Allexer Namundjembo
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) has accused the ruling party of undermining parliamentary oversight by monopolising leadership positions in National Assembly committees.
The IPC is calling the move a threat to democracy and a “deepening constitutional crisis.”
The IPC’s Chief Whip, Imms Nashinge, said the current setup undermines Parliament’s oversight role.
“Let’s call it what it is: Committee capture. When the referee wears the same jersey as the player, the game is rigged,” he said.
The accusations come after parliament confirmed appointments to its standing committees.
Swapo secured chairmanship over eight out of nine committees.
Only the Public Accounts Committee is chaired by an opposition member – a requirement protected by Standing Rule 14(1).
“Every other committee has been reduced to a rubber stamp, led by MPs from the very party being scrutinised,” said Nashinge.
Nashinge cited Articles 59 and 63(2)(f) of the Constitution, which task Parliament with holding the executive to account.
He said the presence of a Swapo deputy chairperson in the Public Accounts Committee undermines this intent.
“This setup defeats the entire purpose of parliamentary committees, which should serve as watchdogs of the people, not lapdogs of the executive,” Nashinge added.
The IPC tied the weakening of parliamentary oversight to past national scandals, including the N$103 million Fishrot scandal, N$23 million lost in the cancelled Kora Awards, and the N$350 million SME Bank collapse.
“These weren’t just financial blunders. They were failures of oversight committees that didn’t ask the tough questions, didn’t blow the whistle, and didn’t protect the Namibian people,” Nashinge stated.
He called for urgent reforms to Parliament’s standing rules to ensure more equitable representation of political parties in committee leadership.
“This is not just a party issue. This is a national issue. Oversight matters to every taxpayer, every patient waiting in a hospital queue, every learner in an under-resourced classroom. Oversight is not a courtesy, it is a constitutional obligation. It must not be captured. It must not be silenced,” said Nashinge.
Parliament confirmed the appointment of committee chairpersons and their deputies.
Helaria Mukapuli has been named chairperson of the Budget and Finance Committee, with Marius Sheya as her deputy.
Hendrik Gaobaeb will lead the Public Accounts Committee, with Martha Itope as deputy chairperson.
Sebastian Karupu will chair the Information and Communication Technology Committee, assisted by Deputy Chairperson Fenni Nanyeni.
Nono Katjingisua takes the helm of the Gender Equality, Health and Social Welfare Committee, with Ephraim Nekongo as deputy.
Justina Jonas will lead the Poverty Eradication, Labour and Industrial Relations Committee, with Salomon April as her deputy.
Former Parliamentarian Maximalliant Katjimune also raised concerns, saying the post-election makeup of committees does not reflect the country’s changing political landscape.
“I would have expected that there would be some sort of power-sharing arrangement in the committees during the 8th Parliament, considering how many seats SWAPO lost in the 2024 elections, but the complete opposite has happened,” he said.
He warned that placing a Swapo member as deputy chair of the Public Accounts Committee could present a legal and procedural problem.
“There is also an irregularity that Parliament committed by electing a Swapo MP as the Deputy Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee. In terms of the rules, the Chairperson of this Committee must not be from the opposition,” he added.
“In fact, the opposition managed to secure only two positions in the committees, as deputy chairperson of the IR, Defence and Security Committee and chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, which is usually reserved for the opposition,” Katjimune said.
He added that the effect of this is that the level of oversight and accountability over the executive will continue to be insufficient.
“Swapo MPs will always protect their own colleagues from scrutiny. Katjimune is of the view that in this case if the Chairperson is absent, it means that the Committee will not be able to convene because the Deputy cannot chair since she comes from SWAPO.
“It’s an irregularity that needs to be rectified,” he added.
