This situation has been criticised by Namibia's civil society and the opposition as creating a significant overlap between executive and legislature, undermining the separation of powers.
[9][10] A major cabinet reshuffle occurred in February 2018 when two ministers were fired, the vice-president retired on health grounds, and several other rotations took place.
[11] In the wake of the February cabinet reshuffle the number of deputy ministers was reduced again to one per ministry, with the Office of the Vice-President the only exception.
The SWAPO congress end of November 2012 resulted in "one of the biggest Cabinet reshuffles the country has seen since independence".
[36] The first cabinet after Namibian independence consisted of 19 ministers appointed by inaugural president Sam Nujoma.