Opposition members of parliament (MPs) staged a walkout in the National Assembly (NA) on Thursday, citing concerns about age, ethnicity, and a lack of debate in the reappointment of four public service commissioners.
Prime minister Elijah Ngurare called for the urgent approval of the four Public Service Commission (PSC) commissioners.
They are ambassador Patrick Nandago as chairperson, ambassador Linda Scott, Lidinwa Shapwa, and Aldermine Kamatuka.
Ngurare tabled a motion on the nominees, nominated by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, asking the parliament to approve them on an urgent basis.
The commissioners’ current term was set to expire at the end of February.
After Swapo parliamentarian James Ueirikua called for a vote, NA speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila proceeded to call the vote in line with parliamentary standing rules.
Opposition parties, however, objected and walked out of the chamber.
Lawmakers who remained could not proceed because there was no quorum.
Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda led the objections, saying the process undermined MPs’ right to debate.
“You have been doing this for many years. I can tell you I am a leader of the party, and a member here is not prepared. Now you’re taking away his right because you want people to start on Monday,” he said.
Concerns raised included the nominees’ qualifications and age, and claims that most are from one ethnic group.
“Do we have a nomination by the president? Has anybody seen it? The PSC requires a person to retire at 60 years of age, while there are provisions for extension to 67 years, but that person must fulfil three recommendations – by the PSC, the president and the prime minister.
“The nominated persons are all above 60 years. Now what is the logic of appointing people close to 70?” Amupanda asked.
He questioned Nandago’s qualifications, claiming he holds a diploma as his highest qualification, and argued that more qualified Namibians could be appointed.
Amupanda also noted the absence of the president’s motivation for the nominations.
Independent Patriots for Change MP Nelson Kalangula asked why younger people are not being considered.
Speaking to The Namibian on Saturday, Swanu of Namibia president Evilastus Kaaronda said the appointments were “more about the deployment of Swapo cadres” than improving the public service.
“Most are way too old to be productive in their roles of utmost importance to the public service. The fact that there is no nomination before the National Assembly to consider, at least not as envisaged by the Constitution, makes the prime minister’s submission defective,” he said.
Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani criticised the “recycling” of retirees.
“Someone who has served three international jobs, the executive director, must get a new job. The same government, through line minister James Sankwasa, has rejected an applicant for the National Housing Enterprise post as they were 60. Now it makes a U-turn to appoint people almost in their 70s,” Venaani said.
United Democratic Front MP Nico Somaeb raised concerns about ethnic balance in the nominations and called for all groups to be included in senior government positions.
Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi defended the nominations, saying due process was followed and the appointments were balanced.
He urged MPs to support the president and approve the nominees.
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