Opposition political party in Namibia that challenges government over tender awards, pharmaceutical theft handling, and petroleum sector governance, recently suing the Electoral Commission.
“The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) have called for president Nangolo Mbumba to remove the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) leadership.”
the political partysaidthe commissioners have proven inability to run the commission and administer free, fair, credible elections
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“In a press statement issued over the weekend, the political party said the commissioners have proven an inability to run the commission and to administer a free, fair and credible national electoral process.”
Namibia Economic Freedom Fightersdemanded cancellation of and threatened to protesttender
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“The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters demanded the cancellation of the tender and threatened to take to the streets, while a lawyer for the Landless People's Movement, Patrick Kauta, wrote to the ECN to demand an explanation on why emergency procurement was chosen, within seven days.”
Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF)threatened to take to the streets ifthe tender is not withdrawn
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“In a strongly worded statement issued Friday afternoon, the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) has threatened to take to the streets if the tender is not withdrawn.”
The Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters deputy president accused state-owned Roads Contractor Company of prioritizing foreign partners over local participation, citing a 2018 partnership with Chinese firm Nantong Sanjian in which approximately N$2 billion of N$4.1 billion in tenders went to the foreign partner. Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi rejected calls for a six-month forensic audit and disputed claims about local participation, saying the RCC's operations reflect local involvement.
The Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters deputy president accused state-owned Roads Contractor Company of prioritizing foreign partners over local participation, citing a 2018 partnership with Chinese firm Nantong Sanjian in which approximately N$2 billion of N$4.1 billion in tenders went to the foreign partner. Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi rejected calls for a six-month forensic audit and disputed claims about local participation, saying the RCC's operations reflect local involvement.
Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi rejected calls for a forensic audit into tender awards to foreign nationals, saying a 10-year audit cannot be completed in 6 months and that audits are expensive. NEFF MP Kalimbo Iipumbu had argued that Namibian businesses are excluded from capital projects and cited the Roads Contractor Company's 2018 partnership with a Chinese firm, which received N$2 billion of N$4.1 billion in tenders.
Acting High Court judge Natasha Bassingthwaighte found that suspended police inspector general Joseph Shikongo unlawfully eroded the right to demonstrate by ordering that an unemployment protest could not take place on Independence Day 2023, awarding N$300,000 to activist Michael Amushelelo and N$80,000 to activist Dimbulukeni Nauyoma. The judge ruled that the Public Gatherings Proclamation of 1989 requires only notice, not permission, and the inspector general cannot use it to refuse or prevent public gatherings.
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters has challenged the health ministry's decision to transfer rather than suspend officials allegedly involved in pharmaceutical theft and stock record manipulation. Health minister Esperance Luvindao said due process and Public Service Commission regulations must be followed before suspensions can occur.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah answered questions from opposition MPs on the Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund, land delivery, Germany's genocide reparations deal, the veterinary cordon fence, and various economic and governance matters during parliament on Wednesday.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah clarified that the government's promise to create 500,000 jobs by 2030 will be achieved through economic growth and private sector expansion rather than direct government hiring, but opposition leaders and labour experts criticized the pace of progress, with expert Herbert Jauch noting that only around 5,000 jobs have been created and that 100,000 jobs annually are needed to meet the target.
The Republican Party has backed a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer oil and gas authority from the minister of industries to the Presidency, citing anti-corruption benefits and transparency. The move has divided opposition parties, with the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters also supporting it, while other opposition parties argue it increases corruption risk and reduces parliamentary oversight.
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters is seeking N$6.7 million in damages from the Electoral Commission of Namibia over its deregistration ahead of the 2024 elections, claiming the unlawful move damaged its public reputation and cost it parliamentary seats. The party was deregistered for allegedly failing to publish financial reports but successfully challenged the decision in the High Court, though the legal victory came too late to allow effective campaigning.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with multiple delegations at State House over the past week, including a De Beers delegation led by CEO Al Cook, the PDM party led by McHenry Venaani, NEFF and Nudo delegations, the Brave Gladiators after their 2025 COSAFA Women's Championship victory, and Namibia International Energy Conference founder Selma Shimutwikeni.
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters met President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to raise concerns about labour hire practices, transparency in the emerging oil and gas sector, healthcare investment, and agricultural production. The party called for direct employment of workers instead of third-party labour hire, strong governance in oil development, and increased spending on hospitals and medical infrastructure.
Abraham Ndumbu, a controversial former leader of student and political movements including NANSO and NEFF, has been arrested and charged with rape following allegations that he repeatedly raped a 13-year-old girl between February 2025 and January this year.
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters supports the Petroleum Amendment Bill, which would transfer core upstream petroleum powers from the responsible minister to the President. NEFF parliamentarian Kalimbo Iipumbu said the President must have final approval authority over petroleum sector decisions to protect the industry from regulatory capture and ensure it serves the people, though the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy should remain the primary technical and regulatory body.
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters party has endorsed the petroleum bill, arguing it strengthens the state's control over oil resources and serves the struggle for economic independence. NEFF deputy president Longinus Iipumbu told Parliament that Namibia must become the owner, controller, and beneficiary of its petroleum wealth rather than a spectator to foreign exploitation.
Namibia's government is spending faster than it generates revenue, with analysis showing the apparent healthy cash position was largely due to sinking fund reserves rather than actual revenue collection. Experts warn that without improved tax collection and controlled spending, the country risks increasing reliance on borrowing, potential social spending cuts, and possible delayed creditor payments.