Namibia Minute.
Thursday, 22 October 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hourWork with us
Thursday, 22 October 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Organization

Gendev

Also known as: Gendev Fishing · Gendev Fishing Group · Gendev Fishing Resource · Gendev Fishing Resources · Gendev Fishing Resources (Pty) Ltd · Renthia Kaimbi Gendev Fishing Group · Gendev Fishing Group (Pty) Ltd

Gendev Fishing Group/Gendev Fishing Resources — fishing company with Swapo ownership links, facing wage disputes with workers, financial pressures, and forensic audit ordered by President.

2022-09-252026-10-22

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Gendev

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

Order a news report

Tell us where to reach you and we’ll be in touch to agree the period and format.

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. September 2026
  2. Namibian Sun

    Gendev employees handed over a petition calling for removal of two company directors

    Source

    “Employees of Gendev Fishing Group handed over a petition to management on Wednesday, calling for the removal of two company directors and raising concerns over the implementation o...”

    Gendev employees demand removal of directors
  3. August 2026
  4. The Namibian

    Gendev Fishing Group was cleared of allegations of abusing dominance to keep prices low

    Source

    “After the investigation, however, the NaCC has cleared the 10 operators of the allegations.”

    Competition watchdog finds no price-fixing in horse mackerel sector
  5. The Namibian

    Gendev Fishing Group has offered striking workers a revised pay proposal of 70% during non-operational periods

    Source

    “Gendev Fishing Group has offered striking workers a revised pay proposal of 70% during non-operational periods as wage negotiations remain deadlocked.”

    Gendev wage dispute remains deadlocked
  6. July 2026
  7. Informanté

    Gendev made offer to increase guaranteed monthly salary from N$2 960 to N$6 700 with 24-hour deadline

    Source

    “Gendev, in an internal memo to employees on 22 July, made an offer to increase the guaranteed monthly salary from N$2 960 for 98 hours to N$6 700 for 195 hours, with a 24-hour deadline to accept the offer or remain on the current salaries.”

    Gendev workers remain on strike
  8. Informanté

    Gendev Fishing Group has failed and/or refused and/or neglected to deliver the fish to CitiProduce

    Source

    “The lawyer representing CitiProduce in the matter, Petrus Strauss, said Gendev has, to date, failed and/or refused and/or neglected to deliver the fish to CitiProduce.”

    Gendev Fishing taken to court over non-delivery of fish worth N$3.1 million
  9. New Era

    Gendev offered to increase workers guaranteed monthly salaries from N$2,960 to N$6,700

    Source

    “This is after an offer by Gendev to increase workers guaranteed monthly salaries from N$2 960 to N$6 700, while raising guaranteed working hours from 98 to 195 hours per month.”

    Gendev salaries in cul-de-sac … union, employer deadlocked over 120% increase
  10. Windhoek Observer

    Gendev Fishing Group issued a 24-hour ultimatum to workers to accept the proposal or forfeit it

    Source

    “The Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union (NASAWU) has rejected Gendev Fishing Group's latest salary offer, dismissing it as no genuine increment after the company issued a 24-hour ultimatum to workers to accept the proposal or forfeit it entirely.”

    Union rejects Gendev’s increased salary offer
  11. Windhoek Observer

    Gendev announced a proposed salary increase from N$3,850.95 to N$6,800 for 195 hours per month

    Source

    “In an internal memorandum dated 22 July 2026 and seen by the Windhoek Observer, the company announced a proposed increase to the basic guaranteed monthly salary, from N$3,850.95 to N$6 800 for 195 hours per month.”

    Union rejects Gendev’s increased salary offer
  12. Windhoek Observer

    Gendev Fishing Group's management issued ultimatum to workforce accept doubled salaries within 24 hours or forfeit offer

    Source

    “Renthia Kaimbi Gendev Fishing Group's management has issued a high-stakes ultimatum to its entire workforce, giving employees less than 24 hours to accept a new salary structure or forfeit the offer entirely.”

    Gendev gives employees 24 hours to accept doubled salaries
  13. Windhoek Observer

    Gendev announced proposed increase to basic monthly salary to N$6,700 for 195 hours monthly

    Source

    “In an internal memorandum dated 22 July 2026 and seen by the Windhoek Observer, the company announced a proposed increase to the basic guaranteed monthly salary of N$6,700 for 195 hours per month.”

    Gendev gives employees 24 hours to accept doubled salaries
Business

Unpaid fishermen occupy Venus 1 vessel in Walvis Bay

The News

At least 22 fishermen employed by Hodago Fishing have moved onto the vessel Venus 1 in protest of unpaid salaries, saying they have exhausted other options after months without pay and failed attempts to contact company directors. The workers, some evicted from homes and facing bank debts, vow to remain on board until their outstanding salaries are paid.

25 September 2026 · New Era →

Friday 25 September

  1. Unpaid fishermen occupy Venus 1 vessel in Walvis Bay

    At least 22 fishermen employed by Hodago Fishing have moved onto the vessel Venus 1 in protest of unpaid salaries, saying they have exhausted other options after months without pay and failed attempts to contact company directors. The workers, some evicted from homes and facing bank debts, vow to remain on board until their outstanding salaries are paid.

    25 September 2026 · New Era →

Friday 18 September

  1. Gendev Fishing Group employees petition for director removal

    Employees of Gendev Fishing Group submitted a petition to management calling for the removal of two company directors and raising concerns over implementation issues.

    18 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Wednesday 12 August

  1. IPC member Ya Shiindi defends accusations in defamation case

    Petrina Nghipudilo Ya Shiindi of the Independent Patriots for Change faces a defamation lawsuit from businessman Josef Andreas, who is demanding N$250,000 and a public apology for comments Ya Shiindi made on Facebook between March and May 2026, alleging Andreas is corrupt and involved in state capture and the Fishrot scandal. Despite the court case, Ya Shiindi has continued to post accusations against Andreas on social media.

    12 August 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Competition Commission clears horse mackerel operators of price-fixing

    The Namibian Competition Commission found no evidence of anti-competitive behaviour or collusion among fishing companies in the horse mackerel sector following two separate investigations in 2023 and 2024. Evidence showed that rights holders negotiate varied terms with operating companies, including profit-sharing and fees above government reserve prices.

    11 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Gendev offers 70% pay during non-operational periods

    Gendev Fishing Group has proposed paying workers 70% of their guaranteed 195-hour salary during periods when the company is not fully operational, but the union continues to demand 100% of the guarantee, leaving wage negotiations deadlocked. The company says it cannot afford the union's demand due to limited fishing quota and grounds.

    11 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 28 July

  1. Gendev Fishing Group workers strike over wage dispute

    Around 600 workers employed by Gendev Fishing Group remain on strike as negotiations continue over wage increments. The Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers' Union president says the company's claimed 120% wage offer is misleading, as it includes housing and transport allowances rather than raising the basic hourly wage from N$29.60 to N$30.00 — a 1% increase when the union had requested 8%.

    28 July 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 25 July

  1. Gendev Fishing sued over non-delivery of N$3.1 million fish

    Local company CitiProduce CC has taken Gendev Fishing Group to court over failure to deliver fish worth N$3.1 million under an oral agreement from December 2025. Gendev is separately embroiled in a salary dispute with workers and is the subject of a forensic audit ordered by the President in May 2026 following allegations of missing millions.

    25 July 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 24 July

  1. Gendev, union deadlocked over wage offer; workers strike

    Salary negotiations between Gendev Fishing Group and the Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union (Nasawu) remained deadlocked after the union rejected the company's wage proposal, which offered to increase guaranteed monthly salaries from N$2,960 to N$6,700 and raise guaranteed working hours from 98 to 195 hours per month. Workers subsequently embarked on strike, with union representative Paul Hango expressing disappointment that the company had directly encouraged workers to accept the offer.

    24 July 2026 · New Era →

  2. NASAWU rejects Gendev Fishing's salary increase offer

    The Namibia Seamen and Allied Workers Union has rejected Gendev Fishing Group's proposal to raise the basic monthly salary from N$3,850.95 to N$6,800 for 195 hours per month, arguing it does not constitute a genuine increment but rather payment for standard working hours. The company issued a 24-hour ultimatum and framed the move as a 120% increase, while the union maintains that paying workers for hours actually worked is not a pay rise.

    24 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 23 July

  1. Gendev gives employees 24 hours to accept doubled salary offer

    Gendev Fishing Group's management has given employees less than 24 hours to accept a new salary structure offering a 120% nominal increase in gross pay to N$6,700 per month for 195 hours, despite the union's rejection of the terms. Workers who decline face remaining on the current N$2,960 monthly rate after the deadline passes.

    23 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 30 June

  1. Daron denies misappropriating N$40m from DRC fishing deal

    Daron Namibia has rejected allegations that it misappropriated funds from a N$40-million Democratic Republic of Congo fishing venture now in a High Court dispute involving Standard Bank Namibia and Hodago Fishing. Daron says its role was limited to operating and maintaining the fishing vessel, and that it did not receive or control the N$40 million.

    30 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 24 June

  1. DRC state fund sues Standard Bank over N$40m fishing deal

    The Democratic Republic of Congo's state social fund has taken Standard Bank Namibia to court over a N$40-million transaction involving a fishing company that is partly owned by Swapo, alleging that N$13 million was misappropriated from a protected account after the bank allowed unauthorized changes to account mandates and transfers without consent.

    24 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Hodago Fishing's N$65 million trawler heads to auction for unpaid debts

    Hodago Fishing, a company 45% owned by Gendev Fishing Resources (which has links to Swapo business interests), faces financial pressure as its flagship freezer trawler, Venus 1, is set for auction in Walvis Bay on 30 June following unpaid debts to Standard Bank Namibia of N$18.4 million and N$17.6 million.

    10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 8 June

  1. SWAPO-linked fishing vessel Venus 1 to be auctioned June 30

    Hadago Fishing's freezer trawler Venus 1 will be auctioned on 30 June 2026 in Walvis Bay after the company failed to repay debts to Standard Bank Namibia and workers' wages. The vessel, valued at N$65 million, is being sold following a High Court order to recover millions owed by the fishing company, which is 45% owned by SWAPO-linked Gendev Fishing Resources.

    8 June 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 4 June

  1. Fisheries ministry defends private DRC fishing quota deal

    Namibia's fisheries ministry says quota holders may enter private commercial agreements with third parties to use allocated quotas, a practice it characterizes as private business arrangements. The statement follows a disputed agreement between a DRC-linked entity and Namibian fishing companies over horse mackerel quota.

    4 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 25 May

  1. High Court orders auction of Hodago Fishing's freezer trawler

    A Windhoek High Court judge has authorised the deputy sheriff to sell Hodago Fishing's vessel Venus 1 through public auction after the financially troubled company failed to repay Standard Bank Namibia N$36 million in loan and facility agreements. Gendev Fishing Resources, in which the Swapo-owned company Guinas Investments holds 96.5%, has 45% shareholding in Hodago Fishing.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. President orders forensic probe into Swapo fishing company

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has ordered a forensic investigation into Gendev Fishing Resources and its sister company amid allegations of missing millions, lack of transparency, and failure to deliver fish worth over N$49 million to clients.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 19 May

  1. Businessman Andreas sues Facebook users for defamation over posts

    Businessman Joseph Andreas has launched legal action against two Facebook users over posts published on 15 May, demanding public apologies, removal of the posts, and N$250 000 each in damages. The posts allegedly described Andreas as a "thug" and criminal, and claimed he had no legitimate business track record.

    19 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 17 May

  1. Swapo-linked fishing firm faces US$3m dispute with DRC entity

    Hodago Fishing, a joint venture partly linked to Swapo, faces a US$3 million legal dispute after allegedly breaching a horse mackerel quota agreement with a Democratic Republic of Congo entity. The DRC-linked party claims the company failed to meet agreed delivery volumes and has demanded either the release of 500 tonnes of fish or repayment of US$1.4 million.

    17 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 4 May

  1. Fishing unions seek long-term jobs in horse mackerel sector

    Namibian fishing unions are pressuring wet-landed horse mackerel sector companies to ensure job security beyond a temporary 12-month employment period created after Cabinet relaxed the 200-metre isobath rule. Union officials argue that the approximately 700 jobs are temporary, lack benefits, and operate under a 'no-work, no-pay' arrangement, calling instead for meaningful, long-term employment solutions in the fishing industry.

    4 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 28 April

  1. Government to formalise 200m trawling ban by September

    The government will turn the 200-metre isobath trawling prohibition into law by September. Cabinet's recent decision to allow limited fishing in the zone is temporary and will end in 2027.

    28 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 27 April

  1. Cabinet relaxes isobath rule for horse mackerel wet-landed sector

    Cabinet approved a temporary 12-month relaxation of trawling limits for wet-landed horse mackerel from 200 metres to 150 metres starting 1 May, a decision the fishing industry views with division. The industry chair warns that over 90 vessels could be excluded from fishing grounds and the move contradicts government scientists' warnings about the 150–200 metre zone being a breeding and nursery area.

    27 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 12 April

  1. Fishing workers petition for jobs after years of unemployment

    Former United Fishing Enterprises workers and others in Namibia's fishing industry have submitted petitions to the Erongo governor, demanding stable employment after years without work since 2018. They cite the pilchard moratorium and quota allocation systems as obstacles to permanent jobs and call for government intervention to create opportunities in the sector.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 April

  1. Fishing workers protest government hake quota auction plan

    Employees in Namibia's fishing industry protested the government's planned auction of 6 232 metric tonnes of hake quota, saying the system worsens working conditions and job insecurity. Workers called for quotas to be allocated directly to companies needing production support rather than sold to the highest bidder.

    1 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 31 March

  1. Fishing workers petition government to end quota auction system

    Workers from five fishing companies petitioned the Ministry of Agriculture demanding an end to the quota auction system, saying it fuels job insecurity and prevents long-term employees from securing permanent contracts. They argue the auction system favours the highest bidders, prevents companies from predicting future capacity, and has led to workers remaining on fixed-term contracts for years and widespread retrenchments in the sector.

    31 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 30 March

  1. Gendev sends 90 employees home amid financial crisis

    About 90 permanent employees of Gendev Fishing Group were sent home last week, with no clarity on their status. The move follows the company's earlier notification of a contemplated retrenchment of 489 workers, attributed to sustained financial losses, reduced revenue, and an inadequate quota allocation of 3,351 metric tonnes against the company's 45,000-tonne annual capacity.

    30 March 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 28 March

  1. Swapo-linked fishing firm sends workers home unpaid

    Fishing company Gendev Fishing, partially owned by Swapo, sent approximately 80–90 permanent employees home without pay on 23 March with no clarity on when salaries would be restored, after previously announcing plans to retrench 489 workers due to operational challenges and limited fishing quotas.

    28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. Fisheries ministry passes Samherji workers' compensation claims to Labour

    The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has referred compensation claims from 252 former Samherji employees to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, noting that affected workers were already considered under a government redress programme aimed at reintegrating them into the fishing industry following the company's 2019–2020 closure. Some former employees argue that placement at other companies does not fully address their financial losses.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 19 February

  1. Fishing union threatens strike over worker exclusion, job losses

    Tucna president Paulus Hango warned of a nationwide fishing industry strike if workers' concerns are not addressed, citing over 600 job losses last year, 490 jobs at risk, unpaid workers since October, and systematic exclusion of unions from employment agreements signed by government and companies. Workers also raised concerns including lack of protective equipment, quota allocation issues, and inadequate consultation before layoffs.

    19 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Tucna threatens court action over fishing industry worker rights

    The Trade Union Congress of Namibia warns it may pursue legal action against fishing companies including Gendev Fishing over workers' complaints of poor conditions, delayed salaries, and unsafe working environments. Workers across multiple fishing firms report delayed pay, inconsistent hours, lack of benefits, and inadequate protective equipment despite repeated attempts to resolve disputes with management.

    18 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Gendev — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute