… In a media statement issued on Wednesday, TransNamib chief executive Desmond van Jaarsveld said the state-owned rail operator will conduct a six-month trial of a prototype dual-fuel locomotive powered by hydrogen and diesel, in partnership with CMB.Tech, a local maritime hydrogen …
TransNamib tests hydrogen-powered locomotiveNamibia Minute.
Monday, 11 May 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 11 May 2026
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Person
Desmond van Jaarsveld
Also known as: Van Jaarsveld · TransNamib Chief Executive Officer · Leone van Jaarsveld · Miss World Namibia 2022
TransNamib chief executive who confirmed deaths from a Rovos Rail train derailment near Keetmanshoop and said emergency response teams were dispatched immediately.
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- April 2026
… Authorities have been notified, and investigations are ongoing. “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones affected during this difficult time,” said Desmond van Jaarsveld, TransNamib Chief Executive Officer. …
TransNamib train involved in fatal pedestrian incident near Okahandja… The statement qouted TransNamib chief executive Desmond van Jaarsveld as having expressed condolences to the family of the deceased. …
Pedestrian fatally struck by train near Okahandja- March 2026
… This was confirmed by Desmond van Jaarsveld, Chief Executive Officer of TransNamib, who revealed that a TransNamib train derailed on Monday, with preliminary indications suggesting the incident may have involved tampering. …
TransNamib investigates Swakopmund train derailment, suspects tampering… NRC beneficial owners include Moller, Kaisi, Loubscher, Onecca Udjombalah and Wilbard Nashima, while beneficial owners from TransNamib include Bertus Eksteen, Desmond van Jaarsveld and Vemunengua Kavari. …
Nekundi to probe alleged ‘unlawful’ rail contract… TransNamib CEO Desmond Van Jaarsveld confirmed the incident and said emergency teams were sent to the scene immediately. …
Two die in train accident… Chief executive Desmond van Jaarsveld has confirmed the deaths in a media statement issued on Sunday. …
Two dead in Rovos Rail passenger train derailment near Keetmanshoop… According to TransNamib chief executive officer Desmond Van Jaarsveld, the train derailed at around 05:00 in the Naute area, approximately 100 kilometres from Keetmanshoop. …
Fatal train accident claims two lives near Keetmanshoop- February 2026
… In a statement issued on Saturday, TransNamib CEO Desmond van Jaarsveld said an internal investigation is underway. …
EY ghost haunts TransNamib …two executives suspended- November 2025
… Miss World Namibia 2022 Leone van Jaarsveld says titleholders often face public scrutiny that extends beyond constructive criticism. …
Miss Namibia sisterhood speaks out against cyberbullying of Johanna Swartbooi
Mining & Energy
TransNamib pilots hydrogen-diesel locomotive in emissions trial
The News
State-owned rail operator TransNamib has secured board approval for a six-month trial of a dual-fuel hydrogen-diesel locomotive on the Walvis Bay-Windhoek corridor in partnership with local maritime hydrogen specialist CMB.Tech. The pilot will assess fuel consumption, reliability, operational efficiency, maintenance and cost-effectiveness, with potential fleet transition contingent on trial outcomes.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Thursday 2 April
TransNamib pilots hydrogen-diesel locomotive in emissions trial
State-owned rail operator TransNamib has secured board approval for a six-month trial of a dual-fuel hydrogen-diesel locomotive on the Walvis Bay-Windhoek corridor in partnership with local maritime hydrogen specialist CMB.Tech. The pilot will assess fuel consumption, reliability, operational efficiency, maintenance and cost-effectiveness, with potential fleet transition contingent on trial outcomes.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 1 April
TransNamib train fatally strikes pedestrian near Okahandja
A pedestrian was killed after being struck by a TransNamib train near Okahandja on 31 March 2026, the third train incident recorded in March. The train was travelling at 52 km/h within the speed limit when the pedestrian attempted to cross the railway line in a non-residential area.
1 April 2026 · Informanté →
Male pedestrian killed after being struck by train near Okahandja
A male pedestrian died on Tuesday afternoon near Okahandja after attempting to cross railway tracks and being struck by a train travelling at 52 kilometres per hour, within regulated speed limits. TransNamib said it maintains strict safety measures and is expanding community outreach programmes to educate the public about railway safety.
1 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Wednesday 25 March
TransNamib investigates suspected tampering in Swakopmund train derailment
A TransNamib train derailed near Swakopmund on Monday night at 28 km/h, with preliminary indications suggesting possible tampering with rail equipment; no injuries were reported and damage was minimal, with re-railing expected to be completed shortly.
25 March 2026 · Informanté →
Minister to investigate alleged conflicts in N$175m rail contract
Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi has pledged to investigate allegations that TransNamib executive engineers who are board members of a joint venture improperly awarded a N$175 million railway maintenance contract without proper procurement processes. TransNamib denies the allegations, stating it adheres to all procurement procedures and holds 51% of the joint venture.
25 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Tuesday 3 March
Rovos Rail train derails near Naute, killing two people
A Rovos Rail train derailed near Naute, about 100 kilometres from Keetmanshoop, early Sunday morning, killing two people. TransNamib CEO Desmond Van Jaarsveld confirmed the incident and said emergency teams were dispatched immediately; an investigation into the cause is underway.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Sunday 1 March
Two dead in Rovos Rail train derailment near Keetmanshoop
A luxury Rovos Rail passenger train derailed near Keetmanshoop on Sunday morning, killing two people. TransNamib chief executive Desmond van Jaarsveld confirmed the deaths and said emergency response teams were dispatched immediately, with authorities now investigating the cause.
1 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Rovos Rail train derailment kills two near Keetmanshoop
A Rovos Rail passenger train derailed near Keetmanshoop after a bridge gave way following heavy rains, killing two people. Emergency services attended the scene, and survivors are receiving support at a facility near Fish River Canyon while authorities investigate the cause.
1 March 2026 · Informanté →
Monday 16 February
TransNamib suspends two executives over property contract irregularities
TransNamib has suspended executives Webster Gonzo (human capital) and Alynsia Platt (properties) following an internal investigation into property contracts allegedly concluded without proper procurement procedures while Gonzo was acting CEO. The suspensions stem from findings in a 2022 Ernst and Young forensic audit that identified numerous irregularities in TransNamib's property management, including inadequate oversight, manipulated lease agreements, and N$700 000 in performance bonuses paid to executives while the company recorded monthly losses.
16 February 2026 · New Era →