DIGNIFIED FUNERAL: The funeral of Justine Ndapandula Shiweda is currently underway at Onambango near Ondangwa, where a sizeable crowd of mourners has gathered to pay their last respects. …
The Rössing Foundation and the Ondangwa-based Katutura Youth Enterprise Centre (Kayec) are in the High Court this week after the foundation sued to evict the youth training centre over alleged lease breaches. …
… The case involves alleged death threats targeting Kristiana Erastus, the 40-year-old control prosecutor at Grootfontein, and comes after the death on Saturday of Ondangwa-based state prosecutor Justine Shiweda, who succumbed to wounds she suffered in a violent attack in October l …
Auleria Wakudumo ONAMBANGO – “Take care of them; I’ll be here for long”, were the reassuring words spoken by the late Ondangwa regional control prosecutor Justine Shiweda while in hospital on 31 October 2025 in reference to her two children. …
The Office of the Judiciary announced that the Omuthiya Periodical Court will commence operations on Monday, 8 June 2026, providing essential judicial services including criminal proceedings, marriage solemnization, maintenance disputes, and bail payments to residents of Oshikoto Region who previously had to travel to Ondangwa Magistrate's Court.
Why it matters
The Omuthiya Periodical Court opening brings essential judicial services to Oshikoto Region residents, improving access to justice.
The Office of the Judiciary announced that the Omuthiya Periodical Court will commence operations on Monday, 8 June 2026, providing essential judicial services including criminal proceedings, marriage solemnization, maintenance disputes, and bail payments to residents of Oshikoto Region who previously had to travel to Ondangwa Magistrate's Court.
TransNamib's northern railway line, which runs from Tsumeb through Ondangwa to Oshikango and received N$1.17 billion in investment, faces severe infrastructure and capacity challenges including the need for rail upgrades, limited rolling stock capacity, and regulatory gaps. The government is demanding board accountability over frequent derailments on the line.
Public passenger transport operators have been urged to keep fares within an approved 15% increase that took effect on 18 May, aimed at minimising the impact of rising international oil prices and global geopolitical tensions on commuters. The ministry encourages the public to report operators charging fares above the approved increase.
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp has urged young people to reject hatred, discrimination and division, speaking at Genocide Remembrance Day commemorations in Ondangwa. She said Namibia's youth are essential for building lasting peace while preserving the memory of the 1904–1908 genocide against the Ovaherero and Nama people, and called on the current generation to transform painful memories into constructive national purpose.
More than 1,000 cadet constables completed their nine-month training course at the Ruben Danger Ashipala Police Training Centre and paraded in Oshakati and Ongwediva ahead of Friday's graduation ceremony, where the Minister of Home Affairs will deliver the keynote address on behalf of the President.
Johanna Amukoto contracted polio in May 2006 as a teenager, which caused sudden paralysis. She has since transformed her experience into advocacy and a message of hope.
The mother of incarcerated intern doctor Kelsey Kudumo told an Ondangwa court that her daughter's arrest has shattered the family's hopes of escaping poverty, and appealed for bail to allow Kudumo to complete her medical internship. Kudumo was arrested in March in connection with an alleged fraud scheme involving approximately N$2.1 million reportedly stolen from Sanlam.
Warrant officer Maria Uugulu has been arrested on charges of corruption and defeating the course of justice after allegedly soliciting N$600 from two suspects in exchange for withdrawing a criminal case during 2024 in the Ondangwa district. She was remanded in custody and her bail application hearing is postponed to 26 May.
The MTC Volleyball National League moves to Katima Mulilo this weekend for Round 3 matches in both men's and women's divisions. Teams including Blaze Aces, defending champions Revivals, and unbeaten Unam Queens will compete at the Unam Katima Mulilo Campus.
The JSE and NSX-listed real estate investment trust expects funds from operations and dividend per share growth of 9.3% for the 2026 financial year, and forecasts FFO per share growth of 8–10% in 2027. For 2027, Vukile plans to increase its dividend payout ratio from 83% to 85%, which is expected to deliver dividend growth of 10–12%, supported by property expansions in South Africa, Spain and Italy and a 36% stake in Namibian property company MICC Properties.
Boas Mweendeleli, a former senior traditional councillor of the Ondonga Traditional Authority who served as OTA spokesperson and head of the Oniimwandi District, died in hospital in Ongwediva on Sunday at age 84. Before independence, he was a postmaster at Ondangwa and was detained following a bomb blast at the post office in December 1984.
Four suspects appeared in Ondangwa Magistrate's Court on Friday in connection with a widening Sanlam Namibia insurance fraud probe, bringing total arrests to 17. The accused face allegations of fraud, theft, forgery, uttering, corruption, money laundering and conspiracy, with investigations linked to the murder case of control prosecutor Justine Shiweda.
The National Housing Enterprise plans to construct 905 houses across Namibia during the 2025/2026 financial year as part of efforts to reduce the country's housing backlog. Since its establishment in 1993, NHE has constructed more than 21 545 housing units nationwide.
A 16-year-old boy in Ongwediva has been living under a tree after his mother died in a car accident in Zimbabwe in 2023, leaving him without family support or income and causing the nanny caring for him to depart.
Marula oil from northern Namibia is reaching international skincare and cosmetic markets, with Eudafano Women Marula Manufacturing and a cooperative of 26 associations and more than 2,500 women harvesting and processing the product traditionally used at household level.
Prominent businessman Josua Haimbodi, who recently obtained a Specialised Diploma in Political Science from Bircham International University in Madrid, Spain, has called on young Namibians to embrace education and hard work, sharing his journey from a barefoot village boy to a university graduate as evidence that anything is possible with faith and determination.
Twapewa Nakashona (23), known as Twaps the MC, juggles studying, a marketing role at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, his own business ventures, and a career as a hype man. He has shared the stage with over 15 international artists and credits his stage presence to mentorship from MJ the Hype MC and other MCs.
The Minister of International Relations and Trade opened the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition, committing to strengthen economic diplomacy and market access for Namibian producers and service providers on the continental and global stages.
Minister of Home Affairs Lucia Iipumbu addressed staff at Oluno Correctional Facility, saying correctional officers are mentors and role models who stand at the intersection of justice and rehabilitation. She emphasized that the Namibia Correctional Service must focus on transformation, skills development, education, counselling, and productive work alongside accountability.
Round 2 of the MTC Volleyball National League saw Blaze Access edge NDF Phoenix 3–2 in a five-set women's match, while defending champions Revivals bounced back with a 3–1 victory. Unam Queens and NamPol Volleyball Club also secured straight-sets wins, with intensity and team spirit defining the action at Ondangwa Tennis Courts.
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi told parliament that compliance with mandatory vehicle branding requirements for e-hailing operators remains low, with drivers resisting rules requiring permanent identification marks on vehicles often used for private purposes. The ministry also cited broader non-compliance issues, including applicants' failure to meet basic permit requirements such as submitting certificates of good conduct.
Round 2 of the MTC Volleyball National League moves to Ondangwa this weekend, with matches in both men's and women's divisions. Defending champions Revivals seek to recover from an opening-round defeat, while newly promoted sides test their competitiveness against established teams.
The state alleges that 21-year-old murder and fraud accused Petrus Shikwaya owns five properties across northern Namibia, claiming his uncle Abner Mateus financed their acquisition; Shikwaya has denied knowledge of most properties but confirmed ownership of a farming unit near Windhoek that he says he bought for N$11,000.
Petrus Shikwaya, 21, one of six accused in the murder of Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda, claims he was in Windhoek on the date of the attack in October 2025 and had no knowledge of any plan to kill her. Shikwaya admitted sending N$1,200 from his account but said it was on his uncle's instruction and he did not know it would be used for the corrosive acid used in the attack; the state opposes bail, citing a strong prima facie case and concerns about witness interference.
The state alleges that murder accused Petrus Shikwaya fraudulently took possession of his uncle's Suzuki vehicle and gave it to co-accused Petrus Uusiku as a reward for buying acid used to attack Ondangwa prosecutor Justine Shiweda on 17 October 2025. Shikwaya denies the allegations, claiming the vehicle was purchased for his uncle at the decision of his uncles.
Public prosecutor Yeukai Kangira told Ondangwa Magistrate's Court that Petrus Shikwaya, one of four accused in the murder of prosecutor Justine Shiweda, poses a serious flight risk and has not surrendered his passport as claimed. The state alleges that Shikwaya and co-accused were found with an escape plan while in police custody, and argues he should be denied bail to ensure he stands trial; the bail hearing continues on 9 June.
Petrus Shikwaya, 21, testified at his bail hearing that his uncle, former police officer Abner Mateus, used his bank account and sent money through him without his knowledge, including funds allegedly used to buy acid for the attack on prosecutor Justine Shiweda. Shikwaya denied knowing Shiweda or being present during the incident, saying he was in Windhoek at the time.