MPs – Windhoek Observer

07 May

LPM High Court judgement questioned

ObserverObserver MoneyBernandus Swartbooi, Henny Seibeb, Landless People’s Movement’s (LPM), McHenry Venaani, Mike Kavekotora, MPs, Peter Katjavivi, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Speaker of Parliament

Andrew Kathindi The High Court’s decision to dismiss the Landless People’s Movement’s (LPM) application to set aside Speaker of Parliament, Peter Katjavivi’s indefinite suspension of Bernandus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb could set a worrying precedent. These were the views of Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) President Mike Kavekotora, who sits on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Standing Rules and Orders and Internal Arrangements (STROC). The STROC according to parliament’s spokesperson, David Nahogandja, generally deals with matters such as misconduct before it is brought before the Privileges Committee. Kavekotora claimed that Katjavivi lied when he said the matter was dealt…

24 Nov

SADC lawmakers seek deeper understanding of corruption

ObserverObserver MoneyMPs, SADC Parliamentary Forum

Moses Magadza WINDHOEK – Members of Parliament who belong to the Standing Committee on Democratisation, Governance and Human Rights of the SADC Parliamentary Forum are boosting their understanding of corruption as they seek to eradicate the scourge. The lawmakers last week invited Mr. Titus Gwemende, Southern Africa Regional Lead on Natural Resources at Oxfam International, to throw light on the various forms of corruption within the SADC Region as well as what is driving it, when their Committee met virtually. Gwemende outlined four different dimensions of corruption with different impacts on a country’s economy: petty theft, grand theft, speed money…

17 Jul

Geingob instructs MPs – can they comply?

ObserverNational NewsHage Geingob, MPs, Parliament, Swapo Party

After reading the Swapo Party President’s speech to the class of MPs sitting in the current Parliament, we see a glimmer of something that has been dimmed for so long. In his well-written speech before Swapo MPs this week, Hage Geingob delivered brass tacks, internal political strategizing guidelines. His message was clear and on-point. The president’s insightful words included tactical strategies, marching orders for diligence, demands that MPs read and be informed and orders to stand together as an active party. He challenged opposition tactics and called for an end to the lackadaisical lethargy borne of 30 years of a…

01 Jul

The informal sector is critical to the economy

ObserverNational Newscity counsellors, economy, informal sector, informal vendors, MPs

The regulatory pursuit of informal vendors, traders, and service providers will not formalize the economy but destroy it. The informal sector is as valuable to the Namibian economy as any other commercial sector. Rather than criminalizing the informal economy, why not help it earn more income? For now, the state earns revenues in the informal sector from VAT on sales of raw materials or bulk products. Let them form their own chamber of commerce and dialogue with decision-makers about the services they need and how to pay for them. Please read the February 25, 2011 article, Support ‘meme kapanas’. In…