Renthia Kaimbi
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has removed Fransina Nambahu as registrar of medicines at the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC).
The ministry has now appointed Frieda Shiweda to the position with effect from 1 June 2026.
According to a letter dated 17 April 2026, the ministry’s executive director Penda Ithindi informed Nambahu that the ministry was proposing that she voluntarily relinquish the position from 30 April.
The letter stated that the decision followed a review of the structure of the NMRC secretariat and planned reforms within the ministry.
Under the proposal, Nambahu would remain seconded as deputy director Grade 4 in the division of drug control and continue receiving the benefits attached to her current secondment until 7 April 2027.
After that, she would return to her substantive position as a senior pharmacist.
The letter requested Nambahu to acknowledge receipt and indicate whether she accepted the proposal by 20 April.
Sources, however, told the Windhoek Observer that the reasons behind her removal differ from those outlined in the letter. They alleged that Nambahu was removed because she refused to approve the entry of substandard medicines into Namibia.
Sources further claimed that health minister Esperance Luvindao, who is under pressure to address medicine shortages at the Central Medical Stores (CMS), is placing individuals she can “control” in key regulatory positions.
According to the same sources, Shiweda left the NMRC in December 2025 and joined a pharmaceutical supplier that currently does business with the ministry in January 2026 before returning to the regulatory body on 1 June 2026.
Sources also alleged that Shiweda is a close friend of both Luvindao and NMRC chairperson Grace Nakalondo.
The Windhoek Observer has not established whether the Public Service Commission (PSC) is aware that Nambahu will continue receiving benefits linked to her secondment until April 2027 while another official occupies the registrar position.
Social justice activist Michael Amushelelo also raised allegations on social media regarding Nambahu’s removal.
He claimed that Nambahu holds interests in a pharmaceutical manufacturing company called JFT and alleged that the company benefited from tenders while competing medicines were blocked from registration.
According to Amushelelo, JFT stands for “Jessie, Fransina and Paul”.
He also alleged that JFT paid school fees for Nambahu’s children at private schools and questioned whether such expenses could be covered through her salary alone.
The Windhoek Observer could not independently verify the allegations made against Nambahu.
It is understood that Nambahu has a background in pharmacy and previously operated a private pharmacy.
Responding to questions from the Windhoek Observer, Ithindi rejected claims that the reshuffle was linked to personal relationships or any intention to lower medicine standards.
He said there is no plan to procure substandard medicines and stressed that the ministry follows proper procurement procedures when addressing medicine shortages.
On Shiweda’s appointment, Ithindi said it was unrelated to any personal friendship with Luvindao.
He explained that Shiweda was already part of the NMRC secretariat and that the appointment forms part of broader reforms taking place within the council and the Central Medical Stores.
“The NMRC needs a new council that will look at reforms with a fresh perspective, with a registrar who can look at things afresh and bring a new culture. And I’m associated with that reform agenda,” he told the Windhoek Observer.
Ithindi said both Nambahu’s reassignment and Shiweda’s appointment were processed through the Public Service Commission.
He said the ministry acted in consultation with and with the approval of the PSC.
According to Ithindi, ending Nambahu’s arrangement immediately would not have been justified under the terms of her contract.
He also dismissed suggestions that friendship influences appointments to key positions.
Ithindi said the changes should not be interpreted as criticism of Nambahu’s performance.
He maintained that the decisions were driven by the ministry’s reform agenda and cited cases where medicine registrations had reportedly remained pending for more than two years.
