The Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has postponed the National Youth Council General Assembly following disruptions during proceedings in Swakopmund.
Dr Steenkamp addressed delegates on Sunday and stated that the events at the General Assembly placed the lives of members of the NYC interim board, employees and delegates at risk.
She said the decision to postpone was made due to pending investigations and due process requirements.
No new date has been announced for the continuation of the General Assembly.
The developments follow disputes among delegates over the timing of elections for a new leadership structure of the National Youth Council.
Delegates differed on whether elections should proceed as scheduled or be postponed.
A delegate, Jasreel !Naruseb stated that the interim board had dissolved itself before handing over to the Electoral Committee, which resulted in the suspension of the election process.
He said delegates had raised concerns during the assembly regarding the process and representation.
"I want to put it on record and make it clear that the interim board dissolved itself before handing over to the electoral committee. As a result, the electoral committee also announced that no elections would take place. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank the line minister as well. They have acknowledged the grievances that have been brought to their attention, and I believe they will act in the best interests of all Namibian youth."
Delegates said the conduct of the proceedings did not reflect agreed procedures and that some participants were not satisfied with the way the election process was managed.
On Saturday, tensions emerged during proceedings over the electoral process and the participation of constituency representatives.
On Sunday, a delegate who was standing for a position as board member, Ndemuweda Nghixulifwa, was arrested.
The charges have not been disclosed.
The General Assembly remains suspended pending the outcome of investigations and further administrative decisions by the ministry.