Michael Mwashindange

Independent Patriots for Change MP who raised concerns about ECN legal fees, youth unemployment, Impalila import duties, and government spending priorities in April 2026 parliamentary debate.

2022-10-282026-07-23

What’s been said

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

March 2026
27 MarThe Namibian
Michael Mwashindange said the unconstitutional bill should be revised to comply with constitutional provisions and embed parliamentary oversight
Source
“However, IPC's Michael Mwashindange disagrees, saying the unconstitutional bill should be revised to comply with constitutional provisions, clarify non-negotiable fiscal parameters, embed parliamentary oversight of key fiscal decisions, and mandate full transparency of contracts and revenues.”
Parliament fears ‘power vacuum’ in petroleum bill
12 MarThe Namibian
Michael Mwashindange said the budget distribution undermines the country's ability to stimulate the economy and create employment opportunities for youth
Source
“Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) parliamentarian Michael Mwashindange on Tuesday said the distribution undermines the country's ability to stimulate the economy and create employment opportunities, particularly for the youth.”
Youth unemployment not adequately addressed – MPs
12 MarThe Namibian
Michael Mwashindange expressed concern over import duties imposed on Impalila Island residents
Source
“Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Michael Mwashindange has expressed concern over import duties imposed on residents of Impalila Island in the Zambezi region.”
Impalila residents face high import duties, IPC’s Mwashindange urges government action
12 MarThe Namibian
Michael Mwashindange posed an oral question to finance minister Ericah Shafudah in the National Assembly
Source
“Mwashindange made the remark while posing an oral question to finance minister Ericah Shafudah in the National Assembly on Wednesday.”
Impalila residents face high import duties, IPC’s Mwashindange urges government action
February 2026
23 FebThe Namibian
Michael Mwashindange says the government must increase borrowing to cover rising public wage bill
Source
“Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of finance Michael Mwashindange says the government must increase borrowing to cover a rising public wage bill and continued investment in development infrastructure.”
Govt wage bill to crowd out development spending
23 FebThe Namibian
Michael Mwashindange said wage bill of this size crowds out spending on development, infrastructure and social services
Source
“"A wage bill of this size crowds out spending on development, infrastructure and social services, while increasing pressure on borrowing, which is already our biggest problem, and raising of taxes," he said.”
Govt wage bill to crowd out development spending
15 FebThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister for finance Michael Mwashindange says Namibia cannot afford institutional inefficiencies that undermine its attractiveness
Source
“In a competitive global market, Namibia cannot afford institutional inefficiencies that undermine our attractiveness," he says.”
Namibia judicial delays damaging economic confidence and investment, says Schlettwein
October 2022
28 OctThe Namibian
Michael Mwashindange will release first solo album 'Sikiliza' next month
Source
“His first solo album, 'Sikiliza', will be released next month, he told unWrap.online recently.”
Patrick Goes Solo

Business

Namfisa investigates financial advisory firm over N$250 million client losses

The News

The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority is investigating Wealth Management Solutions, owned by Hanjo Schlabitz, over losses of at least N$250 million belonging to clients, mostly pensioners and families. The liquidator estimates total losses may reach N$350 million, with 87 people and two organisations claiming as creditors, after Schlabitz allegedly used money market funds to cover failed foreign exchange investments.

14 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 July

Namfisa investigates financial advisory firm over N$250 million client losses
The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority is investigating Wealth Management Solutions, owned by Hanjo Schlabitz, over losses of at least N$250 million belonging to clients, mostly pensioners and families. The liquidator estimates total losses may reach N$350 million, with 87 people and two organisations claiming as creditors, after Schlabitz allegedly used money market funds to cover failed foreign exchange investments.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 22 June

Violence at National Youth Council election forces postponement
The state-funded National Youth Council's general assembly in Swakopmund was postponed after violence erupted during the election of a new executive chairperson, injuring nine delegates. The education minister condemned the incident as "unacceptable, unruly conduct and violence," and critics are calling for the institution to be dismantled.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 1 June

President signs N$104 billion national budget for 2026/27
The 2026/27 national budget has been signed into law by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and gazetted, allowing government ministries and agencies to access approved funding. The N$104 billion budget provides N$81.3 billion for operational expenditure, N$6.5 billion for development projects and N$16.2 billion for interest payments, with a projected N$15 billion financing gap to be covered through borrowing.
1 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 6 May

PSC audited 8% of government hires in 2024/25 financial year
The Public Service Commission audited 796 files out of 10,410 staff members at 10 government offices, ministries, agencies and regional councils during the 2024/25 financial year to assess compliance with recruitment procedures and public service regulations. PSC chairperson Patrick Nandago cited delays in resolving matters and slow institutional responses as ongoing concerns hampering the commission's oversight effectiveness.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 23 April

National Assembly speaker clarifies MP leave is not automatic
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has clarified that MPs are not automatically entitled to leave of absence and that requests can be declined under Standing Rule 76. She stressed that leave is typically granted only for illness, bereavement of close family, official committee duties, or parliamentary travel, and must be formally submitted with reasons and approval from party chief whips.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 April

MPs say ACC budget of N$109 million too low to fight corruption
Parliamentarians from multiple parties criticized the N$109 million allocation to the Anti-Corruption Commission for the 2026/27 fiscal year as inadequate, arguing that underfunding, limited access to modern technology, and outdated legislation prevent the institution from effectively combating corruption. MPs called for increased funding and legislative amendments to enable the ACC to keep pace with evolving criminal tactics.
2 April 2026 · New Era →

Saturday 28 March

Parliamentarians question ECN's N$1.6 million legal fees allocation
Independent Patriots for Change MP Michael Mwashindange criticised the Electoral Commission of Namibia's allocation of N$1.6 million for legal fees as wasteful, arguing the commission should prioritise improving voter turnout and drafting an electoral amendment bill instead. Other MPs also questioned whether the ECN's overall N$181 million budget for 2026/27 is adequate for national coverage.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 27 March

IPC MPs question N$20 million to non-existent petroleum unit
Opposition parliamentarians in the Independent Patriots for Change criticised the N$20 million allocation to an upstream petroleum unit in the Office of the President's budget, arguing the unit does not yet exist under law and the funding is therefore premature and amounts to corruption. They called for the money to be reallocated to the minister of industries, mines and energy pending passage of the petroleum bill.
27 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliament divided over petroleum bill governance structure
The petroleum amendment bill, which proposes moving oil and gas sector oversight to the Office of the President, has faced criticism in Parliament for creating a "power vacuum" and concentrating executive control. Critics argue the measure removes ministerial accountability to Parliament and risks elite capture, while the government defends the proposal as necessary modernisation to protect the sector and ensure proper regulation.
27 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 March

MPs criticise 2026/27 budget for failing to address youth unemployment
Members of parliament have raised concerns that the recently tabled 2026/27 budget, which allocates N$81.3 billion to operational expenditure and only N$6.5 billion to development spending, fails to adequately address youth unemployment and lacks a credible plan for job creation. IPC parliamentarian Michael Mwashindange argued that the fiscal framework prioritises recurring operational costs over strategic investments, while rising debt payments and interest costs continue to crowd out productive investments needed to stimulate employment.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Impalila residents face high import duties, government says
Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Michael Mwashindange raised concerns in the National Assembly about high import duties on goods purchased by residents of Impalila Island in the Zambezi region, forcing them to shop across the Botswana border instead of at Katima Mulilo. Finance minister Ericah Shafudah responded that the Import and Export Control Act requires levies on all imported goods without exception, and that changing this would require amending the law.
12 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 23 February

Government wage bill risks crowding out development spending
Opposition shadow minister Michael Mwashindange warns that the government's growing wage bill—now covering 119,000 civil servants—crowds out development and infrastructure spending while increasing borrowing pressure. Political analyst Henning Melber suggests the government faces a strategic dilemma between downsizing the public service and risking electoral support, and should instead focus on attracting private-sector investment.
23 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 15 February

Judicial delays harm economic confidence and investment, says Schlettwein
Former finance minister Calle Schlettwein and Chief Justice Peter Shivute have warned that delays in Namibia's under-staffed judiciary damage economic confidence and deter investment, with the civil division of the High Court handling an average of 614 cases per judge last year. However, some analysts dispute this, arguing that Namibia's rule of law remains strong and that executive and legislative delays have a larger impact on investment than judicial delays.
15 February 2026 · The Namibian →