Namibia's opposition leader, Panduleni Itula, has urged the government to publish a comprehensive recovery plan for the recent Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. This plan should include detailed funding, fencing milestones, and emergency contracts. Itula's request comes after President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the nation on the outbreak. Itula emphasized the need for clear deadlines and assigned responsibilities for actions within the government's control.
Itula specified that the government should disclose the estimated containment costs, approved funding, disbursed amounts, and remaining shortfalls. He also called for details on fencing milestones and emergency contracts, including suppliers, prices, and delivery obligations. According to reports, the estimated containment requirement is N$190.2 million, which includes about N$47 million for 290 kilometers of disease-control fencing. The government's response to the outbreak has raised questions about Namibia's preparedness.
A procurement dispute over a veterinary cordon fence along the South African border has added to concerns about the government's preparedness. The fence, which spans 185 kilometers, was initially subjected to a competitive tender process that attracted 23 bids. The Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN) selected China Jiangxi International (Namibia) JV Homefin Properties CC on 18 August, at a tender value of N$120 million. However, the procurement process was cancelled, and the project was awarded through emergency procurement to Punchu Trading CC JV China State Construction Engineering Southern Africa for N$122 million.
The cancellation of the original tender and subsequent emergency award have been challenged by Homefin, which argues that the decisions were unlawful. The dispute has gained significance in light of the FMD outbreak, confirmed in Namibia on 23 September. CPBN has defended the emergency award, citing rapidly changing circumstances and an urgent need to construct the fence. The board initially considered an expedited competitive procurement process but later concluded that it could leave Namibia exposed to the disease.
Homefin has questioned the cancellation of the original tender and the timing of the emergency award. The company had submitted representations against the proposed cancellation on 4 September, which were not considered before the emergency award was made. CPBN chairperson Mary Shiimi acknowledged that Homefin's representations were only brought to her attention after the emergency award and were subsequently considered but found to have no basis to reverse the decision.
The fencing dispute coincides with the government's implementation of additional containment measures following the FMD confirmation in //Kharas. Cabinet has approved a containment buffer zone in the Karasburg Veterinary District, repairs to sections of the Namibia-Botswana border fence, and veterinary cordon fencing in high-risk areas along the South African border. Itula has also called for the government to account for its preparedness after a November 2025 report warning that the FMD-free zone was not adequately prepared for an outbreak.
Itula further wants the ministers responsible for agriculture and international relations and trade to publish a joint recovery statement by 9 October. The statement should outline trading-partner restrictions, Namibia's submissions, outstanding requirements, responsible officials, and deadlines. The European Union has temporarily suspended entry of certain fresh meat and other products from Namibia's previously FMD-free zone, while allowing qualified fresh-meat consignments certified before 23 September to enter during a 90-day period.
Key points
- - Opposition leader Panduleni Itula demands a fully costed recovery plan for the FMD outbreak - A procurement dispute over a veterinary cordon fence along the South African border has raised concerns about the government's preparedness - The government must publish a joint recovery statement by 9 October, outlining trading-partner restrictions and requirements
