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

Independent Patriots for Change

Also known as: IPC · Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative

Opposition political party; IPC MPs have criticized government fuel hikes, petroleum unit funding, and education policy reversals.

Politics

National Assembly speaker clarifies MP leave is not automatic

The News

National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has clarified that MPs are not automatically entitled to leave of absence and that requests can be declined under Standing Rule 76. She stressed that leave is typically granted only for illness, bereavement of close family, official committee duties, or parliamentary travel, and must be formally submitted with reasons and approval from party chief whips.

8 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. National Assembly speaker clarifies MP leave is not automatic

    National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has clarified that MPs are not automatically entitled to leave of absence and that requests can be declined under Standing Rule 76. She stressed that leave is typically granted only for illness, bereavement of close family, official committee duties, or parliamentary travel, and must be formally submitted with reasons and approval from party chief whips.

    8 hours ago · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

  1. MPs question N$600k mines board sitting allowance labelled 'liquor'

    Parliamentarians criticised a N$600 000 budgetary allocation for board sitting allowances within the mines ministry, which became contentious during budget debates due to its label as 'liquor'. The ministry clarified the funds are not for beverages but for allowances tied to liquor licensing work and board operations across regions, with potential increases to N$2 million over two years.

    20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Onandjokwe Hospital suspends elective surgeries due to anaesthetic shortage

    Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital has suspended all elective surgical procedures after running out of critical anaesthetic agents required for general anaesthesia, with similar supply constraints affecting the Central Medical Stores. The suspension is intended to prioritize limited supplies for emergency cases, and has raised parliamentary concerns about patient safety and operational stability at public health facilities.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Itula criticises government's investment and employment claims

    Independent Patriots for Change president Panduleni Itula responded to the President's State of the Nation Address, arguing that Namibia's laws deter private sector investment and that the 250,000 jobs cited lack clarity on employment conditions. He also disputed the government's corruption record, noting the Transparency International score has declined despite the President's rhetoric on treating corruption as treason.

    14 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Opposition demands transparency over dismissed minister

    IPC president Panduleni Itula called on President Nandi-Ndaitwah to publicly explain why former deputy prime minister and industries minister Natangwe Ithete was dismissed last year, citing concerns about government transparency and corruption despite the president's constitutional authority to dismiss officials without explanation.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 12 April

  1. President addresses parliament on oil, land, wealth fund

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah answered questions from opposition MPs on the Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund, land delivery, Germany's genocide reparations deal, the veterinary cordon fence, and various economic and governance matters during parliament on Wednesday.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. VIP hospital unit contradicts healthcare reform drive, critics argue

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah ordered government officials to use public hospitals from April, but Windhoek Central Hospital's new VIP unit exclusively for senior officials has drawn opposition criticism as discriminatory and contrary to equitable healthcare goals. Opposition leaders and analysts argue the separate facility undermines the reform and mirrors apartheid-era segregation.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 11 April

  1. Itula condemns government retreat from free tertiary education pledge

    IPC president Panduleni Itula has accused the government of backtracking on its "fees must fall" promise, saying the revised approach only covers tuition and registration for eligible undergraduate students and excludes many families through reduced income thresholds and the replacement of grants with loans. Itula also raised concerns about continued suspension of postgraduate funding and infrastructure challenges at tertiary institutions.

    11 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. Appointment of VP's deputy minister criticised as bureaucratic

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed National Council member Moses //Khumub as deputy minister in the Office of the Vice President, a move that lawmakers have criticised as unnecessary bureaucracy given the limited role of the office. The State House said the deputy minister will provide technical and professional support to Vice President Lucia Witbooi, particularly in overseeing marginalised communities and disability affairs divisions transferred from another ministry.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Parliament scrutinizes diplomats' allowances and foreign mission costs

    MPs challenged whether Namibian diplomats overseas claiming car allowances while receiving government vehicles constitute "double-dipping," and questioned the N$113 million spent annually on renting properties for foreign missions. The Trade and International Relations minister defended the practices, stating double-dipping has been addressed, and noted that the government is gradually acquiring properties while focusing on opening additional missions in strategic locations.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

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