Nampu, opposition condemn State House handling of journalist

The Namibia Media Professionals’ Union (Nampu) has condemned the alleged forceful removal of journalist Jemima Beukes and intimidation tactics during the opening of Cabinet at State House on Monday, describing the incident as a serious escalation in attacks on media freedom.

At the same time, the Presidency has rejected claims of hostility towards the press and reiterated its commitment to constitutional freedoms.

In a statement issued on Monday, Nampu said Beukes was manhandled after attempting to question President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on public concerns surrounding the oil industry.

The union added that the journalist was treated as a security threat rather than a professional fulfilling her duties. “Nampu strongly condemns the forceful removal and subsequent intimidation of journalist Jemima Beukes during the opening of Cabinet at State House this morning, which represents a chilling escalation in the erosion of Namibian media freedom,” said Nampu information officer Tuyeimo Haidula.

Haidula said Beukes was denied the opportunity to ask her question and instead was subjected to physical and psychological intimidation. “While attempting to fulfil her professional duty by questioning the president on public concerns regarding the oil industry, Beukes was met not with an answer, but physical manhandling and the confiscation of a colleague’s phone used to record the incident,” she said.

Nampu further alleged that security officials photographed the journalist’s vehicle, threatened her with arrest and followed her after she had been removed from the premises.

“The state’s response, which included photographing the journalist’s car, threatening her with arrest and following her, is a clear tactic of state-sponsored intimidation,” the union warned.

Free press

Citing constitutional protections, Haidula added: “Article 21 (1) (a) of the Namibian Constitution serves as the supreme legal guarantee of freedom of expression and the press for all media platforms.”

She said the incident reflected a broader pattern of hostility towards transparency under the current administration. “This behaviour is the hallmark of an administration that has become increasingly hostile to transparency," adding that “for nearly a year, this presidency has not regularly hosted briefings and largely ignores formal email queries, effectively insulating itself from public accountability.”

“Journalism is not a crime,” Haidula stressed. “Treating a reporter as a security threat for simply asking a question suggests a dangerous authoritarian shift.”

Abuse of power

The incident has also drawn condemnation from the Landless People’s Movement (LPM), which described the journalist’s removal as an abuse of power and a worrying sign for Namibia’s democracy.

“The Landless People’s Movement expresses growing concern about the conduct of State House officials and subsequently the president regarding the handling of journalist Jemima Beukes today, 2 February 2026, during the opening of Cabinet,” said LPM national spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa.

Simataa said Beukes was removed after asking a question of national interest. “After asking the president a national interest question, the staff of the State House kicked out the journalist,” he said.

Emphasising the role of the media, Simataa added: “It is important to note that the job of journalists and the media is to ensure that information is obtained and distributed to the masses so that there is a level of transparency of all stakeholders that may impact the people of the country; this is understood as their duty as the fourth estate.”

He warned that the actions of State House officials could signal a dangerous trend. “With the president and her team acting extremely by removing the journalist from the premises, this acts as a misuse of power and means to remove or silence the voices of those who may interrogate the doings of the president or the government,” Simataa said.

Silencing journalists

Drawing regional comparisons, he cautioned: “We have seen leaders in Tanzania and Uganda in recent months go against the media and all those who oppose them with excessive, violent and often oppressive means,” adding that, “this should not stand as this is a display of a possible growing harm against press rights and our democracy.”

Presidency responds

In response, the Presidency issued a statement reaffirming its support for media freedom while defending the actions of security personnel at State House.

“The Presidency wishes to reaffirm its longstanding commitment to media freedom and the vital role played by journalists in strengthening Namibia’s democracy, transparency, and public discourse,” the statement said.

The Presidency said Nandi-Ndaitwah had “on numerous occasions publicly expressed her appreciation for the media fraternity and the important work journalists do in informing the nation, fostering accountability, and giving voice to the public interest".

While acknowledging that tensions can arise, the statement maintained that constitutional principles remained intact.

“The Presidency remains firmly committed to upholding the principles of press freedom, access to information and open communication, which are cornerstones of our democracy as stipulated in Article 21 of the Namibian Constitution,” it said.

However, the Presidency emphasised that engagement with the media must occur within established protocols.

“There are clearly defined moments and platforms designated for questions and formal interactions,” the statement said, adding that once a session is declared concluded, “such guidance is expected to be respected.”

The statement further noted that State House is a sensitive environment. “Press freedom, like all democratic rights, is accompanied by responsibilities,” it said, including “respect for institutional processes, observance of house rules and professional conduct within sensitive and secure environments such as State House”.

Addressing the conduct of security personnel, the Presidency said: “In circumstances where conduct is considered unbecoming of the standards expected within State House, or where actions are assessed by security personnel as potentially compromising the safety, dignity or orderly functioning of the Presidency, such matters will be addressed in accordance with established security protocols and the professional judgement of trained, uniformed staff.”