The National Assembly has clarified the security arrangements surrounding its speaker, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, saying police officers assigned to protect her are not employed by the parliament or speaker.
The clarification comes after claims from Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda about security personnel assigned to the speaker.
In a statement issued on Thursday, National Assembly spokesperson Sacky Kadhikwa said the personnel are members of the police whose command, deployment and operational control remain with the police under the Police Act of 1990.
Their deployment is therefore determined by competent police authorities based on security requirements, Kadhikwa said.
“The personnel concerned are members of the police, not persons recruited or employed by the speaker or the National Assembly,” he stated.
He further said the officers’ salaries are paid through the police establishment and not from the National Assembly’s budget vote. However, when security personnel accompany the speaker on official travel, the National Assembly may cover related expenses.
Kadhikwa said such expenditure must be authorised and processed in line with the State Finance Act of 1991, treasury instructions and its approved travel procedures.
He stressed that the payment of such travel-related costs does not create an employment relationship between the officers and the parliament.
The statement comes as scrutiny over the speaker’s leadership and conduct of parliamentary business intensifies, with opposition parties calling for her removal this week.
Kadhikwa said the National Assembly remains committed to transparency and accountability in the use of public resources.
