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Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Lifalaza Simataa

LPM spokesperson who disputed claims of party-ordered staff interviews during the Keetmanshoop mayor removal controversy in June 2026.

2024-06-092026-07-23

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. June 2026
  2. The Namibian

    Lifalaza Simataa denies reports of internal divisions in party

    Source

    Meanwhile, LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa denies reports of internal divisions, saying the vehicle's reassignment is a routine administrative matter.

    Fresh LPM fallout after vehicle recall
  3. Windhoek Observer

    LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa told reporters the meeting was disrupted by suspended member Joseph Isaacs

    Source

    LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa told reporters that the meeting was a "packed community engagement" but was disrupted by suspended member Joseph Isaacs.

    ‘LPM must fix internal structures after Keetmanshoop meeting disruption’ – Analysts
  4. The Namibian

    LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa says the move is in line with the party's internal processes

    Source

    LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa says the move is in line with the party's internal processes.

    LPM members doubt party after Keetmans mayor booted
  5. The Namibian

    LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa told The Namibian the party had not instructed party leaders to conduct interviews with municipal employees regarding Swartbooi's leadership

    Source

    LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa told The Namibian on Saturday that the party had not instructed party leaders to conduct interviews with municipal employees regarding Swartbooi's leadership.

    LPM ‘interviewed staff’ before firing mayor
  6. The Namibian

    Simataa denied that Higoam had been instructed by party leadership to conduct interviews with municipal employees regarding Swartbooi's leadership

    Source

    Simataa also denied that Higoam had been instructed by party leadership to conduct interviews with municipal employees regarding Swartbooi's leadership.

    LPM ‘interviewed staff’ before firing mayor
  7. The Namibian

    LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa confirmed the withdrawal decision on Friday

    Source

    LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa confirmed the development on Friday, saying the move was in line with the party's internal processes.

    LPM withdraws Keetmanshoop mayor Swartbooi
  8. April 2026
  9. The Namibian

    Lifalaza Simataa denied Isaacks' allegations as false

    Source

    "Mr Isaacks' allegations are false," he said.

    LPM cracks widen
  10. New Era

    LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said SONA platform reduced to political theatre with unfulfilled promises

    Source

    "Year after year this platform has been reduced to political theatre, where administrators who have been in leadership since independence, in some shape or form, present you with promises that never reach the lived reality. The administration continues to promise heaven in points of housing, employment, education and development, yet the reality is far from those discussions," he wrote in a statement on Wednesday evening.

    NNN brands LPM Sona boycott ‘unfortunate’
  11. The Namibian

    Lifalaza Simataa said the party is tired of 'recycled governance tactics' that mask poor performance

    Source

    In a statement issued on Wednesday night, party spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said the party is tired of 'recycled governance tactics' that continue to mask poor performance.

    LPM ditches Sona, citing ‘recycled’ governance tactics
  12. The Namibian

    Lifalaza Simataa said LPM refuses to participate in a ceremonial exercise to obscure government shortcomings

    Source

    He said the LPM refuses to participate in "a ceremonial exercise used to obscure government shortcomings".

    LPM ditches Sona, citing ‘recycled’ governance tactics
Politics

Opposition challenges ECN nominee over Swapo membership ties

The News

Opposition parties oppose Gerson Sindano's nomination to chair the Electoral Commission of Namibia, citing his past role as personal assistant to a Swapo official and his current Swapo membership as undermining the commission's independence ahead of the 2030 elections. The National Democratic Party president says he would only support Sindano if he publicly renounced his Swapo membership.

15 July 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 15 July

  1. Opposition challenges ECN nominee over Swapo membership ties

    Opposition parties oppose Gerson Sindano's nomination to chair the Electoral Commission of Namibia, citing his past role as personal assistant to a Swapo official and his current Swapo membership as undermining the commission's independence ahead of the 2030 elections. The National Democratic Party president says he would only support Sindano if he publicly renounced his Swapo membership.

    15 July 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 16 June

  1. LPM orders senior official to return party vehicle in Keetmanshoop

    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

  2. LPM must strengthen grassroots structures after Keetmanshoop disruption

    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

Thursday 11 June

  1. LPM members question party after Keetmanshoop mayor removed

    The Landless People's Movement withdrew Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi from her position without disclosing a reason, prompting supporters to question their party loyalty and claim the removal violated legal procedures under the Local Authorities Act.

    11 June 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 8 June

  1. LPM removes Keetmanshoop mayor after staff interviews

    Former Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi says Landless People's Movement (LPM) members interviewed municipality staff days before she was removed as mayor and council member on Friday. LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa denied the party instructed party leaders to conduct such interviews, while Swartbooi says she questioned party member Willy Higoam about the alleged investigations.

    8 June 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 6 June

  1. LPM withdraws Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi

    The Landless People's Movement has withdrawn Keetmanshoop mayor Melody Swartbooi from her position and revoked her council representation with immediate effect, six months after her election in December 2025. The party cited internal processes and strategic redeployment of talent but provided no specific reasons for the removal.

    6 June 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 18 May

  1. Social media rental finder scams rising in Namibia

    The Namibian Police report growing complaints from people scammed by unregistered rental finders on social media, with some tenants losing between N$1,500 and N$11,000 in fake deposits for properties they never secured, particularly in Windhoek.

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 26 April

  1. Minister orders inquiry into tribal bias at Roads Authority

    Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi ordered an investigation into alleged tribal bias in recruitment at the Roads Authority, finding it employs about 74 people from the Zambezi region compared to more than 300 from northern Namibia. The probe has revived broader allegations of tribalism in hiring practices across Namibian state-owned enterprises and government offices.

    26 April 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 19 April

  1. LPM internal divisions deepen amid leadership and suspension disputes

    The Landless People's Movement faces growing internal tensions, with former councillor Joseph Isaacks accusing leader Bernadus Swartbooi of running the party dictatorially and the party suspending former mayor McDonald Hanse over alleged involvement in forming a new political party. The LPM's spokesperson denies disunity claims and says the party operates within constitutional rules, while Hanse contests his suspension and disputes the allegations against him.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 10 April

  1. LPM boycotts presidential address, citing recycled promises

    The Landless People's Movement boycotted President Nandi-Ndaitwah's State of the Nation Address, calling it political theatre that masks poor governance; the presidency responded that dialogue is essential in a democracy and that such absences represent a missed opportunity to raise concerns.

    10 April 2026 · New Era

Thursday 9 April

  1. LPM boycotts state of nation address over recycled tactics

    The Landless People's Movement boycotted President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state of the nation address on Wednesday, arguing that the Sona is repetitive, lacks substance, and masks poor government performance. The party criticized the eighth administration for repackaging old promises, failing to provide meaningful solutions, and reducing the platform to "political theatre" that limits debate.

    9 April 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 8 March

  1. Namibia debates social media ban for children under 15

    Namibian lawmakers and child welfare experts are divided over whether to ban social media for children under 15, with supporters citing mental health and cyberbullying concerns while critics argue for evidence-based regulation rather than an outright ban. Experts also note that enforcement would be technically challenging given the ease of age verification manipulation.

    8 March 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 11 February

  1. Slain prosecutor Justine Shiweda dies after brutal attack

    Ondangwa regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda has died in hospital after suffering injuries from a brutal attack on 17 October 2025 in which she was shot and had corrosive substances poured over her body. Her death has prompted calls from government and judicial leaders for urgent action against violent crime and protection for law enforcement officials.

    11 February 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 3 February

  1. Journalist removed from State House during Cabinet opening

    Journalist Jemima Beukes was escorted out of State House after persistently questioning President Nandi-Ndaitwah about family involvement in the oil industry, despite the President indicating the time was inappropriate and directing her to submit questions through official channels. The Presidency cited security protocols and professional conduct standards, while the Namibia Media Professionals' Union and opposition parties condemned the removal as intimidation and an erosion of press freedom.

    3 February 2026 · New Era

Sunday 25 January

  1. Minister Sankwasa owes NamWater N$174,000 amid debt criticism

    Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa owes N$174,000 to NamWater, drawing accusations of hypocrisy after he recently pressured councillors to settle outstanding bills. Sankwasa attributed the debt to an account inherited from his late mother and said he is attending to its settlement, while critics argue he should have led by example.

    25 January 2026 · The Namibian

Lifalaza Simataa — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute