter within 90 days based on a proper determination of Gciriku customary law. The court found that the original decision lacked proper reference to customary law and was made on assumptions.
2 February 2026 · New Era →