from ALFRED SHILONGO in Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia Bureau
WINDHOEK, (CAJ News) – THE rising abuse of journalists and allegations that the president’s family is moving in to control Namibia’s burgeoning oil sector raises concern President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is increasingly dictatorial.
This is puncturing hopes Namibians had when she assumed office almost a year ago, as the first female head of state in the Southern African country.
On Monday, a journalist was allegedly abused by aides of the president and subsequently intimidated.
There were some dramatic scenes at the first Cabinet Meeting of the new Calendar Year under the Eighth Administration which Nandi-Ndaitwah presided over on Monday.
Investigative journalist, Jemima Beukes, was escorted out of State House in Windhoek on Monday morning after she asked the president a question, after the president had turned down the request.
The journalist raised concerns that Netumbo-Ndaitwah’s family was moving into controlling the country’s oil industry.
Immediately after, she was escorted away.
She reports that a phone belonging to a colleague, which she had used to record the officers allegedly manhandling her, was confiscated.
Beukes reports the officers took photos of her car and threatened her with arrest for asking a question after the president had declined.
This has heightened relations with the media amid previous incidents where journalists were harassed.
Already this month, a news crew from the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) was verbally harassed and chased away while reporting on a protest at the headquarters of the ruling South Western People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in Windhoek.
Protesters had been camping at the headquarters since late 2025, demanding allegedly unpaid resettlement funds they claim are owed to them from the 1989 repatriation.
SWAPO has been in power since independence in 1990
Tracy Tafirenyika, Zimbabwean-born journalist faced online attacks and xenophobic abuse for an article that Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa owed NamWater in unpaid bills.
Sankwasa publicly attacked Tafirenyika’s nationality.
The Namibia Media Professionals’ Union (NAMPU) has condemned the forceful removal and subsequent intimidation of Beukes as well as previous incidents.
“This behaviour is the hallmark of an administration that has become increasingly hostile to transparency,” said NAMPU Information Officer, Tuyeimo Haidula.
The union reports that for nearly a year, the presidency had not regularly hosted briefings, and largely ignored formal email queries, effectively insulating itself from public accountability.
“This environment makes journalists feel fundamentally unsafe and signals a total disregard for the constitutional role of the fourth estate,” NAMPU stated.
Of more severe concern are allegations the president Nndi-Ndaitwah’s family was moving into controlling the country’s oil industry.
These allegations are part of a broader controversy surrounding the president’s decision to bring the oil and gas sector under the direct oversight of the Presidency, from the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Analysts and the opposition argue this undermines democratic checks and balances, compromises regulatory independence and creates political and legislative instability.
The president has responded to these allegations, as well as the incident with the media.
“I state categorically and without reservation that my children have no interests, direct or indirect, in the oil and gas sector,” she stated through her office.
She therefore required Beukes to retract the statement and issue a public apology, or, in the alternative, present credible and verifiable evidence to substantiate the allegations.
The president argued that like any Namibian citizen, her children had the full and equal right to participate in the country’s economy.
“They do so to contribute to national development, the well-being of our people, and their own lawful livelihoods. We will not be faulted for exercising this right as long as it is done within the confines of the law.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah has three sons with her husband, Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah
The Presidency stated it had longstanding commitment to media freedom.
“While the President and the Presidency value engagement with the media, there are clearly defined moments and platforms designated for questions and formal interactions.”
It added. “Once the Head of State has indicated that a session has concluded or that questions should be directed through the appropriate official channels, such guidance is expected to be respected.”
The Presidency said in circumstances where conduct was considered unbecoming of the standards expected within State House, or where actions were assessed by security personnel as potentially compromising the safety, dignity, or orderly functioning of the Presidency, such matters would be addressed in accordance with established security protocols and the professional judgment of trained, uniformed staff.
– CAJ News