It follows an inner brawl that erupted in the ruling Swapo Party on Monday, which resulted in Nghimtina tendering his resignation.

Efforts to get confirmation yesterday from Swapo Secretary for Information Jerry Ekandjo proved futile and Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana told The Namibian she was too busy to talk.

She asked to be called an hour later, but then her phone was not answered.

Attempts to reach Nghimtina yesterday were also fruitless.

The mobile phone number on which he could be contacted on Tuesday no longer exists on the network.

According to several sources, President Hifikepunye Pohamba on Monday called Nghimtina in and rebuked him for an incident during which he reportedly fired at his nephew for joining an opposition party.

Police officers apparently had informed Pohamba before the Monday meeting that they would have to interrogate Nghimtina about the incident.

According to well-placed sources within Swapo, Nghimtina apparently explained to Pohamba he "only fired a shot in the air", which satisfied the Head of State.

Swapo Vice President Hage Geingob, Secretary General Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana and Deputy Secretary General Nangolo Mbumba were reportedly also present at the meeting.

After the meeting with Pohamba, a top State House official was apparently instructed to inform the Police not to interrogate Nghimtina, but this was not done - the official apparently "forgot" to do so.

When the Police in Windhoek contacted Nghimtina for questioning, it is said that he felt "betrayed" and then decided to write his letter of resignation.

Having to face this new situation, the "top five" of the Swapo leadership held another meeting trying to convince Nghimtina to withdraw his resignation and that the problem had arisen because the State House official had not informed the Police to stop pursuing the Mines and Energy Minister.

"The matter was resolved and Nghimtina is back in the fold," the source said.

Apparently Swapo is very worried about resignations, as the public could see this as a sign of division in the party, as several opposition parties, especially the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), have been claiming on several occasions.

A worried Swapo member, who requested anonymity, told The Namibian that the whole incident was "seriously embarrassing" for President Pohamba.

"It is his prerogative as Head of State to appoint and dismiss Cabinet Ministers as stipulated in the Constitution.

However, the Swapo party has now overruled him in a twofold sense as Head of State and as Swapo president," the source said.

"Former President Sam Nujoma did not consult Swapo when he hired and fired Ministers, the most prominent example being the dismissal of former Foreign Minister Hidipo Hamutenya in May 2004 and his Deputy, Kaire Mbuende," the source said.

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