Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698751938350.pdf (Namibia)
- 1 - - 14 - Thursday, 2 March 2023 No.

2 - 2023 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS MINISTER: QUESTION NO.

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Prime Minister .................................................................................. 15, 24, 25 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security .................. 8, 30 Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises ............................................ 22, 29 Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare Minister of Health and Social Services ......................................................... 31 Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation 10.
Minister of Mines and Energy ........................................................................ 1 11.

Minister of Justice 12.

Minister of Urban and Rural Development ...................................... 17, 18, 19 13.

Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism ........................................... 26 - 15 - - 106 - 14.

Minister of Industrialisation and Trade ........................................................ 28 15.
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform ........................................ 27 16.

Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources .......................................... 20, 23 17.

Minister of Works and Transport 18.

Minister in the Presidency 19.

Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service ........................................ 7, 32 20.

Minister of Information and Communication Technology ........................... 14 21.
Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation ............... 4, 16, 21 Question 1 (2023-02-15) Hon.

Kauandenge (NUDO) asked the Minister of Mines and Energy: Last year there was a heated debate in the country about who owns our minerals in this country, it was a heated debate that went to the extent that Namibians came out strongly against exploitation of our minerals by foreigners.
Hon speaker, it is important to kick of this question with the quotation from our very own Constitution, our Constitution says “all minerals rights are vested in the state and are regulated by the minerals (prospecting and mining) act of 1992”.

Our minerals (prospecting and mining) act, 1992 (no.

33 stated amongst others that this is an act to provide for the reconnaissance, prospecting and mining for, and disposal of, and the exercise of control over, minerals in Namibia”.
Having quoted the above legal provisions on our statue books one would have assumed that guided by the above, we as a country should have been in total control of our minerals resources, but this appears to not be the case.

It was and it is still disheartening to have noted both the president and the Minister of Mines trying to tell this nation last year that whoever puts the bulk of the money upfront for the exploration purposes control our minerals and have the biggest share in the long run.
I would therefore like to ask the Hon Minister to confirm or deny that this government, and those who were Ministers before him have sold this country minerals for a song or not.

Giving you the benefit of doubt and that you will not answer me like some Ministers in this house do, as if when we ask questions they are doing us a favor, while it is their constitutional obligation to do so, I now ask the following: 1.
Is it true that almost all our mines are foreign owned and our government receive a pittance on behalf of the citizens only?

- 16 - - 107 - Is it true that Langer Heinrich Mine is 100% owned by Heinrich Uranium PTY LTD and government owns 0% and this is one of the biggest mines in the country?

2.

This mine is located at the foot of the Langer Heinrich Mountain in the Namib Desert near Swakopmund.
I must add that Namibia is ranked 4th largest producer of uranium worldwide, behind Kazakhstan, Canada and Australia and produce about 7.1 % of uranium oxide worldwide.

Why then does the country not benefit from its uranium and if this facts are correct, why does Langer Heinrich owns 100% of our uranium, while uranium is one of the five minerals resources that were declared strategic by the Namibian Government in 2011, is this hypocrisy on the side of the Namibian Government or simply negligent?
This mine was under care and maintenance and it is about to resume operation in 2024, my question is will it still continue under the same percentage allocation or not?

3.

Is it true that Rio Tinto owns 69% in the Rossing Mine, while Government only own 3%, Iranians 15%, SA 10%, others 3%?

This is the world’s longest running open pit uranium and has been in operation since 1976, and yet our government own only 3%.
This Mine produced 3.711 tons of Uranium oxide, it is the fifth largest uranium mine with 8% of global output, is this correct that we as Namibians owns only 3%?

Your Ministry extended this mine license in August 2022 for another 10 years from 2026 to 2036, one would like to know, have you extended it under this draconian, insensitive terms or are there new terms in which the Namibian people through you as the line Minster will benefit properly?

4.
4.

It is true that Scorpion Zinc mine is 100% owned by Vendata and Government own 0%, while Scorpion Zinc mine is the 8th largest zinc mine in the world producing special high grade (shg).

This mine has the potential to run for another 15 years, again more 15 years of nothing to the Namibian people I must add, I am aware that the mine is currently under maintenance but with a possibility of reopening soon for another 15 years.

5.
5.

Is it true that Tsumeb Smelter is 100% owned by Dundee Precious Metals a Canadian firm and again our government owns nothing at 0%?

This smelter process concentrate from the Tsumeb copper mine and is one of the only five commercial scale smelters in Africa?
The same scenarios are and continue to repeat itself as follows: Navachab Mine a subsidiary of QKR Corporation Limited that owns this mine 92.5% and the Namibian government owns a mere 7.5% Oshikoto Gold Mine B2 Gold owns 90% EVI Mining 10% and GRN 0% Husab Mine, Swakop Uranium 90%, GRN 10% Etango Uranium Mine, Bannerman Resources owns 100% and GRN 0% - 17 - - 108 - Trekkopie Mine it is owned wholly by Areva 100% and GRN 10% Norosa Uranium owned by Forsys Metal 100% and GRN 0% Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine owned by Glencore 80% and GRN 0% while 20% is owned by others one wonders who are the others.
Otjihase Tschidi Matchless Coper Mines owned by Weatherly International at 95.8%, GRN 2.65 and others 1.6% who are the others?

Hon.

Speaker, this point to a rather depressing picture that must not be allowed to continue.

Hon.
Hon.

Minister, you owe this nation a proper explanation as to what is happening to our minerals and why government allows potential investors in our mining sector, without government demanding adequate percentage for our raw materials or minerals, on behalf of the citizens of our country?

6.
6.

Is the above painted picture correct and if yes, why is the Namibian Government happy with this status quo and if not happy what are the immediate remedial interventions from the government to address this situation that is so bleak and really disappointing to the core?

How can a country so rich in minerals allow itself to be exploited by foreigners, while receiving peanuts for our minerals?

_________________ Question 4 (2023-02-15) Hon.


Kavekotora (RDP) asked the Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation: One of my many motions currently circulating in relevant parliamentary standing committees deals with equitable distribution of resources and opportunities.

I still maintain that equity must have been the vision of every Namibian who fought and yearned for total liberation of Namibia.

All Namibians are striving for a better life.


My motion on equity should have been a wakeup call to every Minister, every Chief Executive officer, every Commander of the Armed forces, the police and anyone running a government institution.

Discrimination and all discriminatory practices have the potential of fueling civil unrest in this country and could derail the much hailed peace and stability we all cherish.

Hon.
Hon.

Minister, I don’t know how you took the news in printed media that the majority of medical students’ intake at UNAM are from one tribal grouping?

The RDP and I did not take it lightly because we value the principles of equity, fairness and non- discriminatory practices.

Thus I ask: 1.

How equitable is the latest UNAM medical student intake?

- 18 - - 109 - 2.

Can you itemize the current UNAM medical student intake in percentage per tribal grouping?

3.
3.

What criteria were used in the selection process and how fair are these criteria to the minority grouping in Namibia?

4.

Can you share with this August House the breakdown of intakes of the previous 3 years/periods in per ethnic grouping?

5.

Assuming you are not happy with this situation, and education is the greatest equalize what do you intend to do to address this discriminatory practice?

_________________ Question 7 (2023-02-15) Hon.


Diergaardt (PDM) asked the Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service: Namibia currently only boasts 2 major stadiums, the Sam Nuyoma and Independence stadiums, but the two venues have since been downgraded by CAF and FIFA, as they do not meet the minimum standards for international football matches.

As a result of the banishment by CAF and FIFA, the national team has been forced to play all their international matches in South Africa at exorbitant costs.
Cabinet mandated the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service on behalf of Namibia to enter into a bidding process with Botswana.

Namibia has since approved the co-hosting bid of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament with Botswana.

Namibia approved in principle the joint bid to co-host with the Republic of Botswana on a 60:40 formula, with Namibia bearing the 40% costs and associated benefits.

Namibia has an intended budget of N$450 million for this tournament.
The matches will take place in Swakopmund and Windhoek, with the Independence stadium to host the matches in Windhoek.

It was also revealed that other venues will be renovated and serve as training venues for this international soccer tournament.

Due to the poor conditions of the stadiums, local sports continue to suffer because of the absence of quality sports facilities in the country.

I thus wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.
Why is there a key priority to only develop the sports stadiums for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations tournament and not for the usage of local sports tournaments and events?

2.

Why is there a budget all of sudden to renovate the stadiums for this tournament and not a budget to renovate all stadiums in the country?

3.

Why is the Minister always oblivious about the state of sports facilities in the country?

_________________ - 19 - - 110 - Question 8 (2023-02-15) Hon.
Diergaardt (PDM) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security: People have lost their lives at the hands of the Namibian Police, who are trusted to protect the lives of people.

The most direct connection between police brutality and public health is the fact that police brutality kills and injures people.

The clearest indication out there is that we don’t regard police brutality as a public health issue.
Police brutality affects public health because it affects an indicator of population health, which is life expectancy.

Police brutality is also a major violation of human rights.

Incidents of police brutality in Namibia are swept under the rug.

I thus wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.

How many complaints of police brutality in Namibia have been received by the Internal Investigation Directorate to date?

2.

How many Police brutality investigations are currently underway?

3.
3.

How many prosecutions and convictions have been concluded?

4.

Is the Internal Investigation Directorate independent and impartial when investigating incidents of police brutality in Namibia?

_________________ Question 14 (2023-02-15) Hon.

Katjimune (PDM) asked the Minister of Information and Communication Technology: Hon.
Minister, We have in our possession information about the looting of State funds at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), particularly in the Infrastructure and Maintenance Department falling under the Transmitter - DTT Projects Section.

In 2016, the NBC bought certain generators from a company called Procast Engineering.

On the initial tax invoice, the generators that were bought and paid for were five (5) John Deere generators, which were priced at a total cost of N$3.3 million.
These generators were to be supplied to various NBC stations at Opuwo, Signalberg, Gobabis, Corridor 13 and Eiseb 10.

However, the generators meant for Corridor 13 and Eiseb 10 have not been delivered up to date.

What is fundamentally concerning about the procurement of these generators is that the John Deere generators that were initially procured and paid for on the tax invoice are not the ones that were delivered.

Instead, Scania generators were delivered at Opuwo, Gobabis and Stampriet.
Of these, only the generator at Gobabis works.

This points to serious irregularities and fraud in the procurement of these generators and in the general operations of the Infrastructure and Maintenance Department of the NBC.

- 20 - - 111 - Even more concerning is that there was no commissioning by Procast Engineering to test the effectiveness of these Scania generators before they were procured, which ultimately led to the failure of the other two generators at Opuwo and Stampriet.
These failed Scania generators have joined the more than five (5) generators which are not operational at various offices of the NBC.

There are also various payments that were made for the repair and maintenance of certain generators to Procast Engineering, and no repair and maintenance has been done on those generators up to date and have been dumped at the premises of the NBC, pointing to a suspicious and corrupt relationship between the NBC and Procast Engineering.
I therefore ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.

Can the Honourable Minister explain how the Infrastructure and Maintenance Department of the NBC ended up with Scania generators as opposed to the John Deere generators which were initially invoiced and paid for?

2.

Can the Honourable Minister account to this House as to why there has been up to date no repair and maintenance on various generators of the NBC, despite payments having been made to Procast Engineering in 2015 and 2016?

3.
3.

Last but not least, will the Minister launch a comprehensive forensic audit into the financial operations of the Infrastructure and Maintenance Department of the NBC in particular and into the NBC in general in order to get to the bottom of this fraud?

_________________ Question 15 (2023-02-15) Hon.

Dr. Iijambo (SWANU) asked the Prime Minister: Poverty, homelessness and landlessness in Namibia are not only real and prevalent but rampant.
These caused the nation to absolutely, if not overwhelmingly, with diminished sense of hope.

There is continuous destructive and retrogressive mismanagement of public funds.

Despite State denials and pretense by the powers that be, that corruption in Namibia is not systematic, an objective analysis will show that corruption in Namibia is actually institutionalized.

Political thieves who steal, launder our monies and corrupt to the bone with impunity are by far more dangerous than ordinary thieves.
Wrong personalities in the right people’s institutions happen to be one of the major factors to superficial poverty and exceeded unemployment.

Swanu of Namibia strongly propose/suggest it is time overdue to strengthen our national institutions, improve the dilapidated economy that hinges on hyperinflation and rescue our retrogressive social conduct.

- 21 - - 112 - Right Honourable Prime Minister, therefore the following questions: 1.
Can our education system be based on the country’s needs and aspirations?

Hence, move away from the regurgitatory system that emphasized memorization.

2.

The land issue was, continues to be and will always be of pivotal importance.

How long will sovereign Namibians live in the destructive, unlawful, less productive and unacceptable Odendaal Commission Homelands while former colonizers and elites own abundant land in the White stan?

3.
3.

33-years after independence, can we declare the degrading, historic Bantu- and White stans gross violation of human rights?

_________________ Question 16 (2023-02-21) Hon.

Kauandenge (NUDO) asked the Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation: Hon.

Minister, I take it on face value that you are all too aware of the Education Act that stipulates that only the University of Namibia is allowed by law to offer LLB degree in Namibia.
Despite this provision in our Education Act which in any case to me is outdated and need urgent review, I must state that to me this is an outright monopolistic policy that have no place in a modern, open and education starved Namibia.

I must add that while this policy is still in place, the Qualification Authority of Namibia has accredited Triumphant College to offer a 3 year Law Advanced Diploma course.
Interestingly students studying this 3 year Advanced Diploma course are also funded by NSAF if they qualify making this College amongst those popular higher learning institutions in our country.

Hon.
Hon.

Speaker, I must add that those of us who have actually set in a class, studied into the wee hours of the night, did assignments and actually set for examinations with time limitations, can attest to the fact that, studying Law takes a strong mental state, perseverance and high discipline as it is one of the most difficult field of studies.

Here I’m not talking about the receivers of Honorary degrees who get them on a silver platter, not at all.
This is a field in which you must invest your time and commitment, equally it is not a cheap field to study as well.

Therefore it defies logic, and one would want to know what the men’s rea was of those who drafted this Education Act was at the time and I’m not referring to the criminal state of mind as in a criminal case, but merely asking the state of mind of those drafters of our Education Act at the time when they drafted this Act.
This question is important because on one hand you have an Education Act that give autonomy to Unam exclusively to offer an LLB degree in Namibia, while you have Triumphant College accredited by the Qualification Authority to offer Law at an Advanced diploma level.
- 22 - - 113 - However disappointingly is that students who completed their Advanced Diploma in Law at Triumphant College and apply to Unam must go and re-start their law studies from the first year, is this true Hon Minister as they don’t receive credits for subjects already covered during their three years studies at Triumphant College?

Hon.
Hon.

Minister, is it true that a young man/woman from Katutura can study law for three years at Triumphant College and then on completion, Unam does not recognize this qualification and the poor student can be admitted to the law faculty at Unam, but he or she must re start his or her study from scratch?
This then means that a Student who start at Unam doing law will study an LLB for only 4 years, while a student who first goes and study an Advance Diploma in law at Triumphant College, will altogether study for his or her LLB a combined 7 years?

What a waste, what a mockery of our education system, what a heartless education system we have in this country.

If indeed this is true Hon.


Minister, don’t you think this in an urgent matter that must be rectified with the outmost urgency it deserve forthwith, with the amendment of the Higher Education Act?
This is a wastage of our country resources and must be rectified soonest, because Government spend money for three years through NSAF educating this students at Triumphant College that goes to waste after their 3 years study in Law at this college, then Government spend another funds for another four years at Unam for them to obtain their LLB, this is pure illogical, wastage of meagre resources and at best misplaced in all its probabilities.

Hon.
Hon.

Speaker, the Minister owes this House serious and factual answers to the above questions, because this scenario cannot be allowed to continue for another day.

Parents spend their hard earned money to fund this students at Triumphant College that want to pursue Law for three years, only to be told after they graduate that Unam cannot give them credits for subjects already covered and that they must start afresh, what kind of mickey mouse education is this really, it is simply not on.
When will this monopoly granted to Unam come to an end in this country, whereby they are the only institution that have the right to offer an LLB degree?

Why can’t other higher institution of learning in Namibia not offer LLB, if we have the Namibia Qualifications Authority that can accredit such institutions to make sure that they meet the requirements to offer an LLB qualification just like UNAM?

Hon.
Hon.

Minister, you owe this nation an unfettered reply, bone to a bone, as thousands are waiting in anticipation for your answer and I hope that you will do so.

_________________ Question 17 (2023-02-21) Hon.


Swartbooi (LPM) asked the Minister of Urban and Rural Development: On 22 April 1990, Cabinet per Resolution FC/MPO/0821/012, as amended on 27 August 1991, resolved that all municipal houses situated in Proclamation 56 of 1951 areas, which were older than twenty years, be granted to the lessees or occupants thereof.
The Cabinet took this progressive decision on the basis, inter alia, that residents of - 23 - - 114 - the Old Location were expressly promised by the then colonial government, that they would receive houses if they moved to Katutura, after thirty years of occupancy of these houses.

This Government Alienation Scheme also included houses constructed in Khomasdal.

The total number of houses within this Scheme stood at seven thousand and sixty eight (7068) units.
The general thrust of the Government Alienation Scheme was to address black propertylessness, by transferring houses on the Title to our people.

The Alienation Scheme would end on 1st April 1999.

However, out of the initial total of seven thousand and sixty eight housing units, only four thousand one hundred and sixteen (4 116) residents of Khomasdal and Katutura participated.

The residents had to pay and amount of N$111 000.


The City of Windhoek also introduced its Alienation Scheme, allowing residents that did not participate in the Government Alienation Scheme to taking transfer of Title, to participate in the Municipal Alienation Scheme.

In this Municipal Alienation Scheme began to introduce requirements wholly different from the Government Alienation Scheme, including registration of a bond in favour of the Municipality.

I therefore ask the Minister as follows: 1.


What was the reason behind the exclusion of the remainder of about two thousand nine hundred and fifty two residents (2952) of Khomasdal and Katutura, from the Government Alienation Scheme?

2.
2.

If they were not excluded by government action, what investigations were done to determine their lack of participation in the Scheme, as they too were in the same or similar circumstances, both historically and financially, as the other four thousand one hundred and sixteen others who benefitted from the Government Alienation Scheme.

3.
3.

Was the City of Windhoek given authority to register a bond in their favour on the rental and service accounts that were outstanding, and if so, under which logical deviation, since the affected lessees under the Government Scheme were of similar economic and social status?

4.

What has been the overall impact on the lives and livelihoods of those residents who have not benefitted from the Government Alienation Scheme but have had to part-take in a much more stringent Municipal Alienation Scheme?

5.
5.

Have the requirements within the Municipal Alienation Scheme not been in direct contradiction of the Government Alienation Scheme?

And why was this allowed, and lastly, 6.

What will the Minister do to ensure that the residents that did not benefit from the Government Alienation Scheme and the Municipal Alienation Scheme, and who have become highly indebted to the municipality over the years, to assert their dignity as Namibians and transfer these houses in title to them?
_________________ - 24 - - 115 - Question 18 (2023-02-21) Hon.

Isaaks (LPM) asked the Minister of Urban and Rural Development: Question on local authorities budget implementation.

As per the powers vested in the Minister, however illogical they may appear, the budgets of local authorities are approved by the Minister.

After the approval of a budget there is a associated function of budget tracking.

In other words monitoring the implementation of the budget.
It follows that that function is performed through an appropriate mechanism designed to make possible accurate assessment of revenue collection and spending.

My question relates to the spending site.

1.

As the authority who approves the budget of local authorities, does the Minister have an appropriate mechanism in place to track budget implementation?

2.

If so, at what intervals is budget implementation reviewed?

3.
3.

Can the Minister tell this house at what level local authorities’ budgets were implemented as of January 2023?

4.

Can the Minister shed more light on the execution rate of capital budget, and the Ministry’s contribution to the capital budgets of the local authorities until January 2023?

5.
5.

Can the Minister also tell this house what the execution rates were in the 2021-2022 financial year of the local authorities, as well as the Ministry’s contribution to the capital budgets for the same financial year?

During the peak of COVID 19, local authorities were directed to provide uninterrupted water supply to residents.

This meant that local authorities were also not able to suspend water services to residents.

Naturally, they incurred additional debt.


This and other factors relating to the COVID 19 pandemic compounded the financial troubles that local authorities find themselves in, to the extent that most of them are unable to fund their operations.

This means that they are functionally insolvent.

During the last session of the last Parliament, the Honourable Henny Seibeb tabled a motion that debts accruing from the pandemic be forgiven the local authorities.
Just last month the Keetmanshoop Municipality had to be bailed out by it’s electricity unit, KEBU, to the amount of 2 million to pay salaries and other operations.

That is as bad as it is.

6.

Is the Minister aware of the financial calamity of local authorities, and how does you intend to intervene to ease the financial dire straits of his local authorities?

7.

When will the debt be forgiven?

_________________ Question 19 (2023-02-21) Hon.


Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Urban and Rural Development: A certain Councillor, Mr. Lazarus Kanelombe was elected as one of the three (3) SWAPO Councillors for Karibib Local Authority, in 2020 Regional Council and Local - 25 - - 116 - Authority Elections.

He is currently the Chairperson of the Management Committee of Karibib Local Authority.
Councillor Kanelombe is permanently employed (as a Surveyor) by Swakopmund Uranium, some 180 kilometres from Karibib, effective since 15 November 2019.

Subsequently, Councillor Kanelombe stated in the sworn/affirmed declaration on 8 April 2021 that he resides in Karibib and provided his permanent residential address, as Erf No.

406, Second Street, Karibib.


However, the Erf mentioned in the police declaration is owned by QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine, and information was verified and affirmed by the Managing Director of QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine on 15 June 2021.

He affirmed that indeed Erf No.

406 was allocated already to a permanent employee of QKR Namibia Navachab Gold Mine and that this employee is the legitimate tenant of the said house.
In other words, Councillor Kanelombe provided false information to serve as one of Karibib Local Authority Councillors, and for that matter, as a Chairperson of the Management Committee contrary to the provisions in the Namibian Constitution, Article 111 (3), Local Authority Act of 1992 as amended Section No.

7 (1)(a), Local Authority Act of 1992 as amended, Section No.

13 (1)(h) and lastly, the Electoral Act, 2014, Act.

No.

5 of 2014 Section No.

13 (1)(b), hence the following question.

Questions: 1.
Questions: 1.

Are you aware of the situation that Councillor Lazarus Kanelombe allegedly challenged the Chief Executive Officer of Karibib Town Council to a fist fight and that the Management Committee meeting had to be cancelled as a result of this fracas last week?

2.

Do you have Minutes of Karibib Town Council meetings, whereby this matter of the Councillor not residing in his area of jurisdiction, 12 months after elections was discussed and forwarded to you for your immediate attention and action?
3.

Are you aware that Councillor Kanelombe demands invitation letters every time from Karibib Town Council Management, to attend Management Committee and Council meetings, for onward submission to his employers at Swakopmund Uranium?

4.

What steps/action will you take as a Minister, because Councillor Kanelombe provided false claims and false proof of residence to justify his motivation that he is, indeed from Karibib and lives in Karibib?

5.
5.

Why do you keep on protecting Councillor Kanelombe despite claims that your office as well as the Office of the President is aware of this matter?

6.

Did Swapo Secretary-General instruct you not to take action with regards to this specific Councillor?

_________________ - 26 - - 117 - Question 20 (2023-02-21) Hon.

Mukwilongo (NEFF) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources: Hon.
Minister, we have a sea in our country with plenty of fish as well as supplying many countries in the world with our fish but, we have a shortage of fish in our fish market, in our own country and yet, very expensive.

1.

For instance, we have horse mackerels, one of the cheapest and affordable species but very costly in own market, what went wrong?

Before independence, these type of fish used to be animal food but now, it became human consumption and very expensive, what went wrong?

2.
2.

We have different types of fish in our country but as soon as they come into the market, they are very expensive as if they have been imported from another country.

Hon.

Minister, why is the fish so expensive in our country?

3.

Hon.

Minister, before exporting fish outside the country, ensure that our own fish-market is full to the capacity, then you can export the rest, once you have satisfied our own market.

4.

Hon.
4.

Hon.

Minister, reduce the price of fish in our country, so that it can be affordable even to the low income people.

_________________ Question 21 (2023-02-21) Hon.


Muharukua (PDM) asked the Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation: Section 9 (2), of Act 15 of 2015, places the collective duty of the board members to strive to achieve high standards of transparency and accountability taking into account the objects of the said Act and the need to obtain the best value for money in public procurement.
Section 10 (1)(c) emphasises that duty on individual members while subsection 1 (a) and (b) demands from individual board members fidelity, honesty, integrity and to act in the best interest of the Board and the procurement system; further, it demands the exercise of a reasonable degree of care and diligence in the performance the boards functions from individual board members.

Honourable Minister the 52% plus unemployment crisis is one that is felt by every household.
Every capital project undertaken in the Republic is therefore, not only a lifeline for the citizenry that are to benefit from the end product, but also for those who are engaged in the construction process of our capital projects.

One such project is the Okakarara Hotel School, as part of the upgrading of the Okakarara VTC.

I therefore wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.

Is it correct that the project was awarded to Octagon Construction (Pty) Ltd, as the contractor?

- 27 - - 118 - 2.
- 27 - - 118 - 2.

This contract was awarded to that contractor in April 2019, with the initial completion date of the project April 2021.

3.

Is it correct that despite the extension of the completion date to August 2021, the project completion remains pending?

4. Who are the directors of the said Octagon contractor?

5.

What is the gross value of the project?

6.

Of the project value how much is actually paid to the construction employees of the project?

7.
7.

What has hampered the completion of the project on the initial completion date?

8.

Why has the company failed to meet the second deadline?

9.

Do you then agree that 3 years after the award of the contract and 2 years after the initial extension of the completion date, it falls within the duties of the collective and individual board members to act in accordance with the cited Sections 9 and 10 duties respectively?

10.

If you are not in agreement with the immediately foregoing question, why not?
_________________ Question 22 (2023-02-21) Hon.

Muharukua (PDM) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises: Chapter three of the Namibian Constitution guarantees Namibians the freedom of Associations.
This right is further amplified by article 95 (C), when it states the State shall actively promote and maintain [...] policies aimed at the active encouragement of the formations of independent trade unions to protect worker’s rights and interests, and to promote sound labour relations and fair employment practices.

Premised on the above kindly answer the following: 1.
Is it correct that no employee employed at Mobile Telecommunications Company, hereinafter MTC, belongs to any trade union; as a result of an active bar on trade unions and trade union activities at MTC?

2.

May you confirm that, instead of associating with their trade union of choice, MTC compels employees to accept representation by what is internally referred to as “Ambassadors”, who are charged with dealing with grievances.

3.

May you confirm that one Josef Nakalemo was one such ambassador?

4.
4.

I am reliably informed that the said Nakalemo has approached your office with grievances related to his victimisations at MTC, may you confirm or deny this assertion?

- 28 - - 119 - 5.

Hon.

Minister may you confirm that during 2017, in his capacity as Ambassador, Mr. Nakalemo blew the whistle on corrupt activities related to the 081 campaign tender?

6.
6.

What was the total monetary value of the tender in question; which companies were the beneficiaries of this tender; and which of the beneficiaries where subject matter in the complaint by Mr Nakalemo?

7.

What were the substantive issues raised and reported to your office and MTC as irregular and corrupt in respect of awarding of the 081 tenders to the respective companies?

8.
8.

May you confirm that following blowing such whistle, Mr. Nakalemo was subjected to 7 different disciplinary actions of which at least 6 were either dismissed or withdrawn?

9.

Should your immediately foregoing answer be in the affirmative, why should this August House not conclude that Mr. Nakalemo was victimised at his work place when he was trying to protect Namibians against corrupt activities?

10.
10.

May you confirm that the MTC leadership was made aware of an attempt or plans to assassinate Mr. Nakalemo in order to silence him for good?

11.

If the answer to the immediately foregoing is in the affirmative, to which senior employees of MTC, was the matter reported and who was allegedly involved in the elimination plan?

12.
12.

May you confirm that instead of investigation the assassination claims, a letter of apology was written to Mr. Nakalemo, asking for apology and seeking reconciliation, but failed to deny the involvement of MTC leaders in the assassination attempts?

13.

If you confirm the immediately foregoing, who wrote the said letter of apology?

14.
14.

Should the above questions be premised on correct information: 14.1 Would it be wrong for Parliament to conclude that there was a concerted witch-hunt against Mr. Nakalemo for exposing corruption, and that other “Ambassadors” are at the same risk?

14.2 With this extend of serious allegations, why should Namibians no conclude that it is a culture at MTC, to suppress, victimise and oust employees stand up against irregular and/or corrupt activities at that parastatal?
_________________ Question 23 (2023-02-22) Hon.

McHenry Venaani (PDM) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources: While this nation awaits a clear and tangible resolve for over 6000 fisherman who fell into joblessness as a direct result of the fishrot saga, their daily lives, nearly 4 years later continue to be negatively impacted, their livelihoods severely threatened.

- 29 - - 120 - My office has met with you on various occasions in the pursuit of a resolve for the effected people.
The elusive approach and lack of resolve of the Ministry however, continues to present insecurity and uncertainty for these fishermen.

Thus, I ask: 1.

What is the status of the objective quotas that were ended on 31 October 2022?

2.

What is the status of these objective quotas going forward?

3.

Is it true that Cavema Fishing is refusing to pay out severance and leave days due to the fishermen no longer in its employ?

4.
4.

When does your Ministry envisage to allocate the objective quotas to companies who have demonstrated interest in absorbing these fishermen, who have now fallen into joblessness?

5.

I engaged the then Minister Kawana, to the effect of the establishment of a company for these fishermen, to afford them better equity in the sector, which was eventually registered, only to be privatized- to the exclusion of the stranded fishermen whom it was meant to benefit.
Against this I ask, when will you establish a company of equitable shares for these stranded fishermen as was discussed?

_________________ Question 24 (2023-02-22) Hon.

Venaani (PDM) asked the Right Honourable Prime Minister: The residents of the Bahnhoff community, 20km eastwards of Rehoboth are yet to be afforded the basic services owed to every citizen in an independent Namibia - the very services that are central to actualizing the promise of dignity for our people.
For over 32 years, this secluded community, of approximately 800 people have gone without a local clinic, adequate water infrastructure, neither a pre-primary nor a primary school.

The daily realities of the Bahnhoff community, and many others like itself, strikingly contrasts the development rhetoric of the National Planning Commission.

Thus, I ask: 1.
Thus, I ask: 1.

When in its development planning does the government envisage the establishment a school for the Bahnhoff community of the Rehoboth Urban East Constituency- to prevent the need for children to foot distances of over 20km in order to attend school?

2.

When in its development planning does the government envisage the provision a local clinic to service the healthcare needs of the Bahnhoff Community?

3.
3.

When in its development planning does the government envisage the Bahnhoff community’s enjoyment of adequate access to water by way of permanent water infrastructure?

_________________ - 30 - - 121 - Question 25 (2023-02-22) Hon.
Smit (PDM) asked the Right Honourable Prime Minister: For the past 30 years we have been constantly bombarded with media reports and photographic evidence of the way in which Namibia’s public infrastructure is being allowed to deteriorate and even fall into disuse or collapse because of lack of maintenance.

This is very distressing especially with regard to schools and hospitals that must be used by the general public.
Now, I’m sure we all realize that government property is actually the people’s property and is paid for by the taxpayers and only given to the government to use and care for on behalf of the people.

I now ask: 1.

Will the Right Hon.

Prime Minister explain to this August House what the government’s policy is regarding the proper and timely maintenance and repair all so-called government property?

2.
2.

Does this government actually believe that it is cheaper to allow property to collapse and then to build new buildings with money that could have been used to build more much-needed schools and hospitals?

_________________ Question 26 (2023-02-22) Hon.

Hengari (PDM) asked the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism: Hon.
Minister, over the last two years, I have had the privilege of working closely with an international, multi-partisan network of legislators working worldwide to solve the climate crisis and to help accelerate the energy transition.

The Green Climate Fund is a fund established within the framework of the UNFCCC as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change.

Namibia is one of the benefactors of this fund.


An Annual Performance Report which presents the overall implementation progress of the projects including performance against GCF investment criteria, financial information, project logic framework targets indicators, and development of ESS, Indigenous Peoples, and Gender project elements is submitted to GCF by the Accredited Entity responsible for the implementation of the project; the report is currently undergoing review by the GCF.
In a recent report Hon.

Minister, you are cited to have said that the government will need N$112,3 billion to fight against climate change and that at least 90% of the funding will be sourced internationally and the Ministry plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 91% by the year 2030.

I thus ask: 1.

Hon.

Minister, how did you arrive at this amount of N$112,3 billion and is foreign funding the sustainable way to fight climate change?

If not, what is?

- 31 - - 122 - 2.


May you furnish this House with a summary of the total amounts received thus far from the GCF and other agencies toward the fight against climate change?

3.

What have been some of the major projects executed to this end, kindly also indicate the cost per project?

4.
4.

In a recent report submitted to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) sixteen (16) grants projects valued at about four million three hundred thousand US dollar (USD 4,300,000.00) were completed and handed over to CBOs in nine (9) political regions of the country.

What has been the tangible impact of this USD4.3 million dollars and which regions were benefactors?

5.

Hon.
5.

Hon.

Minister, in the same report, the following are listed as challenges experienced during the implementation are listed * Adverse effects of COVID 19 on grantees, key stakeholders, and PMU to set meetings and visits, import materials and equipment.

* Travel restrictions due to the COVID 19 epidemic regulations, as well as dwindled income for tourism-related community projects.
* Delays in finalizing grantees’ report are due to inconsistent reporting from some grantees, especially those without technical partners.

What mechanisms has your Ministry through the National Designated Agency introduced to accelerate the implementation of projects and to reconcile reporting periods to avoid delays?

6.

Hon.

Minister, are these grants meant for projects received as a country, reaching those at grassroots level?

If yes, please motivate your answer.


_________________ Question 27 (2023-02-22) Hon.

Vries (PDM) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform: Water is a fundamental right for Namibians as provided for by the Namibian Constitution under Article 6, which guarantees protection and respect for life.

Namibians, however, still cannot access clean water, notwithstanding the constitutional provision.
According to the Namibia 2011 Population and Housing Census report, access to clean drinking water in rural areas stood at 59%.

Sixteen per cent of rural households rely on unsafe water from rivers or streams, whilst 13% rely on unprotected wells.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform in 2020 secured a loan of nearly N$1.9 billion from the African Development Bank for the implementation of the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme (NWSSP), which is aimed at increasing access to quality and sustainable water supply.

The programme is implemented in the Ohangwena, Kavango West, Kavango East, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Khomas, Oshana, Omaheke and Omusati Regions.

- 32 - - 123 - I thus wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.
Have people in the Ohangwena, Kavango West, Kavango East, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Khomas, Oshana, Omaheke and Omusati Regions benefited improved access to clean water supply thus far?

If yes, how many?

2.

Have vulnerable households in the above mentioned regions observed improved sanitation facilities since the inception of the programme?

3.
3.

Has the programme generated the intended employment/livelihood opportunities in the Ohangwena, Kavango West, Kavango East, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Khomas, Oshana, Omaheke and Omusati Regions thus far?

If yes, How many are women and how many are youth?

4.

What is the status of the entire programme, in terms of implementation?

_________________ Question 28 (2023-02-22) Hon.


Van den Heever (PDM) asked the Minister of Industrialisation and Trade: Across all Regions in Namibia, SMEs do more than create employment.

SMEs are the engines of economic growth and social development in Namibia.

The SMEs contribute more than 12% of GDP in Namibia.

This contribution varies across different sectors of the SMEs.
Small and Medium Enterprises are a vital lifeline in the country, as they represent the grassroots that keep the local economy going by encouraging growth, employment and income.

The formal and informal SME sectors both play a critical role in addressing social and national issues like unemployment, and poverty.

The support to SMEs in Namibia must be deliberate and result driven.
It is important to share information to SMEs about developments relating to market movements, funding opportunities and service providers that have affordable rates.

Many university graduates and professionals have been raised by mothers and fathers that are street vendors who operate in the informal sector.

It is time that government supports the SMEs in the informal sector.

I thus wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.
Why does the Ministry not deem it fit and important to establish regional SME information centers across all 14 Regions in Namibia that will provide the SMEs with industry developments, partnerships, funding the information about opportunities and mentorships?

2.

What support programmes does the Ministry have for SMEs in both the formal and informal sectors in Namibia?

3.

If affirmative, where are these support programmes implemented and how much has been spent thus far?

4.
4.

Why does the Ministry not offer trainings on financial literacy, record keeping, skills upgrading, marketing and innovation to the SMEs in the informal sector?

- 33 - - 124 - 5.

Access to credit and micro-finance is limited for SMEs in the informal sector.

Is there absolutely no way the Ministry can operationalize and formalize funding for SMEs in the informal sector without stringent conditions?

_________________ Question 29 (2023-02-22) Hon.


Katjimune (PDM) asked the Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation: Student accommodation is one of the cornerstones for conducive and effective learning for thousands of higher education students at our various institutions of higher learning.
Upon completion of their high school careers, a significant majority of our students relocate from towns and villages across the breadth and width of our country to attend various institutions of higher learning in our city, particularly at UNAM, NUST and IUM.

These students often have no accommodation apart from the ones that are offered on campus by universities and funded by the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF).
Until 2017, NSFAF used to fully fund students who were accommodated at student residences, particularly at UNAM, NUST and IUM.

However since 2018, NSFAF amended that policy and now only funds around N$17 000 towards each students accommodation, which means that students must fork out the rest of the exorbitant amount.

For example, students at UNAM residences will have to fork out around N$11 000 from their own pockets to cover the remaining amount towards accommodation.
The result of this is that very few students can now afford accommodation at our universities.

The residences are empty.

At UNAM alone, there are still spaces for more than 500 students at its Old and New Hostels out of a capacity of 1 100.

The situation is the same at Emona residence.


This means that those who cannot afford the hostel are left out to hustle for accommodation in the rough streets of Windhoek by squatting with family members, friends and boyfriends, with some even resorting to prostitution.

I therefore ask the Honourable Minister: 1.

What informed NSFAF’s decision to amend their policy in 2018 to put a cap on funding for student accommodation?

2.
2.

Having discovered the disastrous consequences of this new NSFAF policy, will the Minister intervene and ensure that the policy is amended again in order to compel NSFAF to fully fund student accommodation at all our institutions of higher learning?

3.

If the answer to number 2 is in the negative, can we conclude that the Namibian government, through your Ministry and NSFAF, is not genuine about the plight of students in particular and youth in general?
Which is in stark contrast of the “Reimaging a Better Future for the Youth” budget theme that was paraded by the Finance Minister last year.

_________________ - 34 - - 125 - Question 30 (2023-02-22) Hon.

Mukwilongo (NEFF) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security: Hon.

Minister, we have a major problem in our country in terms of issuing work permits, especially to the Pakistanis that are fixing cellphones.
We have many young people in our country that are skilled and experts in this type of industry and yet we are issuing many work permits to the Pakistanis.

1.

Hon.

Minister, the work permits that have been issued in this type of industry, once they have expired, they should not be renewed again.

Our young people are more than enough in this country to do this type of job.

2.

Hon.
2.

Hon.

Minister, I urge you to stop issuing work permits in these industry, so that, it will give opportunity to our youth to grow their business in this industry.

_________________ Question 31 (2023-02-23) Hon.

Moongo (PDM) asked the Minister of Health and Social Services: Part of the Ministry’s strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic included the temporary ceasing of operations at the Windhoek Central Hospital’s Casualty Unit.
This placed additional pressure on the already overwhelmed Katutura Intermediate Hospital’s Casualty Unit and to some extent also to the Katutura Health Centre.

The Khomas Region has more or less a populace of 340 000 people who are heavily dependent on the emergency health services at the Katutura Intermediate Hospital Casualty Unit and the Katutura Health Centre’s Observation room.
In the past, the Windhoek Central Hospital Casualty unit, (now turned surgical and trauma ICU) would not only provide private patients with minor operations in its theatre and wound dressing services, but would attend to the emergency healthcare needs encountered by the residents.
Notwithstanding the importance of the surgical and trauma unit at the Windhoek Central Hospital, it is important to have a fully functional casualty unit at the Windhoek Central Hospital to help cater for the emergency healthcare needs of the 340 000 people in Windhoek.

1.

What has the effect of ceasing the operations of Windhoek Central Hospital’s Casualty Unit been, post COVID-19, and how is your esteemed Ministry addressing this?

2.
2.

Honourable Minister, picture the scenario of someone who is desperately in need of emergency healthcare, driving past the Windhoek Central Hospital going to the already overwhelmed Katutura Hospital to access emergency healthcare.

Is this the ideal provision of emergency healthcare the Ministry provides to the citizenry?

3.
3.

Would you agree with me that having a fully-fledged and operational casualty department at the Windhoek Central Hospital would relieve the burden currently being faced at Katutura Intermediate Hospital and the Katutura Health Centre?

_________________ - 35 - - 126 - Question 32 (2023-02-23) Hon.

Hengari (PDM) asked the Minister of Sports, Youth and National Service: Hon.
Minister, we have in our possession a follow-up performance audit report of the Auditor-General on unemployment amongst the Namibian youth for the fiscal years 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21.

Some of the major findings are that: 1.

The Ministry has not implemented the recommendations made in the AG’s report of 2009.

The Ministry continues delays in settling utility invoices, procuring study materials, upgrading facilities which poses a problem with regards to addressing youth unemployment in the country.
Notwithstanding your earlier appointment in 2010 and subsequent promotion to the current portfolio, Hon.

Minister, why, in your opinion, is it the standard practice for your Ministry to not implement recommendations dating back to 2009?

Especially considering that these suggestions will help reduce youth unemployment in the country in both direct and indirect ways.

Almost 15 years later the AG’s office is still singing the same song in tune.

2.
2.

The Audit found that the youth centers do not have petty cash because all revenue generated by the centers was put directly into the State account under Treasury instructions.

The audit further reveals that center staff members go as far as to use their own money to purchase essential necessities for the effective operation of their individual centers.
To prevent staff members from having to pay out of their own pockets to keep their centers running, when will the Ministry begin working with key players like the Treasury to create mechanisms to ensure that centers have access to the funds they need to buy necessities and meet operational requirements on time?

May you furnish this House with what exactly has been done so far to put these mechanisms in place.

3.
3.

It was also found that, because there was no set time period for putting orders to the head office (since requisitions at the time were centralized), the requests for materials and/or equipment were made on an ad hoc basis by submitting needs assessment forms.

I understand this process of seeking treasury approval to retain State monies, to allow for the opening of an account for each youth center and the maintenance of petty cash skilled workforce to operate was discontinued as per treasury rules.
When will the Ministry use this opportunity to engage with the Ministry of Finance to allow for the proper functioning of youth centers across the country?

Why has this not been done?

4.

It is further revealed that there were always delays as the head office takes a long time to respond to or to deliver the requested material/equipment.
Further, it was found that, to avoid disrupting the raining process, center staff members occasionally used their own money to acquire the basic study materials or asked the youth to provide their own supplies.

- 36 - - 127 - Honourable Minister do provide this House with a clarification as to why there are no controls in place to ensure that late supply of study materials and equipment and repairs to broken equipment are kept to a minimum?
When exactly will these controls be implemented, and what steps have been taken up to this point?

5.

Interviews conducted, and documents analyzed indicated that Berg Aukas skills training center got the directive from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), to only cater for the Children of the Liberation Struggle (CLS) from 2016 to 2019.

What was the reason for this exclusion Hon.


Minister, seeing that this had the potential to deprive other young people who did not form of the CLS group of the opportunity to be trained?

6.

Further documentary reviews reveal that the Berg Aukas youth skills training center where the CLS youth group were catered for, did not send them for any job attachments.

As a result, this group had no practical skills in line with industry practices.
The youth from this said group, however, were placed for employment in various government ministries and agencies through the office of the Prime Minister.

Hon.

Minister, notwithstanding the importance of skills training for our country’ s youth, and the dire need for youth employment, furnish this House with clarification on selection criteria for youth skills training, what do you make of the AG’s findings?
What is the Ministry doing to ensure that in a free, independent, and equal Namibian society, the scourges of tribalism and discrimination do not in any way manifest themselves through the Ministry of Sports, Youth and National Service?

_________________