Allexer Namundjembo
With just over a week left before a new government takes office under President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the outgoing National Assembly is pushing to amend Rule 2 on committee procedures, a move drawing criticism for its timing.
On Tuesday, Swapo lawmaker Philipus Katamero introduced the proposal, which seeks to change the composition of the Selection Committee to include ten members, comprising the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Government Chief Whip, Opposition Chief Whip, and six other members determined by proportional representation.
Swapo’s Natangwe Ithete seconded the proposal, suggesting a change to Rule 2 to make the selection committee consist of ten members.
“This will include the following members: the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, the Government Chief Whip, the Official Chief Whip, and six other members determined by proportional representation in the House,” the proposed amendment reads.
Inna Hengari, a member of the outgoing official opposition, expressed concerns on her X account.
She argued that since Parliament is a representative body, each political party’s chief whip should be included in decisions about standing committees.
“If you apply proportional representation as stipulated in (e), three members will still have to come from Swapo because the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker don’t serve on committees,” she said.
Contributing further to the debate in Parliament on Monday, Hengari argued that it would be sensible and rational for each political party’s chief whip to be represented in the selection committee.
“I don’t understand why we want to exclude party whips from each political party from being part of the committee. We have already seen in the past that the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and the Government Chief Whip are always from the ruling party. It would have made sense if our Parliament had a body called the opposition caucus, which would represent all opposition parties,” she added.
She also questioned the need for the amendment so close to the end of the current government’s term.
“All of a sudden, these amendments are being proposed just as the term is about to end. It would have made sense if the mover could have explained the reasons and grounds for the amendments, but as far as I’m concerned, this is not a time-sensitive issue,” she said.
In response to questions from the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday, Landless People’s Movement Chief Whip Utaara Mootu also criticised the proposal, arguing that it undermines the notion of democratic representation by excluding party whips from all represented parties.
Landless People’s Movement Chief Whip Utaara Mootu also criticised the proposal, saying it undermines democratic representation by excluding party whips from all represented parties.
She argued that the amendment would consolidate power within a small group dominated by the ruling party and its preferred opposition figures.
She added that it is an attempt to suppress smaller parties, restrict pluralism, and transform the selection committee into an apex body for those in authority.
“Furthermore, the timing is suspicious, coming just days before the formation of a new government. This political manoeuvring is designed to influence parliamentary processes in a way that benefits those currently in control. It’s not reform; it’s regression by limiting diversity in decision-making and undermining proportional representation, which ultimately weakens Parliament’s credibility,” Mootu added.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the proposed changes, particularly the introduction of the government Chief Whip and the opposition Chief Whip, mark a shift in how the National Assembly functions.
He said replacing party chief whips with these roles appears to focus on improving coordination between the government and opposition, ensuring their positions are represented in parliamentary processes.
“In my view, this change could improve the efficiency and accountability of the legislative process, as it aligns the roles more closely with the government-opposition dynamic, which is crucial in any democracy. The Government Chief Whip would play a key role in ensuring that the ruling party’s agenda is pushed effectively, while the Opposition Chief Whip would ensure that the opposition’s voice is heard and represented,” Kamwanyah said.
He suggested that the timing of the amendment, just before the new government takes office, could be an effort to streamline operations and ensure a smooth transition.
“It may also be seen as an effort to strengthen the legislative framework ahead of important national decisions, helping to manage the relationship between the ruling party and opposition more effectively from the outset,” he added.
Kamwanyah believes that the move could be a strategic attempt to ensure parliamentary work is efficient and that both sides have clear leadership roles as soon as the new government takes office.
