Monday, 7 September 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Monday, 7 September 2026

Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—

Namibian press · Person

Job Amupanda

Also known as: Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda · member of parliament Job Amupanda · AR leader Job Amupanda · Job Shipululo Amupanda · Affirmative Repositing leader Job Amupanda · Dr. Job Shipululo Amupanda · Dr Job Amupanda · Prof. Job Amupanda · Dr. Job Amupanda

Leader of the Affirmative Repositioning movement, appears in coverage of parliamentary conduct disputes and Electoral Commission nomination processes.

2023-06-212026-09-07

What’s been said

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

June 2023
21 JunThe Namibian
Job Amupanda believes government's approach demonstrates weak leadership vulnerable to European interests
Source
“Job Amupanda, the leader of the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement, believes the government's approach demonstrates weak leadership and a vulnerability to being outmanoeuvred by European interests due to Namibia's desperation for development opportunities.”
Govt faces backlash over green hydrogen ownership

Politics

Swapo vows to block removal of National Assembly speaker

The News

Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga said the party would not allow the removal of National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, dismissing an IPC motion to remove her as political theatrics and citing procedural violations. Opposition parties would need at least four Swapo votes to succeed in removing the speaker, who has faced criticism from opposition over her application of standing rules.

11 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

Swapo vows to block removal of National Assembly speaker
Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga said the party would not allow the removal of National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, dismissing an IPC motion to remove her as political theatrics and citing procedural violations. Opposition parties would need at least four Swapo votes to succeed in removing the speaker, who has faced criticism from opposition over her application of standing rules.
11 hours ago · The Namibian →

Saturday 5 September

Opinion: Parliament livestream turned into entertainment spectacle
A Namibian Sun columnist argues that since parliament went live, it has become a soap opera focused on theatrics rather than lawmaking, with MPs performing for cameras instead of conducting legislative business.
5 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Friday 4 September

Swapo condemns AR MPs for disruptive conduct in parliament
Swapo has accused the Affirmative Repositioning movement of "deliberate and politically motivated disruptive conduct" in the National Assembly, citing incidents in which AR members were removed after allegedly wearing jeans and using cellphones in the chamber. AR leader Job Amupanda dismissed the allegations as "cheap, frivolous and intellectually bankrupt," defending his MPs' parliamentary contributions.
4 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 3 September

National Assembly clarifies speaker's security personnel are police
The National Assembly clarified that police officers protecting speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila are employed by the police, not parliament, following claims from Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda. Police command, deployment, and pay remain under the police establishment, though the National Assembly may cover travel-related security expenses authorised under the State Finance Act.
3 September 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC moves to remove speaker Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
The Independent Patriots for Change has tabled a motion to remove National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, with opposition parties backing the bid, alleging she is ruling parliament with an "iron fist" and bias, and has repeatedly exercised powers that belong to parliament itself and failed to follow parliamentary procedures.
3 September 2026 · The Namibian →
SWAPO condemns disruptive conduct by AR MPs in parliament
The SWAPO Party has condemned what it describes as deliberate and politically motivated disruptions by members of the Affirmative Repositioning party and opposition MPs in the National Assembly, calling for sanctions. The party alleges that AR members under Job Amupanda's leadership have repeatedly disrupted parliamentary proceedings on more than three occasions, including recent incidents where members were forcibly removed and the Speaker adjourned the sitting.
3 September 2026 · Informanté →
SWAPO accuses AR of disruption and anarchy in parliament
SWAPO's Hilma Nicanor has accused Affirmative Repositioning members under Job Amupanda of deliberate disruptions of parliamentary proceedings, citing incidents including attempting to speak in jeans and using a cellphone in the chamber, which forced the Speaker to adjourn proceedings.
3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Opposition moves to remove Speaker Kuugongelwa-Amadhila from office
The Independent Patriots for Change tabled a motion in parliament on Wednesday calling for the removal of Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, accusing her of failing to act fairly and impartially in presiding over the House. The motion triggered disorder in the chamber, and the Speaker questioned her procedural ability to rule on a matter directly concerning her own position.
3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 18 August

Amupanda withdraws court bid for ECN nomination records
Job Amupanda, leader of the Affirmative Repositioning movement, has withdrawn his court application seeking disclosure of documents related to the nomination of the Electoral Commission of Namibia's Chairperson and Commissioners by the President. Amupanda had argued that Parliament could not meaningfully assess the nominees without access to records of the selection process, including interview minutes and candidate scoresheets.
18 August 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 8 August

Political parties oppose Damaseb's nomination to Tanzania inquiry
Political parties have called on deputy chief justice and judge president Petrus Damaseb to reject his nomination to serve on Tanzania's post-election violence commission of inquiry. Job Amupanda and the Independent Patriots for Change cite concerns over the process, Namibia's silence on alleged human rights abuses, and international criticism of previous Tanzanian inquiries, arguing that Damaseb's participation could lend credibility to a commission of uncertain independence.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 6 August

AR criticises nomination of judge to Tanzania inquiry commission
The Affirmative Repositioning movement has criticised the Namibian government's decision to nominate Judge President and Deputy Chief Justice Petrus Damaseb to serve on a Tanzanian Presidential Commission of Inquiry into violence following Tanzania's October 2025 general election. AR accuses the authorities of compromising judicial independence and enabling a political whitewash of alleged human rights abuses.
6 August 2026 · Informanté →
Opposition parties criticize deputy chief justice's Tanzania inquiry role
Opposition parties AR and IPC have accused the Namibian government of compromising judicial independence by nominating deputy chief justice Petrus Damaseb to serve on a Tanzanian Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating post-election violence. AR contends the nomination was a political act facilitated through government channels rather than proper judicial cooperation.
6 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 21 July

Namibian parliament adjourned without passing single bill
An opinion piece criticizes the 8th parliament for adjourning without passing any bills, including overdue legislation such as a land bill and mental health bill, arguing that MPs spend excessive time on questions rather than deliberating laws needed to fulfill voter mandates.
21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Eighth Parliament adjourned without passing single bill
The Windhoek Observer criticizes Namibia's eighth parliament for adjourning without passing any bills, including long-awaited land and mental health legislation, suggesting MPs have spent excessive time on questions rather than deliberating on pending laws.
21 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 15 July

Opposition challenges ECN nominee over Swapo membership ties
Opposition parties oppose Gerson Sindano's nomination to chair the Electoral Commission of Namibia, citing his past role as personal assistant to a Swapo official and his current Swapo membership as undermining the commission's independence ahead of the 2030 elections. The National Democratic Party president says he would only support Sindano if he publicly renounced his Swapo membership.
15 July 2026 · The Namibian →
High Court declines ECN commissioner interdict but affirms transparency concerns
MP Job Amupanda welcomed the High Court's judgment in his case against the Speaker of the National Assembly and others, saying the ruling declined to grant an interdict but affirmed his position that ECN commissioner appointments must comply with constitutional transparency and accountability principles. Amupanda had sought to stop Parliament from approving ECN nominees until key selection process documents were disclosed.
15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 13 July

Parliament approves ACC chief, warns against selective justice
The National Assembly unanimously approved Bryan Eiseb as director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission while lawmakers across parties warned the institution must pursue corruption without political interference and shed its reputation for allowing politically connected cases to go unpunished.
13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 12 July

ECN chairperson appointment criticized as institutional mismanagement
An opinion piece in The Namibian criticizes the Electoral Commission of Namibia's endorsement of Gerson Sindano, a University of Namibia senior lecturer in language development, to replace Elsie Nghikembua as chairperson, arguing that his appointment is unsuitable given the ECN's history of logistical failures including ballot paper shortages and communication breakdowns.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 11 July

Opposition blocks vote on ECN chairperson without documentation
Several opposition parties are refusing to approve Gerson Sindano's appointment as Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson until parliament provides all documentation on his nomination, including interview minutes and selection committee recommendations. Opposition leaders also raised concerns that Sindano's previous role as a personal assistant to Swapo's secretary general could undermine the commission's independence.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 July

Itula threatens court action over ECN commissioner appointments
Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula has threatened legal action against the president's appointment of Electoral Commission of Namibia commissioners, arguing the process is unconstitutional because the president nominated rather than appointed candidates as required under Article 94B of the Constitution. Itula also raised concerns about incomplete documentation, including missing sworn declarations on political affiliations and unclear term duration for ECN chairperson Gerson Sindano.
10 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition demands access to ECN selection records before vote
The Electoral Commission of Namibia leadership appointments have sparked a constitutional debate over Parliament's oversight powers. Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda demanded postponement of the vote on the President's ECN nominees until lawmakers are provided with recruitment, interview, and selection committee records, arguing MPs cannot exercise informed judgment without them.
10 July 2026 · New Era →
Amupanda seeks court order to halt ECN appointment vote
Parliamentary leader Job Amupanda has filed an urgent High Court application to stop the National Assembly from approving Electoral Commission of Namibia nominees, arguing that lawmakers lack access to key selection documents needed for informed decision-making. He is demanding disclosure of interview minutes, scoresheets, the selection committee's recommendation, and the President's nomination, claiming the lack of records prevents lawmakers from exercising constitutional oversight.
10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 9 July

Speaker refuses delay on ECN vote, agrees to release documents
The Office of the Attorney-General has rejected demands to postpone Parliament's vote on the Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson and commissioners, but agreed to make documents bearing President Nandi-Ndaitwah's signature available to MPs during the sitting. The legal challenge, filed on behalf of AR leader Job Amupanda, argued that MPs lacked critical documents needed for an informed constitutional decision.
9 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 8 July

Speaker rejects demand for ECN selection process records
The Speaker of the National Assembly has dismissed demands by Affirmative Repositioning leader Dr Job Amupanda to provide internal records from the Electoral Commission of Namibia chairperson and commissioner nomination process. The Speaker cited the Electoral Act, stating the National Assembly's role is confined to approving or rejecting the President's nominations, not scrutinising the selection committee's internal processes.
8 July 2026 · Informanté →
Opposition MP threatens court action on ECN appointments
AR leader Dr. Job Shipululo Amupanda has threatened urgent High Court action to halt a National Assembly vote on Electoral Commission of Namibia appointments, demanding Parliament defer the vote until records from the nomination process are made available. Amupanda's legal representatives argue MPs cannot properly evaluate nominees without access to interview scoresheets, minutes, and the President's signed nomination, and question the legality of a nine-month chairperson term instead of the constitutionally prescribed five years.
8 July 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 2 July

Works minister rules out electronic tolls for Namibia
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi told Parliament that neither his ministry nor the government has adopted a policy to introduce electronic tolls in Namibia, stating that the proposal originated from the Road Fund Administration and was previously rejected.
2 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 25 June

Redline removal blocked by uncontrolled cattle and disease risks
An estimated 200,000 to 300,000 uncontrolled cattle roaming the Namibia-Angola border annually, slow uptake of northern abattoirs, and lack of alternative grazing areas make removal of the veterinary cordon fence (redline) practically impossible in its current form, the agriculture minister told Parliament. The redline maintains the southern zone's foot-and-mouth disease-free status; its removal would risk compromising this countrywide.
25 June 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 24 June

NMRC clears Fabupharm paracetamol syrup after safety tests
The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council has cleared Fabupharm Pty Ltd's paracetamol syrup for use after independent laboratory tests confirmed it met safety and quality standards. The clearance was issued in May following the product's recall last year, which came after routine inspection shortcomings were identified.
24 June 2026 · The Namibian →
NMRC clears Fabu-Paracetamol after independent safety testing
The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council has confirmed that Fabu-Paracetamol meets required safety and quality standards following independent laboratory testing of samples from health facilities. The tests found all batches complied with quality specifications, contained correct active pharmaceutical ingredient levels, and contained no toxic contaminants such as diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol.
24 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 22 June

Erongo governor wins praise for fiscal management and infrastructure
Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses has received cross-party recognition for her financial stewardship, including clean audits as a regional officer and moving the governor's office from costly hotel accommodation to a renovated government building funded by donations.
22 June 2026 · New Era →