Also known as: IPC
Opposition political party that appears frequently in coverage of parliamentary accountability, government oversight, and policy disputes across social, economic, and regulatory areas.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Independent Patriots for Change
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change has shadow minister criticizing Pama establishment before dedicated legislation enacted
“Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula says while extracting commercial value from underused government properties may be sound in principle, the use of interim structures and administrative workarounds raises serious concerns.”
Govt assets agency legitimacy challengedThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change called for ECC suspension pending independent review
“Meanwhile, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called for the ECC to be suspended pending an independent review.”
President opposes phosphateWindhoek Observer
Independent Patriots for Change leader Dr Panduleni Itula challenged the issuance of an Environmental Clearance Certificate to Namibia Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project
“Independent Patriots for Change leader Dr Panduleni Itula, has challenged the issuance of an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) to Namibia Marine Phosphate (Pty) Ltd for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project through a notice of appeal and legal objection filed with the minister of environment, forestry and tourism.”
Itula appeals against phosphate ECC decisionThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change has called for the ECC to be suspended pending an independent review
“The Independent Patriots for Change has separately called for the ECC to be suspended pending an independent review, while Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani has called for the environmental report behind the decision to be made public.”
Fishing body challenges Namibian Marine Phosphate clearanceThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has warned government against using public debt to justify salary cuts
“The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has warned the government against using the country's growing public debt to justify cuts to public servants' salaries, saying Namibia's fiscal crisis is a governance problem rather than simply a wage-bill problem.”
Public servants should not take debt crisis blame – MwashindangeThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change called for suspension of ECC pending independent review
“The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has called for the ECC to be suspended pending an independent review.”
Katti’s Sandpiper phosphate clearance upsets conservationists, politiciansNew Era
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) is demanding answers from the ministry regarding environmental protections for the mining project
“Meanwhile, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), the official opposition, are also demanding answers from the ministry.”
Phosphate divides opinion … clearance reignites seabed mining debateThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) says Damaseb's appointment does not address concerns over Namibia's silence on alleged human rights abuses
“Meanwhile, Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) says Damaseb's appointment does not address concerns over Namibia's silence on alleged human rights abuses in the East African country.”
Damaseb urged to reject Tanzania inquiry roleThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) cautions that Namibia Air's newly issued air operating licence should not be mistaken for approval to begin commercial flights
“The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) cautions that Namibia Air's newly issued air operating licence (AOL) should not be mistaken for approval to begin commercial flights, warning that critical regulatory, operational and financial requirements remain outstanding.”
IPC warns Namibia Air faces hurdles before take-offThe Namibian
IPC calls on minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi to publish the N$20 million feasibility study
“IPC also calls on minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi to publish the N$20 million feasibility study.”
IPC warns Namibia Air faces hurdles before take-offThe National Assembly passed the second reading of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill on Tuesday with 50 lawmakers voting in favour, despite a walkout by most opposition parties. The bill, which proposes shifting certain responsibilities to the President and a new Upstream Petroleum Unit, now proceeds to the committee stage.
7 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
The National Assembly passed the second reading of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill on Tuesday with 50 lawmakers voting in favour, despite a walkout by most opposition parties. The bill, which proposes shifting certain responsibilities to the President and a new Upstream Petroleum Unit, now proceeds to the committee stage.
7 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
Opposition politician Nelson Kalangula has challenged the government's N$70 million estimate for two pedestrian bridges along Windhoek's Western Bypass, demanding a detailed cost breakdown. The works and transport minister has said designs have been approved and construction is expected to begin between 19 November and 1 December 2026.
8 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
The High Court has temporarily blocked the municipality of Walvis Bay from terminating its debt-collection contract with RedForce Debt Management CC, preventing the municipality from withdrawing RedForce's mandate or cutting off its access to municipal debtor information. The interdict follows a council resolution adopted on 7 October 2026 to terminate the contract, and escalates a dispute between the town's political leadership and its chief executive officer, Victoria Kapenda.
20 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Roads Authority is rejecting vehicle registration applications for imports from Hong Kong involving fraudulent or unverifiable documentation, citing a significant increase in such cases. The authority says all applications must undergo verification with Hong Kong authorities before registration approval, and fraudulent or altered documents may result in police investigation and prosecution.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition parties disagree on whether to remove National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila following September calls from an IPC lawmaker for a no-confidence vote. Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani warned against using impeachment for political disputes, citing parliamentary tensions and the need for better discipline and respect for procedures.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has questioned the maintenance and accountability of Namibia Wildlife Resorts following the closure of indoor swimming facilities at Gross Barmen Resort, citing N$220 million in government funding allocated for redevelopment of the resort in 2010. The IPC's shadow minister for tourism and environment called for public explanation of what caused the closure, when the problem was identified, and what would be required to restore the facilities.
17 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Works and Transport defended its vehicle records after an audit found 53 government vehicles valued at N$35.5 million absent from the pool register, saying they were permanently allocated to various offices and agencies and therefore recorded in a different register instead.
16 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has called for disciplinary action against officials responsible for financial irregularities at the ministry of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, following an Auditor-General's report that flagged N$14.11 million in stock discrepancies across the ministry (N$10.09 million) and Namibian Police Force (N$4.02 million).
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Independent Patriots for Change has called for disciplinary action against officials responsible for N$14.11 million in stock discrepancies at the ministry of home affairs, immigration, safety and security, according to an Auditor-General's report covering the financial year ended 31 March 2025.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Works and Transport has challenged an audit finding that 53 government vehicles worth N$35.5 million were missing from the pool vehicle register, arguing they had been recorded in a Permanent Allocated Vehicle Register instead. The Windhoek Observer editorial calls for complete records and independently verifiable evidence to resolve the discrepancy.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The ministry of works and transport has rejected an Auditor-General's finding that 53 newly acquired government vehicles worth N$35.5 million were "missing" or not recorded in the pool vehicle register, saying the vehicles were permanently allocated to specific government offices and recorded in a separate register.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
NUDO's Vetaruhe Kandorozu told the National Assembly that employment equity efforts should balance opportunities for both men and women, citing examples of institutions with female-dominated senior management. IPC member Lucia Mbuti countered that the Employment Equity Commission must address historical workplace injustices and promote fairer working environments including for employees with disabilities.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition parties walked out during voting on the petroleum bill in the National Assembly, leaving only 39 of 49 required members and preventing a vote to proceed. The walkout was a protest against provisions in the bill that would place the upstream petroleum sector under the Office of the President and establish an upstream petroleum unit.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →
A Swapo parliamentarian challenged the Independent Patriots for Change to account for how it uses public funding to address socioeconomic challenges. The IPC's leader responded that parliamentary funding is intended to support democratic participation, not development projects, and is governed by Electoral Commission guidelines.
15 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition shadow minister Aloisius Kangulu has called on the defence ministry to explain N$860,000 spent on subsistence and travel allowances, citing concerns about transparency and accountability. The demand follows reports that the defence department exceeded its 2024/25 budget by N$252.9 million despite receiving an unqualified audit opinion.
15 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Meat Corporation of Namibia has proposed paying employees two-thirds of their salaries from November 2026 to January 2027 due to foot-and-mouth disease strains on the state-owned processor's finances. The proposal is part of an emergency cost containment package aimed at reducing expenses while protecting jobs and retaining critical skills.
14 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Former president Nangolo Mbumba claims he is unaware of reported construction of a new office for him in Windhoek, contradicting an earlier government statement that it had no plans to build one. An Independent Patriots for Change lawmaker questions whether Mbumba, who served in an acting capacity and was not directly elected, should receive the same post-presidential benefits as elected former presidents.
13 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The agriculture ministry's Directorate of Veterinary Services failed to spend more than N$13 million of its N$431.4 million budget during the 2024/25 financial year, spending only N$418.3 million. The underspend was attributed to delays in advertising vacancies, appointing new recruits, procurement delays, late tender awards, and incomplete capital projects — coming as Namibia faces foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks across two regions.
13 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The government is preparing to launch Namibia Air in December following a N$20 million feasibility study, but the study's findings have not been made public or available to parliamentarians, prompting criticism from opposition lawmakers about lack of transparency.
12 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Residents of Sande informal settlement in Lüderitz say communal toilets have become unusable, forcing them to use a nearby mountain instead. Local leaders have called on the town council to intervene, citing health and dignity concerns.
10 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused TransNamib of shielding senior executives from disciplinary action, noting that hearings for two officials suspended in February 2026 on property mismanagement allegations have not commenced despite promises they would occur in July and August.
8 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has launched an investigation into state-owned Namibia Wildlife Resorts over alleged financial mismanagement, poor governance and unfair labour practices, including examining why workers remain displaced 11 months after a fire destroyed their houses at Sesriem in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Ferdinand Hengombe is demanding to know whether industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse will be held liable for costs arising from his decision to overturn the Namibian Competition Commission's rejection of the proposed Cheetah Cement and Ohorongo Cement merger, following a High Court judgment that found Amutse's decision unlawful and invalid.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliament has questioned whether the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill adequately protects state revenue as it proposes transferring powers from the minister of industries, mines and energy to the President, including establishment of an Upstream Petroleum Unit in the President's office and changes to oversight of royalties, licences, local content and environmental obligations. PDM Chief Whip Winnie Moongo raised concerns that the bill weakens existing safeguards requiring finance ministry concurrence for royalty decisions.
8 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has threatened legal action over the possible deregistration of 20 medical laboratory sciences students at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
8 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Independent Patriots for Change has expressed concern over delays in disciplinary proceedings against two senior TransNamib executives suspended in February over allegations of property mismanagement and statutory breaches. The party says no hearings have commenced as of October, despite expectations they would proceed in July and August, and questions whether junior employees face swifter consequences than senior executives.
7 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliamentary opposition and transport-sector stakeholders back the government's plan to introduce high-security vehicle number plates with QR codes to combat fraud, but warn that the cost of transition must not fall on already-struggling public transport operators like taxi and bus services.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC shadow minister Rodney Cloete is demanding that the government explain Namibia's position on the proposed sale of De Beers, citing Botswana's parliament being informed while Namibia's has not been. Cloete questions whether Namibia was approached to join the Global Diamond Consortium bidding for Anglo American's 85% stake, and seeks clarity on the diamond sales agreement with De Beers that expired in May.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Despite the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affecting the livestock sector, farmers remain required to pay agricultural workers the national minimum wage—N$14 per hour from 1 January, rising to N$18 next year—with no government exemption announced. The Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations says all employers must comply unless officially notified otherwise, though regional authorities are discussing the wage issue as part of developing an outbreak response plan.
4 October 2026 · The Namibian →
At least 1,760 teachers were recruited over the past four years while classrooms increased from 1,550 to 1,836. An Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian raised concerns that new Jolly Phonics and PE4Life programmes in Junior Primary are adding pressure to teachers in overcrowded classes, but the Education Minister said the programmes were incorporated into the curriculum rather than added on top.
1 October 2026 · New Era →