Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Independent Patriots for Change

Also known as: IPC

Opposition political party that has criticized government contracts and called for transparency on fuel supply deals and budget matters.

2021-08-192026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. April 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister Ferdinand Hengombe criticised the N$600,000 liquor allocation

    Source

    “Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister for industries, mines and energy Ferdinand Hengombe also criticised the allocation, saying it shows a disconnect from public needs as entrepreneurs struggle to access funding and communities await meaningful industrial development.”

    Namibian MPs slam N$600k ‘liquor’ budget for mines boards as ministry clarifies sitting allowances

  3. The Namibian

    The IPC submitted over 300 parliamentary questions that remain unanswered

    Source

    “He added that the IPC has submitted over 300 parliamentary questions that remain unanswered, arguing that the issue is a lack of accountability from the government.”

    Itula demands reasons for Ithete’s dismissal

  4. The Namibian

    Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) is led by president Panduleni Itula

    Source

    “Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula has criticised the government's revised approach to free tertiary education, describing it as a retreat from its original 'fees must fall' promise.”

    Itula accuses Govt of backtracking on ‘fees must fall' pledge

  5. The Namibian

    Independent Patriots for Change member of parliament Michael Mulunga said the merger was ill-conceived

    Source

    “Independent Patriots for Change member of parliament and shadow minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Michael Mulunga last month said the merger was ill-conceived.”

    President to appoint 8 deputies, Mubita as minister

  6. New Era

    Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) was represented by Michael Mwashindange who described N$109 million ACC budget allocation as an insult

    Source

    “Independent Patriots for Change (IPC)'s Michael Mwashindange described as an insult to the mandate of the ACC.”

    ‘High expectations on underfunded ACC unfair’
  7. March 2026

  8. The Namibian

    Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister Ferdinand Hengombe describes fuel price increase situation as direct assault on already struggling Namibians

    Source

    “Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of energy Ferdinand Hengombe describes the situation as a "direct assault on already struggling Namibians".”

    Govt’s N$500m fuel subsidy deemed unsustainable by economists

  9. The Namibian

    The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called fuel prices for April an assault on ordinary Namibians

    Source

    “The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called fuel prices for April "an assault" on ordinary Namibians.”

    Fuel price hike ‘an assault’ on ordinary Namibians – IPC

  10. The Namibian

    Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) members criticised N$20 million allocation to non-existent upstream petroleum unit

    Source

    “Opposition members in parliament on Thursday criticised the N$20 million allocation to the upstream petroleum unit, arguing the unit does not yet exist under law and the funding is premature.”

    IPC MPs slams N$20 million allocation to non-existent upstream petroleum unit

  11. The Namibian

    Independent Patriots for Change criticized the petroleum bill as removing presidential supervisory role

    Source

    “Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) parliamentarian Michael Mulunga said the bill, in its current form, removes the president's supervisory role, turning her into the sole operator of the entire industry.”

    Parliament fears ‘power vacuum’ in petroleum bill

  12. The Namibian

    Independent Patriots for Change member of parliament Michael Mulunga shared views during debate petroleum amendment bill seen as repeat of fisheries mistakes

    Source

    “Independent Patriots for Change member of parliament Michael Mulunga shared these views while debating the bill in the National Assembly on Tuesday.”

    Petroleum bill dubbed a repeat of ‘fisheries' dark story’
Politics

Baby Blue sells 264 plots valued at N$200 million nationwide

The News

Josef Andreas, a politically connected businessman, is selling 264 plots valued at N$200 million through his company Tulaing Group, including 150 residential plots near Grootfontein. The sale has drawn scrutiny from parliament over whether the original land allocation conditions were fulfilled.

Why it matters

Politically connected businessman's sale of N$200m in plots under parliamentary scrutiny reveals ongoing concerns about land allocation accountability and crony capitalism.

23 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. Baby Blue sells 264 plots valued at N$200 million nationwide

    Josef Andreas, a politically connected businessman, is selling 264 plots valued at N$200 million through his company Tulaing Group, including 150 residential plots near Grootfontein. The sale has drawn scrutiny from parliament over whether the original land allocation conditions were fulfilled.

    23 hours ago · The Namibian →

  2. President's son disputes IPC claims over N$612m solar project

    The president's son, Nande Ndaitwah, is rejecting accusations by IPC president Panduleni Itula that a N$612-million solar power plant deal with Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter benefited from family connections. Itula alleged the deal involved Farm Massaus, owned by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, but Ndaitwah told The Namibian that the solar plant is not going on the farm and that the location is clear from environmental clearance documentation.

    23 hours ago · The Namibian →

Friday 5 June

  1. Itula questions transparency of N$612m solar project

    IPC president Panduleni Itula has raised questions about a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, alleging involvement of companies associated with President Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons and calling for full public disclosure of the project's documentation. Itula stated the issue is not whether the President's family may legally participate in business ventures, but whether sufficient transparency exists when politically connected individuals are linked to projects involving public institutions.

    5 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Namibians may travel to South Africa for US visas

    The US State Department is reportedly cutting visa-issuing consulates and embassies on the African continent, including Namibia's, according to the Associated Press. The closest remaining visa-processing hubs would be South Africa's consulates in Cape Town and Johannesburg, or Angola's Luanda consulate.

    3 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Vitol sole fuel supply deal draws monopoly concerns in Parliament

    The Independent Patriots for Change has accused the government of monopolistic tendencies after the Minister of Mines and Energy announced Vitol Bahrain E.C. as Namibia's sole supplier of bulk petroleum products from July to September 2026. The three-month deal is expected to save the country about N$1 billion, though the Namibian Competition Commission earlier found Vitol controlled an estimated 75% to 85% of the intra-wholesale fuel market.

    3 June 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Businessman denies political role in Namibia fuel supply deal

    Mathews Hamutenya has denied having political connections to State House or involvement in the government's decision to appoint Vitol as Namibia's sole fuel supplier, though his son recently bought 52 service stations and Hamutenya is a partner in a storage facility with Vitol. The Independent Patriots for Change have linked Hamutenya to what they describe as a "conglomerate at the centre of Namibia's petroleum oil takeover."

    2 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Public enterprises bill divides opposition and Swapo in parliament

    Opposition and Swapo lawmakers are divided over a governance amendment bill that would grant the prime minister authority to oversee state-owned enterprises and appoint board members in consultation with line ministers. Critics argue it concentrates political power and weakens accountability, while supporters say it clarifies reporting structures and improves coordination.

    2 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Opposition demands transparency on Vitol fuel supply deal

    The Independent Patriots for Change has called on the energy ministry to explain why it awarded international oil trader Vitol a three-month exclusive fuel supply contract without competitive tender. Shadow minister Rodney Cloete questioned the lack of transparency, the full terms of the agreement including pricing, and cited Vitol's 2020 admission of bribery in three countries.

    2 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  4. IPC calls for stronger mental health support for soldiers

    Following the deaths of two Namibian Defence Force members at military bases in Otjiwarongo and Otavi, the Independent Patriots for Change have urged the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs to strengthen mental health support, housing and welfare programmes for soldiers, citing emotional and psychological challenges soldiers face due to separation from families and financial pressures.

    2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 1 June

  1. Funding shortfall halts Eenhana town council office building

    Eenhana Town Council's N$119-million office building project, begun in 2018, has stalled due to delayed funding; N$9 million is urgently needed to complete the finance wing so staff and customers can use it. The council has operated from an eight-office building since 1999 despite Eenhana's population growing from 2,600 to 16,000.

    1 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. President signs N$104 billion national budget for 2026/27

    The 2026/27 national budget has been signed into law by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and gazetted, allowing government ministries and agencies to access approved funding. The N$104 billion budget provides N$81.3 billion for operational expenditure, N$6.5 billion for development projects and N$16.2 billion for interest payments, with a projected N$15 billion financing gap to be covered through borrowing.

    1 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 28 May

  1. Keetmanshoop municipality spends N$391,000 monthly on vehicle rentals

    Keetmanshoop municipality pays N$391,000 a month to rent 26 vehicles from Avis Fleet, including a Mercedes-Benz for the mayor, prompting criticism from councillors who call the expenditure wasteful given the municipality's financial constraints.

    28 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 25 May

  1. Government plans dual carriageways on high-risk roads

    The Ministry of Works and Transport plans to construct dual-carriageway freeways across Namibia to reduce road accidents and improve transport efficiency. The government will start construction of the Usakos-Arandis dual-carriageway this year, prioritising key roads with heavy traffic volumes and accident records including Windhoek-Okahandja, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Company faces charges over unauthorized farm auction advertising

    Progress Farming Co. faces possible charges for advertising the auctioning of Farm Neu Progress No. 506 in Khomas without the Ministry of Agriculture's approval. The ministry says the advertisement falsely claimed the farm is open to international buyers without government approval, contradicting Namibian agricultural land transaction laws.

    25 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 21 May

  1. Experts call for stronger illegal fishing penalties in SADC region

    Stakeholders warn that existing penalties are failing to deter illegal fishing in Namibian waters, following the interception of a vessel with 22 crew members and amid concerns over losses from bycatch, which increased sharply since 2020 despite monitoring systems in place.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 18 May

  1. Government plans to cancel Chicco building lease agreement

    The Ministry of Works and Transport plans to cancel a lease agreement with businessman Erastus Shapumba for a building the government rents for N$1.1 million per month but does not occupy. Shapumba says he did not draft the lease agreement, which was signed in December 2023 for a three-year term, and argues his rental rate of N$99 per square metre is cheaper than other private buildings.

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Social media rental finder scams rising in Namibia

    The Namibian Police report growing complaints from people scammed by unregistered rental finders on social media, with some tenants losing between N$1,500 and N$11,000 in fake deposits for properties they never secured, particularly in Windhoek.

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Former PDM parliamentarian Hamata resigns, rules out new party

    Former National Assembly member Hidipo Hamata has resigned from the Popular Democratic Movement, saying he will not join another political party. He indicated he prefers to explore opportunities beyond politics and described leaving one party as not automatically meaning joining another.

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 14 May

  1. Windhoek mental health facility admits systemic security failures

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services acknowledged systemic failures at the Windhoek Central Mental Health Centre, citing inadequate infrastructure and human resource deficits that contributed to poor supervision. The admission followed a patient escaping and a fatal police shooting incident.

    14 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 13 May

  1. High commissioner sues IPC member over defamatory WhatsApp audio

    Namibian high commissioner to Ghana Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata has filed a N$250 000 defamation lawsuit against former Outapi constituency councillor and IPC member Fillemon Shikwambi over an alleged WhatsApp audio recording made on 22 September 2025 containing false statements about her appointment and family connections. Nghituwamata alleges the audio suggests she was appointed through nepotism rather than merit and falsely links her to corruption and apartheid-era figures.

    13 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. NamPower seeks ECB intervention on N$1bn debt crisis

    Namibia Power Corporation has asked the Electricity Control Board to intervene in efforts to recover N$1 billion owed by local state entities and Angola's power utility for electricity. NamPower says 14 local authorities have breached repayment arrangements totalling about N$635.3 million, and prolonged non-payment could undermine the security of the country's electricity supply.

    12 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. IPC condemns fatal shooting of man with mental illness

    The Independent Patriots for Change condemned the fatal shooting of a 39-year-old man from Oshana region at Otjiwarongo, calling the killing a citizen with mental illness who needed medical attention. The party called for an independent investigation and the establishment of an independent police complaints authority, arguing police should not investigate their own conduct.

    12 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 8 May

  1. IPC demands transparency on Shikongo suspension procedures

    The Independent Patriots for Change says it will not take a position on whether inspector general of Police Joseph Shikongo should remain in office, but insists that due process must be followed and calls on the Executive to release all documents demonstrating compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for suspension.

    8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Agriculture minister questions N$179m border fence quotation

    Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has questioned a N$179 million quotation from August 26 Construction for a 400-kilometre border fence project along the Namibia-South Africa border aimed at containing foot-and-mouth disease, citing cost concerns and procurement issues.

    6 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. PSC audited 8% of government hires in 2024/25 financial year

    The Public Service Commission audited 796 files out of 10,410 staff members at 10 government offices, ministries, agencies and regional councils during the 2024/25 financial year to assess compliance with recruitment procedures and public service regulations. PSC chairperson Patrick Nandago cited delays in resolving matters and slow institutional responses as ongoing concerns hampering the commission's oversight effectiveness.

    6 May 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Opposition groups criticise political dominance at national commemoration events

    Opposition leaders say Cassinga Day and Workers' Day have become political mobilisation events for Swapo rather than state occasions reflecting national unity, citing concerns about the presence of the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe and the absence of national institutions at these public holidays.

    6 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Nandi-Ndaitwah calls for unity at Cassinga Day commemoration

    At the 48th commemoration of the Cassinga massacre in Outapi, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called on Namibians to uphold unity and protect the country's independence, warning against corruption, nepotism and favouritism. The IPC stated that Cassinga Day should not be used for political purposes.

    5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  2. IPC urges Namibians to unite over Cassinga legacy

    The Independent Patriots for Change called on Namibians to safeguard the legacy of Cassinga by rejecting political division and embracing national unity.

    5 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 4 May

  1. Board positions at state enterprises yield N$400k to N$1.6m annually

    Board earnings for chairs and senior members at Namibian banks, listed companies and state-owned enterprises range from N$400,000 to N$1.6 million annually. Opposition chief whip Rodney Cloete argues board work has shifted from part-time public service to a full-time income stream for a politically connected group, often appointed through personal connections rather than merit.

    4 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Opposition, experts voice concern over political hiring bias in Namibia

    Opposition leaders and labour experts have raised concerns about "jobs for comrades"—the practice of hiring based on political party membership and regional affiliation rather than merit. The Popular Democratic Movement secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe says the practice undermines fair employment and compromises nationalism, tracing the issue back to post-independence hiring patterns within state-owned enterprises.

    29 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Independent Patriots for Change — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute