Also known as: member of parliament Rodney Cloete
Rodney Cloete — IPC shadow minister who scrutinizes government spending, investment claims, and trade agreements.
News reports
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The Namibian
Rodney Cloete calls on the ministry to table the extension instrument and price basis in the National Assembly
“He calls on the ministry to table the extension instrument and its price basis in the National Assembly, publish an invitation for fuel suppliers from 1 November and gazette the relevant regulations before the agreement expires.”
IPC flags Vitol extension over procurement concernsThe Namibian
Rodney Cloete said the arrangement was concluded without an open tender and under emergency of Iran conflict
“"The arrangement was concluded without an open tender, under the emergency of the Iran conflict, with one foreign trader supplying the whole country's petrol and diesel," Rodney Cloete said.”
Vitol to supply fuel to Namibia in OctoberThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change member Rodney Cloete alleged Nathaniel-Koch was linked to N$3.4 million in excessive public spending
“Cloete had alleged that Nathaniel-Koch, during her time on the Namibia Tourism Board, was linked to spending about N$3.4 million in public funds on excessive travel, including 21 foreign trips and first-class flights allegedly in violation of board policy.”
Minister Zaamwani pulls Nathaniel-Koch from Land Tribunal chair bidThe Namibian
Rodney Cloete is a member of the Namibian parliament
The Namibian
Rodney Cloete questions government's progress under African Continental Free Trade Area
“Cloete questions the government's progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area, noting that Namibia has reportedly issued only nine certificates of origin for exports to Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria since launching trading under the agreement in June 2025.”
IPC questions government’s 500 000 jobs promiseThe Namibian
Cloete calls for more proactive approach to economic diplomacy
“Cloete calls for a more proactive approach to economic diplomacy, saying diplomats should focus on opening markets, removing trade barriers, securing orders for Namibian companies and attracting investments that create jobs.”
IPC questions government’s 500 000 jobs promiseWindhoek Observer
Rodney Cloete said jobs would not be created through speeches, diplomatic engagements or memoranda of understanding
“In a statement issued on Wednesday, IPC shadow minister for international relations and trade, Rodney Cloete, said jobs would not be created through speeches, diplomatic engagements or memoranda of understanding, but through increased business activity, production, trade, investment and industrialisation.”
IPC challenges government to show economic path to 500 000 jobsThe Namibian
IPC member of parliament Rodney Cloete says Namibia should publicly address Tundu Lissu's continued detention rather than limit its engagement to judicial cooperation
“"Namibia should publicly address [Tundu] Lissu's continued detention rather than limit its engagement to judicial cooperation," IPC member of parliament Rodney Cloete says.”
Damaseb urged to reject Tanzania inquiry roleWindhoek Observer
Rodney Cloete questioned the appointment and Namibia's response on Tanzania's human rights record
“Meanwhile, IPC shadow minister of international relations and trade Rodney Cloete also questioned the appointment, arguing that Namibia had failed to publicly address concerns over Tanzania's democratic and human rights record following President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to the country in June.”
Opposition slam Damaseb’s Tanzania inquiry nominationThe Namibian
Rodney Cloete said Mbuende's remarks contradicted Bank of Namibia governor's warning against borrowing in name of oil
“The clarification comes after IPC parliamentarian Rodney Cloete said Mbuende's reported remarks contradicted Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta's recent warning against borrowing "in the name of oil" before production begins.”
Mbuende clarifies oil borrowing remarks after IPC criticismThe Ministry of Works and Transport has challenged an audit finding that 53 government vehicles worth N$35.5 million were missing from the pool vehicle register, arguing they had been recorded in a Permanent Allocated Vehicle Register instead. The Windhoek Observer editorial calls for complete records and independently verifiable evidence to resolve the discrepancy.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Works and Transport has challenged an audit finding that 53 government vehicles worth N$35.5 million were missing from the pool vehicle register, arguing they had been recorded in a Permanent Allocated Vehicle Register instead. The Windhoek Observer editorial calls for complete records and independently verifiable evidence to resolve the discrepancy.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The ministry of works and transport has rejected an Auditor-General's finding that 53 newly acquired government vehicles worth N$35.5 million were "missing" or not recorded in the pool vehicle register, saying the vehicles were permanently allocated to specific government offices and recorded in a separate register.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government's 24% stake in the delayed Hyphen Hydrogen Energy project faces scrutiny as the company's final investment decision has been pushed to the end of 2027. Government officials defend the investment as funded through blended finance, while opposition politicians warn that state costs will mount during further delays.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC shadow minister Rodney Cloete is demanding that the government explain Namibia's position on the proposed sale of De Beers, citing Botswana's parliament being informed while Namibia's has not been. Cloete questions whether Namibia was approached to join the Global Diamond Consortium bidding for Anglo American's 85% stake, and seeks clarity on the diamond sales agreement with De Beers that expired in May.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Columbia University adjunct professor Jenik Radon has warned that Namibia could benefit from delaying TotalEnergies' final investment decision on its Venus oilfield to prepare its legal framework, cautioning that international oil companies can take advantage if a country's legal system is not prepared.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Jenik Radon, a Columbia University adjunct professor, told the Bank of Namibia symposium that delaying TotalEnergies' final investment decision on its Venus oilfield would give Namibia time to prepare its legal framework and avoid disadvantageous terms like stabilisation clauses.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The ministry of international relations and trade claims investment projects linked to its initiatives created 9,343 permanent jobs across 28 projects attracting N$66.85 billion, but opposition shadow minister Rodney Cloete argues only 951 permanent jobs were actually recorded.
29 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of International Relations and Trade reported facilitating 28 portfolio projects that attracted N$66.85 billion in investment and created 9 343 permanent jobs, but the figures faced parliamentary opposition questioning over data accuracy and timeline verifiability. Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said the ministry's role is to facilitate job creation through trade and investment, with projects spanning agriculture, mining, renewable energy, tourism, real estate, chemicals and digital services.
28 September 2026 · The Namibian →
International oil trader Vitol, awarded sole rights to supply Namibia's fuel for three months, has demanded additional government compensation after supplying only 70% of expected volumes. The government has extended Vitol's supply rights for October as a "once-off final arrangement" that will not be renewed, though Pakote stressed this extension does not commit the government to pay for unsold fuel.
14 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change have flagged the government's decision to extend its emergency fuel supply agreement with Vitol Bahrain EC into October as raising procurement and transparency concerns. The opposition party calls on the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to publicly disclose the cost of the extension, table the extension instrument in Parliament, and open a competitive tender for fuel suppliers from 1 November.
11 September 2026 · The Namibian →
International fuel trader Vitol will be the sole supplier of fuel to Namibia for October 2026, extending an interim arrangement that began in July intended to secure 100% of fuel requirements during international oil market volatility. The extension has drawn criticism from opposition figures for lack of transparency and open tender, with concerns that the emergency arrangement is becoming a procurement method.
11 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister Inge Zaamwani has withdrawn Rachel Nathaniel-Koch's nomination as chairperson of the Land Tribunal to protect the integrity of the appointment process, and will instead appoint Ngakumbirue Katjivena, a legal expert admitted to the High Court, to the position.
9 September 2026 · The Namibian →
An editorial argues that Memoranda of Understanding do not constitute binding agreements and typically bypass parliamentary scrutiny, and that Namibia should focus on measurable economic outcomes rather than ceremonial "signing" events with other countries.
30 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has questioned how the government will deliver on its promise to create 500,000 jobs, arguing that jobs require business expansion, factory processing, market access for farmers, and operating investments — not speeches and ceremonies alone. The party highlighted concerns including only nine certificates of origin issued under the African Continental Free Trade Area and rail infrastructure failures, citing TransNamib's last recorded train movement in July 2024.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has challenged the government to explain how its economic diplomacy, trade agreements and infrastructure investments will deliver 500,000 jobs promised by President Nandi-Ndaitwah, arguing that jobs require increased business activity and production rather than speeches and memoranda of understanding.
26 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A consignment of Jet A-1 aviation fuel that arrived at Walvis Bay failed routine testing, creating shortages at Windhoek airport. Passenger flights to Europe, including Discover Airlines services to Frankfurt and Munich, now require refueling stops in Luanda, Angola, under an emergency fuel supply arrangement with Vitol.
23 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Political parties have called on deputy chief justice and judge president Petrus Damaseb to reject his nomination to serve on Tanzania's post-election violence commission of inquiry. Job Amupanda and the Independent Patriots for Change cite concerns over the process, Namibia's silence on alleged human rights abuses, and international criticism of previous Tanzanian inquiries, arguing that Damaseb's participation could lend credibility to a commission of uncertain independence.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Opposition parties AR and IPC have accused the Namibian government of compromising judicial independence by nominating deputy chief justice Petrus Damaseb to serve on a Tanzanian Presidential Commission of Inquiry investigating post-election violence. AR contends the nomination was a political act facilitated through government channels rather than proper judicial cooperation.
6 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The National Planning Commission said government will only factor oil income into fiscal planning once oil and gas projects reach a final investment decision, and that borrowing decisions are based on broader economic projections rather than a single sector. The clarification followed criticism from the Independent Patriots for Change, which had accused the NPC director general of proposing that Namibia borrow against future oil revenues despite sector uncertainty.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
IPC shadow minister Rodney Cloete raised concerns that Namibia's N$245 million smart-city grant from China could create long-term technological dependence and data control risks, arguing that hidden agreements and lack of auditability make it a potential liability rather than genuine assistance.
4 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Independent Patriots for Change has called on the government and state-owned Namcor to provide full transparency on Namibia's offshore petroleum developments, particularly regarding Galp's transaction with TotalEnergies, which received regulatory approval in July. The IPC emphasised that Namcor's financial obligations, development exposure, and revenue expectations must be clarified.
31 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Pan-African Parliament has called for an immediate end to the conflict in Sudan and recommended an extraordinary session to develop a roadmap for peaceful resolution, with Namibia's Head of Delegation to the parliament presenting a report that examined the security crisis and humanitarian impact of the conflict.
29 July 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia has tabled a roadmap at the Pan-African Parliament calling for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan, a parliamentary fact-finding mission, and action against foreign interference fuelling the conflict. The recommendations include convening a special PAP session on Sudan, rejecting the parallel government established by the Rapid Support Forces, and condemning external actors prolonging the crisis.
29 July 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's Pan-African Parliament delegation, led by Deputy Speaker Phillipus Katamelo, has commenced Permanent Committee sittings ahead of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Parliament, scheduled to begin on 27 July 2026 in Midrand, South Africa. The committee meetings, running until 25 July, form part of preparations to review matters under the various PAP committees' mandates.
22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Seventy-two Namibians repatriated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks say they hope to return once anti-immigrant violence subsides, as the government indicated it will assess future assistance requests on a case-by-case basis and that repatriated citizens remain free to decide where they live and work.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Former mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo has called on the government to publish a clear implementation plan for Namibia's nine cooperation agreements with China signed during a presidential state visit in July, saying the country must move from diplomatic agreements to concrete industrial planning with measurable economic benefits and identify priority minerals, processing stages, infrastructure gaps, and annual targets for investment and exports.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah led a delegation of six ministers and more than 200 businesspeople to China to pursue partnerships in mining, agriculture, and logistics. China was Namibia's second-largest trading partner last year, with trade reaching N$40 billion.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
More than 100 Namibians living in South Africa are voluntarily seeking repatriation to Namibia amid rising xenophobic tensions; Namibian authorities are arranging repatriation and verification processes following reports of attacks on foreign nationals.
1 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian transport companies are withdrawing drivers from South Africa ahead of a planned anti-immigrant protest and a 30 June deadline set by protesters for illegal immigrants to leave. The withdrawals are disrupting cross-border trade, with companies citing driver safety concerns and insurer warnings of security risks.
29 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Institute of Public Policy Research has released its procurement tracker and called for an in-depth investigation into healthcare sector procurement, describing it as a persistent governance challenge. Research shows corruption in the sector has been ongoing for a decade, and the IPPR notes that key laws including the Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 and the Access to Information Act of 2022 have been passed but not implemented.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →