
Namibian powerlifter Melt Meyer has qualified for this year’s African Championships after his performance in the men’s open deadlift division 110kg class at the AWPC South African Championships, where he achieved a 300kg deadlift. Meyer stated that he had only four weeks to prepare for the competition due to a change in qualification requirements. He aims to deadlift 320kg at the African Championships in Durban later this year, with goals to set the all-time African Amateur World Powerlifting Congress AWPC deadlift record and win a gold medal. Meyer, 25, has been powerlifting since late 2018 and has competed in multiple international competitions, including African and World Championships. He won silver at the 2019 IPF World Championships in the sub-junior under-18 class and gold at the IPF World Championships junior class U23. He transitioned to the men’s open division after turning 24, taking 2025 off to prepare for his debut. Meyer holds the all-time Namibian deadlift record of 300kg, set in 2024. He won first place in his first open-class athlete debut, a deadlift competition held on March 28 in Windhoek, which qualified him for the AWPC South African Championships.
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Petrus Shikwaya, 22, accused of murder and fraud, allegedly used N$2.1 million fraudulently obtained from Sanlam for various purchases, including substantial amounts at KFC fast-food outlets and building material suppliers. This information was presented at the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court during Shikwaya’s bail application by Detective chief inspector Antonious Gabriel, a lead investigator in the Sanlam fraud case. Police investigations traced portions of the alleged stolen funds to these transactions. Shikwaya faces charges related to the murder of Ondangwa public prosecutor Justine Shiweda and fraud involving N$2.1 million from Sanlam. The state claims he defrauded Sanlam of about N$154,000 by faking hospitalization due to malnutrition. The state opposes his bail due to the seriousness of the offenses and ongoing investigations. Gabriel testified that Shikwaya personally benefited from assets acquired with fraud proceeds, including a silver Volkswagen Polo purchased by his uncle, Abner Mateus, and a farming unit near Windhoek. The farming unit was allegedly bought from Vitalis ‘Dax’ Nepembe, who was arrested two weeks prior in connection with a N$385,000 transaction linked to the Sanlam fraud case. The building materials were reportedly for his uncle’s farming unit. The state maintains these funds originated from the money allegedly defrauded from Sanlam. Gabriel stated that some individuals who defrauded Sanlam paid a portion to Mateus, which was then deposited into Shikwa
Must ReadThe Independent Patriots for Change IPC has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to use her state visit to Tanzania to speak out against human rights abuses in the country. This marks Nandi-Ndaitwah's second visit to Tanzania since President Samia Hassan's election. Rodney Cloete, IPC shadow minister for international relations, stated that Tundu Lissu, leader of the main opposition party Chadema, has been detained since April 2025 on a treason charge that carries the death penalty and does not allow bail. The United Nations declared Lissu's detention unlawful in February, and the American Bar Association's human rights center found his prosecution to be politically motivated. Cloete urged President Nandi-Ndaitwah to publicly demand Lissu's release and to report to the National Assembly upon her return, tabling any agreements signed during her visit. He also noted that Hassan's election involved security forces using disproportionate lethal force and internet shutdowns.
Must ReadPresident Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and her Tanzanian counterpart, President Samia Hassan, met in Dar es Salaam to strengthen economic cooperation and regional integration. Their discussions focused on strategic sectors such as trade, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, investment, and regional integration. The meeting resulted in the signing of several agreements covering trade, agriculture, defense cooperation, and the promotion of small and medium enterprises. President Hassan described President Nandi-Ndaitwah's visit as a "homecoming," acknowledging Namibia's liberation struggle ties to Tanzania. President Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed gratitude for the reception and congratulated President Hassan on her leadership, emphasizing that the visit reaffirms the strong fraternal bonds and Tanzania's support during Namibia's fight for independence. She highlighted that the friendship forged during the liberation struggle should drive expanded economic cooperation, regional integration, and shared prosperity for both nations.