Allexer Namundjembo
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is facing mounting criticism after freelance journalist and founder of The Whistle Jemima Beukes was removed from State House while attempting to ask a question related to public concerns about the oil industry during the opening of Cabinet on Monday.
Beukes was removed from State House by security personnel after posing a question to Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Beukes attempted to ask the question based on allegations relating to the President’s family’s involvement in the oil sector.
The Namibia Media Professionals’ Union (Nampu) condemned the incident.
“While attempting to fulfil her professional duty by questioning President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah 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,” Nampu said in a statement issued on Monday.
Nampu further said that security personnel photographed the journalist’s vehicle, followed her and threatened her with arrest.
“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. Journalism is not a crime, yet treating a reporter as a security threat for simply asking a question suggests a dangerous authoritarian shift,” Nampu’s information officer Tuyeimo Haidula said.
Haidula said the incident has created an unsafe working environment for journalists and undermines the constitutional role of the media.
Nampu called for the immediate return of all confiscated property and an end to what it described as harassment of journalists.
Meanwhile, NMT Media Foundation executive director Zoé Titus said the incident at State House was a matter of serious concern.
“Physical manhandling, threats of arrest, and interference with journalistic equipment fall outside acceptable security or protocol management and require clear consequences for those responsible,” Titus said.
She said respect for media freedom goes beyond public commitments.
“It requires public officials and security personnel to act within the limits of their authority and in line with constitutional obligations and democratic norms,” she added.
Titus also referred to a recent case involving journalist Tracy Tafirenyika, where xenophobic attacks and public hostility followed legitimate reporting.
“Such conduct by public officials or political actors represents a failure to uphold constitutional values and undermines stated commitments to media freedom. These actions require firm leadership and accountability,” she said.
The foundation noted that freelance journalists face greater risks due to limited institutional protection and the direct link between access, safety, and livelihood.
It added that intimidation and uncertainty place severe psychological strain on journalists and increase risks to their wellbeing, with women journalists facing disproportionate exposure to harassment and threats.
“We urge the presidency to ensure that its commitment to press freedom is reinforced through accountability for misconduct, protection of journalist safety and clear signals that intimidation, abuse, and xenophobic attacks against journalists will not be tolerated,” Titus added.
In response, the presidency issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to media freedom and professionalism and to maintaining an open relationship with journalists.
It said the President has, on several occasions, expressed appreciation for the media and its role in informing the public and promoting accountability.
However, the presidency said that specific platforms and moments exist for questions and formal engagement.
“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 statement said.
It added that press freedom comes with responsibilities, including respect for institutional processes and house rules in secure environments such as State House.
“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.”
Beukes was physically handled by a group of men, despite Namibia’s ongoing national fight against gender-based violence.
State House, which is led by a female President, did not address this incident in its official statement.
Opposition parties demand respect for press freedom
Meanwhile, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe said State House has a constitutional duty to uphold democratic values.
“Respect for the media is not optional in a constitutional democracy – it is essential.
The PDM strongly condemns the actions described. Fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Namibian Constitution must be respected at all times. Among these are freedom of the media, access to information, and the right of journalists to carry out their work without intimidation, harassment, or fear of reprisal,” he said.
The Landless People’s Movement also expressed concern, saying the removal of Beukes after she asked a question of national interest raises serious questions about press freedom and state conduct.
“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 among all stakeholders that may impact the people of the country,” LPM said.
LPM spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said removing the journalist from the premises amounted to a misuse of power and could discourage scrutiny of those in authority.
“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,” he said.The LPM warned that such conduct, if left unchecked, could set a worrying precedent and pointed to similar actions in other African countries that have led to restrictions on press freedom.
“This should not stand, as this is a display of possible growing harm against press rights and our democracy.”
