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In this paper we describe new dung beetle taxa (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) and discuss others previously described from arid south-western Africa. Descriptions are provided for a new monotypic genus (Versicorpus Deschodt, Davis and Scholtz gen.n.) and three new species, Versimpus erongoensis Deschodt, Davis and Scholtz sp.n., Namakwanus endroedyi Deschodt, Davis and Scholtz, sp.n., and Scarabaeus (Kheper) kalaharicus Davis, Deschodt and Scholtz, sp.n. The type material of Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) hottentorum Peringuey is examined and spelling errors on the labels are discussed. Inconsistencies between the published type locality, type locality labels, and the known geographical range are also discussed. The recently described Kheper namibicus Krajcik 2006 is synonymised with Scarabaeus (Kheper) cupreus (Castelnau 1840). Distribution records are provided for the new species described here while some closely related species are discussed.