Deputy PM position to remain vacant for now after Ithete’s dismissal
President assures ministry work will continue uninterrupted
The Namibian Presidency has confirmed that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will head the industries, mines and energy ministry for now but will not take on the role of deputy prime minister, which will remain vacant until further notice.
This follows Nandi-Ndaitwah’s dismissal of Natangwe Ithete from his positions with immediate effect as deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy on Sunday.
The announcement was made in a statement by presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo, who said the decision was taken in line with Article 32(6) of the Constitution.
The Presidency had not given any reason for the dismissal by the time of going to print yesterday.
Mbambo said continuity at the industries, mines and energy ministry is assured.
“All work proceeds in alignment with NDP6, which serves as the strategic compass of the 8th administration," he noted.
"The ministry has a capable team to execute ongoing programmes," he told Namibian Sun on Monday. "As a ministry responsible for industries, mines and energy, much is expected from it in line with the president’s ‘Business Unusual’ philosophy, which calls for urgency, accountability and innovation in driving Namibia’s economic transformation.”
Presidential meeting
Following Ithete’s dismissal, Nandi-Ndaitwah met with management and staff of the ministry on Monday to brief them on the recent developments.
During the meeting, Nandi-Ndaitwah informed staff that Ithete had been relieved of his duties and emphasised that despite the change, the work of government must continue without interruption.
The president said she will personally assume responsibility for the ministry until further notice.
“Take pride in what you do and do it with urgency, discipline and integrity," she said. "Be responsible, not just comfortable. As staff of this ministry, I expect you to focus, understand what your work entails and perform it to the best of your ability. Remain committed and serve your nation with integrity.”
Opposition demands transparency
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi questioned the reasons surrounding Ithete’s dismissal.
“That’s a heavy responsibility. What could have changed in just six months? What could have shifted? We deserve to know. You cannot hire people publicly, tell us you have confidence in them, and then fire them privately, saying it is between you. This is not a private company. It is not the president’s private company,” he said.
“Yes, you may want to protect business integrity, no problem. We understand that. But there are ways to communicate and tell the public what happened," Swartbooi stressed.
"We want to know: if it was an issue of gross misconduct, does it warrant further legal investigation? If it was an issue of corruption, that too warrants further investigation. But what exactly happened? To what extent? If it is an issue of corruption, and I’m not saying it is, then we need to know,” he added.
Ithete is the second minister to be dismissed within just seven months of the current administration.
Former agriculture minister Mac Hengari was sacked three months into the job after allegations surfaced that he had had a sexual relationship with an under-age girl.
He was later arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe the victim to withdraw the case, police said. Hengari is out on bail.
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This follows Nandi-Ndaitwah’s dismissal of Natangwe Ithete from his positions with immediate effect as deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy on Sunday.
The announcement was made in a statement by presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo, who said the decision was taken in line with Article 32(6) of the Constitution.
The Presidency had not given any reason for the dismissal by the time of going to print yesterday.
Mbambo said continuity at the industries, mines and energy ministry is assured.
“All work proceeds in alignment with NDP6, which serves as the strategic compass of the 8th administration," he noted.
"The ministry has a capable team to execute ongoing programmes," he told Namibian Sun on Monday. "As a ministry responsible for industries, mines and energy, much is expected from it in line with the president’s ‘Business Unusual’ philosophy, which calls for urgency, accountability and innovation in driving Namibia’s economic transformation.”
Presidential meeting
Following Ithete’s dismissal, Nandi-Ndaitwah met with management and staff of the ministry on Monday to brief them on the recent developments.
During the meeting, Nandi-Ndaitwah informed staff that Ithete had been relieved of his duties and emphasised that despite the change, the work of government must continue without interruption.
The president said she will personally assume responsibility for the ministry until further notice.
“Take pride in what you do and do it with urgency, discipline and integrity," she said. "Be responsible, not just comfortable. As staff of this ministry, I expect you to focus, understand what your work entails and perform it to the best of your ability. Remain committed and serve your nation with integrity.”
Opposition demands transparency
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday, Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi questioned the reasons surrounding Ithete’s dismissal.
“That’s a heavy responsibility. What could have changed in just six months? What could have shifted? We deserve to know. You cannot hire people publicly, tell us you have confidence in them, and then fire them privately, saying it is between you. This is not a private company. It is not the president’s private company,” he said.
“Yes, you may want to protect business integrity, no problem. We understand that. But there are ways to communicate and tell the public what happened," Swartbooi stressed.
"We want to know: if it was an issue of gross misconduct, does it warrant further legal investigation? If it was an issue of corruption, that too warrants further investigation. But what exactly happened? To what extent? If it is an issue of corruption, and I’m not saying it is, then we need to know,” he added.
Ithete is the second minister to be dismissed within just seven months of the current administration.
Former agriculture minister Mac Hengari was sacked three months into the job after allegations surfaced that he had had a sexual relationship with an under-age girl.
He was later arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe the victim to withdraw the case, police said. Hengari is out on bail.
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