Africa-Press – Namibia. Eba Kandovazu
Transport minister Veikko Nekundi has ruled out any extension for e-hailing operators facing an approaching deadline to have their operations regularised.
In an interview with Nampa on Thursday, Nekundi stressed that he engaged e-hailing operators in April last year to comply with legal requirements and obtain permits.
However, many have failed to take the necessary steps before the deadline of end of April 2026.
“The government has already given them more than a year to comply with legal requirements.
There is no extension. We must get serious with our state affairs. You tell them, after three months, they come back. They do not want to apply, they do not want to do things right,” he said.
Nekundi added that operators who submitted applications have already received their permits, including those who applied in November last year.
He further noted that authorities introduced temporary permits to accommodate those awaiting normal permits, but uptake has remained low.
“We also advised they get temporary permits, yet they still are not applying,” he said.
Nekundi stressed that laws must be respected, warning against what he described as attempts to operate outside established regulations.
“You cannot have a country which is governed by the will of the people.
It cannot work that way,” he maintained.
The minister addressed concerns that drivers younger than 25 years may lose income due to age restrictions on permit issuance.
He said compliance with requirements is a matter of choice and public safety.
“You are transporting people. their lives are also important. Those ages are put up to see that you have enough experience. When people die there, the family can sue the government. We are not taking care of their lives,” he stated.
Nekundi compared the requirements to other regulated fields, such as education and professional qualifications, saying standards exist to ensure competence.
Given Amon, a Yango driver, told Nampa that meeting the requirements within the given timeframe remains a challenge.
He said many drivers will not qualify, as some are younger than 25, while others have criminal records.
Another driver, Amaambo Eino, said, while operators are willing to comply with the law, delays in processing permits are creating difficulties.
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