Also known as: Environment commissioner Timoteus Mufeti · Mr Timoteus Mufeti
Environmental commissioner who has issued controversial environmental clearance certificates for marine phosphate and mining projects, facing scrutiny from ministers and courts.
News reports
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The Namibian
Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti approved environmental clearance certificate for Sandpiper Marine Phosphate project
“Last week, environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti approved an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate project, led by businessman Knowledge Katti and his business partner, Mohammed Al Barwani, one of Oman's richest businessmen.”
President opposes phosphateThe Namibian
Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti had promised in July 2022 that a response was being prepared
“The lawyers say Mufeti had promised in July 2022 that a response was being prepared, but the federation was still waiting by the time the environmental clearance certificate (ECC) was issued on 5 August.”
Fishing body challenges Namibian Marine Phosphate clearanceNew Era
Timoteus Mufeti is accused of deciding to grant ECC to NMP without responding to confederation correspondence
“The lawyer argues that the Mufeti's decision to proceed with the ECC without first responding to the confederation's correspondence was contrary to principles of fairness, transparency, rationality and reasonableness.”
Industry enlists Namandje in anti-phosphate fight …our ocean isn’t for sale, says ARWindhoek Observer
Timoteus Mufeti said a compliance order has been issued to stop further dumping
“Mufeti said the ministry is working to remove the landfill section from the park so it can be handed to the municipality.”
OBSERVER COASTAL | Walvis Bay mayor vows to extinguish landfill firesThe Namibian
Timoteus Mufeti said the move is necessary to enable Municipality of Walvis Bay to manage landfill and enforce bylaws
“Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti on Tuesday said the move is necessary to enable the Municipality of Walvis Bay to manage the landfill and enforce its bylaws.”
Ministry moves to de-proclaim landfill areaThe Namibian
Timoteus Mufeti said burning of tyres at landfill is illegal and poses serious health and environmental risks
“The ministry said the burning of tyres at the landfill is illegal and poses serious health and environmental risks.”
Ministry moves to de-proclaim landfill areaNew Era
Timoteus Mufeti said the ministry has already issued a compliance order to stop the dumping of waste at the site
“Responding, environmental commissioner at the environment Timoteus Mufeti said the ministry has already issued a compliance order to stop the dumping of waste at the site.”
Live at Walvis’ troubled dumpsiteNew Era
Environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti said the future of uranium mining depends on an independent assessment from the International Atomic Energy Agency
“The anticipated future of uranium mining in the Omaheke region depends on an independent assessment from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti said.”
Omaheke uranium decision hangs in balanceInformanté
Environmental Commissioner Timoteus Mufeti confirmed no final decision yet made on Leonardville uranium ISL mining project
“THE Environmental Commissioner, Timoteus Mufeti, has confirmed that no final decision has yet been made concerning the proposed uranium in-situ leach (ISL) mining project in the Leonardville area of the Omaheke Region.”
No final decision yet on Leonardville uranium in-situ leach mining projectThe Namibian
Environmental Commissioner Timoteus Mufeti stated that Namibia lacks experience and technical expertise to assess environmental impact of in-situ leach mining
“According to environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti, Namibia does not have the experience or technical expertise to assess the potential environmental impact of this type of mining.”
Decision on Omaheke uranium mining will be based on science – governmentTimoteus Mufeti, the environmental commissioner, says his office faces several challenges in enforcing the Environmental Management Act, including receiving EIA applications from unqualified applicants, a lack of expertise to screen them, insufficient training in hazardous waste management, and a need to revise the Act to address emerging environmental issues.
1 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Timoteus Mufeti, the environmental commissioner, says his office faces several challenges in enforcing the Environmental Management Act, including receiving EIA applications from unqualified applicants, a lack of expertise to screen them, insufficient training in hazardous waste management, and a need to revise the Act to address emerging environmental issues.
1 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The deputy minister of environment, forestry and tourism told the launch of a revised book on environmental law that law and policy must guide Namibia's management of water, land, biodiversity and climate change, and must remain responsive to current and emerging environmental challenges.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Fisheries Minister Inge Zaamwani is demanding the revocation of an Environment Clearance Certificate issued by environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti to Namibian Marine Phosphate for its Sandpiper Marine Phosphate project off Namibia's west coast, arguing that Mufeti failed to properly consult her ministry before granting the approval on 5 August 2026.
16 September 2026 · New Era →
An editorial argues that environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti is granting environmental clearance certificates without proper due diligence, citing his approval of marine phosphate mining despite fisheries minister opposition and a High Court finding that he failed to apply his mind when clearing mining at Erindi Private Game Reserve, where he overlooked endangered species.
6 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi addressed the fifth Sustainable Development Awards ceremony, calling for youth empowerment as a driver of Namibia's sustainable development and emphasizing that sustainable development is a shared national endeavour requiring commitment from all sectors of society.
4 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has appealed against the environmental commissioner's decision to grant an environmental clearance certificate to Namibian Marine Phosphate for the Sandpiper marine phosphate mining project, appealing against the decision in its entirety and all conditions in the certificate.
3 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Fishing industry workers, backed by community members and politicians, protested in Walvis Bay on Thursday against marine phosphate mining following the Ministry of Environment's issuance of an Environmental Clearance Certificate to the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project. Workers handed a petition calling for stricter scrutiny, citing concerns about potential impacts on fish stocks, jobs, and coastal livelihoods.
24 August 2026 · New Era →
The Swapo Party Youth League wants the Cabinet to oversee environmental clearance decisions, arguing that ministers must supervise decisions within their ministries. Critics including former Cabinet minister Helmut Angula warn that Cabinet involvement could politicise the process and that administrators should remain responsible for ECC applications.
17 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian editorial commends President Nandi-Ndaitwah for opposing seabed phosphate mining but criticizes the lack of clear policy, after environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti granted Namibian Marine Phosphate an environmental clearance certificate despite more than a decade of unresolved controversy.
16 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reportedly objects to environmental commissioner Timoteus Mufeti's approval of an environmental clearance certificate for Namibian Marine Phosphate's Sandpiper project to mine for fertilisers in the Atlantic Ocean, saying Namibia should not be used for an ocean experiment. The president held a meeting with senior government officials this week to express concerns about the decision made without apparent consultation on a matter of massive public interest.
12 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations has threatened to challenge the validity of Namibian Marine Phosphate's environmental clearance certificate, alleging the environmental commissioner failed to respond to repeated information requests since May 2022 and broke a July 2022 promise to provide a response before the certificate was issued on 5 August.
11 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations has enlisted lawyer Sisa Namandje to challenge the Environmental Clearance Certificate granted to Namibia Marine Phosphate for the Sandpiper Marine Phosphate Project, citing the Environmental Commissioner's lack of transparency and failure to address the industry's repeated concerns since 2022.
11 August 2026 · New Era →
Walvis Bay mayor Johannes Shimbilinga has pledged to address landfill fires that have blanketed parts of the town in smoke, citing public health and air quality concerns. He attributed the fires to unauthorised activity and tyre burning, announced an immediate ban on tyre dumping, and said the municipality is working to transfer land within Dorob National Park to improve site management.
30 April 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →