Cabinet has expressed concern over the increasing number of gruesome killings reported across Namibia while also taking note of operational instability at the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (NORED).
During the Cabinet briefing, ICT Minister Emma Theofelus said the spike in violent killings, allegedly linked to factors such as insurance-related motives, land disputes, and ritualistic beliefs, has prompted urgent government intervention.
The Cabinet has directed multiple offices, ministries, and agencies (OMAs) to take coordinated action to curb the trend.
"The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security has been tasked with strengthening nationwide crime prevention and public awareness campaigns, particularly focusing on the consequences of violent crime, substance abuse, and gender-based violence. In addition, the Ministry of Health and Social Services has been instructed to develop and implement mechanisms to provide both medical and psychological support, especially in addressing mental health challenges that may contribute to violent behaviour," said Theofelus.
She added that "the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology will intensify national awareness campaigns aimed at promoting unity and social cohesion, while regional and local authorities, including traditional leaders, have been called upon to foster community-level interventions to strengthen social stability."
On the energy front, Cabinet also reviewed the recent industrial action and operational disruptions at NORED.
The Cabinet has mandated that the Ministry of Industries, Mines, and Energy, in collaboration with the Electricity Control Board, conduct a comprehensive technical and financial assessment of NORED.
The review will focus on determining the investments required to stabilise infrastructure, improve reliability, and address ongoing challenges affecting electricity supplies in the northern regions.
The assessment is expected to calculate the costs for stabilising and expanding the network, including substations and transmission systems, and to identify the main causes of power outages, energy losses, and reliability issues.
Authorities have been further instructed to evaluate the potential impact of these investments on electricity tariffs and propose cost-effective solutions that balance reliability with affordability for consumers.