The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) has accused Swapo of using its parliamentary majority, allegedly in cooperation with the speaker, to frustrate opposition scrutiny and shield the executive from accountability.
LPM chief whip Dawid Eigub in a statement released on Wednesday says a growing pattern of ministers failing to appear for difficult questions, providing inadequate answers and using parliamentary time on “flimsy” questions is undermining effective oversight.
He says Swapo parliamentarians are allegedly posing predictable questions to their own ministers, followed by lengthy prepared responses, reducing time available for opposition members to raise issues affecting Namibians.
Eigub says matters including rent control, land delivery, the land bill, public enterprise governance, petroleum legislation, employment and housing risked being delayed or pushed down the parliamentary agenda.
He also raises concern over alleged political pressure on majority members of parliament through threats, coercion and forced open voting on matters of national interest.
“Parliament belongs to the people of Namibia. It does not belong to Swapo. It does not belong to the opposition, and it certainly does not belong to the executive,” Eigub says.
He says the LPM will continue using parliamentary mechanisms to ensure effective oversight and accountability.
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has previously defended parliament, saying delays are caused by constant disruptions from opposition members and abuse of privileges and standing rules and orders.
She also says questions are too many.
