THIS year was one of political violence, according to Philemon Moongo, vice president of the DTA.
Referring to the political violence of November 22, which erupted at Outapi when hundreds of Swapo supporters prevented a rally of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) from taking place and beat several people up, Moongo said in the National Assembly on Thursday that all political parties should adhere to the code of ethics they had signed a few years ago.
‘2008 was a year of political intolerance and some people are still in hospital after the Outapi incident. Citizens must be educated about democracy and this code of ethics,’ Moongo urged.
It has become a tradition that the leaders of all political parties represented in the National Assembly are given the opportunity to say a few words and this year was no exception, with Deputy Speaker Doreen Sioka giving each party a chance.
Outspoken Chief Justus //Garoëb of the United Democratic Front (UDF) said he did not underestimate the current political climate in Namibia.
‘Don’t provoke this climate,’ a Swapo MP interjected. This did not stop //Garoëb.
‘This climate might precede evil and could bring the fire of instability, rebellion and terrorism. As political leaders, this is a challenge we have to face and deal with,’ Chief //Garoëb cautioned.
Arnold Tjihuiko of Nudo complimented Deputy Speaker Doreen Sioka on handling MPs during often stormy debates.
Tsudao Gurirab of CoD said he hoped that no [political] violence during political activities would erupt until Parliamentary sessions resume in February.
The only representative of the Monitor Action Group (MAG), Jurie Viljoe, said: ‘We all are Namibians, regardless of political affiliations, skin colour and historical background. Return in 2009 as the loyal and disciplined Namibians as you always do.’
Henk Mudge of the Republican Party reminded MPs of the many poor Namibians trying to make ends meet and said solutions should be found for them. Mudge said some MPs should devote the recess to ‘study history.’
Deputy Prime Minister Libertina Amathila urged all MPs to ‘please rest your brain(s) and don’t’ campaign [politically] until you return to Parliament again.’
The National Assembly had its last session for this year on Thursday and is in recess until mid-February 2009. It quickly adopted three bills last week: the Minerals Amendment Bill, which provides for royalties to be levied in mineral exports, the Sectional Title Bill and the Controlled Wildlife Products Bill.
The three bills will now be tabled in the National Council, which resumes sessions this week.
