Renthia Kaimbi
The minister of works and transport, Veikko Nekundi, has ordered immediate action against Bluu Car Rental Namibia (Pty) Limited for running unauthorised passenger transport services using foreign-registered vehicles in Namibia.
The directive was issued yesterday as part of a clampdown on unlawful cabotage to protect the local transport sector.
The violations were detected during preparations for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, which Namibia is set to host.
The ministry said it found that Bluu Car Rental was operating South African-registered vehicles for domestic passenger transport without the required cross-border permit.
Nekundi said the conduct would not be tolerated. He said the company was “purposefully undermining our sovereignty, a factor we shall not tolerate.”
He added that “such conduct undermines Namibia’s regulatory framework and places compliant Namibian transport operators at an unfair disadvantage.”
The action is based on Section 70(3) of the Road Traffic and Transport Act of 1999, which bans cabotage. The law prohibits foreign carriers from transporting passengers within Namibia using foreign-registered vehicles without a valid permit.
The penalty is N$4 000 per offence for each vehicle involved.
The ministry has instructed Bluu Car Rental to remove all 19 identified foreign-registered vehicles from domestic service linked to the cricket event.
The company must source any remaining transport needs from Namibian-registered operators or comply fully with cabotage rules.
The ministry said continued non-compliance will lead to stronger action, including the seizure and impoundment of vehicles.
The move follows similar action taken days earlier against long-distance bus operator InterCape.
In that case, the ministry charged InterCape for using South African-registered buses for domestic transport during World Cup preparations. Each vehicle was fined N$4 000 and ordered off domestic routes.
Nekundi said InterCape had operated without approval and ignored requests to explain why foreign buses were used despite available local capacity.
Restating his position, Nekundi said, “Namibia welcomes international events and cooperation, but such activities must at all times comply with the laws of the Republic. Regulatory compliance is not optional.”
The ministry said it will continue to enforce the law to protect the integrity of Namibia’s road transport system.
