Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Olga Muharukua

Also known as: magistrate Muharukua · Muharukua · Western Muharukua · magistrate Olga Muharukua · Vipuakuje Muharukua · Kunene governor · Kunene Regional Governor · Zenaune Muharukua

Kunene Regional Council chairperson challenging minister's fund freeze as unlawful over chief officer dispute.

Politics

Kunene Regional Council funds frozen, staff unpaid March and April

The News

Kunene Regional Council employees face a financial crisis after minister James Sankwasa blocked funds allocated to the council following a dispute over the appointment of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb in 2021. Staff have not received salaries for March and April, and the council has taken the matter to the High Court while seeking alternative payment methods.

Why it matters

Kunene Regional Council staff unpaid for two months due to ministerial fund freeze—urgent public sector governance and employee welfare crisis.

20 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. Kunene Regional Council funds frozen, staff unpaid March and April

    Kunene Regional Council employees face a financial crisis after minister James Sankwasa blocked funds allocated to the council following a dispute over the appointment of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb in 2021. Staff have not received salaries for March and April, and the council has taken the matter to the High Court while seeking alternative payment methods.

    20 hours ago · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

  1. Minister blocks funds to Kunene Regional Council over chief officer dispute

    Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has halted government funds to the Kunene Regional Council, demanding removal of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb, whose appointment is being challenged in court. The council's chairperson Western Muharukua describes the fund freeze as unlawful pressure and says it threatens to disrupt salaries, services, and capital projects; the council plans to seek judicial review.

    20 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Charges amended for accused in prosecutor murder case

    The prosecution has amended charges against Petrus Uusiku Pandeni and Kuume Petrus Shikwaya from murder to corruption-related offences following the transfer of their trial back to Windhoek Magistrate's Court from Ondangwa, with the court finding their charges unrelated to the original proceedings. Pandeni and Shikwaya now face conspiracy to commit corruption and corruption charges, while their co-accused Matheus Angula faces corruptly using office for gratification and conspiracy to commit corruption charges, though he still faces a murder charge in Ondangwa.

    16 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Kunene governor tackles traditional leadership disputes

    Kunene governor Vipuakuje Muharukua says competing claims for chieftaincy positions are hampering governance, delaying recognition of chiefs, and slowing development in the region. He is leading consultative meetings to resolve disputes within traditional authorities through dialogue and inclusivity.

    15 April 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 12 April

  1. Last Namcor fraud accused Austin Elindi granted N$50,000 bail

    Austin Elindi, director of fuel companies alleged to have defrauded the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) of millions of namibian dollars, was granted bail in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court after spending more than eight months in custody. He is the last of 14 accused persons in the case to be released on bail and faces charges including fraud, corruption, and money laundering related to fuel sales and unpaid credits.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. Namcor fraud suspect Austin Elindi granted N$50,000 bail

    Businessman Austin Elindi, accused in a National Petroleum Corporation corruption case involving bribes and fraudulent fuel deliveries, was granted bail of N$50,000 in Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Thursday, after nearly nine months in custody since his July 2025 arrest by the Anti-Corruption Commission. Elindi must report to the ACC office twice weekly, surrender travel documents, and remain in the Windhoek district pending his next court appearance on 21 April.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. PM calls for land delivery to unlock Opuwo's economic potential

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has urged traditional authorities to make land available to local authorities, calling it central to development and a national imperative to unlock Opuwo's potential as an economic hub. Over N$812 000 was pledged at a trade fair fundraising gala dinner, with the 13th Opuwo Annual Trade Fair scheduled for April 20 to May 2, 2026.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 5 April

  1. Prosecution of Namdia robbery suspects gets court postponement

    The Windhoek Magistrate's Court has postponed to 18 June the case against Joel Angula and Sam Shololo, accused in a fatal January 2025 armed robbery at state-owned Namdia in which diamonds valued at N$335.6 million were stolen. The state was granted more time to complete parallel investigations across multiple jurisdictions and for the prosecutor general to decide on final charges.

    5 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Opuwo trade fair fundraiser raises N$812,620 for 2026 event

    A gala dinner in Opuwo raised N$812 620 in pledges for the 13th Annual Trade Fair, scheduled for April–May 2026. The event will feature horse racing, boxing, career fair, livestock forum, beauty pageant and music performances.

    5 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Bail hearing resumes for man accused of bar shooting death

    Gabes Shiimi (30) is set to have his formal bail application heard in April in connection with the death of Nande Simon Molukoski at a Windhoek bar on 15 June last year. Shiimi faces charges of murder and unlawful discharge of a firearm; according to State allegations, he was involved in a fight at the bar, left and returned with a gun, fired multiple rounds, and a stray bullet from this shooting killed Molukoski.

    2 April 2026 · New Era →

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