Also known as: minister of defence and veterans affairs Frans Kapofi · Minister Kapofi · Minister Frans Kapofi · Defence Minister Frans Kapofi · Veteran politician and defence minister Frans Kapofi · acting industries, mines and energy minister Frans Kapofi · Kafofi · Hon. Kapofi · Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister who has rejected meeting protesting veterans, declined to detail military developments, and warned recruits on discipline and modernisation efforts.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Frans Kapofi described Erkki Nghimtina as an outstanding leader
“Defense and veterans affairs minister Frans Kapofi yesterday described former defence minister Erkki Nghimtina as an outstanding leader who played a key role in Namibia's independence.”
Former defence minister and liberation icon Erkki Nghimtina dies at 77: ‘We lost someone outstanding’The Namibian
Frans Kapofi said Nghimtina played a significant role in progressing to a democratic, independent Namibia
“He said Nghimtina played a significant role in progressing to a democratic, independent Namibia.”
Former defence minister and liberation icon Erkki Nghimtina dies at 77: ‘We lost someone outstanding’Informanté
then Home Affairs minister Frans Kapofi formally signed into effect the current organisational structure of the NCS in April 2020
“Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, NCS Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela reminded participants that the current organisational structure of the NCS was formally signed into effect by then Home Affairs minister Frans Kapofi in April 2020.”
NCS's review workshop not a fault-finding exercise, says HamunyelaNew Era
Defence minister Frans Kapofi will liaise with the family on funeral arrangements
“Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa, alongside defence minister Frans Kapofi, will liaise with the family on funeral arrangements.”
NNN meets regional leadersInformanté
Minister Frans Kapofi visited Onambutu homestead to offer condolences to bereaved family
“MINISTER of Defence and Veterans Affairs Frans Kapofi visited the Onambutu traditional homestead of the late Mathias Kanana Hishoono to offer condolences to the bereaved family and to reflect on the life of a man remembered for his unwavering commitment to the liberation of Namibia and the unity of its people.”
Kapofi offers condolences to the bereaved Hishoono familyThe Namibian
Minister Frans Kapofi stated that Namibia views the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme as a guarantor of livelihoods and national development
“As a producing country of many years, Namibia views the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme as a guarantor of the livelihoods of communities and the national development that diamonds support, and the only globally recognised mechanism that ensures that rough diamonds do not fuel conflicts, exploitation or instability to legitimate governments and their people.”
Remarks by Minister Frans Kapofi at the Kimberley Process Ministerial MeetingThe Namibian
Acting industries, mines and energy minister Frans Kapofi urged lawmakers to fast-track transfer of petroleum powers to the president
“Kapofi urged lawmakers to fast-track the transfer of powers over "all upstream petroleum operations in Namibia" from the minister of industries, mines and energy to the president.”
Fishrot Lessons for Oil and GasThe Namibian
Minister Frans Kapofi was scammed out of N$200 000 by person pretending to be Standard Bank official
“Two years ago, minister of defence and veterans affairs Frans Kapofi was scammed out of N$200 000 by a person pretending to be a Standard Bank official.”
Minister Agnes Tjongarero loses N$711 200 to scam: Calls for improved cybersecurity measuresThe Namibian
Frans Kapofi has worked with and known president Hage Geingob for 44 years
“Minister of defence and veterans affairs Frans Kapofi, who has worked with and known president Hage Geingob for 44 years, highlights his role in his personal and professional development.”
A 44-year journey: Kapofi on Geingob’s mentorship roleThe Namibian
minister Frans Kapofi said the government would seek further negotiations and return to parliament
“When ending the parliamentary debate, minister Frans Kapofi said the government would seek further negotiations and return to parliament.”
Namibian-German Genocide Negotiations – Is the Master's Voice Speaking?An unknown person posing as a police chief inspector from Kongola in the Zambezi region allegedly defrauded former home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana of N$200,000 on 8 July while she was at home. The case is under investigation and has been forwarded to commercial crime.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
An unknown person posing as a police chief inspector from Kongola in the Zambezi region allegedly defrauded former home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana of N$200,000 on 8 July while she was at home. The case is under investigation and has been forwarded to commercial crime.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the 21 Motorised Infantry Brigade in Windhoek and emphasised discipline as the cornerstone of military professionalism, while calling for coordinated response to substance abuse within the Namibian Defence Force. She reminded troops of their responsibility to protect the Central Region, including the capital city and key institutions.
8 July 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah warned soldiers in the Namibian Defence Force against drug and alcohol abuse during a seven-day inspection tour from 27 June to 3 July, stressing that discipline remains central to military professionalism and effectiveness.
8 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi has rejected calls to visit liberation struggle veterans protesting outside Swapo Party headquarters, saying their grievances fall outside his ministerial mandate and that they raise issues beyond his responsibility.
30 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Defence and veterans affairs minister Frans Kapofi declined on Thursday to provide details about a military base being developed at Okongo in the Ohangwena region, near president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's homestead. The Namibian understands the base is situated on a site previously used by South African forces and has remained largely inactive for years.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The IPC's shadow minister of defence Aloisius Kangulu says Defence Minister Frans Kapofi sidestepped an urgent parliamentary question calling for direct intervention with liberation struggle veterans protesting outside Swapo Party headquarters, instead providing an explanation of veterans' benefits. Kangulu clarified that the question centred on why Kapofi had not personally visited the veterans, and that receiving statutory benefits does not address their broader demands for justice and dignity.
29 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi launched the book "Security, Resource Control and Democracy in Africa" at the University of Namibia's School of Military Science. The scholarly publication, which emerged from an international conference in November 2023, aims to contribute to discussions on governance, security and sustainable development across the continent.
8 June 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at the opening of the Omaludi Agricultural Festival in Ohangwena that development must not come at the expense of cultural identity. She noted the festival boosts the local economy through accommodation, transport, and informal trade, and announced the government will focus on improving existing agricultural schemes rather than establishing new ones.
29 May 2026 · Informanté →
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi told 1,703 new Namibian Defence Force graduates that indiscipline, drug abuse, and irresponsible social media use would not be tolerated.
27 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Namibian Defence Force will on 21 May 2026 graduate its 18th Intake at Osona Military Base after 12 months of training, with recruits taking the oath of allegiance and being formally commissioned as soldiers. The ceremony will be officiated by the Defence Minister and presided over by the Chief of Defence Force.
26 May 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Defence says the Namibian Defence Force is modernising operations to include drone warfare and technology-driven military systems, as militaries worldwide increasingly rely on drones and cyber-based operations. Defence Minister Frans Kapofi said Namibia needs technologically skilled recruits adaptable to intelligence-based warfare, following the graduation of 1,703 recruits at Osona Military Base.
22 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi denied reports that the Namibian Defence Force has assumed responsibility for protecting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, saying the military could step in only if required. The denial comes after an alleged security breach at State House on Thursday, when an unidentified man allegedly entered the presidential residence and reached the private living area before being apprehended, though details of how he gained access and whether he was arrested remain unclear.
5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi held a meeting with Namibia's German Ambassador Thorsten Hutter and Chief of Defence Air Marshal Martin Pinehas, where the parties reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the region and expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral cooperation.
25 April 2026 · Informanté →
Namibian commercial banks have no policies to refund defrauded clients, even as the Bank of Namibia reports losses of over N$6 million monthly to fraud. Banks claim liability rests with customers who authorize transactions under deception, while victims say they have been denied compensation; international regulators in the UK and EU are moving to mandate refunds to fraud victims.
16 April 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that appointing an information commissioner at N$1.4 million annually is unnecessary bureaucracy, asserting existing government institutions and online resources already provide public information. The author contends that inefficiency in government responsiveness, not lack of access, is the real problem Namibia should address.
12 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs spent N$2.5 million on funeral assistance for 363 veterans in 2025/2026, with minister Frans Kapofi reporting that 94% of the department's N$1.5 billion allocation went toward veterans' welfare and preserving liberation struggle history. For 2026/2027, the ministry is requesting a similar N$1.5 billion budget, primarily for monthly grants benefiting nearly 24,000 veterans.
7 April 2026 · New Era →
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi presented the ministry's N$7,535,500,000 budget for 2026/27, a 0.7% increase from the previous year, aimed at improving security, defence capabilities, and socio-economic development through key focus areas including training, land operations, and offshore defence.
1 April 2026 · Informanté →
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi has ordered tighter spending and warned of growing non-traditional security threats including cross-border crime and cybersecurity risks, while directing the defence ministry to live within its means and prioritise efficiency. Kapofi also called for procurement reforms, stronger support for liberation war veterans, and plans to involve soldiers in agriculture to improve food security.
26 March 2026 · New Era →
Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi told ministry staff that Namibia's peace depends on the security cluster's daily work protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity. He cited evolving risks including cross-border trafficking, organised crime, illegal fishing, and cybersecurity threats that require constant vigilance and inter-agency collaboration.
26 March 2026 · Informanté →
At least 91 parliamentarians have submitted asset and interest declarations as required under parliamentary standing rules, with MPs disclosing shareholdings in telecommunications, banking, and brewing companies, as well as residential and commercial properties across Namibia. Failure to comply with annual declaration requirements constitutes a breach of parliamentary rules and may result in referral to the Committee of Privileges for disciplinary measures including fines or formal reprimands.
25 March 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's 36th Independence Day celebrations across all 14 regions carried a unified message from political and community leaders to preserve the liberation legacy, strengthen unity, and address youth unemployment and economic inequality. While acknowledging democratic achievements and progress in service delivery, leaders emphasised that political independence must now be matched by economic emancipation and that youth must drive future development.
24 March 2026 · New Era →
At a national Independence Day commemoration at Sam Nujoma Stadium on 21 March 2026, Frans Kapofi addressed Namibians 36 years after the country's sovereignty in 1990, honouring those who fought colonial rule and calling on citizens to contribute to national prosperity through active participation rather than passive expectation.
24 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of Defence Frans Kapofi called on Namibians to safeguard unity, strengthen democratic values, and actively contribute to national development during the country's 36th Independence Day celebrations at Sam Nujoma Stadium. He acknowledged persistent challenges including drought, unemployment, and economic constraints, emphasizing that prosperity requires collective citizen participation and warning against divisions based on ethnicity, regionalism, or political affiliation.
21 March 2026 · Informanté →
Minister Emma Theofelus drew criticism from consumer activists after stating that pensioners falling victim to online scams bear responsibility for protecting themselves, while activists argue the government should run awareness campaigns and opponents point to legislative gaps in data protection and cybercrime laws.
16 March 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
Namibia has lost liberation fighter and former Minister Erkki Nghimtina, who died at his home in Edundja village at the age of 78. He served in multiple ministerial positions including Defence, Works and Transport, and Mines and Energy, and played a significant role in PLAN's military communications during the independence struggle.
11 February 2026 · Informanté →
Erkki Nghimtina, a former defence minister and liberation struggle veteran who served in the National Assembly and various cabinet roles, has died at Edundja village in Ohangwena region. Defence and veterans affairs minister Frans Kapofi described him as an outstanding leader who played a key role in Namibia's independence.
9 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Correctional Service is reviewing its organisational structure to align with departmental strategy and improve efficiency. NCS Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela stated the review aims to reduce bureaucracy, strengthen coordination across functions, ensure appropriate staffing capacity, and improve security and service delivery—framing it as continuous improvement rather than a fault-finding exercise.
6 February 2026 · Informanté →
Parliament will scrutinise the petroleum bill before passage, with MPs from multiple parties expressing concerns that it concentrates too much power in the presidency and calling for amendments before approval. The bill, to be tabled today, seeks to transfer certain powers from the minister of industries, mines and energy to the president.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah faces mounting calls to disclose her family's alleged business interests in Namibia's oil and gas sector, after a journalist was removed from State House for pressing her on the matter. Political analysts, parliamentarians, and civil society groups are demanding transparency and parliamentary scrutiny, citing concerns about accountability and conflict of interest given the president's direct control over the industry.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →