Also known as: Pandulenti Itula · Dr Panduleni Itula · Pandulani Itula
Panduleni Itula — IPC president who has criticized government transparency on solar projects, tertiary education policy, budget spending, and alleged presidential family involvement in petroleum sector.
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June 2026
Windhoek Observer
Panduleni Itulaquestionedownership structure and governance arrangements of proposed solar power plant
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“The response follows claims by Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula, who last week questioned the ownership structure and governance arrangements surrounding the proposed 20-megawatt solar power plant, alleging that companies associated with the President's sons are involved in the venture.”
IPC leader Panduleni Itulasaidthe matter must follow Constitutional and Security Commission Act procedures
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“IPC leader Panduleni Itula said the matter must follow procedures outlined in the Constitution of Namibia and the Security Commission Act 18 of 2001.”
Panduleni ItulasaidNamibia's laws and inconducive environment hinder private sector investment and job creation
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“Rudolf Gaiseb Independent Patriots for Change president Panduleni Itula said Namibia's laws and purported inconducive environment hinder private sector investment that would aid in job creation.”
Panduleni Itulastatedcorruption score fell faster under Nandi-Ndaitwah than any previous government
Source
“Itula stated that, despite Nandi-Ndaitwah equating corruption to treason, "the corruption score has fallen faster under her administration than under any previous government.”
Panduleni Itulacalled on president to explainthe dismissal of former deputy prime minister Natangwe Ithete
Source
“Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula made these remarks on Friday during a press conference in Windhoek, responding to the president's state of the nation address (Sona).”
Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itulasays the decision violatesthe law on equality and non-discrimination of social services
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“Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula says the law clearly demands equality and non-discrimination of social services, irrespective of social status. He says the decision to separate senior officials from the public violates the law.”
The Namibian Presidency has rejected allegations that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and her family were involved in a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, stating the head of state played no role in negotiation, financing, approval or implementation. The denial comes after opposition leader Panduleni Itula questioned the ownership structure and alleged companies associated with the President's sons were involved.
Why it matters
Presidency's denial of presidential involvement in a N$612 million solar project addresses high-level corruption allegations requiring public scrutiny.
The Namibian Presidency has rejected allegations that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and her family were involved in a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, stating the head of state played no role in negotiation, financing, approval or implementation. The denial comes after opposition leader Panduleni Itula questioned the ownership structure and alleged companies associated with the President's sons were involved.
The president's son, Nande Ndaitwah, is rejecting accusations by IPC president Panduleni Itula that a N$612-million solar power plant deal with Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter benefited from family connections. Itula alleged the deal involved Farm Massaus, owned by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, but Ndaitwah told The Namibian that the solar plant is not going on the farm and that the location is clear from environmental clearance documentation.
IPC president Panduleni Itula has raised questions about a proposed N$612 million solar power project linked to the Tsumeb smelter, alleging involvement of companies associated with President Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons and calling for full public disclosure of the project's documentation. Itula stated the issue is not whether the President's family may legally participate in business ventures, but whether sufficient transparency exists when politically connected individuals are linked to projects involving public institutions.
Renthia Kaimbi Nasan Energies has appealed the Namibian Competition Commission's decision blocking the company from sourcing fuel from Vitol and related companies following its acquisition of 52 fuel stations. The company, represented by Ndaitwah Legal Practitioners, argues the conditions are too restrictive and has requested a five-year transitional period to build independent supply arrangements.
The Independent Patriots for Change says it will not take a position on whether inspector general of Police Joseph Shikongo should remain in office, but insists that due process must be followed and calls on the Executive to release all documents demonstrating compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for suspension.
Opposition leaders and labour experts have raised concerns about "jobs for comrades"—the practice of hiring based on political party membership and regional affiliation rather than merit. The Popular Democratic Movement secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe says the practice undermines fair employment and compromises nationalism, tracing the issue back to post-independence hiring patterns within state-owned enterprises.
Independent Patriots for Change president Panduleni Itula responded to the President's State of the Nation Address, arguing that Namibia's laws deter private sector investment and that the 250,000 jobs cited lack clarity on employment conditions. He also disputed the government's corruption record, noting the Transparency International score has declined despite the President's rhetoric on treating corruption as treason.
IPC president Panduleni Itula called on President Nandi-Ndaitwah to publicly explain why former deputy prime minister and industries minister Natangwe Ithete was dismissed last year, citing concerns about government transparency and corruption despite the president's constitutional authority to dismiss officials without explanation.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah ordered government officials to use public hospitals from April, but Windhoek Central Hospital's new VIP unit exclusively for senior officials has drawn opposition criticism as discriminatory and contrary to equitable healthcare goals. Opposition leaders and analysts argue the separate facility undermines the reform and mirrors apartheid-era segregation.
IPC president Panduleni Itula has accused the government of backtracking on its "fees must fall" promise, saying the revised approach only covers tuition and registration for eligible undergraduate students and excludes many families through reduced income thresholds and the replacement of grants with loans. Itula also raised concerns about continued suspension of postgraduate funding and infrastructure challenges at tertiary institutions.
The Namibian Competition Commission approved Nasan Energies' acquisition of 52 service stations but barred the company from sourcing fuel from Vitol for five years to prevent monopoly concentration. Nasan has appealed the restriction and notified the energy minister of its intention to seek a review of the commission's conditions.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will deliver her Independence Day address live on NBC at midnight on 21 March instead of at a public event, prompting the IPC and analysts to question the decision's justification and appropriateness.
Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has rejected allegations reported by Forbidden Stories that the ruling party requested Russian support for its 2024 election campaign. The non-profit news organization reported leaked documents from Russian operatives allegedly showing requests for funding and involvement in disinformation operations, including a fabricated letter claiming UK financing of the opposition IPC.
IPC president Panduleni Itula has criticised the national budget for maintaining high operational spending while cutting development allocation, specifically flagging N$244 million spent on 243 workshops and excessive travel allowances, which he says could instead fund promised pensioner allowances and infrastructure. Other political parties and analysts dispute whether all workshop and travel spending is wasteful, noting that some supports essential government functions.
IPC president Panduleni Itula warns that the Iran-US-Israel conflict, though distant, will affect Namibians through rising fuel, food, and import costs if tensions escalate, with inflation potentially climbing from 2.9% to 3.5% or higher. AR chief whip Vaino Hangula adds that Namibia may face international pressure to adopt a clearer diplomatic stance on the Middle East crisis.
Opposition party leader Panduleni Itula claims the 2026/2027 national budget contains N$9.3 billion in wasteful spending through travel allowances, workshops, and politician pay rises. He proposes redirecting these funds to pensioners, water infrastructure, youth employment, and schools under an IPC government.
Panduleni Itula, leader of the Independent Patriots for Change, presented evidence he says shows the president's family members hold interests across the oil and gas sector—including the president's son operating a diesel distribution business at Lüderitz port and the first gentleman serving as patron of a petroleum industry forum—and called on Parliament to reject a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer licensing authority to the Presidency.
Transport minister Veikko Nekundi reportedly warned Namport bosses at a January meeting not to take business from Tradeport Namibia, co-owned by President Nandi-Ndaitwah's son Nande Ndaitwah, which Namport said stood to lose about N$20 million in annual income if it brought in a competing South African operator. Nekundi denies favouring the president's son, saying his duty is to protect local companies over foreign ones.
Namibia Ports Authority CEO Andrew Kanime has dismissed allegations by IPC leader Panduleni Itula that President Nandi-Ndaitwah's sons are involved in the oil and gas sector. Kanime confirmed Namport's business relationship with Tradeport Namibia (operated by the President's son Nande) involves only manganese exports from South Africa, not oil and gas activities.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah's two sons have rejected opposition leader Panduleni Itula's allegations that they are involved in Namibia's oil sector through their private businesses. The brothers, who operate a farming business and a logistics company respectively, issued a detailed rebuttal denying any interest in oil and characterizing Itula's claims as lies intended to discredit the first family.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula to provide empirical evidence linking her family to Namibia's upstream oil sector, reiterating her denial of direct or indirect interests. Itula held his third oil-related press conference in less than three weeks, presenting what he termed documented evidence of a systematic network involving the president's sons and husband across the petroleum value chain, including fuel imports, distribution, and investments.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on IPC leader Dr Panduleni Itula to provide credible and verifiable evidence for allegations that her son holds stakes in Namibia's petroleum industry. The Presidency dismissed the claims and clarified that the Petroleum Amendment Bill before Parliament applies strictly to upstream petroleum activities.
IPC president Panduleni Itula accused President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of misleading the public about her family's involvement in the oil industry, citing the president's son's alleged role at Tradeport Namibia, a company engaged in fuel imports and wholesale distribution. Nandi-Ndaitwah has denied her family has direct or indirect interests in the oil and gas sector.
Independent Patriots for Change president Panduleni Itula has pledged to oppose bills that would give the president and Cabinet greater control of state resources, arguing they represent authoritarian systems that undermine the Constitution and rule of law.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is proposing to shift upstream oil licensing powers from the minister to the presidency, a move she argues is justified given her removal of a minister over corruption. However, according to an opinion piece by professor Roman Grynberg, the proposed legislation lacks transparency provisions and parliamentary oversight, and extends civil immunity to presidential appointees in ways that could facilitate future corruption similar to the Fishrot scandal.
The Independent Patriots for Change appointed Rodrick Likando as its new parliamentary chief whip on Thursday, replacing Rodney Cloete. Likando described the change as "standard procedure" and a "normal change of guard."
PDM leader McHenry Venaani asked Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi why Imms Nashinge, leader of the official opposition, has not yet been assigned a government car as part of his benefits. Nekundi said Nashinge was previously offered vehicles which he refused, but assured that a new fleet arriving soon will include a vehicle for the opposition leader.
Multiple opposition parties have objected to a petroleum amendment bill that would transfer oil and gas regulatory authority from the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Energy to the Presidency, warning it could enable political interference, corruption, and undermine parliamentary oversight. The bill requires support from all 51 Swapo parliamentarians to pass in the 96-seat National Assembly.
IPC president Panduleni Itula says the proposed petroleum amendment bill, which would shift oil and gas regulatory powers from parliament to the Presidency, undermines constitutional oversight and must be rejected entirely. Itula argues the bill introduces authoritarianism and corruption risks, calling on all parliamentarians to unite against it regardless of political affiliation.