The Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, has introduced an amendment to the Public Procurement Amendment Bill of 2025, proposing the establishment of a dedicated Public Procurement Court.

This court will exclusively handle procurement-related cases, define its powers, and expedite decision-making processes. The move aligns with the SWAPO Party Manifesto Implementation Plan: 2025-2030, which prioritizes the creation of such a court to address delays in resolving public procurement disputes.

Minister Shiimi highlighted that prolonged legal challenges, particularly in the procurement of essential goods like pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs for schools, have led to recurring emergency procurements. The amendments aim to foster a robust and trustworthy public procurement system, boosting investor confidence, promoting fair competition, and ensuring efficient use of public resources.

Members of Parliament, including Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, McHenry Venaani, and Anna Nghipondoka, echoed concerns over delays and irregularities in procurement processes. Nghipondoka noted that the Ministry of Education has faced a court challenge lasting over a decade regarding hostel feeding programs. The bill seeks to address these issues and enhance accountability in public procurement.