Nampost only has 15 vehicles nationwide for grants
Company running on one leg
Nampost has confirmed it only has 15 vehicles serving the entire country to distribute social grant payments — a shortfall that has plunged many areas into chaos this week.
Large crowds of elderly and disabled beneficiaries have been queueing for hours outside post offices, many collapsing from exhaustion or heat. Eyewitness in Nkurenkuru said at least three elderly people were hospitalised after waiting in long, disorganised lines.
Nampost communications officer Joseph Teofulus confirmed that the crisis stems from a severe shortage of vehicles and other logistical constraints.
“Nampost is operating on one leg, with only 15 vehicles countrywide,” he said. “We have introduced faster systems that can serve beneficiaries in under a minute, but until more vehicles are deployed, rural access and orderly payouts remain a serious challenge.”
The problem has persisted since Monday, following the 1 October 2025 transition of social grant payouts from Epupa Investment Technology to Nampost. While the new system was meant to streamline payments, towns across northern Namibia — including Rundu and Katima Mulilo — have seen severe disruptions due to the limited fleet of mobile units responsible for reaching rural areas.
Teofulus said the organisation has already procured additional vehicles through government, but they have not yet been deployed.
“Until those units arrive, the situation will remain difficult, especially in northern towns where thousands converge at post offices,” he said.
Crowds and confusion
At Rundu, chaotic scenes unfolded as residents from surrounding villages flooded the post office, ignoring staggered payout schedules. Beneficiaries complained of long waits, lack of shade or seating, and no access to drinking water or toilets.
Despite the turmoil, Teofulus said Nampost has taken several steps to ease pressure — including opening additional counters, recruiting more staff, and keeping traditional village pay points operational.
“We urge communities to remain patient. Mobile teams are active in villages, and technical issues with new machines have been resolved,” he said.
He added that although logistical challenges persist, Nampost had managed to register and pay over 20% of eligible beneficiaries within the first three days of rollout, 13 to 15 October.
“All mobile units are now fully operational. Since deployment, we’ve paid more than 5,000 beneficiaries in the Rundu area alone,” Teofulus said.
Mixed results nationwide
In Nkurenkuru and Katima Mulilo, long queues and delays have also been reported, though officials in Katima said coordination has been smoother. Across the country, however, the limited number of vehicles remains the main bottleneck, slowing the otherwise efficient digital payment system.
Despite the frustrations, some beneficiaries praised the new machines’ speed once they are online.
“The process is fast when the system works,” said Discho Nyundu, a Rundu resident. “But the limited number of vehicles reaching rural areas shows that more planning is needed.”
Teofulus said Nampost aims to stabilise the system by the end of October, working with local leaders to calm affected communities and ensure all grants are paid out.
Large crowds of elderly and disabled beneficiaries have been queueing for hours outside post offices, many collapsing from exhaustion or heat. Eyewitness in Nkurenkuru said at least three elderly people were hospitalised after waiting in long, disorganised lines.
Nampost communications officer Joseph Teofulus confirmed that the crisis stems from a severe shortage of vehicles and other logistical constraints.
“Nampost is operating on one leg, with only 15 vehicles countrywide,” he said. “We have introduced faster systems that can serve beneficiaries in under a minute, but until more vehicles are deployed, rural access and orderly payouts remain a serious challenge.”
The problem has persisted since Monday, following the 1 October 2025 transition of social grant payouts from Epupa Investment Technology to Nampost. While the new system was meant to streamline payments, towns across northern Namibia — including Rundu and Katima Mulilo — have seen severe disruptions due to the limited fleet of mobile units responsible for reaching rural areas.
Teofulus said the organisation has already procured additional vehicles through government, but they have not yet been deployed.
“Until those units arrive, the situation will remain difficult, especially in northern towns where thousands converge at post offices,” he said.
Crowds and confusion
At Rundu, chaotic scenes unfolded as residents from surrounding villages flooded the post office, ignoring staggered payout schedules. Beneficiaries complained of long waits, lack of shade or seating, and no access to drinking water or toilets.
Despite the turmoil, Teofulus said Nampost has taken several steps to ease pressure — including opening additional counters, recruiting more staff, and keeping traditional village pay points operational.
“We urge communities to remain patient. Mobile teams are active in villages, and technical issues with new machines have been resolved,” he said.
He added that although logistical challenges persist, Nampost had managed to register and pay over 20% of eligible beneficiaries within the first three days of rollout, 13 to 15 October.
“All mobile units are now fully operational. Since deployment, we’ve paid more than 5,000 beneficiaries in the Rundu area alone,” Teofulus said.
Mixed results nationwide
In Nkurenkuru and Katima Mulilo, long queues and delays have also been reported, though officials in Katima said coordination has been smoother. Across the country, however, the limited number of vehicles remains the main bottleneck, slowing the otherwise efficient digital payment system.
Despite the frustrations, some beneficiaries praised the new machines’ speed once they are online.
“The process is fast when the system works,” said Discho Nyundu, a Rundu resident. “But the limited number of vehicles reaching rural areas shows that more planning is needed.”
Teofulus said Nampost aims to stabilise the system by the end of October, working with local leaders to calm affected communities and ensure all grants are paid out.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article