Patience Makwele
Defence minister Frans Kapofi says the Namibian Defence Force has not taken over presidential security, despite reports of a breach at State House.
Kapofi dismissed claims that the military had assumed responsibility for protecting President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“It is not true; as far as I’m concerned, that is not the case. The ministry of defence did not take over the security of the president,” he told the Windhoek Observer on Monday.
He said the defence force could step in if required.
“The Ministry of Defense, the president is the commander in chief of the defence force, and should the need arise, that can also happen,” Kapofi said, adding that the ministry “stands ready to act should the situation warrant such action”.
The security breach at State House allegedly occurred on Thursday at 15h00.
According to reports by The Namibian, an unidentified man allegedly entered the presidential residence and reached the private living area before being apprehended.
However, details still remain unclear on how the man gained access, whether he was arrested, or if a formal investigation has been launched.
The man allegedly bypassed security and entered the residence. Reports claim no guards were on duty at the time.
Once apprehended, the man allegedly said he was “sent” and threatened to “be back” after release.
Namibian police (Nampol) inspector general Joseph Shikongo declined to comment.
“I have no comment,” he said when approached by the Windhoek Observer.
Speculation about his position has also grown, with reports suggesting he may have been removed.
His contract was extended for three years in 2024 and is set to run until September 2027.
Deputy inspector general for operations major general Elias Mutota rejected claims that he has been appointed acting inspector general and has stepped into Shikongo’s shoes.
“I can only confirm that there is no truth to what is trending on social platforms – that I have been appointed as acting inspector general. My acting capacity ended today. I was only acting while the Inspector General was out of office for the long weekend,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that the military has taken over security at the State House.
“It is not true that the NDF has taken over the security of the State House and the President,” Mutota said.
The Presidency has not provided clarity on the matter. However, presidential press secretary Jonas Mbambo was quoted in the media this weekend saying he was not aware of the reported breach or any changes to police leadership.
The lack of official information has added to uncertainty around the incident.
The incident has raised questions about VIP protection systems and leadership within the Namibian Police.
Political analyst Lucius Muhembo said the breach, if confirmed, would point to deeper failures.
“If this breach is indeed true, then an incident of this nature, particularly one involving access to the inner residential space of a sitting head of state, is not a routine lapse. It points to a systemic breakdown in layered security protocols,” he said.
He said security systems at presidential residences are designed with multiple layers.
“Presidential residences are protected through multiple layers of outer perimeter, controlled access points and inner security. If someone reaches the private living quarters, it means more than one safeguard has failed. That’s not a minor lapse,” he said.
On accountability, he said responsibility extends beyond officers on duty.
Muhembo noted that while those on the ground handle immediate security, overall accountability rests with senior leadership and such incidents typically lead to internal investigations to determine what went wrong and how it can be addressed.
“In such cases, accountability does not end at the operational level. Command responsibility becomes unavoidable,” he added.
Under current arrangements, the Namibian police are responsible for VIP protection, including the head of state. Any change to that role would mark a major shift in security operations.
The incident comes days after Shikongo announced a reshuffle of senior police commanders. The changes took effect on 1 May.
Commissioner Julia Sakua-Neo was transferred from Kavango West to Zambezi as regional commander. Former presidential security chief Commissioner Andreas Nelumbu was reassigned to Kavango West.
Commissioner Naftal Sakaria, the Oshana regional commander, was named the new presidential security chief.
