Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Lucia Iipumbu

Also known as: Iipumbu · Kalimbo Iipumbu · minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security · Minister of home affairs, immigration, safety and security Lucia Iipumbu · minister Lucia Iipumbu · Herman Iipumbu · Home affairs, immigration, safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu · Minister Iipumbu · Titus Iipumbu · Ipumbu · Titus Ipumbu · Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu · Lucia Iipumba · home affairs minister · Lucia Lipumbu · safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu · Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety & Security Lucia Iipumbu

Home Affairs Minister overseeing police operations, drug arrests, human trafficking, and timber trafficking investigations; has disclosed sexual assault cases in detention facilities.

Society

Namibia leads African digital health and birth registration reform

The News

Namibia's digital healthcare transformation, including its e-Birth and e-Death notification systems introduced since 2017, is being showcased as a model for other African countries during an Africa CDC learning visit in Windhoek. The systems, which now connect 153 health facilities and have achieved over 99% birth registration coverage, represent the government's commitment to modernizing healthcare delivery and civil registration through technology.

25 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. Namibia leads African digital health and birth registration reform

    Namibia's digital healthcare transformation, including its e-Birth and e-Death notification systems introduced since 2017, is being showcased as a model for other African countries during an Africa CDC learning visit in Windhoek. The systems, which now connect 153 health facilities and have achieved over 99% birth registration coverage, represent the government's commitment to modernizing healthcare delivery and civil registration through technology.

    25 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 24 March

  1. Former Agriculture Minister Hengari sues State for unlawful arrest

    Dr Mac Albert Hengari, former Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, is claiming N$10 million in damages for what his lawyers describe as an unlawful arrest in April 2025 without a magistrate's warrant. His legal representatives argue there was no probable cause for his arrest and that the case lacks sufficient particulars for his defence, giving the State 30 days to settle before formal legal action is initiated.

    24 March 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 19 March

  1. Safety ministry to accelerate human trafficking action plan

    Minister Lucia Iipumbu said the ministry will fast-track its human trafficking action plan (2023–2027) in response to parliamentary questions about the rising issue. Between June 2024 and June 2025, six cases were recorded, with five Namibian victims repatriated from Myanmar and one from Laos, while perpetrators often target vulnerable children from rural areas.

    19 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Visa-on-arrival system generates N$413m in under year

    Namibia's visa-on-arrival system has generated over N$413 million in revenue since March 2025, with nearly 290,000 visas issued, according to Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu. The policy is part of broader immigration reforms aimed at supporting tourism, investment and economic growth while maintaining border security.

    17 March 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 14 March

  1. Namibia's Investment Bill Must Balance Foreign Capital and Local Benefit

    As Namibia finalises its investment promotion and facilitation bill in 2026, the government faces a balancing act: attracting global investors while ensuring meaningful economic participation for Namibians. The new law should use performance-based incentives to encourage value creation and job growth in strategic sectors like critical minerals and renewable energy, while maintaining policy clarity and ease of doing business to sustain investor confidence.

    14 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Minister reverses Uukolonkadhi chief approval, orders investigation

    Urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa approved one chieftaincy claimant as chief in January but reversed course within weeks, withdrawing his letter and ordering an investigation into the disputed succession following the death of the previous chief in October 2024. The dispute centers on competing claims from two nephews, Malakia Shoombe and Johannes Asino, with the attorney general's office indicating the minister did not follow proper legal procedures under the Traditional Authorities Act.

    14 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. Road accidents killed 17 Namibian police officers since 2020

    The Namibian Police Force honoured 17 officers who died in the line of duty between 2020 and the present during an Interpol Blue Day ceremony, with most deaths resulting from motor vehicle accidents, particularly among VIP Directorate members. Safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu highlighted the need for improved working conditions, mental health support, and enhanced training to address road safety risks and other challenges facing law enforcement.

    13 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 10 March

  1. U.S. gives Namibia timber forensic detection technology

    The United States has handed over advanced forensic equipment to Namibia's police forensic institute to identify timber species and combat illegal timber trafficking, making Namibia the only African country with this technology. The equipment, part of a broader US$8.7 million U.S. programme launched in 2020, enables law enforcement to verify shipments, detect protected wood, and provide evidence for criminal prosecutions.

    10 March 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 8 March

  1. US provides timber identification equipment to combat illegal trafficking

    The United States has handed over equipment for a wood identification and screening centre to Namibia's police and home affairs ministry to support investigations into illegal timber trafficking and natural resource crimes. The centre, equipped with forensic technology and training, will enable police to analyse timber samples and determine whether they were harvested legally.

    8 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Government honours 17 police officers killed in line of duty

    The government on Saturday honoured 17 police officers who have died in the line of duty over the past seven years during a commemoration of International Blue Day of Remembrance for Fallen Police Officers. Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu said the officers lost their lives while serving the country and protecting communities.

    8 March 2026 · The Namibian →

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