POLICE have not found nor received any credible threat to Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s safety, despite talk in the ruling party’s circles suggesting otherwise.
Even last week’s incident, where Nandi-Naitwah’s official vehicle started smoking, as she was to leave the Heroes Acre after president Hage Geingob’s burial, did not convince police that her personal safety was compromised.
“There was no security threat or anything untoward reported,” said Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi, who pinned the incident on mechanical defects.
Shikwambi said the car’s cooling system was overheating, causing the smoke.
She added that further inspections on the vehicle will be conducted to provide a detailed incident report.
Interestingly the incident happened days after police chief, Joseph Shikongo, was clarifying to The Issue that no threats or concerns about Nandi-Ndaitwah’s safety were reported to his office.
He also said that there has not been any need to upgrade Nandi-Ndaitwah’s security beyond that of the vice president or even over that of a deputy prime minister, before her promotion last month.
“We are doing our best to manage the vice president’s safety and the police remain on high alert,” said the police chief who called on the public to guard against misleading information aimed at creating unnecessary chaotic situations.
Concerns about Nandi-Ndaitwah’s safety first surfaced last year. At the time it was said she had put her personal security on high alert, with persistent rumours of a plot on her life refusing to subside.
Information then surfaced that Nandi-Ndaitwah had to reorganise her security at home, including the valet services offered by the government.
Nandi-Ndaitwah refused to discuss specifics and referred questions to the security sector.
“Like all public officers, as well as citizens and all those living in this country, my safety and security is in the hands of security agencies. Therefore, if you want details on the matter, please contact them,” she said in a response via text.
But after the Heroes Acre incident, the vice president issued a statement on social media assuring the nation that she has not been harmed in any way.
Inspector general Shikongo has now assured that such talks were mere rumours.
There have also been concerns from within the ruling party that Nandi-Ndaitwah’s supporters are simply crying wolf.
A November incident where one of the vehicles in her motorcade caught fire and burned to ashes, has further fueled the rumours.
However, police ruled out foul play and said there was no criminal investigation into the incident.
The backup vehicle on Nandi-Ndaitwah’s motorcade caught fire while in motion at around 17h00 on 29 November last year. No injuries were reported and the Mercedes-Benz was reduced to ashes.
The Issue has learned that people close to Nandi-Ndaitwah have become security sensitive and even her meeting schedules have been switched and changed at the last minute at times.
Her ascendance to the vice president position is expected to reassure her supporters, especially since the position comes with extra security and a move to the official vice president residence at the old state house complex.
Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa is said to have made remarks hinting that she knows of the alleged plot on Nandi-Ndaitwah’s life. She allegedly told the party’s Khomas leadership in November last year that Nandi-Ndaitwah would become the country’s president come March 2025 and that nothing would happen to the two of them (Shaningwa and Nandi-Ndaitwah) and that Nandi-Ndaitwah is not going to die.
Shangingwa allegedly made the remarks at a November briefing just before the party held its rally at Sam Nujoma Stadium where Nandi-Ndaitwah officiated.
Shaningwa always saw the Swapo Khomas leadership as hostile towards her and Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The Swapo secretary general refused to entertain rumours. “If you are honest enough, you would realise that I am a person who hates rumours,” she told The Issue. She also said she was not able to discuss safety and security issues because they do not fall under her jurisdiction.
Assassination claims are not new to Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Such claims have been made just as late president Hage Geingob was elected to become the country’s president. His close ally at the time former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, who at the time (2014) was quoted by The Namibian, saying there were attempts to get rid of Geingob. Geingob at the time also confirmed knowing about talks of attempts on his life.
Before Geingob, Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, in 2005, also had his security beefed up, while he was the country’s president-elect. Again it was on account of widespread claims that his predecessor was behind a plot to assassinate him.