Early parliament call divides lawmakers

Parliamentarians are divided over calls by Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani for president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to recall parliament early over unresolved national issues, including youth unemployment.

Venaani on Wednesday said the  president has the constitutional powers to do so.

“We, therefore, call upon the president to exercise these powers and recall parliament earlier than the scheduled opening in February,” he said.

State house spokesperson Jonas Mbambo has not responded to questions sent to him.

Independent Patriots for Change chief whip Rodney Cloete says the party tabled a motion last year, urging parliament not to close early. 

“It was ignored. Not debated. Not acknowledged, and the record is clear we have repeatedly pushed for parliament to sit and finish its work, especially on Thursdays, so ministers answer questions and account. We opposed the early closure then,” he says.
Cloete says they did not come to the National Assembly to warm seats but to work.

Landless People’s Movement chief whip Dawid Eigub says the party does not take its parliamentary assignment lightly.

“We are ready and eager to serve the nation with dignity and greater fervor than ever before,” Eigub says.

He says if the new government was serious about “business unusual”, parliament would have resumed in the first week of January.
He adds that long parliamentary recesses should be a thing of the past.

Affirmative Repositioning chief whip Tuhafeni Hangula says Venaani’s call for the National Assembly to sit earlier than usual points to what he describes as weak institutional governance, with parliament insufficiently resourced to operate smoothly. 

‘HE IS BORED’

National Democratic Party chief whip Martin Lukato describes Venaani’s call as a cry of someone who is bored and has nothing to do.

“The recess must be respected. It seems the honourable Venaani is bored. But standing rules are standing rules and must be respected,’’ he says.

Lukato says the president may have powers but has none to order parliament around.

He says parliament is an independent body and its functions ought to be respected.

“Venaani is entitled to his views but as chief whips this was agreed in principle and this cannot be violated by anyone. It must also be understood that we never had enough time to be with our families and we have our own activities to attend to,” he said.

Body for Christ Party chief whip Festus Thomas says he agrees with parliament resuming early in January, however, rules must be respected.

“It was a collective decision and it must be respected. But, I do not think this will be the case this year because last year we went on early recess due to elections. I do not see any emergency for parliament to resume immediately, but perhaps going forward we can look into it,” Thomas says. 

Swanu of Namibia chief whip Evilastus Kaaronda says employment creation falls within the purview of Cabinet’s responsibilities.
“Venaani sounds characteristically off base at best and impetuous at worst,” Kaaronda says.

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