Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Rodney Cloete

Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian who challenged government appointments and called for diplomacy on Iran; replaced as parliamentary chief whip in April 2026.

Politics

Swapo deputy SG denies Russian funding allegations, will not sue

The News

Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has dismissed allegations published by Forbidden Stories, based on leaked documents linked to Russian intelligence, that he solicited millions of dollars to support Swapo's 2024 election campaign. He said he will not pursue legal action and denied ever requesting external funding for the party.

25 March 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 25 March

  1. Swapo deputy SG denies Russian funding allegations, will not sue

    Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has dismissed allegations published by Forbidden Stories, based on leaked documents linked to Russian intelligence, that he solicited millions of dollars to support Swapo's 2024 election campaign. He said he will not pursue legal action and denied ever requesting external funding for the party.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 14 March

  1. IPC lawmaker challenges Nathaniel-Koch tribunal nomination

    Independent Patriots for Change lawmaker Rodney Cloete has challenged Namibia Tourism Board vice chairperson Rachel Nathaniel-Koch's nomination as Lands Tribunal board chairperson, citing alleged financial misconduct including N$3.4 million in excessive travel expenses and her previous removal from the Transportation Commission. Cloete raised questions with the agriculture minister about whether she is fit for the position and demanded a full vetting report; Nathaniel-Koch responded that she was unaware of the nomination and is willing to respond once the matter is clarified with her.

    14 March 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 4 March

  1. IPC MP challenges Namport chairperson appointment over pension fund diversion

    Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Rodney Cloete questioned the appointment of Namibian Ports Authority chairperson Jerome Mouton, whose company Myrtle Growth Capital Namibia was deregistered by financial regulators after N$7.3 million of Government Institutions Pension Fund money intended for a school was diverted. Cloete asked Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi whether due diligence was conducted before Mouton's appointment and called for disclosure of all Namport board members' business interests.

    4 March 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 3 March

  1. IPC calls for diplomacy, de-escalation in Iran crisis

    Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister Rodney Cloete has called for urgent multilateral mediation and restraint following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, warning that regional escalation threatens Namibia's cost of living through disrupted shipping lanes and rising fuel and food prices.

    3 March 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 27 February

  1. State House reviews mansions granted to retired presidents

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah is reportedly pushing to end the practice of allocating state-funded mansions to former presidents, preferring instead to accept a portion of benefits for her own retirement home. The review of the Former Presidents' Pension and Other Benefits Act will also examine extending benefits to vice presidents, amid criticism that such perks are excessive given widespread hardship among ordinary Namibians.

    27 February 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 21 February

  1. IPC appoints new parliamentary chief whip Likando

    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."

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Parliament members raise questions on judiciary, trade, agriculture, drugs, tariffs

    Several Namibian lawmakers have given notice of parliamentary questions on pressing national issues: judicial understaffing and magistrate workload; the country's grey listing status and oil sector regulatory violations; support needed for dairy and poultry sectors amid production gains; drug use and rehabilitation services in schools; and electricity tariff methodology and consumer protection measures.

    18 February 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 17 February

  1. Namibia seeks value-added trade with US, rejects raw mineral exports

    With heightened US interest in Namibia's uranium, lithium, and oil resources, Namibian trade officials say they will promote mineral beneficiation, downstream processing, and manufacturing partnerships rather than exporting raw materials alone. The government aims to position Namibia as a stable investment partner and regional logistics hub, with US ambassador visiting the Erongo region to assess energy opportunities including the Orange Basin and Port of Walvis Bay.

    17 February 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 11 February

  1. TotalEnergies and Petrobras challenge Namibia's oil approval process

    International oil giants TotalEnergies and Petrobras announced the acquisition of a stake in oil block PEL104 without prior ministerial approval, prompting the Namibian government to declare the move unlawful. Both companies have since denied wrongdoing and said the transaction remains subject to regulatory approval from the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.

    11 February 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 10 February

  1. Namibia urged to negotiate stronger US resource deals

    Lawmakers have urged the government to negotiate stronger, value-driven deals as the US seeks to position Namibia as a strategic partner for uranium and offshore oil and gas resources. Parliamentarians stress that Namibia must prioritize national interests and negotiate from strength, with some citing Venezuela's institutional collapse as a cautionary lesson.

    10 February 2026 · The Namibian

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