It has come to light that Meatco has been selling its products at significantly cheaper prices on the international market compared to its local competitors.

The company is bleeding financially and is being bailed out by the government regularly.

The Bank of Namibia, in a damning report to the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, estimates that Meatco's revenue was N$4 billion less than its local competitors, which export meat to the same market, between 2018 and 2023.

The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Peya Mushelenga, has addressed concerns regarding the suspension of the Managing Editor at the New Era Newspaper.

In response to questions raised by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Maximalliant Katjimune, Dr. Mushelenga dismissed claims of political interference, stating that the suspension is handled by the corporation's board and management.

Dr. Mushelenga stressed that Namibia, known for its commitment to press freedom, operates within a framework of self-regulation and upholds journalistic standards.

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 Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus says the merging of the two-state media houses, the Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA) and the New Era Corporation is still in the pipeline albeit in an early stage.

Theofelus was responding to a question posed by PDM MP in the National Assembly.