The Minister of Information and Communication Technology says he has respect for the governance structures of state-owned enterprises and does not interfere with their operations.

Dr. Peya Mushelelenga was responding to ongoing insinuations that he was involved in the recent suspension of New Era's Managing Editor, Johnathan Beukes.

Beukes was suspended because of an editorial piece that he authored in which he questioned the transparency of the Namibian judiciary.

"The misplaced obsession to drag me into the New Era saga is baseless. Malicious disinformation will never substitute the truth, no matter how many times or in what form it is perpetuated. It remains self-serving hullabaloo, lacking responsible journalism, professionalism, and media ethics. Namibia is a country hailed for upholding press freedom and achievement, which the Namibian government has worked hard for and continues to ensure."