Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Namibian
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) supporters are questioning their party loyalty following the sudden, unexplained removal of Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi from her position. …
LPM members doubt party after Keetmans mayor bootedNew Era
Dalene Kooper KEETMANSHOOP – In pursuit of her love for thrill and adventure, Priscilla Shongola carefully chose a healthcare career, where dozing off is not an option. …
No rest for Priscilla ShongolaThe Namibian
… He said the next centres to receive the technology would be Gobabis, Karibib and Keetmanshoop, with all Natis centres expected to be operating the system by March 2027. …
Okahandja starts computerised learner licence testThe Namibian
Former Keetmanshoop mayor and Landless People’s Movement (LPM) councillor Melody Swartbooi says party members interviewed municipality staff days before she was removed as mayor and as a council member. …
LPM ‘interviewed staff’ before firing mayorThe Namibian
… He said the next centres to receive the technology would be Gobabis, Karibib and Keetmanshoop, with all Natis centres expected to be operating the system by March 2027. …
Okahandja starts computerised learner licence testThe Namibian
The Landless People’s Movement has withdrawn Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi from her position and revoked her representation on the town council with immediate effect. …
LPM withdraws Keetmanshoop mayor SwartbooiInformanté
Staff Reporter MELODY Swartbooi has been withdrawn as Mayor of Keetmanshoop with immediate effect. …
Melody Swartbooi withdrawn as Keetmanshoop mayorThe Namibian
TransNamib says an independent investigation into the Rovos Rail passenger train derailment near Keetmanshoop has reinforced the need for continued improvements in rail safety and operational systems. …
TransNamib rail safety review backs reforms after Rovos derailmentInformanté
Staff Reporter THE national rail operator, TransNamib, has announced receipt of the independent investigation report into the Rovos Rail passenger train derailment incident that occurred on 1 March 2026 south of Keetmanshoop, Namibia, which claimed the lives of two people. …
TransNamib receives independent investigation report on Rovos rail accidentThe Namibian
… A trip from Keetmanshoop to Ondangwa is expected to cost N$748, while passengers travelling from Rundu to Oshana are expected to pay N$345. …
Transport ministry warns operators against exceeding approved fare increaseSuperSpar Keetmanshoop staff will receive their July salaries in two instalments about 10 days apart due to a shortfall caused by alleged internal theft.
9 hours ago · Namibian Sun →
SuperSpar Keetmanshoop staff will receive their July salaries in two instalments about 10 days apart due to a shortfall caused by alleged internal theft.
9 hours ago · Namibian Sun →
The ||Kharas governor's youth desk, established in 2025, has assisted young people through leadership and financial literacy training, tertiary applications, scholarships to the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology, school uniforms, and international exchange opportunities. The desk provides information on development funds and employment opportunities and serves the entire region through local networks.
20 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Keetmanshoop municipal council has elected Swapo councillor Emrico Blaauw as the town's new mayor, with Beata Set as deputy mayor. The election follows the recall of LPM mayor Melody Swartbooi in June.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has withdrawn councillor Pieter Skeyer from the Keetmanshoop Town Council, citing alleged violations of party directives. Skeyer, who served six months, said his decisions were based on personal conviction and will now focus on his role as school principal.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
NamWater has started construction of the Naute–Keetmanshoop Water Pipeline Replacement Project, valued at N$219,697,642.12 inclusive of VAT and fully funded by the corporation. The existing pipeline has been in service since 1972.
17 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Landless People's Movement has nominated Kalan Goliath to fill the vacant Keetmanshoop municipal seat left by former mayor Melody Swartbooi, who was recalled by the party in June. Goliath's appointment is awaiting completion of statutory procedures including gazetting and ministerial approval.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Training Authority has invested N$1.1 million across seven secondary schools to strengthen pre-vocational subject teaching and prepare learners with practical skills for the labour market. Each school received N$150,000 for equipment procurement and enhanced teaching and learning delivery.
10 July 2026 · New Era →
The Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating alleged fraud involving about N$2.5 million worth of vehicle parts at the government garage, where officials are suspected of ordering spare parts never fitted to government vehicles. The wider probe has uncovered inflated spare-part prices, excessive repair bills, payments for undelivered goods, and government vehicles allegedly diverted to private garages without proper records.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia will hold the 2026 International Youth Day national commemorations in Keetmanshoop on 12 August 2026, with the theme "Youth Advancing Multilateral Cooperation through Technology and Partnerships." The annual UN-observed day recognises young people's contributions and addresses challenges including unemployment, education access, health and civic participation.
7 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management has officially begun implementing the Prime Minister's Charity Foundation, which raised N$4.2 million through a gala dinner and is supporting local authorities through strategic planning and capacity-building initiatives. Seven selected local authorities and village councils are participating in a five-day Strategic Plan Development Workshop to develop plans that strengthen governance and improve service delivery.
1 July 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has nominated Bryan Eiseb, currently head of the Financial Intelligence Centre, to lead the Anti-Corruption Commission, with Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare tabling a motion in the National Assembly for parliamentary approval. Eiseb, 55, would succeed Paulus Noa, whose term as director general ends this month.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The acting chief executive of Keetmanshoop municipality was recalled by councillors over alleged financial non-compliance, including a financial services company appointed without following procurement procedures and incomplete financial records. The municipality is also facing legal and governance challenges, including a court dispute over its management committee composition.
25 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Recent showers combined with water releases from the Naute and Neckartal dams have caused a rapid rise in the Fish River and other southern waterways, with the Naute Dam's water capacity dropping from 117.3% to 109.4% during a two-day release. Further rainfall is forecast for southern Namibia on Wednesday.
23 June 2026 · Informanté →
NamPower is implementing major electricity transmission projects to strengthen Namibia's power grid and support economic growth, including the N$2 billion 400kV Auas-Kokerboom Transmission Line expected to be commissioned in the second half of 2028.
23 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Heavy rainfall in the ǁKharas region has forced the temporary closure of road 212 (the C13) between Aussenkehr and Rosh Pinah due to flood-related damage; the Roads Authority is monitoring affected areas and advising motorists to use alternative routes and exercise caution.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Ninety-six hikers, including school children, are trapped in Fish River Canyon after heavy rainfall and dam releases caused water levels to rise. Police and Namibia Wildlife Resorts have launched a rescue operation involving ground teams and a helicopter.
22 June 2026 · Informanté →
//Kharas Governor Dawid Gertze has raised concern over sluggish procurement processes in local authorities that are locking up millions of dollars in Road Fund Administration monies, with several municipalities and village councils returning a combined N$11.4 million and only 16.7% of N$857,100 allocated for traffic law enforcement being utilised.
22 June 2026 · New Era →
Two suspects have been arrested and a third remains at large following an incident at Old Mutual Mall where a security guard fired rubber bullets at a getaway vehicle after catching a theft in progress. The vehicle's driver and a 46-year-old female were detained; stolen goods valued at about N$7,070 were recovered, and the driver was found with a licensed pistol.
21 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Governor of //Kharas Region, Dawid Gertze, has called for unity among traditional communities in the south, urging them to resolve disputes internally rather than through court action. He stressed that prolonged court battles are draining scarce resources meant for development and that traditional disputes should be resolved through dialogue, wisdom and reconciliation.
19 June 2026 · Informanté →
High Court Judge Thomas Masuku has suspended implementation of a no-confidence vote that removed two Landless People's Movement councillors from the Keetmanshoop Municipality in May, and ordered their immediate reinstatement pending final determination. The councillors, Annelise Knaus and Easter Isaak, argue their removal was unlawful and that the council meetings that led to it violated standing rules under the Local Authorities Act.
19 June 2026 · New Era →
Widespread frost, rain and hail have affected Hardap and //Kharas regions, with several //Kharas towns recording rainfall between 8–24 mm. The Namibia Meteorological Services predicts strong winds and heavy thundershowers will continue across the south on Friday, with possible spread to central and eastern areas, raising flash flood risks.
18 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Landless People's Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi dismissed ousted Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi after she allegedly failed to ensure a motion of no confidence against two fellow LPM councillors was brought to council, with derogatory WhatsApp messages and audio recordings revealing long-standing tensions between them.
18 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Cold, rainy conditions and hail affected southern regions on Wednesday, with the Namibia Meteorological Services predicting heavy thundershowers, possible flash floods, and cold, windy weather on Thursday, particularly in the south, along with rain and low temperatures in eastern, central, and coastal areas.
17 June 2026 · Informanté →
Former Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi says she remains a proud LPM member despite being recalled from the town council by the party, which has not provided reasons for her withdrawal. LPM spokesperson confirms she remains an ordinary member, neither suspended nor expelled.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Keetmanshoop mayor Francis Melody Swartbooi claimed at a media briefing that the Landless People's Movement's leadership forced her to award municipal projects to a preferred contractor, and dismissed her when she refused. The dispute centred on a water meter procurement tender and plans to renovate the Homs-Ai Open Market.
17 June 2026 · New Era →
The Landless People's Movement has ordered Guame Stephanus, the party's second deputy operative secretary in Keetmanshoop, to immediately return a vehicle assigned to him for party duties. The directive comes days after the LPM recalled Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi, and Stephanus says the instructions were issued without explanation.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Keetmanshoop Mayor Melody Swartbooi, removed from office by the Landless People's Movement, has disputed claims of being a SWAPO infiltrator and alleged she suffered intimidation, control, and bullying from LPM leadership. She argued that mayors must work with councillors from different parties for development and questioned why LPM applies coalition standards inconsistently, noting the party works with SWAPO in Gobabis.
16 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Governor of the //Kharas Region, Dawid Gertze, has criticised local authorities for failing to utilise allocated Road Fund Administration funds, noting that out of N$29.66 million earmarked for road maintenance, only N$12.36 million was spent, resulting in an expenditure rate of below 50%. He called on underperforming municipalities and village councils to streamline their procurement processes, pointing out that several authorities including Lüderitz, Karasburg, and all village councils spent none of their combined N$11.4 million allocation.
16 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Landless Peoples' Movement recalled Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi from her position and council representation over the weekend, citing unspecified reasons. A chaotic meeting involving police and a failed follow-up discussion have left party members divided and questioning the leadership's handling of the dispute.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Political analysts say the Landless People's Movement needs stronger regional and local branches after its community meeting in Keetmanshoop was disrupted on Saturday. An analyst warned that parties without robust local structures risk becoming disconnected from supporters and overly dependent on individuals.
16 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →