The Namibian Media Professionals Union (NAMPU) has condemned the dismissal of Ms Jemima Beukes from her job, calling it an outright attack on media freedom.
Beukes, a senior journalist, who also serves as the Acting Secretary General of NAMPU, was on 7 March 2025 hauled before a disciplinary hearing by the Network Media Hub (NMH), a company that owns several newspapers in Namibia.
NMH charged Beukes, who has worked for the company for ten years, for gross insubordination, and absence from work without good reason or leave for five consecutive days.
A ruling made by a certain M. A. Vermeulen, who served as the hearing’s chairperson, found Beukes guilty of all charges, and recommended for her immediate dismissal on 26 March 2025.
Interim president of NAMPU Mr Tileni Mongudhi termed this a direct attack on media freedom and workers’ rights.
“Beukes was dismissed following a kangaroo hearing where she was denied legal representation, a clear violation of fair labour practices,” Mongudhi said in a statement.
“[…] simply for asking how junior staff of a foreign company obtained visas to work at a Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) green hydrogen conference.
“This incident shows that the NMH’s intent is to deliberately push out critical journalists to appease the business and political elite. When media institutions become puppets of business and political interests, democracy suffers.”
Mongudhi said that Beukes’ critical reporting “is a representation of media freedom which is a cornerstone of democracy, ensuring transparency, accountability, and the free flow of information.
“However, recent unjust dismissals of journalists signal a troubling attack on press freedom. Silencing Beukes through intimidation and firing undermines the public’s right to know and erodes trust in institutions.”
Mongudhi also took issue with the Editors Forum of Namibia (EFN) “for remaining silent on this matter.
“We would expect the EFN to champion the defense of press freedom. But they have aligned themselves with corporate bullies, proving how politically compromised the EFN has become.
“Beukes’ dismissal further highlights a disturbing trend where State-owned entities and powerful business elites are increasingly strong-arming the media to paint a falsely positive narrative. When journalists are punished for asking legitimate questions, it sends a chilling message – comply or be removed.”
Mongudhi said that NAMPU demands the immediate reinstatement of Beukes, and “a full, independent investigation into her dismissal. We demand an end to corporate interference in media independence; newsrooms must not be controlled by business or political agendas.
“We further demand accountability from the EFN, which has failed its mandate to protect media freedom and must reform or disband. We also demand a halt to state-led media manipulation; public entities must stop coercing journalists into becoming propaganda tools.”
He also said that the erosion of Namibia’s media freedom is accelerating.
“If we do not resist now, critical journalism will be replaced by censorship, sycophancy, and corporate-approved narratives.
“We stand with Jemima Beukes and all journalists facing persecution for doing their jobs. We call on the government, media organizations, and the international community to uphold the fundamental rights of journalists.
“A free and independent press is not a privilege but a necessity for a functioning democracy. Those responsible for suppressing journalistic voices must be held accountable to protect truth, integrity, and the public interest.”
In the photo: Ms Jemima Beukes.
