Justicia Shipena
The Presidency says Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi will provide stability and coordination in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Tuesday appointed Kapofi as the interim minister for the ministry. His appointment is temporary while the process of selecting a permanent minister continues.
This comes after Nandi-Ndaitwah on Sunday dismissed former minister Natangue Ithete.
She confirmed that Ithete defied a presidential moratorium on oil deals.
The presidency said the measure reflects the president’s commitment to stability, continuity, and constitutional governance. It added that the goal is to keep all sectors of government focused on delivering for the Namibian people.
Nandi-Ndaitwah had earlier assumed responsibility for the ministry to ensure leadership continuity and uninterrupted service delivery after recent changes in its leadership.
“Acting within the bounds of the Namibian Constitution, the president is empowered to assign or reassign ministerial functions where necessary to maintain the effective operation of government,” the statement read.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Kapofi’s temporary leadership will keep the ministry focused on the country’s industrialisation, mining and energy transformation agenda. She added that this will continue while the process of identifying a new minister is underway.
“The president reaffirmed that government work must proceed with discipline, urgency and accountability, in keeping with the guiding principles of the eighth administration and the priorities outlined under the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6),” the statement said.
She expressed confidence in Kapofi’s ability to manage the ministry “with diligence and integrity.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed Kapofi, along with Ithete, to the Cabinet in March after she took office.
The leadership changes at the ministry had sparked debate after Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula accused the president of overstepping constitutional limits by appointing herself to the position.
The presidency had announced that she would serve as minister until a replacement was appointed. The deputy minister, Gaudentia Kröhne, remained in her position.
