Thursday, 22 October 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hourWork with us

Thursday, 22 October 2026

Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—

Namibian press · Organization

Roads Authority

Also known as: Roads Authority Namibia · Roads Authority-RA Namibia · Roads Authority of Namibia

Roads Authority — Namibian agency responsible for vehicle registration, road construction project management, and road safety oversight.

2022-11-042026-10-22

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Roads Authority

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

January 2026
22 JanNew Era
Roads Authority requests all road users to be extra careful when travelling on national roads
Source
“The Roads Authority (RA) requests all road users to be extra careful when travelling on national roads.”
RA warns drivers as heavy rains damage roads
22 JanThe Namibian
Roads Authority was instructed to identify an alternative weighbridge location
Source
“Nekundi instructed the Roads Authority regional manager, Lynnette Malipa, who was accompanied by the new chief executive Officer, Mbahupu Tjivikua, and other senior managers, to identify an alternative location.”
Minister rejects relocation of Katima Mulilo weighbridge
20 JanThe Namibian
Roads Authority was instructed to act swiftly and deploy contractor to repair road
Source
“Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi on Monday instructed the Roads Authority (RA) to act swiftly and deploy a contractor to attend to the cut-off road between Lubuta, Sachona and the Lizauli road in the Judea Lyaboloma constituency of the Zambezi region.”
Nekundi instructs swift rehabilitation of Lubuta, Sachona and Lizauli road
19 JanNew Era
Roads Authority has warned foreign transport operators against carrying passengers or goods within Namibia without required permits
Source
“The Roads Authority (RA) has warned foreign transport operators against carrying passengers or goods within Namibia without the required permits, saying such actions are illegal and punishable by law.”
RA warns against illegal local transport
1 JanInformanté
Roads Authority confirmed temporary bypass near Osona Village damaged by heavy rains and closed
Source
“The Roads Authority (RA) confirmed that the temporary bypass near Osona Village was damaged by recent heavy rains and has been closed to all traffic with immediate effect and until further notice in the interest of public safety.”
Flash flood alert marks New Year as rains damage B1 road
December 2025
1 DecThe Namibian
Roads Authority (RA) has been allocated N$2.47 billion for 2025/26
Source
“For 2025/26, the Roads Authority (RA) has been allocated N$2.47 billion.”
RFA lifts 2025/26 urban road support to N$604m
November 2025
18 NovThe Namibian
Roads Authority is encouraged by the continued efforts of promoting local participation through small and medium enterprises and community-based contractors
Source
“I am encouraged by the Roads Authority's continued efforts to promote local participation through the engagement of small and medium enterprises and community-based contractors, ensuring that the benefits of development are felt at grassroots level.”
Keynote address by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Opuwo-Otjivize-Okangwati-Omaseratundu road project
18 NovThe Namibian
Roads Authority continues to demonstrate excellence and accountability in implementing projects that transform lives across Namibia excellence and accountability in implementing projects
Source
“The Roads Authority, under the Ministry of Works and Transport, continues to demonstrate excellence and accountability in implementing projects that transform lives across Namibia.”
Keynote address by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Oute Bridge
7 NovThe Namibian
Roads Authority has, for decades, failed to use money prudently amid reports of kickbacks, self-absorbed egos and neglect of skills
Source
“The RA, RCC and RFA have, for decades, failed to use the money prudently amid reports of kickbacks, self-absorbed egos and the neglect of skills among Namibians.”
The Folly of Rolls-Royce Roads
February 2025
24 FebThe Namibian
Roads Authority expressed frustration over RCC delaying N$43 million Engoyi-Omuntele road project
Source
“Last year the Roads Authority – another state-owned company – expressed frustration, saying the RCC delayed the N$43 million Engoyi-Omuntele road project in the Oshikoto region.”
ACC probes Roads Contractor Company boss over N$1.5m fuel tender

Society

Low ECC applications suggest widespread illegal sand mining in Namibia

The News

The environment ministry told parliament that only 56 applications for environmental clearance certificates were received over three years, raising concerns that many sand and gravel operators may be extracting without required approval. The ministry reported 15 cases of illegal mining but noted that the low application numbers across most regions prevent establishing the true scale of illegal extraction or adequacy of enforcement.

20 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 20 October

Low ECC applications suggest widespread illegal sand mining in Namibia
The environment ministry told parliament that only 56 applications for environmental clearance certificates were received over three years, raising concerns that many sand and gravel operators may be extracting without required approval. The ministry reported 15 cases of illegal mining but noted that the low application numbers across most regions prevent establishing the true scale of illegal extraction or adequacy of enforcement.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 19 October

Roads Authority rejects Hong Kong imports with unverifiable documents
The Roads Authority is rejecting vehicle registration applications for imports from Hong Kong involving fraudulent or unverifiable documentation, citing a significant increase in such cases. The authority says all applications must undergo verification with Hong Kong authorities before registration approval, and fraudulent or altered documents may result in police investigation and prosecution.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Roads Authority denies abandonment of road construction projects
The Roads Authority has dismissed claims that road construction projects have been abandoned, stating that outstanding sections remain government commitments but depend on annual funding availability. Projects are being implemented in phases due to financial constraints and competing national priorities.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 17 October

Roads Authority addresses road project implementation delays
The Roads Authority chief executive officer said the agency is addressing challenges slowing road projects across the country and denied that any projects have been abandoned, stating all outstanding sections remain active commitments subject to annual funding availability.
17 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 16 October

Roads Authority strengthens verification of Hong Kong vehicle imports
The Roads Authority says it will only register Hong Kong-imported vehicles if their registration details and supporting documents can be verified with relevant authorities. The RA has seen a significant increase in applications with fraudulent or unverifiable documents, and will reject non-compliant applications and refer suspected fraud cases to police.
16 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 5 October

Windhoek Show offers educational experiences for school children
The Windhoek Industrial and Agricultural Show, running 29 September to 3 October, is attracting many visitors including school groups on field trips. Institutions like the Roads Authority are offering educational activities and games to teach children about road safety and other topics.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Upgraded Karibib-Usakos road gains surveillance and emergency response system
Works and Transport Minister Veiko Nekundi announced that a completed N$552 million upgrade of the 31-kilometre Karibib-Usakos road now includes a N$60 million emergency response and traffic management facility with cameras and two-way identification capability, allowing traffic officers to track and intercept reckless drivers along the route.
5 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 3 October

Karibib–Usakos road and traffic circle officially opened
The upgraded Karibib–Usakos Road and Usakos Traffic Circle in Erongo Region have been officially opened by Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi, marking a milestone in regional connectivity and safety. The minister warned road users to adhere to traffic regulations and cautioned truck drivers against overloading, saying the practice could damage the million-dollar investment.
3 October 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 17 September

China Railway to compensate family of worker killed on site
Lazarus Hedimbi, a 34-year-old mechanic for China Railway Seventh Group, died on Monday after a fitting from an excavator struck him in the chest near Heroes' Acre. Following employee outrage and intervention by transport authorities, the company agreed to compensate his family and assist with funeral expenses.
17 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Otjiwarongo invests N$81m in C38 road rehabilitation project
The Municipality of Otjiwarongo has invested over N$81.22 million to rehabilitate the C38 road, a vital route linking Otjiwarongo with Kalfeld and Outjo. The project is a collaborative effort between the municipality, the Roads Authority and Road Fund Administration, with construction by China Henan International Cooperation and scheduled to continue into the 2027/28 financial year.
17 September 2026 · New Era →
Roads Authority warns of fraudulent speeding detection SMS scam
The Roads Authority has warned the public about a fraudulent SMS claiming a speed radar has detected a traffic violation and directing recipients to click a suspicious link. The RA stressed the message is not from the authority and urged people not to click the link, provide sensitive information, or engage with the message.
17 September 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 15 September

N$81.22m road rehabilitation programme awarded in Otjiwarongo
Otjiwarongo has launched an N$81.22 million road rehabilitation programme in partnership with the Roads Authority and Road Fund Administration, with contractor China Henan International Cooperation (Chico) now overseeing the first phase involving the C38 road. The project aims to improve road safety, traffic flow and connectivity, using stabilised material technology and extending through the 2027/28 financial year across three lots including B1 and C38 resurfacing and dual carriageway rehabilitation.
15 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 7 September

Roads Authority investigates links between driving schools, Natis examiners
The Roads Authority is investigating complaints of possible conflicts of interest between driving schools and Namibia Traffic Information System (Natis) driving test examiners. Driving school owners and instructors have raised concerns that some examiners own or have family ties to driving schools, which they say creates bias in learner driver assessments.
7 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 4 September

Road bypasses risk isolating towns economically despite improving traffic flow
An editorial argues that while Namibia's upgraded highways efficiently move traffic between destinations, they may unintentionally harm towns along the routes by redirecting economic opportunity away from them. The piece uses Okahandja's experience with the upgraded Windhoek–Okahandja route to illustrate how bypasses can negatively impact local economies despite improving journey times.
4 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 24 August

Ministry reviews learner's licence test after pass rates drop
The Ministry of Works and Transport is reviewing the question bank for Namibia's computerised learner's licence testing system following a decline in pass rates since its May launch. The national pass rate fell from 45% in May to 43% in June and July, with lower rates recorded at the Okahandja pilot office and the mobile testing unit.
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 19 August

Namibia's procurement reform seeks speed without sacrificing accountability
Namibia's revised public procurement regulations, which came into operation on 4 August 2026, give over 80 public entities greater scope to undertake procurement independently, aiming to reduce administrative delays and improve service delivery. The success of the reform will depend on implementation rather than the regulations themselves, balancing efficiency with transparency and accountability.
19 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia revises procurement thresholds, expands entity participation
More than 80 public entities gain broader procurement authority under Namibia's revised regulations effective August 4, 2026, aimed at reducing administrative delays, decongesting central procurement, and expanding supplier opportunities. The changes raise procurement thresholds to reflect current economic conditions including inflation and currency depreciation.
19 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Roads Authority estimates Omaruru-Uis upgrade at N$1.36 billion
The Roads Authority says upgrading the Omaruru-Uis road will cost an estimated N$1.36 billion, with no confirmed funding, completed design, or procurement underway.
19 August 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Monday 17 August

Roads Authority investigates theft of 30 laptops
At least 30 brand new HP laptops were stolen from the Roads Authority head office last month from the ICT department. The theft follows another burglary in April in which eight laptops were stolen, and allegations that surveillance cameras were tampered with; the matter is under investigation by Namibian Police.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Police launch road safety operation after 279 deaths
Namibia recorded 1,747 road traffic crashes and 279 fatalities between January 1 and August 9 this year. The Namibian Police Force has launched an Integrated Road Safety Operation running until September 10, targeting national road corridors and high-risk areas during the school holiday and Heroes' Day period, focusing on speeding, drunk driving, and reckless driving.
17 August 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 13 August

Minister hands over N$132 million Walvis Bay road rehabilitation
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi officially handed over a N$132 million road rehabilitation project covering six deteriorating roads and roughly eight kilometres across Walvis Bay, a collaboration between the Roads Authority, Road Fund Administration, and Walvis Bay Municipality with Unik Construction as contractor. Nekundi emphasised the need for accountability, on-time delivery within budget, quality standards, and fair treatment of workers.
13 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 12 August

11-member SOE pay review task force status unclear
Confusion surrounds the status of an 11-member task force chaired by Joseph Diescho, established to review governance and human resource matters at state-owned enterprises. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare reportedly cancelled the task force after it found its mandate duplicated prior work, though task force member Conrad Lutombi says it was merely put on hold while the government reviews completed recommendations.
12 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Contractor sues Kambwa over alleged tender collaboration breakdown
Sostenus Wilherm Kulla Trading Enterprises CC is seeking more than N$922,000 in alleged lost profits from Kambwa Construction, claiming it was excluded from work promised after Kambwa secured a Roads Authority of Namibia tender for upgrading 12 kilometres of DR3633 in the Omusati Region. The dispute centres on an alleged January 2023 collaboration agreement in which Kulla Trading's business profile would be included in Kambwa's bid and the company would be appointed as subcontractor for more than 10% of the project.
12 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 6 August

Roads Authority reviews Western Bypass safety after fatal crashes
The Roads Authority is conducting a safety review of Windhoek's Western Bypass following multiple fatal accidents, including two involving trucks on Monday that killed a driver and 46 cattle, amid public and parliamentary concerns about sharp curves, steep descent, and inadequate road planning.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 5 August

Driver attitude may contribute to Western Bypass accidents, expert says
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.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 4 August

Two truck crashes on Windhoek bypass kill driver, 21 cattle
Two separate truck crashes on Windhoek's Western Bypass near the University of Namibia killed one driver and 21 cattle, left two others seriously injured, with one losing a leg. Construction is underway in the area, and the road is described as hazardous due to sharp curves and steep descent.
4 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 2 August

Oshana police chief urges traffic compliance in Oshakati
The Oshana police commander has called on Oshakati motorists to adhere to traffic rules, describing them as a safeguard for lives rather than punishment. The appeal was made at the inauguration of a newly established Oshakati Town Council Traffic Law Enforcement Unit.
2 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Roads Authority raises vehicle licence and permit fees
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.
2 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 29 July

Road user charges to increase from August 2026
The Roads Authority has announced adjustments to Road User Charges for the 2026/27 financial year, effective 1 August 2026: vehicle licence fees will increase by 10%, while charges for abnormal loads and road carrier permits will each rise by 20%.
29 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 28 July

Oshakati launches traffic law enforcement unit
Namibia's minister of works and transport says a digital road traffic system will soon be implemented to record vehicles running red lights, pending law amendments. Oshakati has established a Traffic Law Enforcement Unit to promote road safety and enforce traffic regulations as the town grows.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →