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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. February 2026
  2. New Era

    Lifalaza Simataa expressed great sadness over the circumstances surrounding Shiweda's passing

    Source

    The spokesperson of the Landless People's Movement, Lifalaza Simataa, expressed great sadness over the circumstances surrounding Shiweda's passing.

    Slain prosecutor optimistic until death
  3. January 2026
  4. The Namibian

    Lifalaza Simataa describes Sankwasa's actions as hypocritical

    Source

    Speaking on behalf of his councillors, Landless People's Movement spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa describes Sankwasa's actions as hypocritical.

    Minister Sankwasa owes NamWater N$174 000 amid councillor debt criticism
  5. October 2024
  6. The Namibian

    LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa says party is participating in trip to ensure ECN does not allow rigging

    Source

    LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa says the party is participating in the trip to ensure the ECN does not allow rigging.

    Electoral commission faces backlash over controversial ballot paper tender and costly South Africa trip
  7. The Namibian

    LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa says Amushelelo did not contribute to the party ideologically

    Source

    Meanwhile, LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa says Amushelelo did not contribute to the party ideologically.

    Michael Amushelelo rejects ‘political prostitute' label as he rejoins Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters
  8. The Namibian

    LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa stated Amushelelo has not tendered formal resignation

    Source

    "As it stands, the gentleman in question has not tendered a formal resignation from the party in any form of communication," said LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa.

    LPM accepts Amushelelo’s resignation
  9. The Namibian

    LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa confirmed the acceptance of Amushelelo's withdrawal to The Namibian on Tuesday

    Source

    LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa confirmed this to The Namibian on Tuesday.

    LPM accepts Amushelelo’s withdrawal from parliamentary list
  10. The Namibian

    Lifalaza Simataa stated the party has not received official communication from Amushelelo about his withdrawal

    Source

    LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa says the party has not received any official communication from Amushelelo about his reported withdrawal from the party's parliamentary list.

    Amushelelo announces withdrawal from the LPM parliamentary list
  11. September 2024
  12. The Namibian

    Lifalaza Simataa said a week was insufficient to review the entire voters' register

    Source

    Party spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa last week said a week was insufficient.

    Landless People’s Movement calls for extended review period of voters' register ahead of elections
  13. June 2024
  14. The Namibian

    LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa signed a statement criticising Henny Seibeb as unprofessional with vulgar mannerisms

    Source

    A press statement signed by LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa criticised Seibeb as unprofessional with "childish and barbaric mannerisms" and "often violent, loud and unfiltered expressions of hate".

    Hell Hath No Fury Like LPM Scorned
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