Northern leaders called for Ndevashiya’s head

President Hage Geingob has booted Ohangwena region governor Walde Ndevashiya following complaints from northern leaders about his leadership style.

Ndevashiya’s discharge comes a month after he was linked to a scandal involving a woman’s death.

Geingob’s spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari, yesterday announced that Ndevashiya was sacked and replaced by former police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga.

The president hereby relieves honourable Walde Ndevashiya of his duties as governor of the Ohangwena region with immediate effect from 16 November 2023,” Hengari said in a statement.

Ndevashiya did not answer calls or a text message sent to him yesterday.

The governor has allegedly been hanging on to his job for some time.

Although Geingob was allegedly not keen to discharge him, a recent scandal in the region has pushed the president to do so.

Earlier last month, Ndevashiya was accused of being in a romantic relationship with the late Eva-Leena Kalimbo.

Kalimbo was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, Laurence Ndaoya.

Ndevashiya has since denied these allegations, claiming they were defamatory and directed at tarnishing his name.

Community leaders have allegedly for years complained about the governor’s leadership style.

“It’s true that senior leaders from the north voiced concern about unsuitable behaviour towards them,” a source says.

Although some media reports yesterday stated that Ndevashiya was not informed of being replaced, a source says he was informed of the decision before Geingob relieved him of his duties.

Some Swapo members allegedly wrote to Geingob, requesting the president to remove the governor from his position.

‘HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE’

Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Ndeitunga said he was ready to work with everyone in the region.

He served as the inspector general of the Namibian Police from 2005 to 2022.

His appointment is effective from today.

Ndeitunga described his appointment as an honour and a privilege.

“President Hage Geingob placed his trust in me to take national responsibility to be the governor of Ohangwena,” he said.

He said his new role would not be a bed of roses.

“But I am ready to take up the mantle as a patriot to go and join our colleagues who are already on the ground . . . so that together we can better the lives of our citizens in the region,” he said.

Before he retired last year, Ndeitunga told The Namibian he was not interested in politics.

Asked about this statement yesterday, he said his patriotism dictated that he take up the new role.

“It’s difficult to turn down the service of your people. If you are a patriot, you should love your people and your country,” he said.

Ndeitunga said he is no stranger to the Ohangwena region as he worked there in 1989.

“I know I will have the support from all the structures of our region. I am coming to serve them as a son of the soil, and I will listen to advice from them, and I will want them to join me to make our region better.

“I am looking forward to working together with everyone,” he said.

In May this year, The Namibian reported that Ndeitunga formally declared his interest in entering politics.

He said he was interested in any position Swapo would assign him.

“If I am to be involved in any politics, everyone will know, and I will be ready to take up the task that may be given to me in the structure of the party.

“The Swapo party is the only party I have been a member of since 1975,” he said.

Ndeitunga has in the past been seen attending Swapo events and donning party regalia.

Hengari yesterday said Geingob thanked Ndevashiya for his service during his tenure as governor of the Ohangwena region.

Ndevashiya has served as Ohangwena governor since 2020.

He took over from Usko Nghaamwa.

Ndevashiya was the chief executive of the Eenhana Town Council prior to his appointment as governor.

The day Kalimbo was brutally murdered, Ndevashiya threatened to sue Eenhana resident Thomas Puleinge for allegedly creating an audio clip claiming he [Ndevashiya] was romantically involved with Kalimbo.

Kalimbo and her boyfriend had two children.

Ndevashiya alleged that he suffered damages to the amount of N$250 000.

“Our instructions are that before 19h00 this evening you must widely circulate and publish another audio in which you unconditionally and unreservedly apologise to our client and retract the defamatory statement.

“At the same time you must make a commitment that you will compensate our client to the amount of N$250 000 in the next five days,” a letter from Ndevashiya’s lawyers, Sisa Namandje & Co, read.

Puleinge has denied creating the widely circulated audio clip.