Leaked video reveals reasons behind Ithete’s dismissal from Cabinet

By: Envaalde Matheus

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has confirmed that former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, was dismissed for violating a presidential moratorium on the renewal and awarding of new oil blocks.

The President made the remarks in a leaked video on Monday during a closed-door meeting with more than 300 staff members at the ministry, shortly after assuming office as the new minister.

In the video, Nandi-Ndaitwah said she had made it clear that no renewal or awarding of new blocks be made without consultation, but the directive was ignored.

She added that it appears there are activities happening in the ministry that she is not aware of the president of the country.

“And here the media is telling me that..yes… I am honest. I am seeing it here…they are saying President Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday dismissed the deputy prime minister and minister of industry, minister of energy, over allegations of violating presidential moratorium.”

“That one I agree. I told the minister that let me first understand. There should be no renewal. There should be no new block giving unless we consult one another. And the media got this information. How they got it? It is fine. It is up to them. So, this is really what it is,” she added.

On Tuesday, the presidency announced the interim appointment of defence and veterans affairs minister Frans Kapofi to oversee the ministry of industries, mines and energy.

The presidency explained that Kapofi’s appointment will provide stability and coordination within the ministry considered central to the country’s industrialisation, mining, and energy transformation agenda.

Nandi-Ndaitwah had temporarily assumed responsibility for the ministry to ensure continuity in leadership and service delivery following recent changes in its leadership.