Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
October 2026
Windhoek Observer
Nelson Kalangulasaiddisciplinary proceedings against TransNamib's two executives have still not started
Source
“IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula said disciplinary proceedings against TransNamib's senior executive for human capital and executive for properties have still not started.”
IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangulasays in a statementthat delays raise serious concerns about corporate governance and accountability
Source
“"The delays raise serious concerns about corporate governance, executive accountability and political interference at state-owned enterprises," IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula says in a statement released on Wednesday.”
IPC shadow minister Nelson Kalangulaquestions who would carrythe cost of the transition for taxis, shuttle and bus operators
Source
“Kalangula questions who would carry the cost of the transition, particularly for taxis, shuttle and bus operators already facing high fuel, permit and maintenance costs.”
Kalangulacalls fortransparency in the procurement and licensing of number-plate manufacturing
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“He calls for transparency in the procurement and licensing of number-plate manufacturing, warning against a system that could centralise production among a few suppliers.”
Nelson Kalangulais demanding clarity onlegal authority, cost and mandate of PAMA
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“Sostenus Wilherm Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula is demanding clarity on the legal authority, cost and mandate of the proposed Public Assets Management Agency (PAMA), questioning whether the new entity could duplicate functions already performed by the government institutions.”
Nelson Kalangulatabled notice of questions and is set to raisethe matter in national assembly on Thursday
Source
“Kalangula tabled notice of the questions on Tuesday and is set to raise the matter in the national assembly on Thursday, when he will ask the prime minister a series of questions on the government's steps towards operationalising PAMA.”
Nelson Kalangulamadedemand for Sheelongo to recuse himself from Namibia Air roles
Source
“IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula made the demand, calling for Sheelongo to recuse himself from steering committees, negotiation panels, strategic planning bodies and technical advisory roles linked to the Namibia Air.”
Nelson Kalangulais questioningthe awarding of long-term concessions at Namibia's ports
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“Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula is questioning the awarding of long-term concessions at Namibia's ports, raising concerns over Namibian Ports Authority's (Namport) future revenue, operations and protection of local jobs.”
Nelson Kalangulais demanding answers fromworks and transport minister Veikko Nekundi
Source
“Kalangula is demanding answers from works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi and for him to provide details of all active, awarded and pending concessions at the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.”
IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangulasaid the party had reviewed the NOTAM and was concerned thatthe airport's airspace had been downgraded
Source
“Kalangula said the party had reviewed the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued in connection with the situation and was concerned that the airport's airspace had been downgraded.”
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused TransNamib of shielding senior executives from disciplinary action, noting that hearings for two officials suspended in February 2026 on property mismanagement allegations have not commenced despite promises they would occur in July and August.
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused TransNamib of shielding senior executives from disciplinary action, noting that hearings for two officials suspended in February 2026 on property mismanagement allegations have not commenced despite promises they would occur in July and August.
The Independent Patriots for Change has expressed concern over delays in disciplinary proceedings against two senior TransNamib executives suspended in February over allegations of property mismanagement and statutory breaches. The party says no hearings have commenced as of October, despite expectations they would proceed in July and August, and questions whether junior employees face swifter consequences than senior executives.
Parliamentary opposition and transport-sector stakeholders back the government's plan to introduce high-security vehicle number plates with QR codes to combat fraud, but warn that the cost of transition must not fall on already-struggling public transport operators like taxi and bus services.
Opposition shadow minister Nelson Kalangula is demanding clarity on the legal basis, cost and mandate of the proposed Public Assets Management Agency (PAMA), questioning whether it duplicates functions already performed by government institutions under existing statutory frameworks and line ministry mandates.
The Independent Patriots for Change have called for Jonas Sheelongo, executive director in the ministry of works and transport, to be removed from all negotiations and planning structures involved in establishing Namibia's proposed new national airline, citing concerns about his record at Air Namibia.
Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister Nelson Kalangula is questioning the awarding of long-term concessions at Namibia's ports, raising concerns over Namport's future revenue, operations, and local jobs, and has demanded details from works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi on all active, awarded, and pending concessions at Walvis Bay and Lüderitz ports.
Walvis Bay International Airport's airspace has been downgraded to Class G uncontrolled airspace, prompting the Independent Patriots for Change to raise concerns about air traffic control capacity, aviation safety, and delays in weather information provision. The downgrade means the airport will no longer have the same level of controlled-airspace services, potentially creating hazards during coastal fog and reduced visibility.
An IPC member of parliament has asked the government to disclose millions spent on external forensic investigations and explain why officials implicated in financial and governance failures continue to secure positions within public institutions. The questions highlight a pattern in which executives implicated in forensic investigations resign without disciplinary action, then secure strategic appointments at other government entities or public boards.
Ethiopian Airlines has indicated that management control would be a condition for any equity partnership with Namibia's planned national airline, Namibia Air. The revelation raises concerns over aviation sovereignty and the financial viability of the carrier, which the government aims to launch in December 2026.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy defended its three-month fuel supply deal with Vitol, stating the jet fuel shortage affecting the country since last week results from a failed quality inspection of a Puma-Vivo fuel shipment, not the government arrangement which covers only petrol and diesel.
The IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula has raised governance and legal concerns over the government's establishment of the Public Assets Management Agency (Pama) as a profit-oriented entity before dedicated legislation governing public assets has been enacted. He argues that state properties should not be handed to a commercially driven entity without full parliamentary scrutiny and explicit legislative boundaries, and warns that interim board appointments could undermine corporate governance and be subject to political control.
The Independent Patriots for Change cautions that Namibia Air's air operating licence should not be mistaken for approval to fly commercially, warning that regulatory, operational and financial requirements remain outstanding. The opposition party questions the government's target of launching flights by December, noting the licensing process has already taken eight months instead of the usual two.
The Independent Patriots for Change has raised concerns over Namibia Air's five-year Air Operating Licence, warning that the approval does not guarantee the airline's readiness to commence commercial operations. IPC shadow minister Nelson Kalangula cautioned against repeating failures of the former national carrier Air Namibia, questioning the government's timeline to launch commercial flights in December and distinguishing between an Air Operating Licence and an Air Operator Certificate.
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi has defended his decision to remove five Namibia Airports Company board members on Tuesday, saying the intervention was necessary to strengthen governance, accountability and stability at the state-owned aviation company. Nekundi said he acted within his constitutional and legal mandate and appointed an interim board to oversee the company during a transitional period.
Road expert Felix Tjozongoro says driver fatigue and attitude, rather than road conditions alone, may have caused two truck crashes on the Western Bypass on Monday that killed a truck driver and 46 head of cattle and left two people seriously injured. Tjozongoro argues drivers must exercise caution and drive responsibly until infrastructure upgrades are completed.
The Independent Patriots for Change has welcomed a two-month traffic fine amnesty (3 August to 30 September 2026) that allows motorists to settle outstanding admission of guilt fines, but warns the relief is temporary unless deeper challenges facing the public transport sector are addressed.
The Independent Patriots for Change has welcomed the Office of the Judiciary's two-month traffic fine amnesty (3 August to 30 September) but says it must be followed by reforms to address challenges facing public transport operators, including fast-tracking a public passenger road transport bill and constructing more public transport bays.
The 6.1-kilometre Eneas Peter Nanyemba Road in Windhoek, which cost N$381 million, has begun to deteriorate before being handed over to the City of Windhoek. The City said responsibility for repairs remains with the developer and project engineer, who are investigating the defects.
The Roads Authority has increased vehicle licence fees by 10% and abnormal load and road carrier permit charges by 20%, drawing criticism from transport operators and road users who say the rises will worsen their financial burden amid rising living costs.
The Ministry of Works and Transport says no executive or leadership appointments have been made for the planned national airline Namibia Air, dismissing reports linking individuals to top positions. The ministry said a technical committee was established in 2025 to prepare for the airline's creation, but no formal vacancies exist and candidates will go through normal government recruitment and vetting processes when the airline is ready to recruit.
The Independent Patriots for Change has called for an urgent review of senior appointments in the public sector, alleging that the government continues to appoint or retain officials previously implicated in forensic investigations and disciplinary proceedings. The party says this practice of "recycling of failure"—transferring or promoting officials accused of misconduct rather than holding them accountable—is eroding accountability and weakening state institutions.
The Road Fund Administration's chief executive says toll gates could still help fund road infrastructure, despite the works and transport minister's statement that the government rejected the proposal. The RFA proposed installing between 21 and 23 toll gates that could generate between N$500 million and N$750 million annually, according to a feasibility study.
MP Nelson Kalangula has warned that escalating disruptions affecting Namibian cross-border truck drivers operating in South Africa could have far-reaching economic consequences for Namibia, particularly due to the country's heavy dependence on South African supply routes. Kalangula noted that some transport operators have withdrawn trucks from South African routes due to safety concerns, reflecting a growing economic risk that could disrupt supply chains and increase pressure on domestic markets.
Social justice activist Michael Amushelelo filed an urgent High Court application to remove speed humps installed on the B1 Western Bypass near the Northern Industrial Area, arguing they are unlawful, violate the Road Traffic and Transport Act of 1999, and pose a public safety danger. He is seeking immediate removal and a prohibition on future physical speed humps on national highways and designated freeways in Namibia.
Road transport experts have criticised the installation of speed humps on major highways around Windhoek by the Roads Authority and Ministry of Works and Transport, warning the measure could increase accidents and congestion rather than improve road safety. Experts and officials have called for pedestrian bridges instead, with the transport minister describing the speed humps as a temporary measure.
IPC Member of Parliament Nelson Kalangula has criticised the installation of speed humps along the B1 Western Bypass, calling the move reactive and short-sighted. He argues the Ministry of Works and Transport and Roads Authority are treating a national highway like a suburban residential street and that the humps create traffic bottlenecks and rear-end collision risks rather than improving driver alertness.
The Namibian government has budgeted about N$20 million for a feasibility study to revive Air Namibia, which was placed into voluntary liquidation in February 2021 due to debts exceeding N$5 billion. Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi told Parliament that the study has been completed and is under review, conducted by an inter-ministerial team of experts with aviation, legal, and economic expertise.
The Ministry of Works and Transport launched a pilot electric vehicle charging station at its headquarters in Windhoek, with Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi describing it as a strategic pilot project intended to inform the expansion of an EV charging network across the country. The ministry, which manages government-owned infrastructure, plans to eventually serve both government fleet vehicles and the public.
The Ministry of Works and Transport plans to construct dual-carriageway freeways across Namibia to reduce road accidents and improve transport efficiency. The government will start construction of the Usakos-Arandis dual-carriageway this year, prioritising key roads with heavy traffic volumes and accident records including Windhoek-Okahandja, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
Member of parliament James Uerikua died in a road accident on Friday. Colleagues from across the political spectrum paid tribute to him, describing him as a unifier and noting that his son also died in the same accident and his wife is in critical condition.