Wednesday, 21 October 2026

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Wednesday, 21 October 2026

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Namibian press · Place

Keetmanshoop

2019-07-052026-10-21

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Keetmanshoop

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

October 2026
21 OctWindhoek Observer
Renthia Kaimbi The Keetmanshoop municipality is allegedly broke and unable to pay its employees for October, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has confirmed, amid mounting concerns over the council’s nearly N$100 million debt to NamWater and allegations that pol …
Keetmanshoop broke, cannot pay October salaries …Sankwasa refuses bailout as three councillors travel to Cape Town without ministerial approval
20 OctNamibian Sun
The cancellation of this year's Boer Goat Competition at the Keetmanshoop agricultural expo has left breeders facing financial losses after months of preparing their animals for th... …
‘Money down the drain’
19 OctThe Namibian
Neckartal is spilling over while Windhoek’s dams run low Neckartal Dam outside Keetmanshoop has overflowed twice in two years. …
Water in the Wrong Place
17 OctThe Namibian
A former church building at Keetmanshoop in the ||Kharas region has been turned into a liquor store, with some elderly residents raising concerns. …
From ‘house of God’ to liquor store
16 OctWindhoek Observer
… Meanwhile, reports of vehicles remaining idle at the //Kharas regional Government Garage in Keetmanshoop because spare parts were not procured in time highlight another dimension of public asset management. …
Government vehicles: The numbers must add up
16 OctWindhoek Observer
… He also raised concerns about vehicles at the //Kharas regional Government Garage in Keetmanshoop that reportedly remained idle for extended periods because spare parts had not been procured in time. …
Ministry rejects audit finding on 53 “missing” govt vehicles
15 OctNew Era
… He added that the Khorixas, Keetmanshoop and Nkurenkuru vocational training centres have been completed and are operational. …
Namibia plans 148 new classrooms, 25 schools to ease overcrowding
13 OctWindhoek Observer
… The ministry has urged livestock owners and communities along the Noordoewer, Grünau, Warmbad, Karasburg and Keetmanshoop corridor to observe animal-movement restrictions, cooperate with veterinary officials and immediately report suspected FMD cases. …
Zaamwani visits Karasburg to assess FMD response
13 OctNew Era
… In Keetmanshoop, projects at Kronlein Extension 2 and Brukaros Extension 4 were reported as 100% complete, with approximately 430 erven serviced and 30 jobs created. …
State invests N$146m in shack dwellers’ housing
7 OctInformanté
… He was kept in custody after his first appearance in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 6 October 2026. …
Man accused of Keetmanshoop murder appears in court

Politics

Keetmanshoop municipality unable to pay October salaries, minister denies bailout

The News

The Keetmanshoop municipality cannot pay its employees for October and has a nearly N$100 million debt to NamWater. Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa confirmed the crisis and refused a government bailout, saying the council's financial problems resulted from its own actions, and also questioned three councillors' travel to Cape Town without ministerial approval while salaries remain unpaid.

10 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →

Today

Keetmanshoop municipality unable to pay October salaries, minister denies bailout
The Keetmanshoop municipality cannot pay its employees for October and has a nearly N$100 million debt to NamWater. Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa confirmed the crisis and refused a government bailout, saying the council's financial problems resulted from its own actions, and also questioned three councillors' travel to Cape Town without ministerial approval while salaries remain unpaid.
10 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →

Yesterday

Boer Goat Competition cancellation at Keetmanshoop expo cancelled
The cancellation of this year's Boer Goat Competition at the Keetmanshoop agricultural expo has left breeders facing financial losses after months of preparing their animals.
20 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 19 October

Neckartal spills while Windhoek dams run low
Neckartal Dam outside Keetmanshoop has overflowed twice in two years while Windhoek's supply dams stood at 57.7%, with the Omatako Dam at 12.7%. Namibia ranks fifth out of 14 southern African markets for natural water resources, but the difficulty is where that water falls and where it flows to, with most rainfall lost to evaporation and water storage concentrated in the south and far north while the economy has grown in the centre and on the coast.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 17 October

Former church building in Keetmanshoop now operates as liquor store
A former church building in Keetmanshoop has been converted into a liquor store by Keetmanshoop Superspar since the 1990s, sparking concerns among elderly residents and social media debate about the moral acceptability of using a former place of worship for alcohol sales.
17 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 16 October

Ministry disputes audit finding on missing government vehicles
The Ministry of Works and Transport has challenged an audit finding that 53 government vehicles worth N$35.5 million were missing from the pool vehicle register, arguing they had been recorded in a Permanent Allocated Vehicle Register instead. The Windhoek Observer editorial calls for complete records and independently verifiable evidence to resolve the discrepancy.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Ministry disputes audit finding on 53 unrecorded government vehicles
The ministry of works and transport has rejected an Auditor-General's finding that 53 newly acquired government vehicles worth N$35.5 million were "missing" or not recorded in the pool vehicle register, saying the vehicles were permanently allocated to specific government offices and recorded in a separate register.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 15 October

Namibia plans 148 classrooms, 25 schools by 2027
The education ministry plans to construct 148 permanent classrooms and 66 pre-primary classrooms across all 14 regions, and build 25 new schools in 10 regions, ahead of the 2027 academic year to address overcrowding and improve access to education. Implementation began in the 2025/26 financial year, with 22 of the new schools already at roof level.
15 October 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 13 October

Agriculture minister assesses FMD control operations in Karasburg
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani visited Karasburg Veterinary District to inspect Foot-and-Mouth Disease control efforts, commending teams working at roadblocks and calling for additional support and night enforcement. The ministry confirmed construction of a veterinary cordon fence along the Orange River has commenced with completion expected in four months, and containment-zone fence work expected to begin this week.
13 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Government invests N$146m in shack dwellers housing programme
The government has allocated N$146 million to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia during the 2025/26 financial year to address housing needs of low-income earners. The Urban and Rural Development Ministry reported completing approximately 1,864 houses countrywide and constructing 250 sanitation facilities in rural areas during the review period.
13 October 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 7 October

Man charged with Keetmanshoop murder remanded in custody
Jeffrey Dirks appeared in Keetmanshoop Magistrate's Court on 6 October 2026 charged with the murder of Wilhelmina Waterboer, 39, read with provisions of the Domestic Violence Act and assault GBH. The court remanded him in custody after the State opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and incomplete investigations; the case was postponed to 27 January 2027.
7 October 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 6 October

Neckartal Dam progress stalls amid southern water security concerns
Keetmanshoop and ||Kharas leaders say the Neckartal Dam project has not delivered expected agricultural opportunities and economic development, with the municipality citing insufficient water supply from existing sources to meet growing demand and exploring alternative water sources including groundwater studies.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
NokooTheChef: From home cooking to content creator award nominee
Michelle Nakokurejikene, known online as NokooTheChef, has been nominated in the foodie content creator category at the upcoming MTC Content Creator Awards. The 28-year-old from Keetmanshoop grew up moving across Namibia and developed her love for cooking from childhood play that became household responsibility, blending cultural representation, homestyle recipes and accessible cooking.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 5 October

FMD outbreak forces butcheries to close and place workers on leave
Nearly two weeks into Namibia's foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, butcheries and meat suppliers are running out of stock and placing workers on leave as restrictions including no slaughtering in ||Kharas and no livestock movement across the country take effect. FMD cases in ||Kharas have increased to 79, confirmed on 11 farms.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
39-year-old arrested for girlfriend's death in Keetmanshoop
A man aged 39 has been arrested in Keetmanshoop after allegedly killing his girlfriend, Wilhelmina Waterboer (39), during a physical fight on Saturday. Police say no visible injuries were detected on the deceased's body, with suspicion of internal injuries; the suspect was also found in possession of cannabis.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 4 October

Keetmanshoop man arrested for girlfriend's alleged murder
A 39-year-old man was arrested in Keetmanshoop for allegedly murdering his 39-year-old girlfriend, Wilhelmina Waterboer, following an argument. The police suspect internal injuries caused her death, as no visible injuries were found, and the suspect was also found in possession of cannabis.
4 October 2026 · Informanté →
Police investigate domestic killing, child rape, hit-and-run
Police arrested a 39-year-old man after his girlfriend died following an alleged fight in Keetmanshoop and are investigating the alleged rape of two minors aged eight and 11 in Maltahöhe. A four-year-old boy was injured in a hit-and-run incident at Groot-Aub.
4 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Friday 2 October

Man convicted of stabbing girlfriend to death in Keetmanshoop
Johannes Saul Claasen was found guilty by High Court Judge Dinah Usiku of murdering his girlfriend Ridensia Lamberth on 25 December 2020 in Keetmanshoop by stabbing her in the chest. He also faced charges of attempting to murder their 11-month-old daughter and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
2 October 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 30 September

Katima Mulilo Hospital seeks intermediate status to reduce referrals
Katima Mulilo District Hospital refers an average of 30 patients monthly to facilities outside the Zambezi region, with 372 referrals recorded between April 2024 and March 2025. The Health Ministry plans to upgrade the hospital to intermediate status through introducing specialised services, recruiting qualified professionals, and expanding infrastructure, including a newly commissioned Intensive Care Unit.
30 September 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 29 September

Public consultations on lotteries and gambling regulation amendments scheduled
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has scheduled public consultations on proposed amendments to lotteries and gambling regulations in six regions from 5 to 14 October. Key amendments include standardised application and registration fees, a 5% monitoring fee on net monthly income, a 1% maintenance fee on gross income for a Central Electronic Monitoring System, and coordination with the Namibia Revenue Agency to address undeclared operators and winners.
29 September 2026 · Informanté →
NHE targets 249 houses by December across eleven towns
The National Housing Enterprise plans to complete 249 housing units by December, costing N$80.06 million, spread across Meersig, Oshakati, Okakarara, Eenhana, Goreangab, Ongwediva, Keetmanshoop, Walvis Bay, Henties Bay, Usakos and Swakopmund. Over three years, NHE aims to deliver 750 houses and service 4,215 plots through its Informal Settlement Upgrading and Affordable Housing Programme.
29 September 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 26 September

Light to moderate rainfall sweeps southern Namibia today
Light to moderate rainfall and thundershowers are occurring across southern Namibia, with the Meteorological Service forecasting intensification throughout the day. Interior regions, including Hardap and //Kharas, are expected to receive more rainfall on Saturday.
26 September 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 22 September

Keetmanshoop disability recipients protest unchanged N$1,600 grant
People with disabilities in Keetmanshoop held a demonstration after the Ministry of Finance said the disability grant will remain at N$1,600 per month, despite earlier government announcements in February that suggested both pension and disability grants would increase by N$100 in August. Only the old-age pension was increased to N$1,700.
22 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 21 September

Parliamentary committee finds informal traders lacking sanitation infrastructure
A parliamentary standing committee report finds that informal traders in Okahandja, Windhoek, Swakopmund and Keetmanshoop lack basic sanitation, secure storage and adequate trading space, with some forced to pay for toilet access or resort to using bushes. The committee conducted visits between October 2025 and January 2026 and documented significant water, sanitation and ablution challenges across all four towns.
21 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 20 September

Southern Namibia receives significant rainfall over weekend
The Hardap and //Kharas regions recorded between 20mm and 50mm of rain over the weekend, with some areas such as Farm Kareeboomkolk near Rehoboth receiving more than 50mm on Saturday. The rainfall has begun to revive several of the region's rivers, with the Kalf River in the Hardap Region recording noticeable rises.
20 September 2026 · Informanté →
Keetmanshoop police officers charged with assault during arrest
Two police officers from the Gender-Based Violence Victim Protection Subdivision in Keetmanshoop are under investigation after allegedly assaulting a suspect during his arrest on Tuesday. The suspect opened cases against both officers, who were charged with common assault on Wednesday; the Police Conduct and Investigation Unit is investigating the incident, which was captured on video.
20 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 18 September

High Court dismisses bail appeal in Namdia diamond heist case
The High Court has dismissed Joel Angula's appeal to be released on bail in connection with a major diamond heist at Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) Ltd in January 2026. Angula, a former police and Namdia security officer, faces charges including murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances; 13 parcels of diamonds worth N$4.8 million were allegedly found at his residence, the day after thieves stole diamonds worth over N$300 million from Namdia.
18 September 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 17 September

Tses Village Council terminates CEO contract mid-tenure
The Tses Village Council has ended the employment of CEO Fritz Christiaan, who had two weeks remaining on his second five-year contract. The council cited alleged stagnation, absenteeism, and failure to cooperate as reasons for the termination.
17 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 15 September

Opposition rejects health directive requiring state hospital use
A presidential directive requiring senior public servants to use state health facilities instead of private ones took effect 1 April, but several parliamentarians have opposed it, citing shortages of equipment, medicines, and staff in public hospitals. The president has not visited a hospital under the directive, saying she remains in good health.
15 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 14 September

Weekend rainfall recorded across multiple Namibian regions
Consistent rain showers and thunder dominated weather conditions across many areas this weekend, marking the arrival of early spring rains. The //Kharas and Hardap regions were among the most affected, with the //Kharas Region recording rainfall ranging from 9.4 mm to 40 mm across multiple areas.
14 September 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia holds national prayer day against gender-based violence
Namibia observed National Prayer Day across towns and villages on Saturday under the theme "Seeking Divine Intervention for Behavioural Change," with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah warning that prayer alone cannot end gender-based violence and must be matched by government performance and action from families, communities, and institutions.
14 September 2026 · New Era →