Namibia Minute.
Friday, 26 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 26 June 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Person

Iipumbu Shiimi

Also known as: erstwhile finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi · Minister of finance and public enterprises Iipumbu Shiimi · Shiiimi · finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Public Administration and Planning chairperson conducting oversight of regional government project implementation.

2020-04-232026-06-26
Share on WhatsApp

What’s been said

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

  1. June 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Iipumbu Shiimi said civil servants should be treated as low-risk customers and pay lower interest rates than ones currently enforced by Namfisa

    Source

    “Following the committee hearing on Friday, chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi said civil servants should be treated as low-risk customers and pay lower interest rates than the ones currently enforced by Namfisa.”

    Microlenders reject blame for Namibia’s debt crisis

  3. Windhoek Observer

    Committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi described household debt as a serious concern among civil servants

    Source

    “Committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi described household debt as a serious concern, particularly among civil servants who are often left with little disposable income after loan repayments are deducted from their salaries.”

    Parliament probes lending practices as debt crisis deepens

  4. The Namibian

    Committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi said the committee is reviewing a motion on lending practices' impact on citizens

    Source

    “Committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi yesterday said the committee is reviewing a motion on the impact of lending practices on citizens, particularly public servants.”

    Civil servants sitting ducks for cash loans

  5. The Namibian

    Committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi said rising levels of indebtedness among households have become a matter of national concern

    Source

    “Committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi on Friday said rising levels of indebtedness among households, particularly civil servants, have become a matter of national concern.”

    Parliament probes debt trap as civil servants buckle under loan burden

  6. The Namibian

    Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi tabled proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act in the National Assembly to reduce the tax burden on new homeowners

    Source

    “In 2024, finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi tabled proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act of 1981 in the National Assembly to reduce the tax burden on new homeowners.”

    Govt targets home loans, but economists say house prices are the problem
  7. May 2026

  8. The Namibian

    Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi said the facility was critical to government response to health crisis

    Source

    “At the time, finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi said the facility was critical in enabling the government to respond to the health crisis, including procuring vaccines and supporting the national vaccination rollout, while cushioning the broader economic impact.”

    Namibia repays N$3.9b IMF emergency loan, zero outstanding balance
  9. March 2026

  10. New Era

    Erstwhile finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi declared 6 million shares in unit trust at Allan Grey Investment and six million shares in PSG

    Source

    “Additionally, erstwhile finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi declared 6 million shares in a unit trust at Allan Grey Investment. Six million shares in PSG in the form of government bonds.”

    MPs declare assets and interests
  11. February 2026

  12. The Namibian

    Committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi flagged poor execution of projects in ||Kharas region

    Source

    “This is due to a number of delayed projects in the region, committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi confirmed last Friday.”

    Shiimi flags poor execution of projects in ||Kharas region

  13. The Namibian

    Shiimi took aim at senior officials who do not show up to meetings and account to the committee

    Source

    “Shiimi also took aim at senior officials who do not show up to meetings and account to the committee, describing such behaviour as unacceptable.”

    Shiimi flags poor execution of projects in ||Kharas region

  14. New Era

    Iipumbu Shiimi said the government has a duty to monitor project execution

    Source

    “Chairperson of the committee, Iipumbu Shiimi, said the government has a duty to monitor project execution to determine whether it delivers tangible benefits to Namibians.”

    Government investments need tracking – Shiimi
Business

Microlenders deny responsibility for Namibia's debt crisis

The News

The Micro Lenders Association has rejected claims that it is responsible for trapping Namibians in debt, attributing high debt levels instead to weak savings practices, economic pressures, multiple credit sources, income constraints, and regulatory gaps. The association made its position known in a 15-page letter to parliament's standing committee on economics, which is examining whether the country's laws adequately protect civil servants against microlenders.

23 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 23 June

  1. Microlenders deny responsibility for Namibia's debt crisis

    The Micro Lenders Association has rejected claims that it is responsible for trapping Namibians in debt, attributing high debt levels instead to weak savings practices, economic pressures, multiple credit sources, income constraints, and regulatory gaps. The association made its position known in a 15-page letter to parliament's standing committee on economics, which is examining whether the country's laws adequately protect civil servants against microlenders.

    23 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 22 June

  1. Parliamentary committee examines lending practices amid debt crisis

    Parliament's Standing Committee on Economy and Industry held a public hearing to investigate whether existing laws adequately protect borrowers from exploitation by lending institutions and informal money lenders. Committee leaders said household debt is a serious concern among civil servants, some of whom take home very low net pay due to multiple loan deductions from their salaries.

    22 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Parliamentary committee probes predatory lending to civil servants

    A parliamentary standing committee on economics has heard that low salaries, predatory microlenders, and gaps in the law are driving public servants into crippling debt cycles, with some earning as low as N$3,000 a month while facing exorbitant interest rates. The committee is investigating whether existing laws adequately protect Namibians against lending institutions and reviewing the deduction payroll system that allows loan repayments to be taken directly from civil servants' salaries.

    16 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 15 June

  1. Parliament examines household debt crisis among civil servants

    A parliamentary standing committee has launched public hearings on whether existing laws adequately protect citizens from exploitation by lending institutions and informal money lenders, prompted by rising indebtedness among households, particularly civil servants. The inquiry focuses on payday loans, which account for 82% of new loans issued by microlenders, and the payroll deduction system used in the public service, which may encourage excessive borrowing despite Labour Act provisions limiting total deductions to one-third of remuneration.

    15 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 14 June

  1. Economist says high house prices, not loan terms, block affordability

    Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu argues the government should reduce house prices rather than target mortgage repayment periods, which typically range from 20 to 30 years. He says longer loan terms make expensive houses affordable for first-time buyers and borrowers can pay off mortgages early if they choose.

    14 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 2 May

  1. Namibia completes repayment of N$3.9 billion IMF emergency loan

    Namibia has fully repaid its N$3.9-billion emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund, with the final payment made on 15 April, closing the Rapid Financing Instrument facility approved in April 2021. The loan was used during the Covid-19 pandemic to stabilise the economy, support vaccine procurement and rollout, and address fiscal pressures from declining export revenues and external account strain.

    2 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. New deputy minister posts draw criticism over budget costs

    Political analysts have criticised president Nandi-Ndaitwah's appointment of seven deputy ministers, saying the move will cost the government nearly N$1.7 million annually and reverses earlier cost-saving pledges. Critics including analyst Henning Melber argue the appointments signal inadequate planning and a centralisation of power, while raising concerns about the appointees' ability to effectively balance parliamentary, executive, and regional council duties.

    8 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. At least 91 MPs declare assets and business interests

    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 →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Oshikoto governor denies political bias in Independence Day speaker selection

    Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi denied that keynote speakers for regional Independence Day celebrations were chosen based on political affiliation, saying the selection was a collective decision focused on the region's challenges and service delivery rather than party considerations.

    17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 March

  1. Oshikoto Independence Day speakers defended as national, not partisan

    Nahas Angula and regional officials have defended the selection of 11 Swapo members as speakers for Oshikoto's 36th Independence Day event, saying the invitations were issued by the regional council and constituency leadership based on availability and status as leaders, not political affiliation. They acknowledge that Independence Day is a national event open to all Namibians and claim non-Swapo members were also invited, though specifics were not provided.

    16 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 February

  1. 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 →

Wednesday 4 February

  1. Parliamentary committee flags slow project execution in ||Kharas region

    A parliamentary standing committee has identified poor execution and delays in government-funded projects across the ||Kharas region, with committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi calling for officials to take project implementation more seriously and improve accountability to parliament.

    4 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 February

  1. Parliament's economy committee inspects regional projects

    Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Public Administration and Planning completed an oversight visit to the //Kharas region to monitor capital projects including airport infrastructure, hospital renovations, and the railway line. Committee chairperson Iipumbu Shiimi said Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to track government investments to ensure effective use of public funds and tangible benefits to citizens, though some concerns were raised about slow implementation and official absenteeism.

    2 February 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 21 January

  1. Traditional leaders serve rural areas from Windhoek despite legal residency rules

    Several Namibian traditional leaders, including chiefs and headmen, are governing their rural communities while residing in Windhoek, contrary to the Traditional Authorities Act No. 25 of 2000, which requires them to live within their communal areas. They justify this practice by citing the effectiveness of deputies and local committees, though legal scholars note such violations may warrant removal from office.

    21 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Iipumbu Shiimi — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute