Also known as: member of parliament Rodney Cloete
IPC shadow minister who raised concerns about Namibia's N$245 million smart-city grant from China over data control and technological dependence risks.
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The Namibian
Rodney Cloete says appointments largely driven by personal connections and favouritism rather than merit
“He says appointments are largely driven by personal connections and favouritism, rather than merit or performance.”
The side hustle of sitting on boardsThe Namibian
Member of parliament Rodney Cloete has rejected the Icelandic minister's statement on Fishrot corruption
“In response to the Icelandic minister's remarks, member of parliament Rodney Cloete has rejected the statement and says it does not reflect the wider nature of the Fishrot case.”
Iceland finance minister faces backlash after blaming Namibia for Fishrot corruptionThe Namibian
Rodney Cloete claimed Nathaniel-Koch was part of tourism board during alleged N$3.4 million in excessive spending
“Cloete claimed Nathaniel-Koch was part of the tourism board when about N$3.4 million in public funds was spent on excessive travelling across 21 foreign trips, first-class flights in violation of board policy, and legal fees to dismiss a finance manager who questioned those payments.”
IPC flags Nathaniel-Koch for Lands TribunalThe Namibian
Rodney Cloete questioned Mouton's appointment to Namport board
“Cloete posed a question on the appointment of Mouton to works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi during a National Assembly session on Tuesday.”
IPC MP questions appointment of Namport chairperson linked to GIPF's diverted N$7.3mThe Namibian
Cloete called for urgent, credible mediation through multilateral channels, including the United Nations and the African Union
“"We call for urgent, credible mediation through multilateral channels, including the United Nations and the African Union, because dialogue remains the only exit that does not bury more civilians," he says.”
IPC calls for de-escalation, diplomacy in Iran warThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister Rodney Cloete says state-funded residences should remain state property
“Independent Patriots for Change shadow minister of international relations Rodney Cloete says state-funded residences should remain state property.”
Mansions for presidents on chopping blockThe Namibian
Rodney Cloete was replaced by Likando as chief whip after holding position since last year
“He replaces Rodney Cloete, who has held the position since last year.”
IPC chief whip replacement normal – LikandoNew Era
Independent Patriots for Change lawmaker Rodney Cloete gave notice to ask questions on the nation's trade regulatory framework concerning grey listing status.
“Trade Independent Patriots for Change lawmaker Rodney Cloete gave notice to ask, on Tuesday, the 19th of February 2026, questions in regard to the nation's trade regulatory framework concerning the grey listing status of the country.”
Parliament BriefsNew Era
Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Rodney Cloete noted that Namibia can leverage partnerships through strong diplomacy and ambassadors
“In addition, Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Rodney Cloete noted that by bolstering diplomacy and strengthening the quality of its ambassadors, Namibia stands a good chance to leverage these partnerships.”
US appetite in Nam’s oil spikes …Namibia rejects raw exports, pushes beneficiationThe Namibian
Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Rodney Cloete says Namibia should focus on negotiating from strength
“He argues that Namibia should focus on negotiating from strength, citing Venezuela's institutional failure as a lesson in preparation rather than fear.”
Namibia urged to negotiate from strength as US seeks strategic energy, mineral partnershipsAn 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 →
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 →
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of remaining silent on human rights abuses during a state visit to Tanzania, where the main opposition leader is imprisoned on a treason charge and UN experts have condemned extrajudicial killings and mass arbitrary detentions following the October 2025 elections.
22 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Independent Patriots for Change has called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to publicly speak out against human rights abuses during her state visit to Tanzania, specifically demanding the release of Chadema opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who has been detained since April 2025 on a treason charge. The party cites a UN finding of unlawful detention and an American Bar Association assessment that the prosecution is politically motivated.
21 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change says Namibia must make beneficial ownership information public following the country's removal from the Financial Action Task Force's greylist. Shadow minister Rodney Cloete states that while Namibia corrected gaps in beneficial ownership transparency to exit the greylist, the register remains effectively closed to journalists and the public through the Business and Intellectual Property Authority.
20 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The founder of South Africa's March and March organisation, which focuses on illegal immigration, has said Namibians are "law-abiding citizens" and not targets of anti-immigrant sentiment, despite xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. She described Nigerians as the most problematic nationality, saying they enter without documentation and engage in criminal activity.
17 June 2026 · The Namibian →
A Namibian-registered bus was hijacked in Johannesburg on 9 June, leaving passengers stranded; the Independent Patriots for Change accused the government and High Commission in Pretoria of failing to provide meaningful assistance to the operator and passengers, some of whom had to pay for their own accommodation.
14 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibian entrepreneurs using the "order with me" business model say xenophobic attacks in South Africa are disrupting their livelihoods and forcing some to stop travelling there for supplies. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare will meet with informal traders tomorrow to discuss customs duties, taxation and regulatory challenges.
12 June 2026 · New Era →
Former Namcor acting managing director Maureen Hinda-Mbuende has criticised the government's award of a N$7.2 billion three-month fuel supply contract to Vitol, saying the deal is "counter-productive and monopolistic" and will damage the downstream fuel sector's long-term competitiveness. Hinda-Mbuende claims Namcor offered a cheaper deal and that Vitol's ownership of Shell and Engen service stations creates conflicts of interest that could harm competitors.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The US State Department is reportedly cutting visa-issuing consulates and embassies on the African continent, including Namibia's, according to the Associated Press. The closest remaining visa-processing hubs would be South Africa's consulates in Cape Town and Johannesburg, or Angola's Luanda consulate.
3 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has called on the energy ministry to explain why it awarded international oil trader Vitol a three-month exclusive fuel supply contract without competitive tender. Shadow minister Rodney Cloete questioned the lack of transparency, the full terms of the agreement including pricing, and cited Vitol's 2020 admission of bribery in three countries.
2 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Deputy Speaker Philippus Katamelo has been appointed chairperson of the Pan-African Parliament's Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution, a position that involves guiding the committee's work on foreign policy, diplomacy, and peace issues. Katamelo is heading Namibia's parliamentary delegation at the Extraordinary Session of the 7th Pan-African Parliament in South Africa.
5 May 2026 · New Era →
Board earnings for chairs and senior members at Namibian banks, listed companies and state-owned enterprises range from N$400,000 to N$1.6 million annually. Opposition chief whip Rodney Cloete argues board work has shifted from part-time public service to a full-time income stream for a politically connected group, often appointed through personal connections rather than merit.
4 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Pan-African Parliament in South Africa this week is electing a new bureau after resolving a 15-year argument about leadership representation. In May 2017, the PAP passed a resolution to introduce regional rotation of the presidency, addressing a pattern in which only east, west, and central African leaders held the top position during the institution's first 18 years.
28 April 2026 · The Namibian →