NC takes a break

AFTER sitting for eight days, the second session of the third National Council (NC) has been adjourned until further notice.

By its final adjournment on Thursday, the House had approved two bills – the Insolvency Amendment Bill and the Communal Land Reform Bill – without making any amendments to them. The Insolvency Amendment Bill aims to update the 1936 Insolvency Act to be more compatible with the Constitution and other national laws.The Land Reform Bill is intended to amend the Communal Land Reform Act of 2000 by incorporating certain portions of State land into existing communal land areas.Both Bills have been referred to a third reading.The NC has also approved a Code of Conduct and Disclosure, which requires members to disclose, on an annual basis, any financial and business interests they may have, and to refrain from active involvement in matters in which they have direct of indirect financial interests.The House also adopted a motion tabled by Vice Chairperson Margareth Mensah-Williams, requesting an in-depth investigation into the plight of sex workers, street children and other vulnerable people.The investigation is to be carried out by the NC’s Standing Committee on Gender, Youth and Information.At the request of the Vice Chairperson, the Committee will investigate areas from where sex workers operate, and look into cases where bottle stores, bars and shops sell liquor after hours.In addition, the Committee will look at the extent to which Satanism is practised in Namibia, and find out whether Namibia has proper legislation to deal with prostitution and street children.The Insolvency Amendment Bill aims to update the 1936 Insolvency Act to be more compatible with the Constitution and other national laws.The Land Reform Bill is intended to amend the Communal Land Reform Act of 2000 by incorporating certain portions of State land into existing communal land areas.Both Bills have been referred to a third reading.The NC has also approved a Code of Conduct and Disclosure, which requires members to disclose, on an annual basis, any financial and business interests they may have, and to refrain from active involvement in matters in which they have direct of indirect financial interests.The House also adopted a motion tabled by Vice Chairperson Margareth Mensah-Williams, requesting an in-depth investigation into the plight of sex workers, street children and other vulnerable people.The investigation is to be carried out by the NC’s Standing Committee on Gender, Youth and Information.At the request of the Vice Chairperson, the Committee will investigate areas from where sex workers operate, and look into cases where bottle stores, bars and shops sell liquor after hours.In addition, the Committee will look at the extent to which Satanism is practised in Namibia, and find out whether Namibia has proper legislation to deal with prostitution and street children.