Desert FM 95.3

Okahandja remains without a mayor or councillors after urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa halted last week’s planned swearing-in.

The magistrate meant to administer the oath was unavailable, and no new date has been set, leaving residents unsure who is leading the town.

Former deputy mayor Akser Aupindi gives Desert FM insight into what this leadership vacuum means for governance and service delivery.

Ongwediva has inaugurated a new council following the 2025 elections, with Naemi Amuthenu sworn in as mayor. The town is grappling with recurring water and electricity outages, along with rising demand for land, housing and infrastructure upgrades.

In an interview with Desert FM, Amuthenu outlines her vision and priorities for guiding Ongwediva through the next five years of growth and service delivery challenges.

The Ministry of Health and Social Services says it has started the regulatory process to introduce lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV injection given twice a year for prevention and treatment.

The drug is expected to roll out first in the private sector due to its high global cost, but the ministry says achieving equitable access through public facilities remains the goal. This comes as Namibia recorded 4 500 new HIV infections in 2024, including 400 in children.

Ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya gives Desert FM insight into the ministry’s strategy, pricing concerns and funding plans.

Community counsellor Elzabe Gordon says many women withdraw GBV cases because they feel trapped, fear losing financial support, and lack strong community safety nets.

UNAM sociologist  Ndeshi Namupala explains why some survivors ask police to release abusive partners, pointing to structural violence, economic dependence, social isolation, and cultural norms that trap victims in harmful situations.

Community activist Oswald Losper says the real work begins for newly sworn-in councillors across the country.
He urges immediate action on stalled projects, stronger accountability, and zero tolerance for corruption, adding that residents will hold leaders to their promises from day one.

Grootfontein has launched a major relief initiative by installing free prepaid meters for elderly residents to improve access to utilities and ease monthly billing stress.

The municipality has also confirmed that it does not charge interest on outstanding bills, ensuring pensioners pay only what they owe.

Acting chief executive Indileni Lugameni speaks to Desert FM to explain the impact of the initiative and the council’s plans to potentially write off senior citizens’ debts.

A fresh conflict-of-interest controversy has hit the Roads Contractor Company (RCC) after a board member’s private engineering firm won a tender to supervise a gravel road upgrade later allocated to the parastatal he helps oversee.

The development has intensified scrutiny over procurement integrity and governance at state-owned enterprises amid ongoing concerns about transparency.

Rally for Democracy and Progress president Mike Kavekotora speaks to Desert FM to unpack the implications for oversight, ethics and the need for deeper state-owned enterprise reforms.

Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda says Windhoek no longer needs constituency councillors, arguing that their roles have become duplicative and add little value to service delivery.

He proposes repurposing or integrating these positions into the city’s municipal structure to improve accountability and efficiency.

AR chief whip Vaino Hangula speaks to Desert FM to unpack what such a shift could mean for governance in the capital.

A brutal gender-based violence (GBV) case in the Zambezi region has reignited alarm over victims being pressured to withdraw charges against their abusers.

The police refused a withdrawal after a severely injured woman asked for her husband’s release, with station commander chief inspector Charles Muyumbelo stressing that officers cannot free suspects simply because they are breadwinners.

Muyumbelo speaks to Desert FM to unpack why withdrawals remain a major barrier to justice and what victims need to know.