Also known as: KRC
Local government body administering Kunene region, managing budget crises, salary disputes, and development projects including schools and infrastructure.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Kunene Regional Council reported drought relief extended to 35,002 households
“An estimated 78 495 people in the Kunene region are at an extreme level of food insecurity, with the region reporting that drought relief has been extended to 35 002 households.”
78 495 Kunene residents without foodThe Namibian
Kunene Regional Council has had its 2026/27 budget frozen since March, unable to pay utilities
“The Kunene Regional Council's 2026/27 budget remains frozen since March, leaving the council unable to pay for basic utilities and bringing its operational and capital projects to a standstill.”
Kunene budget remains blockedNew Era
Kunene Regional Council has resolved the dispute that delayed salary payments
“The dispute that delayed salary payments at the Kunene Regional Council has been resolved, with employees expected to receive their salaries yesterday.”
Kunene council salaries dispute resolvedInformanté
Kunene Regional Council agreed to relieve Kamseb of duties and appoint acting chief regional officer
“Following the discussions, the council agreed to relieve Kamseb of his duties and proceed with the appointment of an acting chief regional officer.”
Sankwasa resolves Kunene salary disputeThe Namibian
Kunene Regional Council has reportedly not paid staff June salaries
“after staff members reportedly did not receive their June salaries.”
Kunene governor blames council dispute for unpaid salariesNew Era
The council has accused the minister of enforcing a judgement that is still under appeal
“The council has accused the minister of effectively enforcing a judgement that is still under appeal.”
Kunene RC salaries unpaidThe Namibian
Kunene Regional Council launched the construction of Otjorungondo Secondary School, a N$28.2-million development project
“The Kunene Regional Council on Tuesday launched the construction of the Otjorungondo Secondary School at Opuwo, a N$28.2-million development project.”
Kunene launches N$28-million Otjirongondo Secondary School projectThe Namibian
Kunene Regional Council took the matter to Windhoek High Court challenging the fund freeze
“It has since taken the matter to the High Court, challenging the legality of the minister's decision to freeze the funds.”
Kunene cash freeze leaves workers dryNew Era
Kunene Regional Council refused to remove Kamseb
“The dispute follows the council's refusal to remove Kamseb, whose appointment has been challenged in court.”
Sankwasa blocks govt funds to KuneneNew Era
Kunene Regional Council employed Rivonia Roswitha Roman as control administrative officer
“Fresh out of high school, Rivonia Roswitha Roman manifested her career as a control administrative officer at the Kunene Regional Council.”
Know Your Civil Servant – A career dedicated to serving KuneneAn estimated 78,495 people in Kunene region are at extreme food insecurity levels, with drought relief extended to 35,002 households following a May 2024 state of emergency declaration. Relief supplies included maize meal, cooking oil, fish, and soya mince, as the region continues to experience severe drought and water shortages.
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →
An estimated 78,495 people in Kunene region are at extreme food insecurity levels, with drought relief extended to 35,002 households following a May 2024 state of emergency declaration. Relief supplies included maize meal, cooking oil, fish, and soya mince, as the region continues to experience severe drought and water shortages.
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Kunene Regional Council's 2026/27 budget has remained frozen since March due to a legal dispute over the reinstatement of chief regional officer George Kamseb, leaving the council unable to pay utilities and halting operational and capital projects. The council is only managing to pay staff salaries through a monthly arrangement involving two finance officials travelling to Windhoek, and is awaiting the Supreme Court's pronouncement on the matter.
18 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The government and Kunene Regional Council have agreed to appoint an acting chief regional officer to restore administrative functions and facilitate salary payments, which were delayed due to a dispute involving the substantive CRO who is subject to legal proceedings.
3 July 2026 · New Era →
The Minister of Urban and Rural Development resolved a salary dispute at the Kunene Regional Council by securing agreement to relieve Chief Regional Officer George Kamseb of his duties and appoint an acting chief regional officer, allowing the ministry to release funds for employees' outstanding June 2026 salaries. Kamseb's case remains before the Supreme Court, and he would be reinstated and receive all due remuneration should the court rule in his favour.
2 July 2026 · Informanté →
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has apologised to Kunene Region public servants over delayed salary payments and rejected claims by PDM leader McHenry Venaani that the delay was politically motivated. Venaani alleged that the Minister of Urban and Rural Development had stopped regional employees' salaries over a dispute with the former Chief Regional Officer, questioning the legal basis for withholding public servants' pay.
1 July 2026 · Informanté →
PDM leader McHenry Venaani accused Swapo of political retaliation over delayed salary payments to 94 employees of the Kunene Regional Council, including four councillors, whose June salaries were blocked following intervention by the urban and rural development minister. Prime minister Elijah Ngurare denied deliberate withholding and attributed the delays to administrative and technical issues.
30 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
26 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
26 June 2026 · New Era →
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.
27 May 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
20 April 2026 · New Era →
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.
8 April 2026 · New Era →
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.
5 April 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
2 April 2026 · New Era →
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.
26 March 2026 · New Era →
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.
13 March 2026 · New Era →
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.
2 March 2026 · New Era →