Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister and parliamentarian raising concerns on child labour, gender-based violence shelters, and social grant verification.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Lilian Lutuhezi
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
IPC parliamentarian Lilian Lutuhezi calls for an investigation into the payments
“IPC parliamentarian Lilian Lutuhezi also calls for an investigation into the payments.”
Doctor paid N$415 000 while on unauthorised leaveThe Namibian
Lilian Lutuhezi criticises the ministry over delays in back payments to reinstated pensioners
“Lutuhezi criticises the ministry over delays in back payments, saying some reinstated pensioners were allegedly given payment dates that passed without the money reaching their accounts.”
Pensioners left behind as verification crisis drags onThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister Lilian Lutuhezi describes the situation as deeply concerning
“Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of gender equality Lilian Lutuhezi describes the situation as "deeply concerning".”
Only three social workers serve OmahekeThe Namibian
Lilian Lutuhezi called on the gender ministry to ensure vulnerable social grant beneficiaries do not lose their income during verification
“Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of gender equality Lilian Lutuhezi has called on the gender ministry to ensure vulnerable social grant beneficiaries do not lose their income during the verification process.”
Lutuhezi demands flexibility on grant verification deadlineThe Namibian
Lilian Lutuhezi said suspension of grant payments will cause unnecessary hardship to many
“Lutuhezi on Monday said while verification is necessary to protect the integrity of the country's social protection system, the suspension of grant payments before the verification process is completed will cause unnecessary hardship to many.”
Lutuhezi demands flexibility on grant verification deadlineNew Era
IPC member of parliament Lilian Lutuhezi sought clarity on how many children are living on the streets and government solutions
“The minister was responding to questions raised by IPC member of parliament Lilian Lutuhezi, who sought clarity on how many children are living on the streets, where they sleep, what protection measures are in place and what the government is doing to provide sustainable solutions.”
Govt takes street kids’ crisis head-onThe Namibian
Member of parliament Lilian Lutuhezi said different factors contribute to failure, including incomplete courses and absences
“"There are different factors that contribute to failure, including those who did not complete the course and those who did not show up for the exams," member of parliament Lilian Lutuhezi said during the presentation.”
2 600 nursing graduates fail national HPCNA assessmentThe Namibian
Lilian Lutuhezi described as having a remarkable gift in the National Assembly chamber
“Remembering his presence in the National Assembly, she said Uerikua had a "remarkable gift in the chamber".”
What is parliament without James? – lawmakers mourn Swapo MP UerikuaThe Namibian
Lilian Lutuhezi called for measures to stop exploitation of children as labourers
“Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) parliamentarian Lilian Lutuhezi has called for measures to stop the exploitation of children as labourers on farms, at villages, and in homes as domestic workers or babysitters.”
IPC's Lutuhezi calls for urgent action against child labour in NamibiaThe Namibian
Lilian Lutuhezi said child labour violates the Child Care and Protection Act of 2015
“Lutuhezi said this goes directly against the Child Care and Protection Act of 2015 which prohibits the exploitation, neglect, and abuse of children.”
IPC's Lutuhezi calls for urgent action against child labour in NamibiaThe Ministry of Health and Social Services paid over N$8 million in fixed overtime to 40 staff members on full-time study leave, according to an auditor general report. A medical doctor alone received N$415 000 in salary and benefits while on unauthorised leave from February to July 2024, with no documentation showing staff were seconded to perform overtime duties.
27 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Health and Social Services paid over N$8 million in fixed overtime to 40 staff members on full-time study leave, according to an auditor general report. A medical doctor alone received N$415 000 in salary and benefits while on unauthorised leave from February to July 2024, with no documentation showing staff were seconded to perform overtime duties.
27 September 2026 · The Namibian →
More than 5,700 elderly pension beneficiaries remain without payments after the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare's 31 July verification deadline, while 10,066 of 15,785 suspended pensioners have been reinstated. An IPC parliamentarian and social justice activist are calling for clarity on next steps and assistance for those unable to reach ministry offices due to transport difficulties or other challenges.
11 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Omaheke's three social workers serve all seven constituencies, leaving vulnerable children and survivors of gender-based violence with limited access to social welfare services. The region faces challenges including limited funding, staff burnout, vacant positions, and no emergency shelters or designated places of safety.
3 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of gender equality has called on the gender ministry to ensure vulnerable social grant beneficiaries do not lose their income during verification, after the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare set a July end-of-month deadline for verification or risk losing payments. Lutuhezi said suspension of grant payments before verification is completed will cause unnecessary hardship and asked what measures would protect beneficiaries unable to meet the deadline due to illness, disability, old age or lack of transport.
21 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The welfare ministry has acknowledged mounting pressure on social workers due to staff shortages and case complexity, with Minister Emma Kantema noting that repeated exposure to severe cases involving child abuse, trafficking and family disputes leads to secondary trauma and burnout. The ministry has implemented wellness programmes, supportive supervision and debriefing sessions to support workers' mental health.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's welfare ministry has warned that social workers face mounting pressure and unsustainable workloads due to staff shortages and the increasing complexity of cases involving child abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking and family disputes. Minister Emma Kantema told Parliament that social workers are exposed to secondary trauma, compassion fatigue and occupational burnout, and the ministry has implemented wellness programmes and supportive supervision to support their mental well-being.
17 July 2026 · New Era →
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare identified 373 children living and working on the streets in 2023 and plans to conduct a regional study this year to determine actual numbers and social and economic factors driving children to street life. The Khomas region recorded the highest number of street-connected children.
16 July 2026 · New Era →
More than 2 600 nursing and midwifery graduates have failed the national exam required to practise in Namibia since the test became compulsory in January 2025, raising concerns about the quality of nursing training. The Health Professions Councils of Namibia reported that 2 743 of 5 427 graduates evaluated passed, while 2 683 failed, including those who did not sit for the exam.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo member of parliament and former Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua died in a vehicle accident in Otjozondjupa on Friday. Fellow lawmakers described him as a skilled debater and intellectually gifted parliamentarian, mourning his loss to the National Assembly and the country.
4 April 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC parliamentarian Lilian Lutuhezi has called for measures to stop the exploitation of children as labourers on farms, in villages, and as domestic workers, citing a recent case of an Angolan girl arrested from illegal employment. She said the practice violates the Child Care and Protection Act of 2015 and Namibia's international commitments to protect children from exploitation.
18 March 2026 · The Namibian →
An Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian criticised the recently tabled budget for not addressing the shortage of gender-based violence shelters, noting that Namibia has only eight government-operated shelters with six regions having none. She also highlighted severe shortages in social workers, with Namibia having one social worker for every 17,923 children compared to the international standard of one per 5,000 children.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister Ericah Shafudah clarified that N$65 million in social grant funds allegedly missing from NamPost between 2009 and 2018 never went missing, but was unclaimed payments held pending reconciliation between NamPost and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare. After reconciliation, the funds amounted to N$93 million and were deposited into a statutory fund, with N$58 million remaining unclaimed as of October 2025.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →
An IPC shadow minister questioned the health minister in parliament about reports that nearly 80% of miscarriages at Katima Mulilo State Hospital may be induced abortions, citing concerns about young women using dangerous methods to terminate pregnancies and limited access to family planning services.
6 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A 15-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality and Social Services commenced visits to capital projects initiated by the Ministry of Health and Social Services in Otjozondjupa region. The committee is conducting oversight and evaluation of the projects, following reports from the regional governor that many health infrastructure projects in the region remain dormant, incomplete, or non-functional despite multi-year budgeting.
20 January 2026 · New Era →