It remains uncertain whether Namibia's current lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic will end this coming Monday or not. Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said that the cabinet met yesterday morning to discuss the situation.

"We haven't made a decision on whether or not to extend or to end the lockdown. We will make an announcement once the decision has been made," she told reporters from Republikein.

According to the minister an announcement over "the strategy post-lockdown" is also on the table.

The 28th of April 2020 marked the 32nd day that Namibia has been in lockdown in an effort to slow down the spread of the virus. 

'End lockdown immediately' 

Meanwhile, an online petition is doing the rounds asking the government to end the lockdown immediately or to partially end it. 

The group under the direction of Mr. François Langenhoven says: “Namibia must end the lockdown. If it continues or worse is extended, the effects on communities and the economy will be disastrous” They say that even before COVID-19 the economy was in a poor state and that the lockdown will only further deteriorate the economy for years to come.

The petition had more than 3000 signatures by the 28th of April. 

The group also points out that Swapo hosted a party to celebrate its 60th birthday despite restrictions on large gatherings and social distancing. 

"This has to stop. The Namibian government officials need to face the consequences of not following their own rules. The lockdown must end now," he said.

Leaders of the opposition parties, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) and the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), meanwhile, filed criminal charges against Swapo leaders.

Since the first two cases were reported on 14 March 2020, 14 more cases have been reported. Eight people have recovered and no deaths have been reported.