SWAPO, in a media statement said President Hage Geingob reached out to former President, Hikepunye Pohamba to help him down stairs. This is after a photo presuming to depict the two shaking hands went viral, creating the impression that the two leaders did not observe social distancing protocol. The ruling Party further says the gathering was rather a symbolic event, given the number of attendees, deliberately done to comply with the state of emergency regulations. The 60th anniversary is a milestone, the party says, which could not be ignored, hence it was marked with a symbolic cutting of the cake. The initial gathering was scheduled to take place in Rundu, but instead, the party opted for a local venue, big enough to comply with the social distancing requirement. The party further dismissed claims by some opposition parties, who label them as seeking political mileage and sensationally painting a bad image. It says, it is focused on fighting COVID-19 and its impact, as directed by President Geingob, instead of what it describes as petty political grandstanding.