Arandis council blocks Namwaste’s toxic waste route
Human rights will not be sacrificed
Arandis Town Council has drawn a firm line against the transportation of hazardous toxic waste through the town, warning that such activity endangers human life and undermines its green development vision.
In a letter, written through its lawyers Metlaw Attorneys and Notaries dated 19 January 2026, addressed to Namwaste Managing Director Riaan Vermeulen, the council made it clear that it “simply cannot allow hazardous toxic waste, which pose possible death risks and serious health risks to its residents, to travel through its town,"
The council said it has “launched Arandis in a proactive manner from being a mining town into the leading green urban and industrial zone town in Namibia based on large scale renewable energy to produce green hydrogen, green steel, green based chemicals and green technical components".
Namwaste’s haulage of hazardous toxic waste through Arandis seriously threatens these sustainable goals and investments,"
According to the letter, Arandis Town Council “has vehemently opposed the construction of the hazardous toxic waste management site, which is a mere 15km from Arandis Town Centre.” It added that the council resolved on 14 November 2024 that it “would not grant consent for the hazardous and toxic waste dump site project by Rent-a-Drum (of which Namwaste appears to be a subsidiary) in its area of jurisdiction,"
“This resolution was squarely and correctly based on, Risk to Human Life, Public Health and Safety Risks, Adverse Impact on Property Values, Loss of Job Opportunities and Environmental Risks. Our client was not and will not be privy to facilitating any hazardous and toxic waste dump which constitutes a danger to the life, health and wellbeing of its residents,” the letter stated.
Hazardous waste
Metlaw Attorneys further noted that “no access whatsoever will be granted to Namwaste through Arandis for the transport of general and hazardous toxic waste and/or pre-treated toxic liquid waste and/or liquid arsenic waste and/or low level radioactive waste.”
“Our client intends to enforce this resolution with the assistance from the authorities. Neither will our client facilitate any electricity and/or water supply to your hazardous toxic waste project,” the lawyers warned.
The letter also pointed to an alternative route: “The Trekkopje Road from the B1 highway does not fall within the town of Arandis and fully allows Namwaste access to its hazardous toxic waste project without endangering the lives of residents of Arandis and/or causing damage to the town of Arandis. There is therefore a suitable alternative route, and you are urged to make use of it to avoid risk to human life and public health and safety in Arandis.”
It concluded emphatically: “Human life and dignity are sacred to our client and such rights of its residents will be protected at all times. These human rights will not be sacrificed on the altar of financial expediency.”
When reached for comment, Arandis Town Council’s CEO Stanley Norris and Vermeulen did not immediately respond.
[email protected]
In a letter, written through its lawyers Metlaw Attorneys and Notaries dated 19 January 2026, addressed to Namwaste Managing Director Riaan Vermeulen, the council made it clear that it “simply cannot allow hazardous toxic waste, which pose possible death risks and serious health risks to its residents, to travel through its town,"
The council said it has “launched Arandis in a proactive manner from being a mining town into the leading green urban and industrial zone town in Namibia based on large scale renewable energy to produce green hydrogen, green steel, green based chemicals and green technical components".
Namwaste’s haulage of hazardous toxic waste through Arandis seriously threatens these sustainable goals and investments,"
According to the letter, Arandis Town Council “has vehemently opposed the construction of the hazardous toxic waste management site, which is a mere 15km from Arandis Town Centre.” It added that the council resolved on 14 November 2024 that it “would not grant consent for the hazardous and toxic waste dump site project by Rent-a-Drum (of which Namwaste appears to be a subsidiary) in its area of jurisdiction,"
“This resolution was squarely and correctly based on, Risk to Human Life, Public Health and Safety Risks, Adverse Impact on Property Values, Loss of Job Opportunities and Environmental Risks. Our client was not and will not be privy to facilitating any hazardous and toxic waste dump which constitutes a danger to the life, health and wellbeing of its residents,” the letter stated.
Hazardous waste
Metlaw Attorneys further noted that “no access whatsoever will be granted to Namwaste through Arandis for the transport of general and hazardous toxic waste and/or pre-treated toxic liquid waste and/or liquid arsenic waste and/or low level radioactive waste.”
“Our client intends to enforce this resolution with the assistance from the authorities. Neither will our client facilitate any electricity and/or water supply to your hazardous toxic waste project,” the lawyers warned.
The letter also pointed to an alternative route: “The Trekkopje Road from the B1 highway does not fall within the town of Arandis and fully allows Namwaste access to its hazardous toxic waste project without endangering the lives of residents of Arandis and/or causing damage to the town of Arandis. There is therefore a suitable alternative route, and you are urged to make use of it to avoid risk to human life and public health and safety in Arandis.”
It concluded emphatically: “Human life and dignity are sacred to our client and such rights of its residents will be protected at all times. These human rights will not be sacrificed on the altar of financial expediency.”
When reached for comment, Arandis Town Council’s CEO Stanley Norris and Vermeulen did not immediately respond.
[email protected]
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