AR Party Calls for Health Emergency in Tsumeb Over Arsenic Contamination. The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) party has urged the Namibian government to declare a public health emergency in Tsumeb after a study from the University of Bern, Switzerland, revealed alarming levels of arsenic contamination in the town’s soil, plants, and residents.
John Johannes, an activist from the AR party in the Oshikoto region, called for immediate medical attention for those affected, including comprehensive health screenings and necessary treatments for the community.
“The extent of contamination needs to be properly assessed so that residents can take appropriate precautions,” Johannes said.The AR party is also demanding an independent investigation into the arsenic contamination in Tsumeb. They are specifically calling for an inquiry into the role of Dundee Precious Metals (DPM) and the Namibian government in the environmental crisis.
Johannes stressed that DPM must be held accountable for both the environmental damage and the health impacts on Tsumeb’s residents. “This could involve financial compensation, extensive cleanup efforts, and possibly legal actions,” he said.
The AR party has further called for the government to strengthen environmental regulations to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. Johannes also expressed concerns over Sinomine, the new owner of the Tsumeb smelter, and questioned whether they would improve the existing waste management system and conduct their own investigation into the contamination.
“There’s no clear indication that Sinomine plans to improve waste management or undertake an independent investigation to address the arsenic contamination and its impact,” Johannes remarked.
Residents and workers in Tsumeb have reported a variety of health problems, including nausea, skin irritation, kidney damage, fatigue, headaches, and erectile dysfunction. Independent tests of hair samples from the community have shown elevated levels of arsenic. Workers who operated at DPM’s arsenic plant before it closed in 2016 were also exposed to arsenic trioxide (AsO₃), which contributed to the contamination.
Before DPM left in 2024, the Tsumeb community sought assurances that the environment was safe and that there would be no long-term health consequences. However, concerns have persisted, especially following the sale of the smelter to Sinomine in 2024.
The AR party has called on Sinomine to set up a health and rehabilitation fund to help residents suffering from chronic health issues and to fund environmental restoration efforts.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, which were contacted in October 2024, have not yet responded to requests for comments.