Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Place

Rundu

Also known as: Rundu Intermediate Hospital

Society

Grade 10 pupil hospitalized with spinal injury after assault over N$20 debt

The News

A Simataa Secondary School pupil was severely assaulted on 23 March by a Grade 12 pupil and three others over an unpaid N$20 debt, suffering spinal cord injury, breathing difficulties, and vision problems. The accused is out on bail of N$2,000 and returned to school, while the victim remains hospitalized and may repeat his grade.

Why it matters

School safety crisis: Grade 10 pupil hospitalised with severe spinal injury after assault by four peers over N$20 debt; accused out on bail and back at school.

8 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. Grade 10 pupil hospitalized with spinal injury after assault over N$20 debt

    A Simataa Secondary School pupil was severely assaulted on 23 March by a Grade 12 pupil and three others over an unpaid N$20 debt, suffering spinal cord injury, breathing difficulties, and vision problems. The accused is out on bail of N$2,000 and returned to school, while the victim remains hospitalized and may repeat his grade.

    8 hours ago · The Namibian →

  2. Rundu Town Council faces revenue pressure in N$485m budget

    The Rundu Town Council's proposed N$485.5 million budget for 2026/27 is under strain as the municipality collects only 33% of its own revenue.

    23 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. Heavy rains flood Rundu homes and roads

    Heavy rainfall in the north-eastern town of Rundu has severely flooded several houses in Rainbow Village, Kehemu, and the Safari residential area, and left multiple roads flooded and impassable. The public is advised to exercise caution and avoid travelling through flooded areas as rainfall continues in the region.

    22 April 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Kunene River flow stronger than last week despite recent dip

    The Kunene River recorded a flow rate of 1,197.80 cubic metres per second on Tuesday morning, an increase from 1,058.80 m³/s a week earlier, though down from Monday's 1,386.10 m³/s. The Kavango and Zambezi rivers have seen slight declines, and the Hydrological Services of Namibia has issued a flood alert for the eastern Zambezi floodplains, urging communities to remain vigilant and activate flood preparedness measures.

    22 April 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 20 April

  1. Deputy sport minister criticises Nkurenkuru complex gravel pitch

    Deputy sport minister Dino Ballotti expressed displeasure that the Nkurenkuru Youth Sport Complex remains a gravel field rather than grass, despite sustained engagement. The condition threatens local football progress, including KK United's potential promotion in the First Division, and affects youth development and regional entrepreneurs who must travel to Rundu for games.

    20 April 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 19 April

  1. National polio vaccination campaign begins 27 April

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services is rolling out Round 3 of a polio vaccination campaign from 27 to 30 April, targeting all children aged 10 years and below, following detection of poliovirus type 2 in environmental samples in Rundu, Windhoek, and Gobabis. Although no active cases have been reported, health authorities emphasise vaccination is safe and essential to prevent potential outbreaks.

    19 April 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 17 April

  1. SSC funds technical training for marginalised Namibian youth

    The Social Security Commission is sponsoring 15 trainees from disadvantaged backgrounds at the Ngato Institute of Science and Technology in Rundu to complete a two-year Occupational Health and Safety programme, covering tuition, accommodation, uniforms and living expenses. The initiative, supported by government and private entities, is helping young Namibians from informal settlements and rural areas access tertiary qualifications they might otherwise be unable to afford.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Government launches Vision April 2026 healthcare reform initiative

    Namibia's government has begun phased implementation of Vision April 2026, an initiative to transform public healthcare by improving accessibility, quality and citizen confidence. The programme, which mandates senior government officials to use public facilities starting April 2024, includes infrastructure upgrades, N$239 million in medical equipment procurement and recruitment of 2,307 health workers, with expansion to additional facilities planned for 2027.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Second hospital suspends elective surgery over anaesthetic drug shortage

    Rundu Intermediate Hospital has halted elective surgeries due to shortages of critical anaesthetic agents needed for general anaesthesia, linked to supply constraints at Central Medical Stores. This follows a similar suspension at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital, with both hospitals prioritizing emergency cases using remaining anaesthetic stock.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Gciriku leadership dispute remains unresolved after minister's consultations

    Minister James Sankwasa visited Rundu to help resolve a years-long succession dispute over the Gciriku Traditional Authority following the death of Hompa Kassian Shiyambi in 2019, but a consultation session ended without naming a successor. The minister indicated that additional stakeholders must be heard and that customary law, rather than courts, should determine the leadership outcome, while the vacancy continues to block land allocation and traditional administration functions.

    15 April 2026 · New Era →

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