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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters

Also known as: NEFF · Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters party

Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters — opposition party that participated in the petroleum amendment bill vote and has demanded inquiries into government procurement and personnel decisions.

2023-06-212026-10-22

News reports

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What’s been said

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  1. October 2024
  2. The Namibian

    Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) had deregistration overturned after suing Electoral Commission of Namibia in High Court

    Source

    “The NEFF's deregistration was overturned after the party sued the ECN in the High Court.”

    Christain party takes electoral commission to court over deregistration
  3. The Namibian

    Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters expresses concerns that closing procurement would jeopardise election credibility

    Source

    “The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) expresses concerns that closing the procurement process to open competition would jeopardise the election's credibility.”

    Electoral Commission of Namibia faces political party backlash over controversial ballot paper procurement proposal
  4. The Namibian

    Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) has been reinstated on the list of registered political parties for November elections

    Source

    “The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) has been reinstated on the list of registered political parties to contest in the November presidential and national elections.”

    NEFF reinstated as registered political party for November elections
  5. September 2024
  6. The Namibian

    Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters says the electoral body is dragging its feet on implementing the High Court order to recognise it as a party

    Source

    “The NEFF says the electoral body is dragging its feet on implementing the High Court order to recognise it as a party after it was deregistered.”

    NEFF says ECN is deliberately delaying its party campaign after commission is declared ready for elections
  7. The Namibian

    NEFF was deregistered by ECN in June for failure to submit audited annual financial statements

    Source

    “The deregistration of the NEFF by the ECN in June stemmed from the party's failure to submit audited annual financial statements and saw the party lose its two seats in the National Assembly.”

    Electoral commission reviews NEFF High Court ruling as party remains registered
  8. April 2024
  9. The Namibian

    Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) offered N$1 000 reward to a man who assaulted a Swapo member at a public meeting

    Source

    “The N$1 000 reward by the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) to a man who assaulted a Swapo member at a public meeting in Windhoek is disgraceful conduct that should never be tolerated in politics.”

    No Vote for Violence

Yesterday

  1. National Assembly approves petroleum amendment bill with 50 votes

    The National Assembly has approved the petroleum (exploration and production) amendment bill with 50 votes, backed by Swapo and the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters, while opposition parties walked out in protest. The bill will proceed to committee stage for clause scrutiny before a third reading and presidential assent.

    15 hours ago · The Namibian →

  2. Petroleum Amendment Bill passes second reading with 50 votes

    The National Assembly passed the second reading of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill on Tuesday with 50 lawmakers voting in favour, despite a walkout by most opposition parties. The bill, which proposes shifting certain responsibilities to the President and a new Upstream Petroleum Unit, now proceeds to the committee stage.

    21 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 20 October

  1. Petroleum amendment bill passes National Assembly with 50 votes

    The National Assembly passed the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill on Tuesday with 50 votes, with most opposition parties walking out in protest; only the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters party and Swapo participated in the vote. The bill has cleared the Second Reading and now moves to the Committee Stage before going to the National Council.

    20 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 9 October

  1. NEFF calls for inquiry into health ministry procurement

    The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters has called on the president to establish a commission of inquiry into procurement, tenders, contracts, and possible conflicts of interest at the Ministry of Health and Social Services, saying a denial from the health minister cannot replace an independent investigation when serious questions are raised about public resources.

    9 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 October

  1. Luvindao denies allegations involving brother's law firm

    Health and social services minister Esperance Luvindao has rejected allegations that she used her brother's law firm and government funds to pay for a private lawyer in a defamation lawsuit against the Windhoek Observer, saying such claims should not be treated as fact without evidence. She told Parliament that her siblings' professions and businesses should not be presented as evidence of ministerial wrongdoing.

    8 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 6 October

  1. RCC acting CEO placed on leave over N$17m fuel deal

    The Roads Contractor Company has placed acting chief executive Dasius Nelumbu on leave while investigating his involvement in a N$17 million fuel transaction involving undelivered fuel allegedly paid to entities linked to fugitive businessman Victor Malima. The fuel dealings involve companies connected to individuals implicated in the Namibia National Petroleum Corporation corruption case.

    6 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 21 September

  1. IPC, NEFF seek NDF ransomware attack clarification

    The Independent Patriots for Change and Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters are demanding government answers on a ransomware attack claimed by cybercrime group RansomHouse against the Namibian Defence Force last Saturday. Opposition figures say the incident raises questions about Namibia's cybersecurity preparedness and call for improved defences, coordination, and staff awareness.

    21 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 15 September

  1. Opposition rejects health directive requiring state hospital use

    A presidential directive requiring senior public servants to use state health facilities instead of private ones took effect 1 April, but several parliamentarians have opposed it, citing shortages of equipment, medicines, and staff in public hospitals. The president has not visited a hospital under the directive, saying she remains in good health.

    15 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 10 September

  1. National Assembly approves Sindano as Electoral Commission chairperson

    Parliament has approved the appointment of Gerson Sindano as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia after opposition MPs walked out. Swapo's 48 members and one vote from UDF deputy president Nico Somaeb secured the appointment despite walkouts by opposition parties including the IPC, LPM, AR, NEFF, Nudo, NDP, and PDM.

    10 September 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 9 September

  1. National Assembly approves Gerson Sindano as ECN chairperson

    The National Assembly approved Gerson Sindano's nomination as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia, with members from Swapo and the United Democratic Front voting in favour. Opposition parliamentarians from the IPC, AR, LPM, and NEFF walked out during the election process, leaving 49 parliamentarians present to vote.

    9 September 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 8 September

  1. Parliament dysfunction is collective responsibility, not speaker's alone

    Kalimbo Iipumbu, the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters leader, told The Namibian that parliament's growing dysfunction cannot be blamed on speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila alone, as the speaker, Cabinet ministers, and MPs all have constitutional duties. Iipumbu said ministers must arrive prepared to defend bills and policies, and that bills introduced without sufficient consultation compromise the quality of law-making.

    8 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 3 September

  1. NEFF asks speaker to step aside for one month

    The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters have called on National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to voluntarily step aside for one month, citing concerns about disorder, tension, and perceived unequal treatment of opposition members in parliamentary proceedings.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. NEFF MP calls for Speaker to step aside temporarily

    NEFF deputy leader Kalimbo Iipumbu has called on National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to voluntarily step aside for one month, citing recent parliamentary disorder and concerns about her impartiality toward opposition MPs. The call follows an IPC motion seeking the Speaker's removal and consecutive days of disorder in the chamber.

    3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

  3. Opposition moves to remove Speaker Kuugongelwa-Amadhila from office

    The Independent Patriots for Change tabled a motion in parliament on Wednesday calling for the removal of Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, accusing her of failing to act fairly and impartially in presiding over the House. The motion triggered disorder in the chamber, and the Speaker questioned her procedural ability to rule on a matter directly concerning her own position.

    3 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 27 August

  1. Opposition leader calls for broader definition of Namibian heroes

    Immanuel Nashinge, leader of the official opposition, argues that Namibia's definition of national heroes should expand beyond liberation struggle figures to include citizens who serve communities, protect others, create employment, and build the economy. He contends the current system for awarding national honours favours individuals with liberation credentials or political ties while overlooking contemporary contributions.

    27 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 20 June

  1. RCC faces scrutiny over foreign dominance in projects

    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.

    20 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 19 June

  1. Minister dismisses audit claim over foreign tender awards

    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.

    19 June 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 14 June

  1. Judge awards damages to activists denied right to demonstrate

    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.

    14 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. NEFF demands suspension of officials in pharmaceutical theft probe

    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.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 12 April

  1. President addresses parliament on oil, land, wealth fund

    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.

    12 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. President clarifies 500,000 jobs will come from private sector growth

    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.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 7 April

  1. Opposition splits over oil and gas authority transfer bill

    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.

    7 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 14 March

  1. NEFF sues ECN for damages over 2024 election deregistration

    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.

    14 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. President hosts De Beers, political parties, sports champions

    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.

    11 March 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Friday 6 March

  1. NEFF meets President, pushes labour and oil sector reforms

    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.

    6 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 2 March

  1. Former NEFF commissar arrested for rape of child

    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.

    2 March 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 23 February

  1. NEFF backs President authority over petroleum decisions

    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.

    23 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 19 February

  1. NEFF backs petroleum bill as tool for economic freedom

    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.

    19 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 27 January

  1. Government spending outpaces revenue, economists warn of debt risks

    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.

    27 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute