EDITORIAL
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah fired Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Natangwe Ithete from his duties with immediate effect on Sunday.
A statement released by the Presidency notes: “The President of the Republic of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has, in in accordance with Article 32(6) of the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, made an executive decision to relieve Honourable Natangwe Ithete of his duties as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, with immediate effect.”
There were no reasons given for the sacking, which came as a surprise to many.
The only explanation given by the Presidency is: “The Presidency reaffirms its commitment to sound governance, accountability, and the effective implementation of national priorities in pursuit of Namibia’s shared vision of sustainable and inclusive development.”
The following day the President engaged with ministry staff to take stock and perhaps re-align going forward.
The media were not part of this engagement despite being invited to cover it on Monday morning.
This created an information vacuum.
Every Namibian still wants to know, what hit Ithete?
It is imperative that this issue be debunked and explained, particularly in the name of the accountability and transparency the Presidency puts at the core of the decision.
It is no secret that the President has carved a niche as someone who will stop at nothing to remedy the country’s social and economic problems since taking over in March.
She is not just talking, she is acting too.
She wants things done, and done in time and correctly.
Ithete himself is a man that is not short of political rhetoric and populist approaches.
At the Chamber of Mines’ mining expo in August he made a huge pronouncement about increasing state control in the industry to 51%.
He said it was the only way to empower Namibians in the extractive sector.
He has been consistent with this message over the past seven months.
It is a message that has sent chills down the spines of industry captains.
Others feel it is populist rhetoric that does not deal with the intricacies of developing an industry that will continue to sustain the economy and improve local participation, albeit at a slow pace.
Critics say Ithete’s populist policies could scare off the very same investors that Namibia needs.
Economist Robin Sherbourne earlier said the populist rants have no place in such a sensitive industry.
Indeed so. Investment is like water; it flows to where it’s needed and and dries where it’s not well kept.
Could these statements be the straw that broke Ithete’s spine?
Is there more to his firing than meets the eye?
There are still more questions than answers.
Whatever the reason, President Nandi-Ndaitwah ought to offer disclosure of some sort on what exactly rocked Ithete’s boat.
Bearing in mind that he is the second minister in this administration, after Mac Hengari was kicked out earlier this year.
That alone creates more suspicion than the reassurance needed.
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