Regional government body in Kunene whose salary disbursements were frozen by the urban and rural development minister over a dispute regarding acting chief regional officer George Kamseb.
Kunene Regional Councillaunched the construction ofOtjorungondo Secondary School, a N$28.2-million development project
Source
“The Kunene Regional Council on Tuesday launched the construction of the Otjorungondo Secondary School at Opuwo, a N$28.2-million development project.”
Kunene Regional Councilis collaborating with Eddie Nanub's office toimplement government projects to support skills training and small business development
Source
“On youth unemployment, Nanub said that his office is collaborating with the Kunene regional council to implement government projects to support skills training and small business development.”
Kunene Regional Councilis involved in legal dispute withMinistry of Urban and Rural Development
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“Another key matter raised during the meeting was a legal dispute involving the Kunene Regional Council and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.”
Kunene Regional Councilwas never informed aboutthe mass recruitment drive conducted by Kaoko Fria Investment
Source
“The Kunene Regional Council says it was never informed about the mass recruitment drive conducted by Kaoko Fria Investment (Pty) Ltd, the company claiming to be behind the proposed Kaoko Fria Smart City in Kunene.”
Kunene governor Vipuakuje Muharukua has accused the Kunene Regional Council of using employees as a "human shield" over a dispute involving George Kamseb's position as chief regional officer, after staff members reportedly did not receive their June salaries. Muharukua said Kamseb and those protecting him are responsible for the salary delays, not minister James Sankwasa, and has invited Sankwasa to a meeting on 1 July to find a solution.
Why it matters
Unpaid salaries for Kunene public servants—teachers, nurses, police—expose a governance breakdown at regional level with direct impact on essential services.
Kunene governor Vipuakuje Muharukua has accused the Kunene Regional Council of using employees as a "human shield" over a dispute involving George Kamseb's position as chief regional officer, after staff members reportedly did not receive their June salaries. Muharukua said Kamseb and those protecting him are responsible for the salary delays, not minister James Sankwasa, and has invited Sankwasa to a meeting on 1 July to find a solution.
Kunene Regional Council employees did not receive salaries as government funds remain withheld by the urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, who suspended disbursement in May citing concerns over the presence of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb. The suspension has also halted several development projects in the region.
The Kunene Regional Council launched construction of Otjirongondo Secondary School at Opuwo as part of the education ministry's decongestion plan. The N$28.2-million project will include 20 classrooms, vocational workshops, laboratories, and a library, with plans for it to become the first phase of a boarding school.
Kunene Regional Council employees face a financial crisis after minister James Sankwasa blocked funds allocated to the council following a dispute over the appointment of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb in 2021. Staff have not received salaries for March and April, and the council has taken the matter to the High Court while seeking alternative payment methods.
Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa has halted government funds to the Kunene Regional Council, demanding removal of acting chief regional officer George Kamseb, whose appointment is being challenged in court. The council's chairperson Western Muharukua describes the fund freeze as unlawful pressure and says it threatens to disrupt salaries, services, and capital projects; the council plans to seek judicial review.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has urged traditional authorities to make land available to local authorities, calling it central to development and a national imperative to unlock Opuwo's potential as an economic hub. Over N$812 000 was pledged at a trade fair fundraising gala dinner, with the 13th Opuwo Annual Trade Fair scheduled for April 20 to May 2, 2026.
A gala dinner in Opuwo raised N$812 620 in pledges for the 13th Annual Trade Fair, scheduled for April–May 2026. The event will feature horse racing, boxing, career fair, livestock forum, beauty pageant and music performances.
Rivonia Roswitha Roman, a control administrative officer at Kunene Regional Council since 2007, speaks about her career dedicated to community development and public service. Roman, who holds a business administration degree and pursues an honours qualification, credits her passion for serving her region and people as the driving force behind her work in housing programmes and regional engagement.
Eddie Nanub, regional councillor for Khorixas, has outlined plans to address water scarcity through infrastructure upgrades and budget advocacy, while also prioritizing job creation, improved road connectivity, and youth skills training to revitalize the local economy and service delivery in the Kunene region.
The United Democratic Front highlighted pressing challenges affecting communities in Kunene and northern regions during a consultative meeting with President Nandi-Ndaitwah, including human-wildlife conflict that is impoverishing rural households, a legal dispute involving the regional council, housing shortages, and educational inequality between rural and urban schools. The party noted that rural residents bear the costs of wildlife conservation while wild animals are regarded as national assets, and proposed dialogue-based solutions to ongoing disputes.
Namibia's Environment Ministry has denied authorising the Kaoko Fria Smart City project within Skeleton Coast National Park, citing conservation concerns, while the Kunene Regional Council says it was never consulted despite the company's recruitment drive in Windhoek. The company claims it has submitted environmental assessments and is seeking deproclamation of the park for the development.