Ester Mbathera
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) party has called on the government to declare a public health emergency in Tsumeb following a recent study by the University of Bern, Switzerland, which revealed alarming levels of arsenic contamination in the town’s soil, plants, and residents.
John Johannes, an AR activist for the Oshikoto Region, urged the government to prioritise the medical needs of affected residents in a statement on Monday.
This, he said, should include comprehensive health screenings and necessary medical treatment.
“The extent of this contamination needs to be qualified so that our people know what precaution to take,” he said.
The AR party is also demanding an independent and comprehensive investigation into the extent of arsenic contamination in Tsumeb, including the role played by Dundee Precious Metals (DPM) and the Namibian government in the crisis.
Johannes insisted that DPM should be held accountable for the environmental damage and the health consequences faced by the people of Tsumeb.
“This may include financial compensation, comprehensive remediation efforts, and potential legal action,” he said.
The party further called for the government to strengthen environmental regulations and enforcement mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future. Johannes also questioned whether Sinomine, the new owner of the smelter, will upgrade the current waste management system or conduct its own investigation into the arsenic contamination to guide its future operations.
“There is no clear indication as to whether Sinomine will upgrade the current waste management system or also carry out an independent investigation into the allegations of arsenic contamination to inform its future waste management approaches,” said Johannes.
Residents and workers in Tsumeb have reported various health issues, including nausea, mucous membrane irritation, skin irritation, kidney damage, fatigue, severe headaches, and erectile dysfunction.
Independent analyses of hair samples from residents and employees showed elevated arsenic levels.
Reports indicate that workers who operated at DPM’s arsenic plant before its closure in 2016 were heavily exposed to arsenic trioxide (AsO₃).
Before Dundee Precious Metals departed in 2024, the Tsumeb community sought assurances that the environment was safe and that no long-term health consequences would arise. However, concerns persist, especially after the smelter’s sale to Sinomine in 2024.
The AR party is now requesting Sinomine to establish a community health and rehabilitation fund to assist residents who develop chronic illnesses and to rehabilitate the environment.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, which were contacted in October 2024, remain unanswered to date.
