Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Organization

August 26

Also known as: August 26 Construction · August 26 Constructions · August 26 Holdings (Pty) Ltd

State-owned construction contractor awarded direct government tenders including Natis Wanaheda office project, cited in fraud allegations at ||Kharas Regional Council.

Politics

IPPR warns direct government tenders bypass accountability

The News

The Institute for Public Policy Research has criticized the government's decision to bypass the Central Procurement Board on N$350 million in projects, arguing it creates risks of corruption and waste. The government has directly awarded contracts including a N$140-million sports stadium project to the Roads Contractor Company and other projects to August 26 without public tendering, a practice that lacks transparency and limits competition for local businesses.

12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 12 April

  1. IPPR warns direct government tenders bypass accountability

    The Institute for Public Policy Research has criticized the government's decision to bypass the Central Procurement Board on N$350 million in projects, arguing it creates risks of corruption and waste. The government has directly awarded contracts including a N$140-million sports stadium project to the Roads Contractor Company and other projects to August 26 without public tendering, a practice that lacks transparency and limits competition for local businesses.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. NaTIS breaks ground on N$230m Wanaheda service centre

    Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi opened a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Namibia Traffic Information System centre in Wanaheda, a two-year project costing N$230 million that will provide licensing, testing, and vehicle permit services closer to residents in areas like Hakahana and Okuryangava. The facility will use digital systems for learner licence testing and roadworthiness checks for light and heavy vehicles, expected to employ about 200 workers.

    10 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. August 26 Construction awarded Natis Wanaheda office tender

    State-owned contractor August 26 Construction has been awarded a tender to build a new Namibian Traffic Information System branch in Wanaheda, Windhoek, which will alleviate pressure on the existing southern industrial area office and is expected to employ 200 workers during construction.

    8 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. Government halts medical store construction, leans toward renting Ramatex facility

    Namibia's Ministry of Health and Social Services has abruptly suspended a tender process for building a N$194 million central medical store and is instead planning to lease and renovate part of the Ramatex Rhino Garments building at N$100,000 monthly, a pivot that the Global Fund (which approved the original construction plan) is reportedly discussing with the government.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 March

  1. Minister inaugurates new classrooms at Windhoek primary school

    Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp opened three new classrooms and ablution facilities at Suiderhof Primary School in Windhoek, funded by community contributions of about N$2 million. The ministry plans to roll out similar decongestion projects across several regions to address overcrowding in schools.

    2 March 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Fraud suspect in N$3.9m council tender case remanded in custody

    Titus Iipumbu was remanded in custody after appearing in Windhoek Magistrate's Court on fraud, forgery and corruption charges linked to an alleged N$3.9 million misdirected payment by the ||Kharas Regional Council to a company owned by Iipumbu in October 2024. The state argues he poses a flight risk and may interfere with investigations; his mother and co-accused Lucia Jakob were each granted N$50,000 bail.

    18 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Two arrested in //Karas Regional Council fraud case

    Titus Ipumbu and his mother Maria Iipumbu appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in relation to an alleged N$3.9 million fraud at //Karas Regional Council, wherein funds meant for August 26 Construction were redirected to third-party accounts. Former acting Chief Regional Officer Ralph Sachika is alleged to have authorised the misdirection, with some funds deposited into accounts including one opened in the name of Sachika's minor daughter.

    18 February 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 13 February

  1. ||Kharas council appoints interim chief regional officer

    The ||Kharas Regional Council has appointed Megameno Shikongo as acting chief regional officer for three months, following the arrest of former acting CRO Ralph Sachika on fraud, forgery, money laundering and corruption charges. The council is awaiting approval from the Public Service Commission to appoint a substantive CRO by 1 April.

    13 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 February

  1. //Kharas acting chief regional officer arrested in construction corruption

    Two people, including the //Kharas Regional Council's acting chief regional officer Ralph Namiluko Sachika, have been arrested in connection with alleged corruption and money laundering involving N$3.9 million in payments to unauthorized bank accounts during construction of the //Kharas Regional Office Park.

    12 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 11 February

  1. ||Kharas chief regional officer charged with fraud and money laundering

    Ralph Sachika, the acting chief regional officer for ||Kharas Regional Council, and his girlfriend Lucia Jacob appeared in Windhoek Magistrate's Court charged with fraud, forgery, money laundering and corruption in connection with an alleged N$2.9 million payment diverted from a council tender to a third-party company account. The charges stem from payments intended for a construction contract that were reportedly redirected, with portions traced to Jacob's account and then to the couple's daughter's bank account.

    11 February 2026 · The Namibian →

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