By Kaundjire Humbu
The Body of Christ Party (BCP) and concerned citizens have written to government demanding a permanent fire protection strategy for Etosha National Park.
In an open letter dated 25 October 2026, BCP President Festus Thomas wrote to environment minister Indileni Daniel, defence minister Frans Kapofi and home affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu, with a copy to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The letter says Etosha is burning again and Namibia’s greatest heritage needs permanent action.
The letter states that a wildfire that broke out on 22 September 2025 scorched over 775,000 hectares, about 34 percent of the park.
Later assessments put the total at 83,946 hectares, or 38 percent of the park, plus 171,098 hectares outside the park.
An additional 171,000 hectares of communal grazing land was lost, affecting livelihoods in Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto.
The BCP commended the deployment of more than 500 members of the Namibian Defence Force, alongside environment officials, police and volunteers. It said the response was reactive and came too late.
It asked the environment ministry to publish a full investigation report within 30 days, fast-track the draft National Forest and Veld Fire Policy 2026-2031, and declare a 20km fire protection area around Etosha.
It also asked for a permanent Joint Operations Base at Etosha, annual pre-fire season deployment, stronger environmental policing and a joint public briefing within 14 days.
