The claims that Namibia’s first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, ordered the deportation of over 500 Americans as retaliation for visa restrictions have been officially denied by the Namibian Presidency. A press release from the Presidency on April 16, 2025, categorically dismissed these reports as false, labeling them as fabricated misinformation circulating on social media intended to damage the president’s and government’s image and cause diplomatic embarrassment.
Key points from credible sources and official statements:
- The Presidency stated no such deportation order or mass deportation is underway and emphasized that immigration offenses are handled according to Namibian law.
- Namibia remains committed to strong diplomatic relations with the United States and handles immigration issues through legal and diplomatic channels based on mutual respect and reciprocity.
- Fact-checking by The Cable and other media found no evidence supporting the deportation claims. No official statements, videos, or credible news reports confirm such an order, and no social media accounts of government officials corroborate the story.
- The visa policy change, which requires US citizens to obtain visas to enter Namibia, was announced in July 2024 by the previous government and came into effect on April 1, 2025. This policy is separate from any deportation claims.
- Social media posts spreading the deportation story have been widely shared but are based on fabricated quotes and images.
Top social media sources related to the claim:
- Instagram posts and reels have circulated the story, but these have been flagged as misinformation by official sources.
- X (formerly Twitter) accounts such as Africa Hub shared the viral posts, but these lack official confirmation and have been debunked by fact-checkers.
- A YouTube video by “AFRICA IS POWERFUL” claims the deportations happened, but this narrative contradicts official government denials and lacks credible evidence5.
In summary, the news about Namibia deporting over 500 Americans is false. The Namibian government has publicly refuted these claims and urged the public and media to rely on verified official information rather than unsubstantiated social media posts
