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

Rudolf Gaiseb

Also known as: Gaiseb · rgaiseb

Deputy Minister of Education who threatened to publicly identify local authorities charging fees for school land sites.

Society

Health ministry investigates fraud in pharmaceutical supply chain

The News

The Namibian health ministry has launched an investigation into alleged fraud and theft within its pharmaceutical supply chain, including stock data manipulation and diversion of medicines. Executive director Penda Ithindi said implicated Central Medical Stores staff have been reassigned pending investigation, with criminal proceedings possible if guilt is established.

Why it matters

Fraud and theft within the health ministry's pharmaceutical supply chain have created artificial shortages of critical medicines, forcing hospitals like Onandjokwe to suspend elective surgeries and threatening the quality of care Namibians receive. The investigation's outcome will determine whether those responsible face criminal charges and how the ministry rebuilds trust in drug distribution.

20 April 2026 · New Era →

Monday 20 April

  1. Health ministry investigates fraud in pharmaceutical supply chain

    The Namibian health ministry has launched an investigation into alleged fraud and theft within its pharmaceutical supply chain, including stock data manipulation and diversion of medicines. Executive director Penda Ithindi said implicated Central Medical Stores staff have been reassigned pending investigation, with criminal proceedings possible if guilt is established.

    20 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 10 April

  1. LPM boycotts presidential address, citing recycled promises

    The Landless People's Movement boycotted President Nandi-Ndaitwah's State of the Nation Address, calling it political theatre that masks poor governance; the presidency responded that dialogue is essential in a democracy and that such absences represent a missed opportunity to raise concerns.

    10 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 7 April

  1. Government pursues 10% stake in Rössing uranium mine

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare confirmed that Namibia is discussing acquisition of a 10% stake in Rössing Uranium, currently held by South Africa's Industrial Development Corporation. The government holds less than 4% and argues the stake should belong to Namibia under law of succession, with the aim of maximizing the country's benefit from its uranium resources.

    7 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Legal aid income threshold too low for middle-income earners

    Swapo parliamentarian Hilma Iita has tabled a motion proposing 75% partial legal aid for middle-income earners, arguing the current N$7,000 monthly income threshold leaves workers unable to afford private lawyers while earning too much to qualify for free aid. Justice minister Yvonne Dausab had previously indicated plans to raise the threshold to N$10,000 and consider case complexity, but Iita stressed the law remains unchanged and is outdated given current living costs.

    7 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 26 March

  1. UDF pushes for regional nursing licence registration services

    A UDF parliamentarian has called for decentralised nursing registration at the regional level to ease the burden on nurses who must travel long distances to Khomas Region. The Health Ministry has extended the registration deadline to 31 March 2026 and is engaging with the Health Professions Council to find sustainable long-term solutions.

    26 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. At least 91 MPs declare assets and business interests

    At least 91 parliamentarians have submitted asset and interest declarations as required under parliamentary standing rules, with MPs disclosing shareholdings in telecommunications, banking, and brewing companies, as well as residential and commercial properties across Namibia. Failure to comply with annual declaration requirements constitutes a breach of parliamentary rules and may result in referral to the Committee of Privileges for disciplinary measures including fines or formal reprimands.

    25 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 24 March

  1. Three Otjiwarongo teachers feared dead in Okahandja crash

    Five people died in a head-on collision between a VW Polo and a Ford Ranger near Okahandja last Thursday; three teachers from Otjiwarongo are feared among the victims. The Polo's driver allegedly swerved to avoid guinea fowls, crossing into the oncoming lane, and all five occupants were burnt beyond recognition. The Ford Ranger's driver was rescued and admitted to hospital with serious injuries.

    24 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 20 March

  1. Namibia's Parliament maturing but facing oversight challenges

    Since independence in 1990, Namibia's Parliament has evolved into a democratically elected body and now has its first female speaker, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, elected in March 2025. However, political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah notes that despite its progressive constitutional framework, Parliament has struggled with weak oversight of the executive due to single-party dominance and the executive being drawn directly from Parliament, resulting in limited depth in legislative debate.

    20 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. New Era and NCRST award AI hackathon competition winners

    The New Era Publication Corporation and National Commission on Research, Science and Technology held a maiden AI Innovation Hackathon themed "Coding the Future of Media" to give young innovators the opportunity to apply their skills to solve real-world problems. Twenty-five participants from tertiary institutions competed, with judges assessing entries on originality, impact, and usability.

    17 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 11 March

  1. Parliament must strengthen laws to train specialist doctors locally

    National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila visited Windhoek Central Hospital's Children's Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and called for the Legislature to develop more bills to improve Namibia's training capacity for specialist workers, noting the country lacks experts in key medical fields and most specialists are trained abroad. A paediatric cardiologist highlighted that Namibia has only 10 to 15 sub-specialists across the entire country, describing the situation as "tragic" and pointing to an inability to build local training capacity.

    11 March 2026 · New Era →

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