NINE South African-registered buses operated by Intercape could be impounded, with the company being fined a total of N$36 000.
This comes after Namibian authorities have accused the operator of running illegal domestic passenger transport services within the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Ministry of Works and Transport says Intercape has operated buses between destinations located within Namibia without the required permit.
The ministry says this is mandatory under Namibian transport law for foreign-registered vehicles conducting domestic services.
The Roads Traffic and Transport Act prohibits such operations unless prior authorisation has been granted by the Roads Authority.
The ministry says Intercape in December submitted a request in relation to transport arrangements for the Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
On 15 December, the company was asked to provide proof that Namibia lacked sufficient locally registered buses to meet the transport demand.
The ministry says no response was received, yet the buses continued to operate.
Despite the absence of approval, Intercape allegedly proceeded to use South African-registered buses on Namibian routes, an action the ministry describes as unlawful and in breach of national transport regulations.
Under the act, operators found in violation may be fined N$4 000 per offence per vehicle, the ministry says.
It has identified nine buses involved in the alleged breach, bringing the total potential fine amount to N$36 000.
The law allows the authorities to stop unlawful operations and seize or impound vehicles if non-compliance continues.
The ministry has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the identified buses from domestic passenger services and warns that continued violations would result in escalated enforcement action, including vehicle impoundment.
The government says while Namibia welcomes international events and cross-border cooperation, all activities within its borders must comply with national laws.
Regulatory compliance is not optional, the ministry says.
It has confirmed that the directive took effect from 13 January.
Intercape has not responded to the ministry’s allegations.
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