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

Timoteus Mufeti

Also known as: Mufeti · environmental commissioner · Tulimevava Kaunapawa Mufeti

Environmental Commissioner who said government decision on Omaheke uranium project will prioritize science-based evaluation of impacts on the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System.

Tourism & Environment

Ministry de-proclaiming landfill area to boost municipal oversight

The News

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism will remove part of the Walvis Bay landfill from Dorob National Park to allow the municipality full management authority and ability to enforce bylaws. The ministry has issued a compliance order against illegal tyre burning at the site, which residents report creates toxic smoke affecting the town, and has flagged health risks from living near the landfill.

10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. Ministry de-proclaiming landfill area to boost municipal oversight

    The Ministry of Environment and Tourism will remove part of the Walvis Bay landfill from Dorob National Park to allow the municipality full management authority and ability to enforce bylaws. The ministry has issued a compliance order against illegal tyre burning at the site, which residents report creates toxic smoke affecting the town, and has flagged health risks from living near the landfill.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 9 April

  1. Walvis Bay dumpsite becomes informal settlement amid health risks

    A controlled landfill in Walvis Bay has transformed into an informal settlement housing over 100 shacks and more than 300 people, with residents reporting illegal tyre burning, undercover prostitution, domestic violence, and drug activity. The situation raises serious environmental and health concerns for surrounding communities, prompting authorities to engage stakeholders on de-proclaiming the portion within Dorob National Park to enable better municipal management.

    9 April 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. Starlink rejected over ownership rules, national security concerns

    Namibia's Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus said the rejection of Starlink's application to provide satellite internet services was lawful and based on regulatory requirements, including the mandatory 51% local ownership rule and national security concerns. The minister noted that Starlink's proposed 100% foreign ownership model raised material regulatory considerations regarding jurisdiction and government oversight, and that the company had also operated unlawfully without a licence.

    25 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. Omaheke uranium project awaits IAEA assessment before government decision

    The government is seeking an independent technical assessment from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) before deciding on Headspring Investments' application to conduct four-year test mining using in-situ leaching in the Omaheke region. Environmental Commissioner Timoteus Mufeti said the decision will prioritise science-based evaluation of impacts on the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System and community rights, with the IAEA's technical report expected to undergo inter-ministerial review before March.

    4 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 2 March

  1. IAEA assessment underway for Leonardville uranium project

    The Environmental Commissioner confirmed no final decision has been made on the proposed uranium in-situ leach mining project in Leonardville, Omaheke Region. The government is awaiting a technical assessment from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which conducted an independent review mission in February 2026 to evaluate environmental, groundwater, health and safety impacts before the government decides whether to proceed.

    2 March 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 26 February

  1. Government says Omaheke uranium decision will rest on science

    Namibia's environment ministry will base its decision on a proposed uranium mining project in Omaheke on scientific findings, not politics, the government said. The project—an in-situ leach mining operation by Headsprings Investments (under Russian state-owned Rosatom)—has raised concerns about contamination of the Stampriet aquifer, which supplies water to the region and neighbouring countries. The government has requested a technical assessment from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which will deliver its report in March.

    26 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 February

  1. Coastal Management Authority implementation delayed due to duplications

    The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has halted implementation of the proposed Coastal Management Authority citing overlaps with existing legislation, particularly the Fisheries Act and Pollution Act. Ministry officials say functions such as coastal pollution responsibility were unclear, as the department of maritime affairs already handles such matters.

    11 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 7 February

  1. Revised Environmental Act expands ecosystem protection measures

    Namibia's amended Environmental Management Act will extend legal protections to ecosystems like natural springs and habitats previously unprotected, and set standards for noise, smell, water and air quality. The ministry is consulting on proposed sand and gravel mining regulations and has flagged unprecedented illegal sand mining as a major environmental concern, attributing it to weak management, corruption, and insufficient enforcement.

    7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 16 January

  1. Cabinet minister urges crackdown on illegal sand and gravel mining

    The Minister of Environment and Tourism warns that illegal sand and gravel mining across Namibia violates environmental law and causes land degradation, riverbank erosion, and wildlife habitat destruction. The government plans regional stakeholder consultations on draft sand and gravel mining regulations under an Environmental Management Amendment Bill.

    16 January 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 15 January

  1. Uukwambi Traditional Authority begins sand-mining site rehabilitation process

    The Uukwambi Traditional Authority has started rehabilitating sand-mined borrow pits in its jurisdiction, including at Onatshiku village in Oshana region, after residents questioned the delay. The authority must submit detailed rehabilitation plans to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for approval, and is responsible for funding the work, which operators can carry out using their equipment.

    15 January 2026 · The Namibian →

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