Also known as: MURD
Government ministry responsible for housing, urban development, sanitation, and local authority oversight in Namibia, criticized for budget cuts and unmet service delivery targets.
NamWater has suspended planned bulk water supply cuts to Rehoboth following negotiations with the town council over an outstanding debt of N$150 million. Negotiations now involve the Hardap governor's office and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, with water services remaining operational pending further discussions.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
NamWater has suspended planned bulk water supply cuts to Rehoboth following negotiations with the town council over an outstanding debt of N$150 million. Negotiations now involve the Hardap governor's office and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, with water services remaining operational pending further discussions.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A baseline report presented by the Namibia Statistics Agency found that 419 informal settlements across Namibia accommodate more than 200,000 urban residents, with significant service delivery gaps: only 24% have water infrastructure, 10% have sewer services, and 22% have electricity. The government aims to reduce informal settlements by 50% by 2029 and will use the report as a benchmark to measure progress.
4 March 2026 · New Era →
Rehoboth Town Council has temporarily halted a planned NamWater service suspension after the town accumulated approximately N$150 million in arrears. The council is negotiating with stakeholders including the Hardap Governor's office and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to resolve the debt and secure a lasting solution while maintaining current water services.
4 March 2026 · New Era →
The Road Fund Administration has allocated only N$2.5 million for flood-damaged local authority roads in 2025/26 despite an estimated N$658 million in nationwide damage, leaving a funding gap of roughly N$655.5 million. Road users including taxi drivers say deteriorating conditions are crippling their livelihoods as they spend earnings on frequent vehicle repairs.
27 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development received an unqualified audit opinion but the auditor general flagged unauthorised expenditure and shortfalls in service delivery: the ministry provided only 557 urban households with toilet access against a target of 1,639, and 843 rural toilets against a target of 1,000. The ministry attributed the gaps to vacant positions and delays in procurement processes.
27 February 2026 · The Namibian →
According to the Namibia Informal Settlements Baseline Report, Khomas accounts for 150 of 419 informal settlements nationwide (35.8%), with 86.4% lacking formal sewerage and 70.4% without water and electricity access. Only 16 of 419 informal settlements have achieved full service coverage and secure land tenure.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Right to Shelter Foundation of Namibia has expelled deputy mayor Dina Fillemon from the party with effect from 5 February, citing an erroneous entry of her name in the Electoral Commission system during her swearing-in. By operation of law, Fillemon automatically lost her council seat and deputy mayor position upon her expulsion from the foundation that held her mandate.
24 February 2026 · New Era →
The African Labour and Human Rights Centre accuses the government of failing to enforce existing rental laws under the Rental Ordinance No 13 of 1977, leaving tenants vulnerable to exploitation. The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development is drafting a new bill and reviving a rent control board, but the Centre's director argues the government should immediately enforce the laws already in place while rental prices surge in urban areas.
24 February 2026 · The Namibian →
The Right to Shelter Foundation of Namibia expelled local councillor and deputy mayor Dina Fillemon on 5 February, citing a controversial swearing-in from the previous year. Because her council seat was tied to her foundation membership, she automatically lost her positions as councillor and deputy mayor, though the foundation says she continued attending council meetings after expulsion.
21 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Rundu Town Council CEO Olavi Nathanael responded to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development's rejection of his contract extension, citing achievements in water supply stabilization, road rehabilitation, and infrastructure development. Nathanael defended his performance as "competitive" despite financial constraints, and attributed service delivery challenges to structural limitations and funding shortages rather than poor management.
20 February 2026 · New Era →