From high-profile arrests to scandals that exposed greed, corruption and cyberattacks, these are the news articles we covered that shaped 2024.
REBEBE
The story of Nico Rebebe, a former Bank Windhoek employee, was one of the most talked-about reports of the year. Accused of stealing N$2 million from the bank, Rebebe was on the run for weeks since January, before being apprehended at his girlfriend’s house at Opuwo.
Kunene police commander commissioner James Nderura confirmed that Rebebe had been in hiding in Angola, before returning to Namibia. His arrest on 8 March marked the end of an intensive manhunt, with police crediting a tip-off for finally closing in on the fugitive.
Most of the N$2 million stolen was allegedly spent at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, with Rebebe remaining in custody and awaiting trial.
‘BAECATION’ GONE WRONG
The arrest of Namibian citizen Pauline Mbangula in South Africa sent shock waves across the country.
Mbangula, who travelled to Brazil with her Nigerian partner, was caught smuggling drugs after X-rays revealed 68 pellets of cocaine in her stomach.
South African Police Service spokesperson brigadier Athlenda Mathe revealed that Mbangula had to undergo medical monitoring to safely expel the drugs from her body.
The drugs, valued at N$800 000, put her at the centre of a high-profile drug-trafficking case.
Appearing in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court in South Africa, she faced charges of drug possession and trafficking.
Her court appearance was met with widespread media attention. The state opposed her bail application, citing concerns about her immigration status and the possibility of additional charges.
POHAMBA BLAMES GREED FOR POOR HOUSING
Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba’s autobiography, ‘Footprints of Hifikepunye Pohamba – Onjila eyi Ayenda’, reflected on Namibia’s failed mass housing project.
The mass housing project was launched in 2013 by Pohamba, with a vision to build 185 000 houses by 2030.
However, the N$48-billion project was derailed by corruption and greed, according to the former president.
Pohamba blamed the failure of the project on the greed of contractors and corruption in the tender process.
He narrated how the housing scheme, which had noble intentions, was hijacked by individuals seeking personal enrichment.
The Namibian previously reported how inflated contracts turned some contractors into overnight millionaires.
Even Pohamba’s daughter was embroiled in the scandal, receiving a N$16-million tender for housing construction at Otjiwarongo.
His successor, the late president Hage Geingob, terminated the scheme in 2017, amid allegations of corruption.
SWAPO FOOD TOSSING
In September, the ruling party, Swapo, faced heavy criticism after a video went viral showing food parcels being tossed at attendees during an election rally at Walvis Bay.
The chaotic distribution sparked public outrage, with many calling it disrespectful and a failure of basic organisation.
Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga publicly apologised for the incident, describing it as “unfortunate” and warning that such behaviour would not be tolerated in the future.
According to Herunga, 20 000 attendees were expected at the rally but more than 40 000 people showed up, which overwhelmed organisers.
SIMATAA AND SME BANK
The now defunct SME Bank returned to haunt the public when former board chairperson and current secretary to Cabinet George Simataa released his memoir, ‘Timeless: My Career in the Public Service’.
Simataa revealed how N$247 million was stolen from the bank in 2016, with some SME Bank directors downplaying the theft as “peanuts” during a heated meeting with the Bank of Namibia (BoN) at the time.
The scandal implicated several high-profile figures, including Zimbabwean banker Enock Kamushinda.
According to Simataa, he was at the village when he received a call for an urgent meeting between SME Bank directors and the BoN’s leadership.
During this meeting on 24 November 2016, Simataa says “tempers flared, as parties could not agree”.
“Some directors were angry that they were being accused of theft by the BoN,” Simataa wrote.
He said the directors told BoN officials they had more money than what was reportedly stolen from the SME Bank, so it would not be necessary for them to steal “change” (peanuts).
BELV HAIR SAGA
Another story that had Namibians talking this year was the saga surrounding Belv Hair, a Windhoek-based business specialising in wigs and hair extensions.
Owned by entrepreneur Belvana Edward, the company became the centre of controversy in October, after over 190 customers accused Edward of failing to deliver prepaid orders.
The scandal unfolded on social media, where disgruntled clients voiced their frustration, accusing Edward of poor business practices and a lack of accountability.
Initially, Edward pointed fingers at the Namibia Revenue Agency (Namra), claiming their customs processes were to blame for the delays.
Namra’s alleged inefficiency with clearing parcels has long been a point of contention among small ‘order with me’ operators. However, when Namra commissioner Sam Shivute fired back that there was no “truth” in Edward’s narrative, she was forced to apologise to the revenue agency in November, and announce the permanent closure of her business.
She also promised to refund affected customers between 1 November and 30 December.
TELECOM HACK
In what has to be one of the most significant cyber incidents in Namibia’s history, Telecom Namibia fell victim to a ransomware attack by the hacking group, Hunters International, in December.
The breach exposed sensitive customer data, including personal and financial information belonging to government officials and private clients.
The hackers leaked nearly 500 000 records onto the dark web after Telecom refused to pay the ransom.
Telecom Namibia chief executive Stanley Shanapinda admitted that the company initially underestimated the severity of the attack.
President Nangolo Mbumba condemned the breach and called for urgent improvements in Namibia’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
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