Also known as: MURD
Government ministry overseeing land allocation, housing, communal affairs, and rural development programmes, led by Minister James Sankwasa.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
New Era
Ministry of Urban and Rural Development allocated N$10 million towards Food/Cash-for-Work Programme
“The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has allocated N$10 million towards the Food/Cash-for-Work Programme for the current financial year, to provide temporary income support to vulnerable households while creating community assets.”
Govt intervenes with N$10m cash-for-workWindhoek Observer
Ministry of Urban and Rural Development approved salary increases for local authority councillors
“Allexer Namundjembo Local authority councillors across Namibia are set to receive salary increases after the ministry of urban and rural development approved adjustments to their allowances, saying the move seeks to recognise councillors' contributions while taking into account the financial challenges facing local authorities.”
Councillors to receive salary increase amid revenue constraintsThe Namibian
Ministry of Urban and Rural Development flagged growing case of unauthorised spending by regional and local authorities
“A growing case of unauthorised spending by regional and local authorities has been flagged by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.”
Sankwasa warns councils over unauthorised spendingInformanté
Ministry of Urban and Rural Development will release funds for employees' outstanding June 2026 salaries
“The agreement paves the way for the ministry to release funds, enabling all affected employees to receive their outstanding June 2026 salaries in full.”
Sankwasa resolves Kunene salary disputeWindhoek Observer
Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has requested all chief regional officers to coordinate with local authority chief executives to prepare reception sites immediately
“The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has formally requested all chief regional officers to coordinate with local authority chief executives to prepare these sites immediately, with feedback due by Friday, 3 July 2026.”
Namibia launches voluntary repatriation programme for citizens in South AfricaInformanté
Ministry of Urban and Rural Development is working with Henties Bay Municipality to find solution
“"The water vending system has been closed by the company that installed it. They are demanding a final payment. We are working with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to find a speedy solution," Wehl said.”
Henties Bay residents unable to buy water as prepaid vending system goes offlineThe Namibian
Ministry of Urban and Rural Development does not provide funding for graveyard maintenance
“City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye says the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development does not provide funding for the maintenance of graveyards because it is the council's responsibility under the parks division.”
Graveyard maintenance burden grows for local authoritiesWindhoek Observer
Ministry of Urban and Rural Development approved 20-Year Structure Plan (2020-2040)
“Swakopmund Municipality chief executive officer Alfeus Benjamin outlined progress on the town's long-term development agenda under the 20-Year Structure Plan (2020-2040), which was approved by the National Planning Board (NPB) and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD) in October 2022.”
Swakop pushes for major housing, infrastructure expansionThe Namibian
Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has launched an investigation into Omaruru Municipality following allegations of double plot allocations and governance failures
“The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has launched an investigation into the Omaruru Municipality following allegations of double plot allocations, governance failures and irregular accommodation arrangements involving the chief executive.”
Sankwasa investigates Omaruru double plot allocationsThe Namibian
Ministry of Urban and Rural Development is reportedly silent and reluctant to intervene
“Another community member, Benediktus Basson, said the community places the blame on the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development for reportedly being silent and reluctant to intervene.”
Vaalgras community frustrated over eight-year delay in appointing traditional authority chiefResidents of Otjiwarongo staged a demonstration over the municipality's alleged delays in writing off pensioners' accumulated debt, claiming some eligible pensioners were excluded from a government initiative and accusing councillors of favouritism. The demonstrators demanded a response by 8 September and called on the ministry to extend an 31 August deadline.
4 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Residents of Otjiwarongo staged a demonstration over the municipality's alleged delays in writing off pensioners' accumulated debt, claiming some eligible pensioners were excluded from a government initiative and accusing councillors of favouritism. The demonstrators demanded a response by 8 September and called on the ministry to extend an 31 August deadline.
4 September 2026 · The Namibian →
/Khomanin Traditional Community is in dispute with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development over removal of Chief Julien Gawanas and an audit of community finances. The community says it submitted documents including a request for an audit in April 2024 and is awaiting clarity on outcomes, while Minister James Sankwasa says established procedures must be followed.
2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A housing affordability report shows the average house price reached N$1.46 million in the second quarter of 2026, requiring a monthly income of about N$43,765 to secure financing. Housing expert Namene Kalili attributes the shortage to insufficient housing construction—Namibia needs to service around 5,000 plots annually but falls far short—compounded by building supply industry constraints.
1 September 2026 · The Namibian →
According to the Namibia Housing Information System, the country has 563 informal settlements and over 200,000 housing needs applications. The system was established to provide a baseline of housing needs, stock, land use, and informal settlements across the country.
26 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Electricity Control Board has warned it will revoke electricity distribution licences from underperforming municipalities and regional councils and transfer networks to operators with proven capacity, following an audit that found widespread non-compliance across Namibia's power infrastructure. The audit of nine distribution licensees found most networks rated poor due to inadequate safety code implementation and substandard maintenance, with ||Kharas, Hardap, and Omaheke regions carrying the highest compliance risk.
25 August 2026 · The Namibian →
An Electricity Control Board audit of Namibia's electricity distribution infrastructure found that most regions have poor infrastructure, with //Kharas, Hardap and Omaheke facing high risk of continued non-compliance. Only Khomas and Otjozondjupa regions were classified as satisfactory.
25 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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 →
Lüderitz residents are calling for permanent appointments to vacant executive positions at the town council and improved financial reporting after years of acting appointments and delayed audits. The CEO, strategic executive for finance, and strategic executive for engineering posts have been filled in an acting capacity for almost four years, and the council's financial statements have not been submitted to the auditor general.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
A fire that destroyed N$1.6 million in property at Andara Lodge in Mukwe constituency has exposed gaps in firefighting services; the nearest firefighting vehicle, stationed 25km away in Divundu, was not operational at the time. Local leaders are calling for 24-hour emergency response units and improved firefighting services, noting that fires in the constituency have become common.
15 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare is strengthening its juvenile justice services through screening and diversion of children in conflict with the law, along with pre-sentence impact mitigation reports, as part of broader child protection and well-being programmes.
14 August 2026 · New Era →
The City of Windhoek has declined to renew its security services contract with Namibia Protection Services (NPS), leaving nearly 540 guards facing retrenchment by month end. NPS, a Swapo-linked company, appealed to the City to renew the arrangement, but the City maintained the contract was temporary and has concluded.
10 August 2026 · New Era →
Gobabis municipality is facing a claim of nearly N$1.8 million from Bethlehem Builders over an eight-year-old sewerage project. The High Court hearing was postponed to 12 August 2026 after the municipality's legal representative failed to appear.
10 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A section of the /Khomani traditional community has threatened a mass demonstration at the ministry of urban and rural development on 1 September, demanding the government respond to calls for the removal of chief Juliane Gawanas and release the outcome of a financial audit covering the past 15 years of the /Khomani Traditional Authority.
4 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ombalantu Traditional Authority has warned against illegal land sales after a businessman advertised an unfinished mansion for N$27 million in the communal area near Outapi. The authority says land in its jurisdiction cannot be sold; leaseholders are only granted 99-year leases and must consult the authority and Ministry of Urban and Rural Development if compensation is sought.
29 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Thirty people in Gobabis are sweeping the town's streets daily as part of a cash-for-work programme, but are paid in bags of Korean rice donated as drought-relief food rather than cash. Some workers accepted the arrangement while others left after learning of the rice-only payment.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has warned the Rundu Town Council to follow the law when allocating land, requiring ministerial approval and legal compliance. Minister James Sankwasa also expressed concern over double allocations and called on the council to maintain audit records and involve residents in clean-up programmes.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A letter to the President raises concerns about the lack of a clear Regional Spatial Development Framework in Khomas Region, noting that municipal planning by Windhoek has become the de facto driver of regional growth, and expresses concern over proposals to expand Windhoek's boundary from 41km to 75km radius.
28 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo has called on the government to expand affordable housing, regulate the rental market, and review laws driving up home ownership costs, particularly for young people and low-income earners. He argues that vacant state-owned houses should be made available for affordable rental and that housing should be treated as a fundamental human right.
27 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has warned regional councils to improve project implementation and service delivery while announcing a N$10 million allocation for the Food/Cash for Work Programme to provide temporary income support to vulnerable households and strengthen rural resilience. According to the deputy minister, 50.5% of Namibia's population lives in rural areas, and while some regional councils have made progress, others struggle with poor implementation.
22 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has allocated N$10 million towards a Food/Cash-for-Work Programme for the current financial year to provide temporary income support to vulnerable households and create community assets, in response to Namibia's unemployment rate of 36.9% and youth unemployment of 44.1%.
22 July 2026 · New Era →
The City of Windhoek says traffic congestion requires a broader approach combining improved roads, reliable public transport, and sustainable transport solutions, warning that road expansion alone cannot solve congestion as shown by international experience.
19 July 2026 · Informanté →
The City of Windhoek states that traffic congestion is an urban mobility challenge that cannot be solved by building more roads alone, and argues that successful cities combine road infrastructure with efficient public transport, walking, and cycling facilities. The city notes that most residents in northwestern suburbs rely on public transport, but without a modern mass transit system, demand is met by four-door sedan taxis that contribute significantly to peak-hour traffic volumes.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The City of Windhoek says traffic congestion is an urban mobility challenge that cannot be solved by building more roads alone, arguing that successful cities combine strategic road infrastructure with efficient public transport, walking and cycling facilities.
17 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao announced that Namibia has met international criteria for ending the cholera outbreak after both Grootfontein and Opuwo health districts completed more than 28 days without a confirmed case. The outbreak, declared on 27 November 2025, resulted in 82 laboratory-confirmed cases out of 282 suspected cases and one death in Opuwo district.
15 July 2026 · New Era →
The Landless People's Movement has nominated Kalan Goliath to fill the vacant Keetmanshoop municipal seat left by former mayor Melody Swartbooi, who was recalled by the party in June. Goliath's appointment is awaiting completion of statutory procedures including gazetting and ministerial approval.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has approved salary increases for local authority councillors nationwide, recognising their contributions while acknowledging financial challenges facing councils. Part Two municipality mayors will see annual allowances rise from N$102,246 to N$108,380.76, with similar increases across other council positions.
10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has flagged growing unauthorised spending by regional and local authorities, with minister James Sankwasa warning that some councils are bypassing legal budgeting frameworks, exceeding approved budgets and spending on unapproved projects. Sankwasa said the trend has resulted in mishandling of public funds, diverting resources from essential services and undermining service delivery and public trust.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
Namibia has launched a voluntary repatriation programme for approximately one thousand citizens residing in South Africa due to growing safety concerns. The government is preparing reception sites across all regions and developing a comprehensive settlement and reintegration plan covering school placements, healthcare, and employment referrals.
1 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Henties Bay Municipality is replacing prepaid water meters with conventional ones after contractor ITEM Engineering CC disabled the prepaid vending system over a payment dispute. The municipality's acting CEO claims the contractor is illegally demanding 70% of the outstanding N$12 million balance immediately, though payment was not scheduled until the 2026/27 financial year.
30 June 2026 · Informanté →