Windhoek: The Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has vehemently denied allegations that it deliberately blocked a shipment of fertiliser destined for Zambia at the Walvis Bay port.
The controversy erupted after Buks Jansen van Rensburg, CEO of Buks Haulage Limited (BHL) Group, took to social media to accuse the ministry of obstructing the shipment and adhering to outdated apartheid-era regulations.
Minister Calle Schlettwein countered these claims, stating that the ministry had withdrawn the in-transit import permit due to the importer’s non-compliance with relevant regulations and laws. The minister emphasized that the ministry is committed to upholding Namibian law and protecting the country’s environment.
“The allegation that the Namibian government is unreasonably delaying a shipment of fertiliser to Zambia is unfounded,” Schlettwein said. He explained that the importer had failed to adhere to the conditions stipulated in the permit, including the designation of the correct transporter.
The minister further highlighted that the Environmental Commissioner had withdrawn the Environmental Clearance Certificate due to the potential environmental harm posed by the non-compliant shipment.
Schlettwein stressed that Namibia, as a net food importer, is committed to ensuring food security. However, the ministry will not tolerate illegal imports that could jeopardize the country’s environmental and regulatory standards.
