Windhoek
Presidential press secretary, Albertus Aochamub, yesterday explained contrary to a media report that the exclusion of President Hage Geingob’s chief of security on a recent trip to France and the United Kingdom was due to a change in shifts.
He further dismissed reports that Geingob’s bodyguard Johan Ndjaronguru was left out of the trip due to a fallout with the First Lady, Monica Geingos.
“Nothing could be further from the truth except for the person(s) with very rich imagination spreading such untruths,” said Aochamub in a statement.
“The President’s security detail changes as some officials are allowed to rest from time to time since the President wishes to ensure that all his staff receive their well-deserved breaks,” stated the presidential press secretary.
According to Aochamub, “This was the case with the President’s chief of security on the just- concluded trip.”
He believes the role of Geingos in the media report was exaggerated before, adding: “We reiterate that Geingos is not involved at all in deciding who provides which services to the President as far as security detail is concerned.”
The Presidential spokesperson indicated this function is the domain of relevant and competent authorities within the State apparatus.
“We are well aware that all these types of negative reports and inferences are aimed at deflating the value of successful missions of the President, which some in the media and politics have made their professional goal,” he stated.
He noted: “However, the President remains committed to providing exemplary leadership to the country and will always endeavour to conduct all State affairs in a professional and transparent manner.”
It is Aochamub’s account that the Presidency continues to encourage responsible, accurate and factual reporting within the confines of the voluntary Media Code of Ethics by all our local media houses.
“We further reiterate the fact that wanton and deliberate character assassinations, lies and falsehoods undermine the open-door policy the President has with the local media and also threatens the media freedoms that the Swapo Party fought for and which its government will always protect,” he said.