The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended that the non-profit Zambezi Waterfront and Tourism Park at Katima Mulilo properties and assets be transferred to the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre.

This is because the training centre already runs a successful hospitality entity, a stone throw away from the Zambezi Waterfront and Tourism Park, and students can renovate and repair much of the damage at a cheaper rate.

This is contained in an investigation report by the Ombudsmann, which it handed over to Zambezi Governor, Alufea Sampofu.

Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha says there is an urgent need to renovate the Windhoek Correctional Facility.

The Ombudsman, accompanied by an observor team, made a late afternoon visit to the male section of the Windhoek Correctional Facility.

Following his visit there, he was satisfied with the general cleanliness; however, he says there is a need for more cleaning materials to assist the inmates in cleaning. 

He also commended the authorities at the correctional facility for having section heads and managing the different areas to keep order.

The Ombudsman, Basilius Dyakugha, says it is high time the office is delinked from the Ministry of Justice if the institution is to function properly.

A speedy adoption of the proposed new Ombudsman Bill, Dyakugha says, will strengthen the mandate and powers of the Ombudsman and give expression to its independence as guaranteed by the Constitution.

For the past 31 years, the office of the Ombudsman has been regarded as a mere directorate, with its budget, procurements, and any other operations controlled by the Ministry of Justice.

The Ombudsman is proposing amendments to the Veterans Act to include the Children of the Liberation Struggle and have the group benefit from projects established under the Veterans Fund.

The recommendation by the Ombudsman's office follows a complaint received by it from volunteer cleaners at the Health Ministry.

The volunteers expressed their dismay at the fact that members of the group were given permanent employment within the ministry, considered ahead of them and without having to go through the required public service recruitment process.

Warmbad Hotsprings Lodge in the south is in a dilapidated state, mainly due to vandalism.
 
Sylvester Sibungo, Chief Complaints Investigator for ||Kharas and Hardap in the Ombudsman's Office, is of the view that this situation is due to maladministration.

Sibungo shared his concern at the Anti-Corruption Regional Forum meeting held at Keetmanshoop.

The lack of adherence to waste management by some municipalities as well as unhygienic police cells across the country are some of the outstanding issues highlighted in the Ombudsman's annual report.

The Ombudsman, Basilius Dyakugha, handed over a damning report to the Speaker of the National Assembly today.

This year's report has a number of issues of concern, but the Ombudsman is most disturbed by one relating to the environment, as his office is mandated to protect the environment.

A children's media campaign was launched in Windhoek under the theme, "My rights are my super powers" as Namibians celebrate the Day of the Namibian Child.

The campaign, organised by the Office of the Ombudsman in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, focuses on four key areas of children's rights: survival, development, protection, and participation.

The campaign will be aired on nbc platforms and will be rolled out by MICT regional offices to remote areas and be translated into local languages.