Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Jerry Ekandjo, a Swapo member of parliament has accused President Nangolo Mbumba of going against the constitution for not signing the Private Members’ Bill into law.
The bill seeks to ban and criminalise same-sex marriage in Namibia.
Parliament passed it in July of last year after Ekandjo moved the motion.
On Tuesday, Ekandjo notified the minister in the presidency, Christine Hoebes to pass on his questions to Mbumba and explain why it is taking so long to sign the private members’ bill into law.
He stated that Article 30 of the Namibian Constitution addresses the oath or affirmation the president must take before assuming office.
Of particular importance to his question is the part that states, ‘I will strive to the best of my ability to uphold, protect, and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia as the Supreme Law.’
“Where a bill is passed by a majority of two-thirds of all members of the National Assembly and has been confirmed by the National Council, the President shall be obliged to give his or her assent thereto,’’ stated Ekandjo.
He questioned if the president complied with article 56(2) of the constitution and if the president defied the oath of office as outlined in article 30 of the Namibian constitution as far as the bill is concerned.
‘’Why has the president not complied with article 56(2) of the Namibian constitution, which is an obligatory clause?’’ questioned Ekandjo.
The minister in the presidency is expected to respond to the questions next Thursday in the National Assembly.
