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

Sophia Shaningwa

Also known as: Shaningwa · Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa · Swapo Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa

Swapo secretary general who has ordered eviction of refugee campers and directs party leadership compliance with dual-role restrictions.

Politics

Swapo court bid to evict ex-fighters fails, sparks internal row

The News

Swapo's application to evict former freedom fighters camping at its headquarters since October was struck off the High Court roll. The move has triggered internal party divisions, with former secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana questioning whether the legal action was authorised by the central committee, while deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga says the politburo made the decision.

Why it matters

Swapo's failed legal action and internal dispute over how to handle former freedom fighters camping at party headquarters reveals deep divisions within the ruling party over governance procedures and how to address unresolved grievances from independence-era ex-combatants.

20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

  1. Swapo court bid to evict ex-fighters fails, sparks internal row

    Swapo's application to evict former freedom fighters camping at its headquarters since October was struck off the High Court roll. The move has triggered internal party divisions, with former secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana questioning whether the legal action was authorised by the central committee, while deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga says the politburo made the decision.

    20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 19 April

  1. Swapo official recalls Uerikua's work at memorial service

    Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa delivered condolences at a memorial service for parliamentarian James Uerikua at Parliament Gardens, recalling his advocacy for development projects in the Otjozondjupa region and describing him as a voice of reason and charismatic legislator.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Windhoek High Court strikes down Swapo eviction bid

    The Windhoek High Court has struck Swapo's urgent application to evict a group of people camping at the party's national headquarters since October last year off the court roll, with the judge finding it did not meet the requirements for an urgent hearing. The group, led by Matheus Nangolo, are demanding clarification about funds allegedly provided by the United Nations for the repatriation of Namibian exiles in 1989.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 17 April

  1. High Court dismisses Swapo's bid to evict camping ex-combatants

    Windhoek High Court Judge Gabriel Komboni dismissed Swapo's urgent application to evict war veterans camping at its headquarters, ruling the application lacked urgency. The veterans, who have occupied the site since October 2025, are demanding payment of benefits from the 1989 liberation struggle that they say remains unresolved.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Swapo secretary general speaks at Uerikua memorial service

    Swapo party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa delivered a tribute to parliamentarian James Uerikua at a memorial service in Parliament Gardens, recalling his dedication to development projects in Otjozondjupa and his personal warmth. Uerikua and his son died in a road accident on 3 April.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 7 April

  1. Swapo MP James Uerikua dies in car accident at 43

    James Unomasa Uerikua, a Swapo member of Parliament and former governor of Otjozondjupa region, died on Friday in a car accident between Otjiwarongo and Okakarara; his 14-year-old son also died from injuries sustained in the crash. Political leaders across parties paid tribute to him as a promising young leader and voice for the voiceless.

    7 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. National Assembly clears Shaningwa of unparliamentary language allegation

    The National Assembly speaker has ruled that Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa did not use profanity in parliament, after consulting official Hansard recordings of an alleged incident from last year in which she was accused of using the f-word to an IPC member.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 22 March

  1. Opinion: Namibia must rethink top-down independence celebrations

    The Namibian's editorial argues that after 36 years, Namibia's Independence Day celebrations need fundamental reform to move beyond ruling-party-focused, stadium-centred events and instead embrace inclusive, progressive formats that resonate with younger generations and address economic realities like urban poverty.

    22 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 March

  1. Swapo seeks court order to evict headquarters campers

    Swapo has filed an urgent application in the Windhoek High Court to evict about 50 people who have been camping at the party's national headquarters since October 2024, demanding clarity on alleged UN funds for repatriated exiled Namibians in 1989. The hearing is scheduled for 27 March after the court gave respondents time to obtain legal representation.

    20 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. SWAPO seeks court order to remove veterans camping outside headquarters

    Namibia's ruling party has filed a High Court application seeking removal of repatriated veterans who set up camp outside SWAPO's Windhoek headquarters, demanding release of funds and benefits allegedly promised over three decades ago. SWAPO's Secretary General said the party has found no UN documents proving funds were paid to SWAPO for distribution to returning exiles, and cited health and environmental hazards from the occupation.

    18 March 2026 · Informanté →

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