Mutwa to take over NDF on Tuesday

The current army commander, Major General John Mutwa, is set to take over the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) from retiring Chief of Defence Lieutenant-General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah on New Year’s Eve. Senior NDF officials have confirmed that Mutwa will get the promotion, although State House and Defence Minister Nahas Angula remain silent on the next Chief of Defence. Meanwhile, the Presidency has announced that a change of command ceremony between Ndaitwah and his successor will take place next week Tuesday at the Grootfontein Air Force Parade. Ndaitwah has been at the helm of the force, commanding the country’s Army, Navy and Air Force since 2011 following the retirement of former chief Martin Shalli. At the time of his appointment, Ndaitwah was the Chief of Staff Operations of the NDF. Mutwa is said to have emerged as the suitable candidate to take over from Ndaitwah on the recommendation of the Security Commission. The Commission nominates candidates for that position and recommends those names to the President, who has the final say in the appointment of the successful candidate. Reportedly, Mutwa was seen to be the strongest among his fellow commanders, Martin Pinehas of the Air Force and Peter Vilho of the Navy. Mutwa was promoted from the rank of Brigadier-General to Major-General and was appointed as the Army Commander in April 2011.