Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698834916754.pdf (Namibia)
SECOND SESSION, SIXTH NATIONAL COUNCIL MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS ________________________________________________________________________ Wednesday, May 26, 2021 (09:30 - 13:00) No.9 – 2021 The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

1.0 The Chairperson took the Chair.

2.0 The Chairperson asked Honourable Sikondo in terms of Rule 22 to pray, and Honourable Sikondo read the Prayer.

3.0 The Chairperson read the Affirmation.


4.0 ANNOUNCEMENT BY PRESIDING MEMBER 4.1 The Chairperson announced that Parliament has started to embark on the development of a comprehensive e-parliament strategy.

This strategy will lead us towards a completely paperless parliament equipped with the requisite tools to effectively legislate and do oversight work.
In light of the above, all Members were invited to participate in the first phase of this project which entails an assessment of needs for e-parliament.

Hardcopies of the questionnaire have been provided to Members to complete it.

It will be appreciated if -40- the Members can complete the forms and return to the Secretary of the National Council by Friday, 28 May 2021.
4.2 The Chairperson reminded the Members about the Annual Planning Sessions of National Council Standing Committees commencing on Thursday, 27 May 2021 at 09:30 and ending on Friday, 28 May 2021 at 13:00.
5.0 NOTICES OF MOTIONS 5.1 Honourable Kauma moved a motion without notice for the appointment of the Members of the Committee of the Privileges of the National Council Section 7(1)(b) of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament Act 17 of 1995 provides that there shall be a committee of the Council to be known as the Committee of the Privileges of the National Council.
Furthermore, Section 7(3) provides that the Committee of Privileges of the National Council shall comprise – (a) the Chairperson of the National Council, who shall preside at any meeting of the Committee, and (b) five members of the Council, appointed by the Council.

It is against these provisions that I move that this Council should resolve to appoint the following Honourable Members to the Committee of Privileges of the National Council- 1.

Hon.

Goeieman, Jeremias 2.

Hon.


!Gobs, Sebastiaan Ignatius 3.

Hon.

Ndjago, Melania 4.

Hon.

Tebele, Augustinus and 5.

Hon.


Tjaveondja, Bethuel 5.2 Honourable Likando moved, in terms of Rule 51(i) of the Standing Rules and Orders, a Motion without Notice to seek the concurrence of the House to debate on the security -41- situation along the Chobe/Kwando river, in the Zambezi Region, following the recent shooting incident that lead to the death of four (4) Namibian citizens and the continued threat and intimidation of civilians and tourists by the Botswana Defense Force in the Zambezi Region.

1.
1.

Deeply concerned that the military aggression is accelerating with intermittent incidences causing fear and intimidation of Namibian citizens and tourists; 2.

Noting the essential nature of the Zambezi/Chobe river for the sustenance and livelihood of the people of the Zambezi region; 3.

Acknowledging the importance of peaceful neighbour relations; 4.

Noting the existence of the Namibia-Botswana Border Treaty signed in 2018, which purportedly gave away part of Namibian Islands to Botswana; 5.
Further noting the need for comprehensive knowledge around bilateral cooperation, a positive approach towards border treaties, cross-border cooperation and successful implementation of delimitation and demarcation of borders to allow for a peaceful adjudication of contentious issues; 6.

Recognizing the inviolability of territorial sovereignty of Namibia as circumscribed by Article 1 of the Namibian Constitution; 7.
I now therefore move that this august House: 7.1 call on the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, to discuss these issues with her Botswana counterpart as a matter of urgency; 7.2 Call on the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation to actively engage the Botswana Government through constructive dialogue to seek answers and ultimately justice for the brutal attacks on Namibian citizens.
-42- 7.3 Refer this matter to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs, Security, Constitutional and Legal Affairs in order to: (a) investigate as a matter of fact-finding, gather all relevant information and evidence in the affected area of Impalila Island, Kasika, Mbalasinte, Masikili and Ngoma respectively.
(b) assess the impacts of the alleged extra-territorial hostilities and intimidation of citizens and tourists; (c) explore the most appropriate mechanisms for the redress in the event of confirmed violations; (d) Consult widely with stakeholders, including the: (a) Communities from the mentioned affected areas; (b) Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security; (c) Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs; (d) Four Traditional Authorities in the affected areas; (e) Ministry of Environment and Tourism; (f) Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation and; (g) Farmers Associations and Pressure Groups in the identified affected areas.
(e) Study and scrutinize the current policies, regulations, laws, treaties and agreements relevant to the matter; and (f) Report back to the House its findings, conclusions and recommendations on or before the 09th August 2021 or the next Session whichever comes first.
5.3 Honourable Muteka moved a motion without notice: That the proceedings on Votes: 21, 28 and 04 of the Appropriation Bill [B.5 – 2021] be, in accordance with Rule 26 read with Rule 30 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Council, not interrupted if still under consideration at 13:00 hours.
5.4 Furthermore, Honourable Muteka moved in terms of Rule 114 read with Rule 51(1)(i) of the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Council, that the Committee Stage and Third Reading Stage of the Appropriation Bill [B.5 – 2021] be taken today, Wednesday, 26 May 2021.

-43- 6.0 DEBATE ON COMMITTEE STAGE FIRST ORDER READ Resumption of Debate on Committee Stage – Appropriation Bill [B.5 – 2021] [Votes: 21, 28 and 04] The Chairperson put the question: That he leaves the Chair.

Agreed to.
Agreed to.

The Chairperson of the National Council then called upon Honourable Kauma, the Vice-Chairperson of the National Council and the Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole Council to take the Chair.

Hon.

Kauma then took the Chair.

Council in Committee: Votes: 21, 28 and 04 were put and agreed to.

Clause 1 was put and agreed to.

Clause 2, the Short title was put and agreed to.

Council resumed: Hon.


Kauma, the Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole Council, reported the Bill without amendments and asked leave to sit.

The Bill stood referred to a Third Reading.

-44- 7.0 DEBATE ON THIRD READING SECOND ORDER READ Debate on Third Reading – Appropriation Bill [B.5 – 2021].

The Chairperson put the question: That Bill be read a Third Time.

Agreed to.

The Acting Secretary then read the Bill a Third Time.

The Bill was passed without amendments.


8.0 Honourable Muteka adjourned the Council at 10:21 until further notice.

Mr Efraim G. Jane Acting Secretary to the National Council _____________________________________ -45-