Land Reform Deputy-Minister Bernardus Swartbooi has resigned after refusing to apologise for the remarks he made against Minister Utoni Nujoma and the resettlement programme. President Hage Geingob asked Swartbooi last week to apologise to Nujoma for the remarks that allegedly had tribal undertones and threatened peace. In a media statement, the presidency says the request for apology was because Swartbooi was appointed to serve under the minister, support him and assist him at all times in the execution of his functions. Swartbooi criticised the manner in which Nujoma is handling the land resettlement process, especially in the southern regions, where original inhabitants are allegedly sidelined. The statement further explains that despite differences of opinion that may exist between the two, the choice by Swartbooi to use a public platform to launch an attack on his minister was inappropriate. This is because there are many appropriate avenues through which such differences could have been handled. Contacted for comment, Swartbooi said he did not opt to resign , but was instructed to leave the office if he does not apologise.