Africa-Press – Namibia. The Namibian Defence force has dismissed two of its members found to be leaking classified information to a self-styled social media activist.
Left Corporal Heita Hilkia and Corporal Hilma Namutenya Ndimulunde were both dismissed with immediate effect after they were reportedly found to have leaked sensitive material to political activist Nghipudilo Ya Shiindi.
Ya Shiindi, a member of the opposition Independent Patriots for Change has over the past month been leading alleged tarnishing commentary on social media regarding NDF dealings, and revealed classified information oestensibly leaked to her.
The dismissals follow an internal enquiry and formal termination orders seen by New Era dated on the 17 October.
“In conformity with the provisions of Sections 9 and 23 of the Defence Act, 2002 (Act 1 of 2002), read with regulation 42(2)(v) of the General Regulations related to the Namibian Defence Force, I hereby order the immediate termination of the service of 17357405L/L-Cpl Heita Hilkia,” reads the termination order for Hilkia and Ndimulunde respectively.
The termination letters state the decisions were prompted by persistent and continuous contraventions of Sections 54(1)(a) and 54(3)(b) of the Defence Act.
Each member was afforded an opportunity to make representations. The letters gave the two ten days, counted from the day delivered to them personally, to explain why the decisions should not be made final, a window the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), Air Marshal Martin Pinehas said has now closed in respect of these cases.
Pinehas yesterday issued a stark warning to members of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) to stop sharing and exposing classified information that could destabilise the country and the military.
In an interview with New Era Air Marshal Pinehas said he is “greatly concerned” by recurrent and deliberate leakages of official defence correspondence and information conduct that has already resulted in the immediate dismissal of two service members.
He said defence intelligence has raised concerns that the activist has used social media to publicise official information in ways that amount to potential espionage and subversive activity targeting the NDF.
“Defence intelligence has reason to suspect that the activist is engaged in subversive activities aimed at tarnishing the names of NDF leadership and further weakening the morale of soldiers,” Pinehas told New Era.
The CDF was unequivocal in condemning the leakages and in setting out the consequences for anyone uniformed or civilian who willfully compromises national security.
He reminded members that disclosure of classified or official defence information to unauthorised persons, including politically affiliated individuals, is strictly forbidden.
“Such acts constitute a flagrant breach of military discipline, a betrayal of the oath of allegiance and a direct affront to the Defence Act, 2002 and the defence regulations promulgated thereunder. They imperil operational security, compromise institutional integrity and expose the Namibian Defence Force to manipulation by political or external interests inimical to the security of the State,” he said.
Directive and sanctions
Lt-Gen Pinehas invoked the authority vested in his office to issue a directive empowering the competent military authorities to discharge any member whose conduct amounts to misconduct or renders continued employment undesirable.
The directive also prohibits the circulation, publication, communication or transmission of any information calculated to endanger national security or the safety of defence members whether verbal, written, electronic or via social media.
“Any member found culpable of leaking official information or engaging in political communication shall be subjected to the full force of disciplinary and criminal sanctions as provided for under Sections 23 and 54 of the Defence Act,” read the directive issued on 27 October 2025.
The CDF emphasised that the prohibition covers all forms of communication and applies equally to transmission to political entities or private citizens.
He warned that both military discipline and the safety of the nation depend on the absolute confidentiality of certain defence matters.
The dismissals, the CDF said, should serve as a lesson to the entire force. “The NDF cannot allow leakage of information or behaviour that destabilises the military. We will act decisively to protect national security and preserve the integrity of our institution,” Pinehas said.
He further confirmed that the Defence Act contains provisions allowing for the prosecution of civilians involved in the receipt or dissemination of classified defence information.
“There is a provision that authorises me to pursue legal action against citizens involved in these activities. My legal team is studying the matter and will advise on the way forward. Legal steps have already been initiated where appropriate,” he said.
During his tenure, the CDF noted he has dismissed three members involved in prohibited political activities; these recent dismissals are the first specifically for leaking classified information to unauthorised persons.
He warned that unprofessional conduct of this kind can open the door to the erosion of discipline and, in extreme cases, to the overthrow of governments elsewhere.
“We cannot allow these kinds of behaviours because that is how militaries have been compromised in other parts of the world,” he cautioned.
“Loyalty, discipline and protection of classified information are non-negotiable pillars of national security; any breach will be met with decisive disciplinary and legal consequences,” he added.
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