Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 23 July 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Person

Lydia Amutenya

2025-01-282026-07-23

What’s been said

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

  1. January 2026
  2. Informanté

    Lydia Amutenya said they have been alerted to incidents in which scammers contact residents threatening to suspend or disconnect municipal services unless immediate payments are made via e-wallets or other mobile money platforms

    Source

    Lydia Amutenya, spokesperson for the CoW, said they have been alerted to incidents in which scammers contact residents, threatening to suspend or disconnect municipal services unless immediate payments are made via e-wallets or other mobile money platforms.

    City of Windhoek warns against scammers
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. January 2025
  6. 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

Today

  1. Windhoek informal settlement residents demand water and basic services

    Residents of Baboon City, an informal settlement in Windhoek, say they have been neglected by political leaders after elections and lack access to clean water and basic services. The City of Windhoek maintains the area is not a recognised settlement and has no plans to formalise it or provide municipal services.

    9 hours ago · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Windhoek lacks attractions to retain tourist interest

    The Hospitality Association of Namibia says tourists find Windhoek lacks sufficient attractions and events, with feedback that museums and historical buildings are not properly promoted. While the city serves as a gateway to Namibia's tourism destinations, urban tourism remains limited to historic landmarks and township experiences.

    21 July 2026 · The Namibian

  2. City of Windhoek admits security gap at Groot Aub Cemetery

    The City of Windhoek has acknowledged that dedicated municipal security services have not yet been deployed at Groot Aub Cemetery following the vandalism of Joseph Willem Modise's grave. The cemetery remains in a transitional phase after its incorporation into the City and has not yet been fully integrated into formal cemetery operations.

    21 July 2026 · New Era

Sunday 19 July

  1. Windhoek launches N$12-million streetlight mapping initiative

    The City of Windhoek has begun a 28-month project to digitally map and inspect over 17,000 municipal streetlight poles to improve public safety, reduce maintenance delays, and modernise infrastructure management.

    19 July 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 16 July

  1. City of Windhoek denies halt to informal trading permits

    The City of Windhoek has denied allegations that its CEO's office instructed officials to stop issuing new informal trading permits, saying applications continue to be processed under existing regulations. The denial follows complaints from traders and residents in Dorado Park about City Police preventing informal traders from operating and the City refusing to issue trading letters.

    16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Windhoek councillor demands clarity on Dorado Park trade suspension

    Windhoek Municipality councillor Maitjituavi Kavetu has requested information from City management about the suspension of trading letters and increased enforcement against informal traders in Dorado Park, citing governance and public interest concerns following complaints from residents and traders claiming City Police prevented them from operating.

    14 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Thursday 9 July

  1. Government institutions' municipal debt to Windhoek drops 60%

    Outstanding municipal debt owed by government institutions to the City of Windhoek fell from approximately N$67 million in May to N$27 million in June, a 60% decline attributed to government's crackdown on unpaid accounts. The City's overall debtors' book also improved over the same period, declining from N$912 million in May to N$845 million in June.

    9 July 2026 · New Era

Monday 6 July

  1. Young professionals struggle with Windhoek rental costs

    Young professionals in Windhoek report that rising rental costs make independent living increasingly unaffordable despite employment, with tenants facing high prices, outdated units, and restrictive lease conditions that consume large portions of their salaries.

    6 July 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 25 June

  1. Windhoek may seek legal changes for fibre commercialisation project

    The City of Windhoek says it may seek legislative amendments to the Local Authorities Act after the Supreme Court ruled the municipality lacks legal authority to provide telecommunications services. The city views fibre commercialisation as essential to its smart city ambitions.

    25 June 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 23 June

  1. Windhoek informal settlement without waste collection for 33 years

    Epandulo, an informal settlement in Windhoek's Moses //Garoeb constituency with nearly 1,500 residents, has lacked garbage collection, toilets, and adequate water access for 33 years, creating a sanitation crisis that residents say is causing health problems in children.

    23 June 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Ministry of Works water cut over N$9.66m unpaid bill

    The Windhoek municipality disconnected water to the Ministry of Works and Transport's head office over an unpaid utility bill of N$9.66 million; the water was restored yesterday after four days without supply and the minister instructed officials to settle the debt and investigate how it accumulated.

    16 June 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

Lydia Amutenya — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute