Presidential minister playing ‘cat and mouse’ with same-sex bill – Ekandjo

SWAPO back-bencher Jerry Ekandjo has accused presidential affairs minister Christine //Hoebes of playing “cat and mouse games” regarding his private member bill.

In July 2023, Ekandjo tabled bills in the National Assembly that sought to criminalise the propagation, promotion and solemnisation of same-sex marriages, as well as to redefine the term spouse.

The Marriage Act of 2024, which was enacted late last year, already defines marriage as between two adults of the opposite sex. In addition, same-sex marriage has never been legal in Namibia.

Ekandjo’s frustration follows the delay in progress on the private member’s bill he tabled in the National Assembly in 2023.

//Hoebes, who was not present in the National Assembly today, sparked even more anger from Ekandjo, who feels that if the bill is not addressed now, the incoming parliament members will have to start all over.

Ekandjo has demanded that the government should not recognise same-sex in the country.

“For two years this question has come up. If I have to wait again after two weeks, my question is not going to be answered. This is what I call cat and mouse games. I have been waiting for two years. Even the [Marriage Act] was done. After next week the minister will not be here again,’ Ekandjo said.

Ekandjo said that, according to the Constitution, the president can assent to the bill and if he cannot, he should inform the speaker who will, in turn, inform the National Assembly.

“If the bill is passed by two-thirds of those houses (the National Assembly and National Council) the president has to assent to it. If the president is not of the opinion [he can assent to the bill], he must inform the speaker,” he said.

Ekandjo said that while the Constitution says all people shall be equal before the law irrespective of sex, economic status and race, nothing is said about sexual orientation. He has also consistently been vehemently opposed to homosexuality.

“We didn’t fight for this independence for nothing. This bill must be concluded. We cannot allow foreign countries to allow homosexuality [in Namibia]. All other laws [last year] were passed except this one – why?” Ekandjo questioned.