…as ruling party divisions continue
Andrew Kathindi
President Hage Geingob has hit back at opposition parties in Parliament who threatened to take Swapo to court over the selection of Parliamentary Committee members, calling their claims weak.
This comes after opposition parties and Swapo reached an impasse over parliamentary committees. Thye could not agree on members to nominate.
“The case of the Opposition, regarding the constitution of the committees, is weak. The rules are clear that proportional representation applies to the entire National Assembly and not just the committees,” said Geingob.
Standing Committees are smaller groups of Members of Parliament elected from all political parties to examine Bills and other documents in detail.
Standing Committees are appointed for specific subject matters such as Finance, Agriculture and International Relations or any subject matter necessary or required. Committees seek input from experts and the broader public by calling in individual persons or by holding public hearings. Based on its findings, a Committee may recommend changes on specific aspects of the bill to the House.
“I am aware of the tactics that the opposition parties plan to employ, regarding the composition of these committees. Let us take note that in other international parliaments, whether the Commonwealth or the United States Congress, there are clearly stipulated rules regarding the composition of committees, which are adhered to by all parties,” Geingob said.
“It is therefore important for us to follow suit and adhere to existing rules, like civilized and sophisticated people.”
Last week, a coalition of opposition parties who sought to hold the deciding card on the nomination of members to serve in the standing committees, arguing that they held the majority of backbenchers, accused Swapo of trying to impose its will.
“We have reached a stalemate in terms of forming committees. We have the majority in forming committees but Swapo, as they have done in the past, want to bulldoze the process. Swapo is still living in the past. Swapo want to use committee memberships to appease their disgruntled members – and this time around, it will not happen,” said Leader of the opposition, McHenry Venaani then said.
This comes as what appears to be a growing dissent within the ruling party was seemingly confirmed by the President in his address during the induction training of ruling party members on Thursday, to which Venaani had argued was the reason Swapo was trying to sweep up standing committee membership, in order appease divided Swapo members.
“Comrades, the battle may have been won during the elections, but the war is far from over. Those who were defeated did not accept defeat. I am referring to those in SWAPO, who are seeing fault at every opportunity,” said Geingob.
The ruling party has faced continued criticism from senior party members, including former Prime Minister, Nahas Angula and former Home Affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana over its handling of numerous issues, including the Fishrot scandal.
