Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Person

Lydia Amutenya

2025-01-282026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. January 2026

  2. Informanté

    Lydia Amutenya confirmed 600 mm bulk water supply pipeline was successfully repaired on Wednesday night

    Source

    “City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya confirmed that the 600 mm bulk water supply pipeline was successfully repaired on Wednesday night, but said water supply would return gradually throughout the day today.”

    Water supply to return gradually to affected parts of Windhoek, says CoW

  3. Informanté

    Lydia Amutenya said water supply would return gradually throughout the day

    Source

    “City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya confirmed that the 600 mm bulk water supply pipeline was successfully repaired on Wednesday night, but said water supply would return gradually throughout the day today.”

    Water supply to return gradually to affected parts of Windhoek, says CoW
  4. January 2025

  5. The Namibian

    Lydia Amutenya confirmed the relocation could be considered semi-permanent

    Source

    “City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya on Tuesday confirmed that the relocation could be considered "semi-permanent".”

    City of Windhoek addresses ‘semi-permanent' relocation of flood victims to Goreangab farm
Society

City explains brown water, pipeline damage, and body discovery

The News

The City of Windhoek has disclosed that brown discoloration in tap water results from sand mixing with water when pipes burst or corrode, and from residue stirred up by low reservoir levels following damage to the Von Bach pipeline. The disclosures came during a media tour of the water treatment plant, held after a body was discovered in a water treatment machine and residents raised safety concerns.

Why it matters

Water safety and infrastructure crisis affecting Windhoek residents remains a critical public service accountability story.

26 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 26 May

  1. City explains brown water, pipeline damage, and body discovery

    The City of Windhoek has disclosed that brown discoloration in tap water results from sand mixing with water when pipes burst or corrode, and from residue stirred up by low reservoir levels following damage to the Von Bach pipeline. The disclosures came during a media tour of the water treatment plant, held after a body was discovered in a water treatment machine and residents raised safety concerns.

    26 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 25 May

  1. Pipeline damage causes water discolouration in Windhoek areas

    The City of Windhoek attributed recent water discolouration to pipeline damage between the Von Bach Water Treatment Plant and Windhoek that interrupted NamWater supply. The reduced inflow lowered reservoir levels, disturbing sediment and causing brown-coloured water in areas including Katutura and Okuryangava, though the city said the issue is aesthetic and does not affect water safety.

    25 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Windhoek residents demand lab evidence after body found in water treatment facility

    A body was discovered at Windhoek's Gammams Water Care Works facility on Sunday, prompting the Residents and Ratepayers Association to demand laboratory results on tap water safety. The Windhoek Municipality has assured the public that the city's water is safe, noting the body was found at the initial screening stage of the treatment process.

    20 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. City of Windhoek halts demolition of Havana family home

    The City of Windhoek has agreed to stop the planned demolition of an N$500 000 unapproved home at Max Mutongolume informal settlement in Havana, following negotiations with the family that owns it. The family of 15, who have lived in the area for 18 years, requested relief from compliance directives and the city agreed to review the house for possible regularisation.

    20 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. City of Windhoek halts Havana house demolition after settlement

    The City of Windhoek has resolved a case involving an unapproved house in Havana Informal Settlement after the homeowner requested that compliance conditions be relaxed. Under the agreement, the owner committed to residential use with limited charitable activities, and must complete specific remaining works while accepting liability for occupying the unapproved structure.

    20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 19 May

  1. Windhoek Municipality assures public water is safe after body discovery

    The Windhoek Municipality said municipal water remains safe for drinking after a body was found in a machine at the Gammams Water Care Works facility on Sunday. A city spokesperson stated the machines where the body was found are only used to separate waste from water, and water undergoes proper treatment.

    19 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Windhoek halts Havana house demolition after owner agreement

    The City of Windhoek has resolved a dispute over a house built without municipal approval in Havana Informal Settlement by revising compliance conditions after the homeowner's request. The owner committed by sworn affidavit to use the structure primarily for residential purposes with limited charitable activities, and may complete specified works including corrugated iron sheets, window glass, and floor and wall smoothing.

    19 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 18 May

  1. Unidentified body found at Windhoek water treatment facility

    An unidentified male body was discovered inside a machine at the City of Windhoek's Gammams Water Care Works facility on Sunday. A security officer on patrol found the body and alerted officials; the scene has been secured and handed to the Namibian Police for investigation.

    18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. Body found at Windhoek water treatment facility

    An unidentified male body was discovered inside a machine at the City of Windhoek's Gammams Water Care Works facility on Sunday, 17 May 2026. The incident has been handed over to the Namibian Police for investigation.

    18 May 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 11 May

  1. Windhoek council approves 1 400 new housing units

    The City of Windhoek has approved four township development projects aimed at formalising informal settlements and delivering more than 1 400 housing units to accommodate an estimated 4 866 people in Otjomuise and Hadino Hishongwa.

    11 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Windhoek plans second water recycling plant amid rising demand

    The City of Windhoek is expanding its water reclamation capacity through a second Direct Potable Reclamation Plant (DPR2) to secure long-term water supply amid rising demand, climate uncertainty and increasing infrastructure costs. The facility will be implemented in phases, starting at 10 megalitres per day and expanding to 20 megalitres, increasing current reclamation capacity by 50% in phase one and another 50% in phase two.

    29 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 23 April

  1. City of Windhoek funds councillor training for service delivery

    The City of Windhoek is implementing a capacity development programme for councillors, established under Council Resolution 182/08/2021, that includes academic studies, workshops, benchmarking exercises and site visits to strengthen leadership and decision-making. The programme is designed to equip council members with skills to respond to residents' needs and improve accountability and service delivery.

    23 April 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 28 March

  1. Windhoek street vendors defy evictions despite police crackdowns

    Hundreds of illegal street vendors in Windhoek's CBD face regular evictions by municipal police, but continue trading because formal markets do not generate sufficient income. The city says it is developing structured trading venues as part of a long-term strategy, while vendors and lawmakers call for legal recognition, proper infrastructure, and compensation for confiscated goods.

    28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 27 March

  1. Water supply restored to Central Katutura after pipe burst

    Central Katutura experienced a water outage this morning due to a pipe burst that forced the City of Windhoek to temporarily isolate supply for repairs. Water supply is being restored and expected to normalise within three hours.

    27 March 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Windhoek family faces demolition of N$500,000 informal home

    A 15-member family in Havana informal settlement faces demolition of a partially-built house they invested N$500,000 in, after the City of Windhoek says it was constructed without proper municipal approval. The family claims they believed they could build after the land was demarcated in October, but the municipality says demarcation does not constitute a permit, and calls on them to demolish the illegal structure.

    18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Windhoek encourages cremation as five cemeteries reach capacity

    The City of Windhoek, which records approximately 960 burials annually, says five of its seven cemeteries are at full capacity and is urging residents to consider cremation as an alternative. The municipality is exploring measures including second interments and developing a new cemetery at Rocky Crest, though some residents and cultural groups have raised concerns about land allocation and religious objections to cremation.

    17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 7 March

  1. Windhoek to install speed humps in Katutura for road safety

    The City of Windhoek has announced road upgrade and decongestion works along Eneas Peter Nanyemba Road in Katutura, including speed hump installations on multiple streets from March to April to improve road safety and slow down traffic.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. Windhoek residents owe city over N$800 million in arrears

    Residents of Windhoek have accumulated more than N$800 million in unpaid water, electricity, rates and taxes accounts, with arrears stretching up to 120 days. The City of Windhoek is pursuing debt collection measures and has implemented a write-off strategy, having processed approximately N$380 million in approved write-offs for pensioners and eligible households.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 February

  1. City of Windhoek HQ without water due to pipe leaks

    Underground pipe leaks at City of Windhoek headquarters have left one building without water supply since last week, forcing staff to use mobile toilets. The city confirmed initial repairs were completed on 16 February, but a further leak was identified; partial water supply has been restored while repairs continue on portions of the building.

    20 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 February

  1. Fake taxis exploit Windhoek traffic congestion, target commuters

    Criminals posing as taxi drivers are exploiting peak-hour congestion in Windhoek to rob commuters, prompting intensified joint operations by City Police and NamPol. Authorities urge commuters to use an official taxi verification app before boarding and report suspicious vehicles.

    16 February 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 8 February

  1. Windhoek water pipe burst damages homes, residents criticize response

    A burst pipe in Donkerhoek, Windhoek damaged four homes early Saturday morning, with residents saying the City of Windhoek's response was untimely. Residents reported damaged household contents and expressed concerns about infrastructure maintenance, with one noting this is the third pipe burst in the area.

    8 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 7 February

  1. Windhoek cashless parking system sparks motorist and worker backlash

    Windhoek's new strictly cashless parking system, implemented by private company KeyPlot Investment on behalf of the City of Windhoek, has drawn complaints from motorists over high transaction fees, inaccessibility for those without bank cards, and confusion—while parking attendants report reduced compliance and increased tension. KPI justified the move as necessary to address missing cash payments and theft under the previous system.

    7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 February

  1. Katutura residents express safety concerns over damaged bridge

    Residents of Grysblok in Windhoek have raised alarm over a bridge whose railings collapsed nearly a year ago, creating a gap that forces pedestrians and schoolchildren to walk dangerously close to traffic. The City of Windhoek spokesperson says the department has assessed the area and will replace the railings; residents also cite inadequate street lighting and rising theft as additional safety concerns.

    4 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 31 January

  1. Poor waste management blamed for Windhoek baboon attacks

    The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has linked baboon attacks on Goreangab residents to poor waste management and urged proper disposal of waste, after failed attempts to scare the animals away. The City of Windhoek acknowledged the recurring incidents and said it lacks a comprehensive policy on human-wildlife conflict, but is investigating the provision of waste management facilities in the affected area.

    31 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 27 January

  1. Windhoek warns residents of municipal service payment scams

    The City of Windhoek has cautioned residents against scammers posing as council officials who threaten to disconnect utilities unless residents pay via e-wallets or in person. The warning follows a case in which a 75-year-old woman lost N$30,990.60 to a scammer claiming to represent the municipality.

    27 January 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 22 January

  1. Windhoek water supply restored gradually after pipeline repair

    The City of Windhoek has announced that water supply to Northern Industrial and Katutura will be restored gradually throughout the day following a nearly two-day outage caused by a damaged 600 mm bulk water pipeline. The pipeline was repaired Wednesday night, but reservoir levels remain low and require time to stabilise before full supply is restored.

    22 January 2026 · Informanté →

Lydia Amutenya — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute