Moratorium on state funerals eroded by exceptions

Political analysts say the credibility of the moratorium on state funerals has been eroded due to exceptions allowed without clear transparency and justification.

This comes after president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah last week accorded late defence force retired chief Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala a state funeral and national hero recognition.

The moratorium was enforced on 4 July until March 2026 to review the criteria. However, the Constitution allows the president to retain such honours.

Hawala (89), who died on 11 August, will be buried at Ongwediva on 6 September.

Hawala was dubbed the ‘Butcher of Lubango’ because he allegedly ran Swapo detention camps in the Angolan city during Namibia’s liberation struggle.

Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says the recent granting of a state funeral to the late retired National Defence Force chief Hawala indeed raises significant questions about the status and application of the moratorium.

“While the moratorium may still exist on paper, the repeated exceptions being made – including two high-profile state/official burials – suggest that it is no longer being strictly enforced in practice.

“This creates two major issues of erosion of the moratorium’s credibility. By allowing exceptions, especially without clear and transparent justifications, the state effectively undermines the authority and seriousness of the moratorium,” Kamwanyah states.

He argues that it sets a precedent that could weaken the intended purpose of the policy, whether it was financial prudence, fairness or national unity.

LACK OF CLEAR GUIDELINE

Kamwanyah says the moratorium appears vague, as there is no transparent, public criteria for what qualifies an individual for a state or official burial during the moratorium period.

This, he says, opens the door to subjective decisions and political influence, rather than objective, principled governance.

“My take is that if a moratorium exists, it must be either properly enforced or officially revised. The government owes the public clear communication,” he says.

Kamwanyah questions if there are official exceptions to the moratorium, and who decides on these exceptions, and on what basis.

He further questions if the moratorium is still in force, or if it has quietly been set aside.

Without this clarity, he says, the state risks public mistrust and accusations of favouritism. The lack of transparency not only dilutes the policy but could also politicise what should be solemn and unifying national moments, says Kamwanyah.

He recommends that if the government is to maintain the moratorium, it must establish clear, written criteria that are publicly accessible.

Alternatively, he says, if the policy is no longer feasible or being adhered to, it should be lifted officially and replaced with a more realistic and sustainable framework for honouring national figures.

MORATORIUM STILL IN PLACE

Recently appointed State House press secretary Jonas Mbambo yesterday explained that the moratorium on state funerals remains in place.

However, when the moratorium was first announced, it was made clear that the president, as head of state, retains the constitutional authority to exercise discretion in exceptional cases, he says.

“In the matter you referred to, the president acted fully within that mandate. It is, therefore, not the case that the moratorium has been lifted altogether, but rather that the president, guided by the Constitution, may make exceptions when circumstances warrant it,” Mbambo clarified.

FAR REACHING POWERS CONUNDRUM

Political analyst Henning Melber says Namibia has a constitutionally enshrined executive president with far reaching powers and hardly any checks and balances.

This means almost all decisions taken are vested in the authority of the office of the president.

He adds that if Nandi-Ndaitwah decides on a moratorium, it is her discretion to bypass or ignore the moratorium.

“The far reaching executive powers were a matter of discussion at the Constituent Assembly and finally adopted. This is not the first time that a president does as he or she likes, and it won’t be the last time,” he adds.

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