Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1694841730490.pdf (Namibia)
- 1 - - 449 - Thursday, 13 July 2023 No.

15 - 2023 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS MINISTER: QUESTION NO.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.
Prime Minister ............................................... 96, 104, 107, 108, 118, 120, 122 Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation ........................................................................................... 117 Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security ............................................ 57, 64, 83, 84, 85, 98, 109, 113, 123, 124 Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs ............................................. 88, 110 Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises ....................................... 54, 61, 63, 74, 76, 81, 91, 92, 93, 99, 114 Minister of Education, Arts and Culture .......................................... 68, 77, 111 Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare .................................................................................................... 78, 86 Minister of Health and Social Services Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation ................................................................................................... 65, 79 10.
Minister of Mines and Energy ...................................................... 94, 127, 128 11.

Minister of Justice .................................................................................. 97, 116 12.

Minister of Urban and Rural Development ................ 67, 69, 70, 71, 102, 106 - 450 - - 106 - 13.

Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism ................ 52, 55, 66, 82, 101 14.

Minister of Industrialisation and Trade 15.


Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform ........... 72, 73, 112, 119, 125 16.

Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources .............................................. 103 17.

Minister of Works and Transport .................................................. 95, 100, 121 18.

Minister in the Presidency .............................................................. 80, 87, 105 19.

Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service 20.


Minister of Information and Communication Technology ........................... 89 21.

Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation .......... 90, 115, 126 Question 52 (2023-03-15) Hon.

Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
We took note of current conversations in Namibia about the concerns by hunting associations in southern African countries, constituting Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) are enraged that hunting trophies will not be allowed to enter the United Kingdom territory.

This will have a major implication to our tourism sector.

Questions: 1.

Hon.

Minister, are you aware of this latest development?

2.
2.

Did you meet other Ministers of Environment and Tourism forming core of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) to address this situation?

3.

What is our two-way tourism traffic and tourism statistics with the United Kingdom?

4.

How much, in monetary terms and services and industry are we stand to lose out as a country?

5.

Hon.

Minister, did you meet the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to discuss this critical situation?

6.
6.

What remedial action will you employ to address this situation?

7.

Have you engage the Namibian Chamber of Environment (NCE), Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations (FENATA) in this regard to get better advice and commitment to ensure that our trophy hunting industry is not affected in economic terms negatively?

_________________ - 451 - - 107 - Question 54 (2023-03-15) Hon.

Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.
We received information in good confidence that NIDA was unable to pay salaries for its workers in Naute Dam month end, and did not also pay overtime for over six months.

Questions: 1.

Is it true that NIDA did not pay its workers at Naute Dam for last month, as well as overtime in the past six months?

2.

How did NIDA ended up employing the current manager at Naute Dam, who has failed in Aussenkehr at the grape farms?

3.
3.

Is NIDA meeting production targets and if so, why are they not paying the workers overtime which is due to them?

_________________ Question 55 (2023-03-15) Hon.

Dr. Iijaambo (SWANU) asked the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

Our different species of animals roam the diverse beautiful savanna, forests and grasslands of Namibia.

Some will be found in the length and breadth of our deserts.
Since time immemorial people cohabitated and lived off the variegated species of important animals in our country, like lions, they only slaughtered what they needed to consume.

Not for pleasure.

Considering the emotive and absolutely sensitive land issue, SWANU of Namibia suggest that there be a ceiling for land ownership in the country.

The land issue was, continue to be, and will always be of pivotal importance.
Consequently, unless we undo what was officially and legally systematically promulgated by the apartheid regime, we cannot have an equitable, egalitarian and transparent society.

Our martyrs perished as a result of the genuine struggle for land.

The following questions are therefore worth serious consideration.

1.

Why do we allow ourselves to be part of the trophy hunting bandwagon?

2.

If all animals are part and parcel of Namibia’s biodiversity, who solely benefit from the trophies hunted?

3.
3.

Why allow few bourgeois around the globe, especially from developed countries to devastate our animals through trophy hunting?

4.

Have we reduced our variegated precious animal species to trophies that does not benefit all?

- 452 - - 108 - 5.

How many rich individuals are allowed to hunt how many trophies per annum?

6.

What will our future generations be left with, if we are so desperate about the lucrative profits gained from trophy hunting currently?

7.
7.

According to the licensing department of the Ministry, a trophy hunting licence is worth N$100.

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, Fellow Namibians, the average amount of a single Big Five easily amounts to ±N$50,000-00.

Who possesses the hunting licence?

8.

The reality of our country’s political economy and common sense, which happen not to be common, dictates that this boils down to the unresolved restitution of the prevalent land question.

Who own our land?

9.


Does our sovereignty’s political will if any, capacitate us to redefine and re-demarcate ourselves?

_________________ Question 57 (2023-03-28) Hon.

Kauandenge (NUDO) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

Hon.

Minister it was only yesterday when Namibians fought bitterly against South African racist Government apartheid laws, pledging that once we attain our independence we will get rid of all those oppressive laws.
It is therefore surprising that we have laws such as the 1989 Public Gathering Proclamation still on our statue books in this day and age in an independent Namibia.

A proclamation that was used to put many of our people in prison during that time and we haven’t changed it to fit with the new independent Namibia narrative.
Equally of late we are informed that police brutality against innocent civilians are on the increase as to date over 248 civil cases against the police have been opened for assault to illegal detention of members of the public.

This has resulted in Government paying over 3 Million and still counting after being found guilty by the courts.

I thus ask: 1.

The right to protest can be located in Article 21(1) (D) of our Constitution, Hon.
Minister do you agree with me that the 1989 Proclamation on Public Gathering is in total conflict with the provisions of our Constitution and that it needs to be amended with immediate effect?

2.
2.

In light of the above stated ever increasing cases of civil cases lodged against the Namibian police officers, do our police officers get basic legal training in order for them to establish the Mens Rea and Actus Reus in any given case before arresting a person, to avoid being sued later for illegal detention or arrest of a member of the public?

3.

Because this are the two most important elements for one to get a conviction in especially criminal cases.
Is it perhaps also not here at the level of investigation and arrest where many cases are thrown out, because they are dead on arrival and the magistrate has no other option then to struck them from the Roll?

- 453 - - 109 - 4.
- 453 - - 109 - 4.

Would you agree with me that although Police officers act on behalf of the State in the execution of their duties that somehow they must be made to pay from their own pockets, when found guilty of brutality and disregarding the law when arresting or dealing with members of the public?

5.
5.

Because as it stand they can beat someone, or arrest someone without following due process and at the end of the day the State is liable and pays up, which means us the tax payers continue to foot the bill of those unruly police officers?

6.

Hon.
6.

Hon.

Minister do you still maintain that you have a professional police force in this country, while the evidence suggest that you have a police force that is at war with its own citizens, and that lacks the most important ingredients that must be present when working with civilians which is empathy?

7.

Finally Hon.
Minister do you agree with me that we as people representatives must be able to identify and repeal oppressive laws now while we can, while we have this positions of power, failure to do so once we become ordinary citizens we or our kids, families risk to face the same ordeal, and by that time when we cry out and pinpoint the shortcomings in those laws, Namibians will say but you were there, you had all the powers to change those laws but you conveniently ignored them, because at the time the system protected you and you did not feel them?
_________________ Question 61 (2023-04-13) Hon.

Swartbooi (LPM) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.

The Zambezi Waterfront Tourism Park has not been functioning since 2016.

The only time the Waterfront was optimally utilized as a COVID-19 quarantine facility.

There is a 100 million dollars needed to revamp the Zambezi Waterfront Tourism Park.
We are informed, after 189 million dollars was used, and 57 million dollars vanished into thin air, no arrests or inquiries were made to determine how the latter amount was spent.

The land still belongs to Katima Mulilo Town Council.

This resort is in a prime location to gain greater tourists numbers from 5 different countries on the Kavango – Zambezi river’s.
However, two years ago, it was expressed that Government must stop building tourism facilities as it does not have the capacity to manage these profitably.

This was said by the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta.

Therefore the questions: 1.

Why has there not been any concerted effort made to follow through on how $57 million were either lost or stolen?

2.

What is the eventual plan of the government to ensure that the Waterfront of Katima becomes profitable?

3.
3.

Will the Minister state whether they will investigate the whereabouts of the $57 million, and when he will do so?

_________________ - 454 - - 110 - Question 63 (2023-06-06) Hon.

Smit (PDM) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.
I believe the issue of the accountability of Parastatals and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in effectively controlling debts owed to them requires urgent attention in light of NamPower’s plan to borrow N$2 billion from the World Bank, when it made a profit of N$1,5 billion last year.

It appears that these entities are not being held accountable for their failure to manage debts, which has a detrimental effect on taxpayers.
Firstly, taxpayers contribute funds through taxes to finance the operations of SOEs, and secondly, the government has to provide additional financial support due to liquidity problems arising from poor or no credit control.

One issue of concern is the practice of some SOEs not paying over taxes deducted from employees, instead using those funds to finance their operations, primarily salaries.
This practice is not only fraudulent but also amounts to receiving funding twice: once through the main budget and again by not paying the due taxes to the government.

It is imperative that action is taken to address this situation.

Moreover, it is troubling when users of electricity pay for it s use to Local Councils and Distributors, but these entities fail to pass on the collected funds to Nampower.
Nampower, in turn, fails to take adequate steps to collect the debts through strict credit control, resulting in innocent users having their power cut off despite having paid their bills through the defaulting Local Councils and Distributors.
In cases where monopolistic service providers like Nampower, Namibia Airports Company, and Namport amongst others fail to exercise proper control over their debtors, I believe it is essential for the CEOs and Credit Controllers to be held accountable and potentially dismissed from their positions.
When entities resort to borrowing funds from the government or external sources like the World Bank to finance projects or operations that could have been covered through effective control of debtors, it often leads to increased service charges.

These increases can create uncompetitive situations and have negative economic consequences for the entire country.

I therefore ask: 1.
I therefore ask: 1.

Will the Honourable Minister provide information to the Namibian nation and this August House regarding the outstanding $1.5 billion owed to Nampower, specifically, who owes what amounts, the period over which these debts have accumulated, and what steps were taken to prevent the build-up of these debts?

2.

Furthermore, I would like to understand why defaulting users have been allowed to continue accumulating debt without repercussions.

3.
3.

Considering the potential consequences for the economy, has the management of Nampower considered the impact of cutting power to entire towns?

If so, I would appreciate hearing their perspective on this matter.

4.

Can it be legal for a local authority to cut off power to users who have paid for such power when the local authority is at faulty for not paying NamPower?

_________________ - 455 - - 111 - Question 64 (2023-06-06) Hon.
Mukwilongo (NEFF) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

Hon Minister, it’s almost going to be two months when we, as a country had received a shocking news of the 5 suspects that were gunned down near Okahandja by the Namibian Police with Windhoek City Police.

We had been medially informed that a case of murder had been opened against those that had committed this glue some incident, can Hon.
Minister please bear with this August House and answer to the following questions: 1.

When was this case heard and in which court?

2. Who are the suspect in this matter?

3.

How far are the police investigation in this matter and when can we expect the total report on this shutting?

_________________ Question 65 (2023-06-06) Hon.

Van Den Heever (PDM) asked the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation.
A private medical company trading under the registered name of Paramount Health Care Centre (Pty) Ltd on 9th March 2017 unlawfully retrenched six female employees without following the set provisions and requirements of Section 34 of the Labour Act 11, 2007.

Honourable Minister, one of the selected employees was on maternity leave; been eight months pregnant at the time she was served with a notice stating her last day will be 13th April 2017.
Paramount Health Care Centre (Pty) Ltd received medical records from a certain employee that she was due for her confinement, but opted to serve her with a letter of retrenchment on 9th March 2017.

The employee’s confinement was on 22nd April 2017, whilst her employment was terminated on 13th April 2017.
Section 26 (5) of Part D of the Labour Act 11, 2007 sets out the following; “An employer must not dismiss an employee during her maternity leave or at the expiry of that leave on any grounds contemplated in section 34.

Furthermore, a certain Ms. Jolean Louw was also part of the six selected employees that applied for annual leave on 8th March 2017, which was approved by the Director of Operations and she was also served with the notice of retrenchment 9th March 2017.
The actions of Paramount Health Care Centre (Pty) Ltd violated Section 30 (5)(a) and Section 33 of the Labour Act 11 , 2007 which sets out that an employer must not give notice of termination during any period of leave to which the employee is entitled in terms of Part D of this Chapter.

Honourable Minister, on 19th April 2017, Ms. Jolean Louw referred a dispute of Unfair Labour practices to the Office of the Labour Commissioner.
The first female Arbitrator who adjudicated over the case and who later on was recused from the dispute by the Labour Court of Namibia on 20th March 2020 had private discussions with Paramount Health Care Centre (Pty) Ltd Operational Manager without the knowledge of the - 456 - - 112 - Applicants regarding their legal Aid funding which was approved by the Directorate of Legal Aid through a formal application.

These and some other irregularities contributed to this case being unresolved.
To this very date, the dispute filed by the Applicants has not been arbitrated yet.

This very dispute is still at the Conciliation stage and has reached the six-year mark ever since 19th April 2017.

I, therefore, wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.
The first female Conciliator/Arbitrator that was assigned and appointed by the Office Labour Commissioner was recused by the Labour Court of Namibia on 20th March 2020 due to her lack to adjudicate properly over the dispute and the gross procedural irregularities she committed as an Arbitrator.

Are the competencies of the Conciliators/Arbitrators up to standard and how are their performances assessed and monitored?

2.
2.

The second Conciliator/Arbitrator that was assigned and appointed by the Office of the Labour Commissioner refused and denied the Applicants their Constitutional Right as set out by Article 12 (1)(a) right to present their material evidence before the Arbitrator during the arbitration proceeding.

How will this unjust practice be resolved?

3.

How will your ministry ensure that the unfair retrenchment of Ms. Jolean Louw during her annual leave is addressed and she is fairly compensated?

4.
4.

Will the other four employees who were also unlawfully dismissed be reinstated and compensated?

5.

Honourable Minister, written complaints have been submitted to the Labour Commissioner Mr. Henry Kassen as well as the Deputy Labour Commissioner Mr. Kyllikki Sihlahla during December 2018 and again during March 2023.
Until this present date, your Office as well as the Office of the Labour Commissioner has not yet reverted to Mrs. Jolean Louw regarding her formal complaint on how the Office of the Labour Commissioner as well as the Arbitrator have administered and adjudicated over her dispute filed on 19th April 2017.

When will your Office address this already long overdue Labour Dispute as a matter of urgency?

6.
6.

Can your Office please provide this August House with an overview of the general performance of the Office of the Labour Commissioner, the number of unresolved Labour Disputes, the challenges encountered, and how these challenges can promptly be addressed?

_________________ Question 66 (2023-06-07) Hon.

Smit (PDM) asked the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
For the past four years or more the media has been full of complaints from members of the Namibian public and tourists visiting our premier game reserve, Etosha, regarding the shocking and unacceptable condition of the park’s roads.

Imagine my amazement and disbelief when I read in the Republikein newspaper of 31 May 2023 that the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism was patting itself on its back for spending some - 457 - - 113 - N$136 million since 2009 in upgrading Etosha’s roads.
I visited the park over the Africa Day long weekend, as did the Minister I believe, and I can state categorically that all the roads around the Okaukuejo rest camp are literally undriveable.

Nothing has changed since my previous visit in June 2022.

I had to listen to numerous foreign tourists as well as Namibian visitors complaining of damage to their vehicles and the unpleasant experience of driving around in the park.
Since the ministry’s director of planning and technical services said in the newspaper report that the ministry was aware of a drop in income in recent years for exactly this reason, and that this led to the so-called upgrading of roads in Etosha since 2019, I feel that I cannot keep quiet about this amazing claim.

I thus ask: 1.

Can the Honourable Minister assure this August House that he has evidence that the money spent on upgrading the roads in Etosha was actually spent where it was allocated?

2.
2.

How much of the money spent went on items other than the actual upgrading of the roads?

3.

What proof does the Honourable Minister have that the work done was up to standard?

4.

If he believes it was up to standard, why are the roads still so bad?

5.

Will the Honourable Minister investigate this matter urgently and report back to this August House on his findings, as Namibia cannot afford to chase away any more tourists when tourism is one of our most important sources of income?
_________________ Question 67 (2023-06-07) Hon.

Katjimune (PDM) asked the Minister of Urban and Rural Development.

Honourable Minister, There remains hundreds of thousands of ordinary, working class Namibians who are tenants in our ever-growing property renting market exacerbated by market forces driven by unaffordable housing and urban land as well as wages which have remained stagnant and cannot compete with inflation.
These factors are well elucidated in a book by revered financial writer Chloe Timperley in her book titled “Generation Rent: Why You Can’t Buy A Home Or Even Rent A Good One”.

It is therefore undeniable that the significant majority of our working class people cannot afford to purchase property of their own, and have therefore resorted to become tenants.
It is also a reality that renting prices in this country are exploitative and excessive, leaving tenants with no choice but to rent often sub-standard properties at unreasonable costs determined by greedy property owners.

This crisis ought to have been resolved by the proposed Rent Control Bill, which is earmarked to operationalise the Rent Control Board in an effort to regulate rent prices in our city, towns and villages, as well as handle and investigate complaints between tenants and property owners.
It does appear however, for reasons known only to himself, that the Minister has been dragging his feet in bringing this crucial piece of legislation which would bring relief to tenants across our country to Parliament for debate.
- 458 - - 114 - This is despite the fact that under Pillar 3 of the of the Harambee Prosperity Plan 2 (Social Progression), the SWAPO government promised to “Promulgate the Rent Control Bill by the end of 2021 to enable the operationalization of Rent Control Board(s) and implementation of Rent Control Measures”.

I therefore ask the Honourable Minister: 1.

Why has the Honourable Minister dragged his feet in bringing the Rent Control Bill to Parliament?

2.
2.

When can be we expect the Honourable Minister to table the Rent Control Bill in Parliament?

3.

What are the hindrances in bringing this crucial piece of legislation to this August House?

4.

Finally yet importantly, what is the ideological posture of the SWAPO government regarding the property renting market in relation to the larger question of the inadequate mechanisms in place to address housing shortages across our 61 local authorities in the country?
_________________ Question 68 (2023-06-07) Hon.

Kauandenge (NUDO) asked the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture.

Access to Basic Education is a right and not a privilege I believe.

Therefore government should make everything possible in order to make sure that every Namibian child have access to education.

Considering that a large portion of our National Budget goes to Education it is within the scope of Namibians to ask hard questions to the line Minister and seek redress or favorable answers.
Honorable Minister it has became natural that this time of the year schools open the process of applications for new students especially grade 1 for next year.

We are also alive to the fact that there are always chaos at the schools around the country, because parents almost fight each other to secure placement for their grade 1 kids.

I thus ask: 1.

Is the Minister aware of this yearly problem facing the grade 1 learners?

2.
2.

What is the Ministry contingency plan to address this ever increasing problem that affects thousands of young kids every year?

3.

While on the same issue the same problem confront grade 8 learners every year as well as many can’t find placement in schools.

4.

How does the Minister intent to address this recurring problems?

_________________ - 459 - - 115 - Question 69 (2023-06-07) Hon.

Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Urban and Rural Development.
It is our understanding that the Chairperson of the Ongwediva Town Council’s Management Committee.

Dr Fabiam George, is employed full-time in Okakarara as a Trainee Support at the Okakarara Vocational Training Centre, 560 kilometres away from Ongwediva, where he is a councillor.

This councillor is compromised under Section 13 (1)(h).
There is a similar case of Councillor Kanelombe, Chairperson of the Management Committee of Karibib Town Council, who has fulltime employment in Swakopmund but remains as a Councillor in Karibib.

These are both SWAPO Councillors.


According to Section 13 (1)(h), Ongwediva CEO Damian Egumbo must then immediately announce the vacancy in the government gazette, the date on which the vacancy has occurred and the cause of this vacancy-that the member no longer resides or only temporarily resides within the local authority area to which they were elected.

The same ought to happen in the Karibib case.


CEO Lesley Goreseb was supposed to announce the vacancy and let the processes of filling the vacancy take place.

The Minister, you and Executive Director Daniel Nghidinua have audacity to perpetually write letters harassing LPM governed local authorities’ bout less worrisome things like an appointment of a Personal Assistant in Karasburg based on rumours but you are breaking the Local Authorities Act by not acting and removing those SWAPO Councillors.
Questions: 1.

How long have you been aware that Councillor Fabiam George is the Chairperson of the Management Committee of Ongwediva but works fulltime in Okakarara thus not able to discharge his duties meaningfully?

2.

Have you received any communication, Minutes of the Council meetings from Ongwediva CEO since 2020 - 2021 about the predicament of Councillor Fabiam George not being every day in Ongwediva but yet being a fulltime trainee support at Okakarara Vocational Training Centre?

3.
3.

How many councillors of local authorities in Namibia are facing similar challenges such as that being faced by Councillors Kanelombe and George?

4.

In terms of breaking the Local Authorities Act by ignoring, or sweeping under the carpet wrongdoings committed by SWAPO councillors, what steps have you taken to rectify such anomalies?

5.

Will you report the Executive Director to the Prime Minister for not adhering to the relevant laws pertaining to local authorities in Namibia?

6.
6.

Why did you ignore the legal advice dated January 2021 by the Attorney-General Festus Mbandeka informing you to remove Councillor George?

7.

Why don’t you comply with what the Attorney-General advised you about that removing a councillor who does not reside within their elected local authority is absolute and not discretionary?

- 460 - - 116 - 8.
- 460 - - 116 - 8.

He added that the minister, in fact, has recourse to effect the removal of non- resident councillors, and “does not have to wait for a political party” to withdraw its member.

9.

The Attorney-General advised you that you have legal recourse to effect the removal of non-resident councillors, and “does not have to wait for a political party” to withdraw its member.

Why do you have to wait for us to ask you questions in Parliament before you exercise your powers?
_________________ Question 70 (2023-06-07) Hon.

Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Urban and Rural Development.

Recently, Namibia ranked the worst in terms of sanitation provision in southern Africa.

Recalling history, the Millennium Development Goals for Namibia highlighted this need with the ambition that half of those lacking adequate sanitation would be reached by 2015.

This was never achieved and today, above million Namibians, half of the country, lack adequate access to toilets.
In 2007, the National Demographic Health Survey indicated that 67% of the population in the country lacked access to decent sanitation and practiced open defecation.

This amounts to some 1,411,000 people who are living mainly in rural areas and informal settlements that are peripheral to urban areas.

This group is also amongst the lowest-income sector of the Namibian population.
The Namibia Sanitation Situational Report of 2009 indicated that those with access to sanitation facilities are primarily served with water-borne sewage.

Sewage connections are estimated to be available to 58% of the urban population and 13% of the rural population.
We are sitting on the time-bomb since 2009 when initial research showed that the country is not doing enough and should implement relevant policies and programmes to close the gap and ensure that all Namibians have better water, better sewerage and sanitation facilities and improve their health.
We are living in a crisis right now and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development is the only weak link- no plan, no leadership, no programmes, more fights with local authorities and fear of implementing government and United Nations programmes.

The National Sanitation Strategy (2009) provided some background we could have used as a benchmark study but there seems to be no seriousness at the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.

Questions: 1.
Questions: 1.

What are your plans to reverse the current state of concerns with regards to provision of sanitation services to all Namibians?

2.

What is the budget allocated to MURD annually to address the sanitation crisis in Namibia?

3.

A 2021 research conducted on poverty has expressed that 68.9% of Namibians face a sanitation crisis, has MURD, begun addressing this figure, and how?

4.
4.

Kavango East and Kavango West, are the highest areas that have Multidimensional poverty, with a percentage of 70% and 79% respectfully, yet Kavango East has the 3rd least allocation of funds for sanitation with N$961 000, whilst areas such as Omusati and Ohangwena are getting 2 million plus for sanitation each, even though these places are lower in Multidimensional poverty.

How did MURD, decide these allocations when it comes to sanitation to not prioritize the areas who need it the most.
- 461 - - 117 - 5.

What policies and programmes do you have in place to collaborate with other Ministries such as the Ministry of Health, Education, Land Reform etc.

for implementation?

6.

Do you have collaborative projects with United Nations and other development agencies in Namibia in terms of research, project funding, project implementation, coordination , supervision, monitoring and evaluation?

Elaborate on such partnership, joint projects etc.

_________________ Question 71 (2023-06-07) Hon.


Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Urban and Rural Development.

I hereby give notice that on Thursday, 15 June 2023, I shall ask the Minister of Urban and Rural Development few questions with regards to the Capital Projects Budget 2023.

Apartheid was built on creating a divide between the included and the excluded.
The transition to democracy, manifested by democratic elections in 1990, was therefore accompanied by optimisms that income poverty and inequality would be eliminated.
We believed that the social contract was to enfranchise the impoverished and unemployed underclass, elect a pro-poor and pro-growth political establishment into office, and deracialize and detribalize public policies and private practices in favour of an all-inclusive economic growth path, with a focus on economic diversification and rapid industrialization.
Further, the coming into force of the Decentralisation Enabling Act 33 of 2000 raised our expectations that the Treasury would gradually increase funding for capital projects in regional councils and local authorities.

But to our shock, in 2023, Apartheid did not die, as the Capital Projects Budget 2023 distribution depicts.

Apartheid did not die but transformed into autopoiesis.
The legacy of Apartheid has transformed into a self-sustaining system, and Namibia is facing mounting infrastructure challenges.

After the 2020 regional council and local authority elections in the Hardap and //Kharas Regions, there was a significant change in the understanding and definition of development.

This marked a departure from Swapo’s patronage system that had been in place for three decades, and resulted in the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) receiving a strong mandate to govern.
This shift led to a major transformation in the structure of regional and local government.

A cursory analysis of the comparative figures under the Capital Projects Budget 2023 reveals a clear implementation of passive economic sanctions by central government authorities against regional councils and local authorities not directly under Swapo’s control.

For example, under massive land servicing programme, the total allocation is N$297 266 million.
From this, the local authorities falling directly under LPM administration in Hardap and //Kharas Regions are allocated the following meagre amounts: Mariental, N$1.4 million; Gibeon, N$3 000; Kalkrand, N$9 000; Stampriet, N$2.4 million; Gochas, N$946 000; Aranos, N$1.l million; Maltahöhe, N$9 000; and Hoachanas, N$946 000.

In //Kharas the allocations are for Keetmanshoop, N$9 000; Koës, N$6 000; and Karasburg, N$35 000.
- 462 - - 118 - Comparatively, where SWAPO is in charge, with almost the same size and population, they receive generous amounts: Okahao, N$15 million; Okalongo, N$16.7 million; Oshikuku, N$10.8 million; Katima Mulilo, N$8 million; Ondangwa, N$4 million; Omuthiya, N$3 million; Tsumeb, N$20 million; Helao Nafidi, N$2.67 million; Omungwelume, N$2.5 million; and Ongenga, N$1.7 million.
It is saddening to note that local authorities across Namibia, with similar size and population, are allocated differently notwithstanding claims of different phases of project implementation over a certain period of time.

Questions: 1.

What is the rationale of MURD submissions to the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises with regards to the bulk municipal servicing and sanitation to local authorities?

2.

What is the purpose of allocating a mere N$9 000 to a municipality such as Keetmanshoop?
To do what with N$9 000?

3.

Is it not shameful to allocate figures below N$100 000 to local authorities?

Do you really need to term such Capital Budget Projects?

4.

Why do you continue to cut capital projects budget for local authorities’ south of the Red Line?

5.

Why do you have a divide and rule policy when it comes to allocation of budgets for certain municipality’s thereby increasing inequality, poverty and unemployment?

6.
6.

Do you consult local authorities when deciding unilaterally on such figures as depicted in the paragraphs?

7.

Have you ever complaint to the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises and the Director-General of the National Planning Commission?

8.

Will you submit a revised budget to rectify this underfunding of the local authorities south of the Red Line which amounts to early warning signs of ethnic cleansing?

_________________ Question 72 (2023-06-08) Hon.


Shekupakela (RDP) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.

There is a trend in Namibia, particularly along the Namibia-Angola borders, that Namibia farmers are forced to take their animals into Angola for search of better grazing areas.

This trend has been ongoing for a very long time, I can argue, since independence.

Thus I ask: 1.

Until when will the Namibian farmers along the borders continue to graze their animals in Angola?

2.
2.

When will the Namibian government provide these farmers with a suitable space for grazing within the Namibian borders?

_________________ - 463 - - 119 - Question 73 (2023-06-08) Hon.

Shekupakela (RDP) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reform.

The Green Scheme Program in the Kavango Region has taken long now.

Thus I ask: 1.

How many local residents have so far graduated in this scheme?

Any breakdown of their expertise thus far?

2.


Will the Honourable Minister predict that the Green Scheme program will by any means lead/bring Namibia to become food self-sufficiency one day in the near future?

3.

Honourable Minister seeing the importance of the Green Scheme program and the period it has taken in our country are you confident that local residents in these areas have obtains sufficient knowledge and expertise to move the Green Scheme Program forward?

4.
4.

If the answer in (C) is positive, how long does it takes to produce a local expert?

_________________ Question 74 (2023-06-08) Hon.

Shekupakela (RDP) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.
I am aware of every effort that the government is making to address the issue of unemployment and reduce poverty in Namibia, however we are seated with a serious problem whereby some investors take a large chunk of money out of Namibia circulation to their respective countries, leaving Namibia with no sufficient funds to grow the economy and create jobs for the unemployed.

Thus I ask: 1.

Honourable Minister, what mechanisms are in place to prevent these devastating capital outflow to other destinations?
2.

Would you say that you are satisfied with the current trend?

_________________ Question 76 (2023-06-08) Hon.

Iipumbu (NEFF) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.

Questions: 1.

Honourable Minister, can you explain why Nampower proceeded with cutting the power of residents in the north and south of Namibia, despite a clear directive from the cabinet to hold off on such actions while engagement is ongoing to resolve the matter?
What led to this apparent disregard for the cabinet’s directive?

- 464 - - 120 - 2.

It is concerning that Nampower’s decision to proceed with power cuts undermines the ongoing efforts towards resolving the issue.

What steps will you take as the Minister tasked to pass this cabinet directive to ensure that Nampower adheres to government directives and works in alignment with the cabinet’s decision-making process?

3.
3.

The cabinet’s directive was issued with the intention of finding a more effective means to resolve the situation.

In light of Nampower’s actions, how will you address the issue of non-compliance and ensure that cabinet interference is the most productive approach to reaching a satisfactory resolution?

Will there be consequences for Nampower’s failure to follow the directive?

4.
4.

The power cuts in the north and south of Namibia have absolutely affected the livelihoods and well-being of the affected residents.

What immediate measures will you put in place to stop the power cuts and minimize the impact on individuals and businesses?

Additionally, how will you prevent such situations from recurring in the future, ensuring a more reliable and consistent energy supply for all Namibians?

_________________ Question 77 (2023-06-08) Hon.


Iipumbu (NEFF) asked the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture.

1.

Honourable Minister, the delay in disbursing the budget to Namibian schools has led to immense hardships for both educators and students.

Can you explain the reasons behind this delay, and what steps are being taken to expedite the process and ensure that schools receive the necessary funding as soon as possible?

2.
2.

The situation where parents are resorting to sleeping outside schools in an attempt to secure places for their children is deeply concerning.

How do you plan to address this pressing issue and provide clarity on the admission process?

What measures will be taken to ensure fair and transparent allocation of school places, considering the frustration and anxiety experienced by parents and students?

3.
3.

The delay in disbursing the budget to schools directly affects the quality of education and the ability of schools to provide essential resources.

What immediate actions are being taken to mitigate the impact on students’ learning experiences, and how will you ensure that schools have the necessary resources to create a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning?

4.

Transparency and accountability are crucial in the disbursement of public funds, especially in the education sector.
Can you provide assurance that there will be a thorough investigation into the reasons behind the delay and any potential mismanagement of funds?

Additionally, what measures will be put in place to prevent similar delays and ensure a more efficient budgetary process in the future?

_________________ Question 78 (2023-06-13) Hon.

Van Wyk (PDM) asked the Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare.
- 465 - - 121 - The socio-economic gap between persons with and without disabilities is increasing because persons with disabilities experience low levels of education, higher rates of unemployment and economic inactivity, and a lack of social protection in comparison to their peers without disabilities.

People living with disabilities have an important role to play to make a positive contribution in the country.
Namibia has ratified various international conventions affirming a commitment to accept persons with disabilities, focusing on their abilities and not their disabilities, providing equal education, employment opportunities to them; and treating them with the respect due to every human being.

I therefore wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.
What measures are in place to oversee or monitor the implementation of Policies, Strategies, Legislation, Guidelines and Programmes to promote the Rights of persons with Disabilities?

2.

What tools are in place to ensure the effective awareness raising and advocacy programmes on the Rights of Persons Living with Disabilities?

3.

What modalities are in place to manage the provision of institutional support and capacity building on the Rights of Persons Living with Disabilities?

4.
4.

What is the status quo (current situation) regarding the rate of employment of Persons Living with Disabilities in Namibia?

_________________ Question 79 (2023-06-13) Hon.

Shekupakela (RDP) asked the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation.

Youth unemployment in our country has reached an alarming disproportionate percentage of 47.4%.

It is unlikely to significantly reduce to manageable levels.
The youth unemployment rate in our country increases drastically year in year out.

Hence I ask.

1.

What plan or strategies, if any, has your Ministry put in place to fundamentally address youth unemployment in our country?

2.

Our country is faced with corruption and higher level of nepotism when it comes to employment opportunities, what measures does your Ministry put in place to prevent the rot to grow bigger and larger?

3.
3.

Often young people are encouraged to study and concentrate on their careers and successfully complete their studies, what appropriate actions does your Ministry put in place to ensure that graduates are not eventually parked and rot at home doing nothing?

4.

Does your Ministry in earnest realize that youth unemployment bearers the vicious cycle of poverty?

_________________ - 466 - - 122 - Question 80 (2023-06-13) Hon.

Vries (PDM) asked the Minister in the Presidency.


On the 27th March 2023 at a joint Press Conference, the Director General of the National Planning Commission Honourable Obeth Kandjoze, outlined that NDP6 will be developed to cover the period of 2024/25 to 2030/31 financial years.

He further outlined the extension of NDP5 for two more years to enable the completion of its programmes and projects.

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

2.

3.

4.

5.
2.

3.

4.

5.

What target (in percentage) to decrease food insecure individuals in Namibia have been achieved by NDP5?

If a target in question one has been achieved, kindly share with this August House in which regions the target has mostly been achieved?

According to the NDP5 Implementation Plan, the target to increase food production in the years 2021/2022 was 30%.

Was this target achieved?

If no, what percentage of the set target was achieved and in which regions?
What overall targets of the NDP5 were achieved?

And which targets will NDP5 aim to achieve in the extended two years?

How will NDP6 be different from NDP5 in terms of implementation?

_________________ Question 81 (2023-06-13) Hon.

Isaaks (LPM) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.

Namibia Revenue Agency, NamRA was created to accommodate the two Departments of the Ministry of Finance namely, Customs & Excise and Inland Revenue Departments.
In its value statement NamRa says the following.

NamRA Vision: “To be a World-Class Revenue Agency, Serving with Passion to Positively Impact the livelihoods of Every Namibian” NamRa Values: “We are guided by a common set of values or principles that underpin our culture and all our actions.

Our values are: lntegrity We have set ourselves, high ethical standards in execution of our duties and strive to do what is right in all circumstances.
- 467 - - 123 - Fairness We treat everyone in the same situation equally.

Diversity We recognise and appreciate differences in ethnicity, background, age, skills, perspectives, and education.

We believe that a diverse workforce is one of our biggest assets.

Efficiency We continuously identify and develop solutions to address inefficiencies in our processes, systems, and operations.

Agility We believe in the concept of continuous improvement.
embracing change, leveraging on information communication technology and always ready to respond to the demand of digital transformation.
In furtherance of its values of FAIRNESS an DIVERSITY, I would like to believe, NamRA contracted a human resources consultancy called “Vision” to administer the recruitment of external vacancies, as this would enable them to employ the best of the best skills available, while secondments were given preferences during the first round of vacancies, which was only advertised internally.

Information available to me, however, raises the question of whether the FAIRNESS and DIVERSITY values were applied.
More specifically, whether the Human Resource Department satisfactorily upheld those values of FAIRNESS and DIVERSITY.

My probing of the employee ratio of diversity in the organization shows that one ethnic group dominates all levels of the organization, while the experience and skills of other ethnic groups are overlooked.

Honourable Minister, I appreciate the press statement in which NamRa responded to issues I raised last week.
I must point out that the press statement failed to deal with the most pertinent question, which inundates most of the complaints raised.

The press statement rather lectures on the process, which is standard in any organization, and further gives statistics of number of people recruited and a break down of the percentages from MoF and externally.

It failed to give a breakdown of the different ethnic groups across all levels.

That allegation is thus not replied to or debunked.
Therefore, does the Minister care to answer the following questions: 1.

How many staff in the C5 and the entire D Band, and E Band were recruited?

2.

Can you give a breakdown of ethnicity, background, and educational levels to prove diversity of the staff recruited in the above?

3.

Can you give a breakdown of the ethnicity, educational backgrounds and experience of the staff recruited from the Ministry of Finance?

- 468 - - 124 - 4.
- 468 - - 124 - 4.

Can you give a breakdown of the ethnicity and educational backgrounds of staff recruited externally?

5.

Does the Minister agree with the characterization of my issues as prejudicial in the NamRa press statement.

I ask this question beacause the issues raised reek of prejudice to the persons who raised them?

6.

And does the Minister believe that the values of FAIRNESS and DIVERSITY were in fact observed?
Given that the Commissioner of NamRa, who was appointed by the Minister, claims transparency, it should not be difficult to honestly answer the questions posed in questions 1 to 6.

7.

In view of the Minister’s assertion that the intention was to fight corruption, can he give a breakdown of the nature of corrupt practices and the amounts involved.

For instance, tax evasion, fraudulent tax refund claims as well as the number of NamRa or MoF staff involved?
Are those corruption cases currently prosecuted through NamRa internal disciplinary processes or in the Courts of Nambia?

_________________ Question 82 (2023-06-13) Hon.

Mike Venaani (PDM) asked the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

In almost every town in Namibia, one would witness that cleanliness is not prioritised.

Large heaps of waste is visible and people seem to be very comfortable living with the waste.

This often results in people contracting diseases.


On many occasions, a large volume of garbage is left uncollected in towns.

Even after the garbage is taken to a waste disposal site, it is not processed appropriately and is left decomposed in piles, causing methane emissions and air, soil, or water pollution.

The toxic substances generated from burning waste are extremely dangerous, as they threaten the health of residents.

I therefore wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.
Apart from the World Clean-Up Day, which is an annual and once off activity, what other consistent platforms does the Ministry have to ensure that Namibia is kept clean?

2.

What modalities does the Ministry have with Regional and Local Authorities to ensure that effective waste management takes place?

3.

What are the current waste disposal infrastructure needs in Namibia?

4.
4.

What awareness campaigns has the Ministry implemented to sensitize members of the public on the importance of cleaning the environment?

_________________ Question 83 (2023-06-13) Hon.

Dr. Iijambo (SWANU) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

As a responsible nation, Namibians deserve to plan and execute our activities for long term gains.

Resilient and sustainable development are of great importance.
- 469 - - 125 - We should by all means avoid frequent ‘crisis-management’ due to pressure.

Long term solutions are always less embarrassing, than the last-hour scramble and very inconveniencing conditions.

The following questions thus, suffice: 1.

Do we need to clean up our streets of street vendors, street kids and struggle kids, only when other Heads of States visit?

2.

If we think that street kids, vendors and struggle kids are an eyesore to visitors, why do we reckon they are normal to citizens?
3.

Can the line Minister advise Cabinet for this challenge to be eradicated once and for all?

4.

Unemployment has skyrocketed hence street vendors make a living through selling their meagre goods.

If cleared off the street due to dignitaries visits, who should make up for their lost profits during that period?

_________________ Question 84 (2023-06-14) Hon.

Mukwilongo (NEFF) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.
We have recently come across news regarding your proposal for a visa exemption for Chinese nationals arriving in Namibia for a 30-day period.

However, there have been reports suggesting that officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs are unhappy with the relationship between senior officials and Chinese government, expressing concerns about potential disadvantages for Namibia in the agreement.

I would like to seek clarification on a few points regarding this matter: 1.
Chinese nationals will be given free visa when traveling to Namibia, however, this is not the case with Namibians who travel to China?

With this new development, it’s just logic that China could do the same to Namibian Nationals using that country.

2.

Could you provide information on the number of tourists coming from China to Namibia in recent years?

This data would help in assessing the potential impact of the visa exemption proposal.

3.
3.

Some individuals perceive this visa exemption as another favor given to China, possibly influenced by the political ties between SWAPO and the Chinese Communist Party.

How would you respond to such concerns and ensure that the decision is based on sound reasoning and the best interest of Namibia?

_________________ - 470 - - 126 - Question 85 (2023-06-14) – Replied to by Minister Kawana on 15 June 2023.

Hon.

Hamata (PDM) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.
I am not ignorant of the generally held idea that visa-free agreements are significant; they promote freedom of movement, human rights, and enhance international cooperation.

Visa-free agreements are essential tools for a more just, collaborative and open world.

All things considered, visa-free agreements can create an international environment appropriate for new opportunities, cultural exchanges and business partnerships.

In essence, visa exemption is a symbol of trust between two countries.
However, the Namibian government extending a visa free courtesy to Chinese citizens arriving in Namibia for a period of 30 days would not be fair if the same privilege is not extended to Namibian citizens arriving in China.

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

Is this visa exemption to be bilateral or unilateral?

If it is the latter, Hon.


Kawana, is there reason to believe that citizens of Namibia might overstay or cause harm in the People’s Republic of China, thereby making a mutual visa-free agreement unlikely?

2.

Minister Kawana, what specific conditions and terms are included in the proposed visa exemption agreement between Namibia and China?

3.
3.

What are the concerns raised by officials in the Home Affairs Ministry regarding the relationship between senior Ministry officials and the Chinese government, particularly in relation to potential disadvantages for Namibia?

4.

How the relationship between senior ministry officials and the Chinese government was established, and are there concerns about potential conflicts of interest?

5.
5.

What evidence exists to support the claim that the negotiations between Namibia and China regarding the visa exemption were kept secret by officials in the immigration Ministry?

6.

Considering the concerns raised within the government about the speed at which the proposal is being pushed, can you explain why you believe this visa exemption move is truly in Namibia’s best interest?

Are there any social and economic benefits you have so far established?

_________________ Question 86 (2023-06-14) Hon.


Dienda (PDM) asked the Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare.

The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare was established to ensure efficiency and effective service delivery for Namibia’s social protection services.

These services are concerned with protecting and helping those who are poor and vulnerable, such as older people, and people living with disabilities.
- 471 - - 127 - We know that most elderly people live off the pension, and essentially rely on these pension funds for everything, including maintaining households and taking care of grandchildren.
I thus wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following questions: Now, you have a situation whereby a person reaches the age of sixty (60), after which they automatically de jure qualify to apply for the old-age pension, but such person only gets his/her pension funds three months after they’ve made such an application, why is it not possible for these people to apply at least three (3) months in advance and be able to have their old-age pension funds paid as soon as they turn sixty (60) instead of having to wait for three (3) months as is currently the case?
_________________ Question 87 (2023-06-15) Hon.

Van Wyk (PDM) asked the Minister of Presidential Affairs.

The Namibia Statistics Agency recently announced vacancies for the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

Among the announced vacancies, was the position of Enumerators.

The agency seeks the services of 9 046 Enumerators countrywide, which is the highest number of the announced vacancies.
The requirements for the enumerators’ position are; A Degree or Diploma in Land Management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geoinformation Technology (GIT), Geography, Statistics, Population studies, Business and Management degrees, Economics, Accounting, and Computer science will be an added advantage or Grade 11/12 with a minimum 20 points in 6 subjects with an “E” symbol in English.

I therefore wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.
The primary job description of an enumerator is to collect information from the respondents through interviews.

Why does such an average job require a Degree or Diploma?

2.

The alternative requirement is Grade 11 or 12.

How will this requirement promote inclusivity of the youth?

3.

Namibia has a high number of Grade 10 certificate holders.

Why are they not catered for in this recruitment?

4.

How many enumerators will be recruited in each region and is there a local language proficiency required?
_________________ Question 88 (2023-06-15) Hon.

Van Wyk (PDM) asked the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs.

The Namibian Defence Force (NDF) recently announced that they plan to recruit between 1 400 and 1 600 new members for the 2023/24 financial year.

This was revealed in a letter the Ministry sent to regional governors and councillors earlier this month.
According to the letter, the distribution of new members across the regions has been determined, with the Khomas region allocated 141 positions, the Ohangwena and Omusati regions 119 each, and the remaining 11 regions allocated 111 positions each.

- 472 - - 128 - I therefore wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.

How many positions have been made available for people from the marginalised communities?

2.
2.

Will the indigenous people of the different regions in Namibia receive priority during the recruitment of the Namibian Defence Force?

3.

Will the Ministry consider to relax some of the requirements to accommodate people from the marginalised communities and indigenous people of the regions where the majority did not complete Grade 12?

_________________ Question 89 (2023-06-15) Hon.

Mike Venaani (PDM) asked the Minister of Information and Communication Technology.
Community radio stations serve local communities and normally broadcast in vernacular languages.

They broadcast information that is popular and relevant to a local and specific audience but is often overlooked.

Community radio stations are operated, owned, and influenced by the communities they serve.

They are generally non-profit and provide a platform for individuals, groups, and communities to tell their own stories and share their experiences.
Namibia has 14 Community Radio Stations that play a very important role in informing, educating and entertaining the communities.

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

What technical support does the Ministry provide to the community radio stations in Namibia?

2.

What is the current working relationship between government and the community radio stations in Namibia?

3.

Does the Ministry not deem it fit to offer financial support to the community radio stations in Namibia?
4.

How far is the Cabinet in approving the Community Media Framework Policy?

_________________ Question 90 (2023-06-20) Hon.

Katjimune (PDM) asked the Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation.

Honourable Minister, In 2015, President Hage Geingob made a call that all study loans should be converted into grants.

In fact, President Geingob at that time did not mince his words when he said that “Going Forward, we should move away from loans to a grant system.

It was not there.
It was not there.

It was introduced by someone.

We should give children grants, so they don’t graduate in debt”.

- 473 - - 129 - These were the words and directives of the President at the time that students should not graduate in debts and that NSFAF loans should be converted into grants across the board.
However, it appears that the President and government have backslided on this promise, and the President only gave a mere amnesty period of twelve (12) months to graduates who owe NSFAF in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last year.

NSFAF is now busy harassing graduates to pay back money which they do not have, and even threatening to blacklist graduates with the Credit Bureau (ITC).
This draconian action by NSFAF has very serious consequences on graduates, particularly when we take into account that the significant majority of our graduates who were funded by NSFAF come from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and are often first time bread winners in their respective families, that most of them remain unemployed and even those that have found employment are not paid enough to be entrapped in debts such as NSFAF.
The simple fact of the matter is that we cannot defeat generational poverty within previously disadvantaged groups of our society by entrapping graduates into debt and much worse, threaten them with backlisting by financial institutions.

I therefore ask the Honourable Minister: 1.

What happened to the President’s commitment that all NSFAF loans should be converted into grants, and that no student should graduate in debt?

2.
2.

Is the government in agreement with the draconian and insensitive position of NSFAF that financial institutions should blacklist graduates who do not pay back their loans?

3.

If the answer to Number 2 is in the affirmative, how does government expect graduates and their families to defeat the scourge of generational poverty within previously disadvantaged communities if they graduate in debt are being threatened with financial exclusion by NSFAF?

4.
4.

The simple fact of the matter is that the whole loan recovery mechanism of NSFAF is engulfed with contradictions.

The fund has even lost some of the records of graduates it has previously funded and recovering the funds from former graduates is simply untenable.

Is it then not about time that government converts all NSFAF loans into grants and make higher education free in line with President Geingob’s commitment in 2015 that all loans should be converted into grants?
_________________ Question 91 (2023-06-20) Hon.

Mootu (LPM) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.

Hon Speaker, I hereby give notice that on Thursday 23, June 2023, I shall ask the Minister of Finance Hon.

Iipumbu Shiimi few questions regarding the biased proposals made by the executives of NamPower towards the elites.
Honourable Minister beginning of the month NAMPOWER’s executives had closed meetings in which resulted in a controversial proposal put forth to write off a debt of N$29 million owed by Congo Namibia Trading a company previously responsible for powering KOMBAT.

It has come to my attention that this company is linked to businessman Knowledge Katti and the Executive Director of Sport and Youth, Erastus Haitengela.
- 474 - - 130 - However, just days before the proposal NamPower have issued threats to suspend electricity supply to defaulting customers which they have put on hold until the end of August 2023.

Targeting the poor and marginalized communities and turning a blind eye to the elite who can pay off those debts as they show off their wealth on social media.
Furthermore, the aforementioned businessmen Knowledge Katti has acknowledged to having political links with high officials, where it is alleged that he pays for the expenses of those officials.

The dubious U-turn by NamPower executives should be frowned upon as they in the company to court where on 2021 the high court ordered the company to pay NamPower N$11 million, including 20% interest per year.

Therefore, I request to seek clarification from the Minister with the following questions: 1.
What is the rationale behind the proposal to write off N$29 million in debt owed by the company, ignoring court orders?

2.

Has an independent audit or investigation been conducted to assess the legitimacy and validity of this debt write-off proposal?

3.

Are there any measures in place to prevent conflicts of interest or undue influence from impacting decisions regarding debt write-offs?

4.
4.

Can you provide reassurances that the potential suspension of electricity supply to defaulting customers will be handled judiciously, considering the potential detrimental effects on schools, businesses, and the general public?

5.

Last year Nampower came forth aggressively to reject the motion tabled by Honourable Seibeb last year claiming that the writing off of debts is not sustainable.

How sustainable is writing off N$29 million debts for NamPower?
I believe it is essential to address these concerns promptly and transparently to uphold the public’s trust and safeguard the interests of all Namibians.

_________________ Question 92 (2023-06-20) Hon.

Mootu (LPM) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.

Honourable Minister it has come to our attention that the NAC awarded Central Oil Namibia in 2021, a tender to supply fuel at Eros and Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo airports for the next 15 years valued at N$14,8 million a year.
The Central Oil Namibia won its bid over Puma that employs more than 91 people in Namibia and with 30 years in experience as the main supplier for two of the county’s largest airport.

However, records provided by the Social Security Commission (SSC) indicates that the Central Oil Namibia permanently employs one person and was founded in 1988 by George Iita, a former National Intelligence Services (NCIS) counterintelligence director.
Therefore, it with the above statement that I shall proceed to ask the Minister the following: 1.

Can the Minister confirm or deny the records provided by Social Security Commission, on the employment of one person at Central Oil Namibia.

2.

It is claimed that the reason which led to PUMA losing the bid, is its dominance on contracts of airport supplies, is there any provision that justifies that notion?

- 475 - - 131 - 3.
- 475 - - 131 - 3.

The court papers indicates that the tender was not administered by the Public Procurement Board, and it should have been, is there any truth to this?

_________________ Question 93 (2023-06-20) Hon.

Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.

Globally the most used payment platform is PayPal, the brainchild of South African born American.

Elon Musk.
Elon Musk.

It is so essential that a South African, a Mozambican, a Botswanan along with numerous other African Nationals are able with nothing more than a smart phone, a product, with a Facebook, Instagram, or Esty account and a PayPal account can go into business and reach a global market, sell their product and get paid real time.

You may be aware that the key to successful internet-based businesses for smal1 and medium sized enterprises is the ability to get paid promptly and securely.
PayPal has changed the global economy by allowing solo business people virtually anywhere in the world to chase their dreams of financial independence, Honourable Minister, you may have notice that I did not say a Namibian, that is because PayPal does not work in Namibia.

Namibians are frozen out of the global social media-based economy because they are unable to get paid.

Some would say “But PayPal works in Namibia!”.

This is not correct.


You can buy things with PayPal from Namibia, but you can’t get paid.

Businesses can get paid through PayPal, however they are unable to withdraw the payment in cash.

Numerous efforts have been made in the last 10 years from many segments of Namibian instances some formal and some informal, to not only bring this to the attention of the BON.

(this occurred during the time of your very own tenure as head of the BON).
but also the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises and The Namibian Presidency.

Questions: 1.

Why does Namibia in light of the above not have PayPal as a Payment Receipt Option?

2.

Does the Honourable Minister appreciate the importance of being internationally financially up to date and thus being able to create an enabling financial climate for all Namibia citizens?

3.
3.

Will the Minister please explain how Namibians should become financially independent as per the Presidents recent instruction of looking to alternative means of employment creation other than Government for employment and self-job creation when there is no international financial platform for them to be able to do so?

4.
4.

Why have all these repeated efforts and queries in regards to PayPal being ignored and left unanswered, yet other neighboring countries (Botswana, South Africa) have gone PayPal and are flourishing?

5.

Will the Minister now make every effort to ensure that PayPal as a payment receipt option is introduced to Namibia this year?

_________________ - 476 - - 132 - Question 94 (2023-06-20) Hon.

Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Mines and Energy.
“The holder of a mining claim or a mining licence who has won or mined in the course of any prospecting or mining operations carried on by him or her, and the holder of any non-exclusive prospecting licence, exclusive prospecting licence or mineral deposit retention licence who has found or incidentally won in the course of any prospecting operations carried on by him or her.
any mineral or group of minerals, shall be liable to pay to the Commissioner for the benefit of the State Revenue Fund a royalty.” This section clearly states that miners and prospectors are liable for the payment of royalties thus by extension this applies only to rough and semi processed goods as produced by the primary stakeholders.
Thus a grossly misled interpretation of the mining laws that now has led to traders and tourists, who are on secondary or even tertiary level, also being held liable for royalties.

The fact remains that if the Ministry collects its royalties at primary level and then proceeds to collect them again from traders and tourists that a double payment of royalties will occur.

One at primary base production cost and then again at a value added retail level.
The recent introduction of Export Permit application fee has also had a further negative impact on our value addition sectors.

Tourists are not prepared to return to Windhoek to spend a night here waiting for a permit to be issued and then also having to pay extra application fees on top as well.

The reality is that the Ministry of Mines and Energy has overstepped its jurisdiction and wandered into that of Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade.
This particular trade value addition arena includes not only Namibian sourced minerals in rough, semi-finished or polished states but also many minerals sourced from other countries and imported into Namibia in normal trade on open markets.

Many times these import minerals are indistinguishable and have exactly the same properties as those of Namibian minerals.
The reality is that this misled application and enforcement of non-existent Mining Laws has in effect created a negative effect on the ability for the combined sectors of small miners, beneficiation and retail trade to be able to sell their goods in a positive sector growth manner and will eventually lead to a collapse of the industry as a whole.

Questions: 1.
Questions: 1.

Why is the Ministry charging royalties from downstream secondary trader stakeholders on exports knowing that they are neither miners nor prospectors?

2.

Why is the Ministry charging royalties from tourists that take small amounts of collector pieces with as souvenirs knowing full well that they are likewise neither miners nor prospectors?

3.
3.

Given the above, has your Ministry also been factoring out the amount that forms the VAT component on an invoice, or has your Ministry been charging royalties on that as well?

4.

The Minerals Act of 1992, Section 114 makes no mention of downstream value addition for third parties engaged in buying, selling, and otherwise trading in minerals.

Would it then not also be correct to say that your Ministry has been illegally collecting royalties from the incorrect people for the last 30 years?
- 477 - - 133 - 5.

Considering that the Ministry of Mines and Energy is purely primary sector, concerned with rough and semi processed items by primary producers, that is miners and prospectors, would it not be correct to say that your Ministry has gone out of its jurisdiction in these matters and entered or imposed itself upon the arena of the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade?

_________________ Question 95 (2023-06-20) Hon.

Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Works and Transport.
I hereby give notice that on Thursday, 29 June 2023, I shall ask the Minister of Works and Transport, Honourable John Mutorwa on the recent announcement by the Roads Authority on the N$300 million project funding provided by the KfW Development Bank, Germany’s state development bank, for the planned road construction project between Karibib and Usakos (30.04km), where all the shortlisted bidders were Chinese companies.

It was explained by the Roads Authority (RA) that they are not the project funders.
The RA also claimed that only three Namibian companies showed interest in the bidding process.

The RA also noted that since KfW Development Bank is funding the road upgrade, it was the banks prerogative to decide on the participating requirements.

I do not blame Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer Conrad Lutombi for being open in this instance.
He is actually echoing his frustrations and shame in the sense that after 33 years of independence, Namibia cannot show muscled medium-sized and large companies which are able to bid for such lucrative tenders.

Of course he is not a politician elected by the people to write laws that would empower a large number of Namibians at an unprecedented scale.

He is putting the blame squarely on the shoulders of the chief policy maker, which is the Minister of Works and Transport.
Despite this, what worries me most is the sheer arrogance and rudeness displayed by the Chinese Ambassador Zhao Weiping, who proclaimed proudly that “he could only think of the competitiveness of Chinese companies as reason for why all seven remaining in the race are from his country” at the media update he held on 12 June 2023 about this project.

He talks too much that Chinese Ambassador!


But in the same vein the Chinese Ambassador is exposing our governments failure for not having empowered small and medium sized enterprises to become large-scale companies, able to compete with Chinese state-owned companies in 33 years.
It is therefore clear that anchor institutions such as the Ministry of Works and Transport, which should support the local economy by procuring goods and services locally, have been opting to import construction skills from abroad, neglecting capable local contractors.

When will this state-of-affairs change despite us celebrating independence day every year?

Questions: 1.

What is the class agenda of the Ministry of Works and Transport?
What is the class content and character of this Ministry considering that after 33 years we seem not to have graduated many enterprises into large scale companies able to compete with some companies operating in southern Africa like the Group Five, Grinaker, Murray and Roberts?

- 478 - - 134 - 2.

Honourable Minister, should the funding partner in this case like the KfW, always be allowed to define and set criteria for us and even determining which companies should be shortlisted?
Is this the “neocolonialism of the special type” you have anchored in your policies and by extension to the Roads Authority under the disguise of a so-called “empowerment and development” for the country and simply acceded to KfW influence out of desperation?

Don’t you have a say in all these issues in order to drive a meaningful economic growth and economic empowerment for Namibians?

3.
3.

Honourable Minister, why does your Ministry not amend policies in order to have a clear cut class agenda, in which you direct Roads Authority to impose a criterion that any road construction project under 100km should purely be reserved for Namibian companies (whether small, medium sized or large companies)?

We are into 33 years of our independence and can’t continue as though as if no nothing class agenda should be imposed to benefit Namibians.

4.
4.

Honourable Minister, can you provide to us a comprehensive explanation of how appointing any of these shortlisted foreign contractors on the Karibib-Usakos road will benefit the local economy?

We further request detailed statistical information regarding the local economic benefit of this planned project in relation to economic opportunities for local contractors, local job creation, and local procurement of materials?

5.
5.

In the event that local contractors were unable to meet the pre-qualification requirements as claimed by the Roads Authority, has the Minister expressed concern regarding the absence of local contractors on the prequalification list and if so, what subsequent action did the Minister take to protect and support the economic interest of the local construction industry?

6.
6.

Honourable Minister, we further seek clarification on the methodology and criteria used in making such a determination of excluding/disqualifying all the local contractors by KfW?

If not, why is the Honourable Minister allowing the continuation of a procurement process where local contractors are not featuring?

7.
7.

Does KfW have extra-judicial powers that they can impose their procurement policies without any questioning by the Namibian government despite claims in government circles that Namibia is independent for 33 years and that we have defeated colonialism and Apartheid regimes?

8.
8.

In the context of your political party’s ideology of “socialism with Namibian characteristics” which you implement in Cabinet as an “Implementation Guide of the 2019 Election Manifesto” is this what you mean to continually humiliate locals?

Excluding Namibians at the expense of Chinese and others?

_________________ Question 96 (2023-06-20) Hon.

Swartbooi (LPM) asked the Right Honourable Prime Minister.
The Namibia Institute of Public Administration-NIPAM, held a seminar with the Chinese Ambassador and other cohorts, about what Namibia can learn from the Chinese Local Authority transformation with a view to address poverty and underdevelopment.

This is from the basis that, as alleged, China has reached a point where no Chinese citizen lives - 479 - - 135 - below the poverty line, an achievement that was hailed as a great Chinese milestone in its 5000 years of existence as a civilisation.
It seems that Namibia is now being pushed into a subsidiary state, that must cut and paste China development approach, given that the SWAPO Party has begun conceptual framing of ideological precepts such as ‘socialism with Namibian characteristics.’ We can glean from action that was taken by the Cabinet as a collective, that all school construction and other major state construction tenders must exclusively be conducted by the notorious, none transparent and deceptive SWAPO-cum-Government corporation, known as August 26.
Hereby, state capitalism, with Chinese characteristics is being created.

Further evidence in this regard is buttressed by the creation of multiple NAMCOR Retail Fuel Stations.

A state company now competing directly with fuel retailers throughout Namibia.
This is one of the few countries in the world where two states are directly destroying local enterprise development: the Chinese state, the second largest economy in the world, with a GDP of about US$18,57 trillion, and the Namibian state, with a GDP of about N$200 billion, directly pushing down state companies onto the terrain of the national economy, where opportunities are already limited for most Namibian companies, but in abundance for the Chinese state-corporations.
And yet, the Namibian companies that are being outcompeted here locally, will never have a business opportunity in the People’s Republic of China!

With the NIPAM seminar, the state administration is been converted into a whole new top down Chinese type system.

China is a one-party state, which is what SWAPO is also wanting to consolidate in Namibia.

The target is now the public sector, to turn it into a service with Chinese characteristics!

Questions: 1.
Questions: 1.

Namibia as a mixed economy, in terms of Article 98, aims to secure economic growth, prosperity and a life of human dignity for all Namibians.

That is our philosophical grounding.

Which lessons, philosophies, insights or instructions do we expect to gain from China, whose economic modus operandi has been a monolithic, state led system.

How do we maintain our chosen identity as a mixed economy from a country that is of a completely different political, economic, philosophical stance.

2.
2.

What are the defining limits of co-operation, if any, with the Chinese government, and what are visible and desirable economic, social and political goals that the SWAPO Government seeks to achieve from its relationship with China?

3.

What are the mutual benefits from our friendship with China, as part of our strategic economic ambitions as a country?

4.
4.

In terms of Article 96, the state shall endeavour to ensure that in its international relations it: (c.) Creates and maintains just and mutually beneficial relations among nations.

What does Namibia stand to benefit from a conference that is solely based on the experience and workings of the China that fails to incorporate, acknowledge or blend with Namibian concepts, teachings?
China operates as a monocultural, government led country, whilst Namibia doesn’t bare the same background, as a multicultural mixed economy, people led state, with an elected government, is there space for our identity?

_________________ - 480 - - 136 - Question 97 (2023-06-20) Hon.

Van Den Heever (PDM) asked the Minister of Justice.

As elected representatives of the Namibian people, we endeavour to pursue the establishment and maintenance of a lawful and just society.
One crucial aspect of this pursuit is the reinforcement of strong legal structures that empower and protect the rights of our citizens.

In this context, the Whistleblower Protection Act was passed by Parliament with the objective of safeguarding individuals who altruistically reveal unlawful or unethical activities taking place within our society.
However, it has come to our attention that, despite the passing of the Whistleblower Protection Act, the office responsible for its implementation still remains non- operational, six years since the law was passed by Parliament.

The inactivity of this office poses a significant concern for the effective execution of the Act’s provisions and the protection of whistleblowers in Namibia.

This situation sets a dangerous legal precedent for several reasons: 1.
It undermines public trust in the legal system and government, as citizens witness the inefficacy of the Act due to the office’s lack of operation.

2.

Whistleblowers are left unprotected and vulnerable, which could discourage potential informants from coming forward.

This lack of information will consequently impede the uncovering and addressing of unlawful or unethical acts.

3.
3.

It may enable wrongdoers to continue committing illegal acts without fear of reprisal, knowing that whistleblowers are less likely to come forward due to the current ineffectiveness of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

I thus ask the Honourable Minister: 1.

What factors have contributed to the delay in the establishment and operation of the Whistleblower Protection Office?

2.
2.

What steps are being taken to ensure that the office will become functional in the near future, and what is the projected timeline for this to occur?

3.

How will the government work to restore public trust in the legal system and the effectiveness of legislative acts, particularly in relation to the Whistleblower Protection Act?

_________________ Question 98 (2023-06-20) Hon.

Van Den Heever (PDM) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.
In the absence of National Identity Documents, people are excluded from so many opportunities in Namibia.

Undocumented people are deprived of their Rights to Education, and Social Welfare Services, just to name a few.

The Kavango East Region has 32,720 undocumented people and the Kavango West has 20,610.

Kavango East has the highest percentage of undocumented people in Namibia followed by Omusati and Kavango West, according to a report on the stateless and undocumented persons in Namibia.
- 481 - - 137 - I therefore wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following: 1.

What are the current delays in registering and documenting people in the Kavango West and East Regions?

2.

What strategies are in place to speed-up the current registration of stateless and undocumented people in the Kavango West and East Regions?

3.

What are the current human resource and infrastructural capacities at the National Civil Registration Regional Offices of the Kavango West and East Regions?
_________________ Question 99 (2023-06-20) Hon.

Shekupakela (RDP) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Member, the introduction of SME Bank in 2015 was seen as a positive development in the economic sector of our country.

Young entrepreneurs had welcomed this important opportunity not only to expand and develop their business to the next level, but also to get relief when borrowing from the commercial banks for their business operations.
Some borrowers ended up having created employment opportunities for the unemployed youth.

Honourable Speaker, the SME bank dissolution and or bankruptcy has caused immense suffering among the youth as many are left with huge debts to pay.

Hence I ask: 1.

What measures are in place to assist these young entrepreneurs as they struggle to pay back the borrowed capital loans?

2.
2.

Seeing that the SME bank is dissolved and or bankrupt, did terms and conditions of borrowing and repayment change or remain the same?

3.

What mitigating steps does the government take to lessen the pressure on the young borrowers?

4.

Taking into account the impact of Covid 19, have the borrowers been given an extension and reorganizations of their debt payment?

_________________ Question 100 (2023-06-20) Hon.

Shekupakela (RDP) asked the Minister of Works and Transport.
Honourable Speaker, the monopoly of awarding tenders to August 26 Trading Logistics has negatively impacted on small and medium construction companies.

They no longer get opportunities to tender directly and win the tenders.

They have now been pushed out only to become sub-contractors.

This arrangement has literally pushed some many small and medium contractors out of the market.
Ironically they are losing out in buying tender documents of huge amount of money that are not refundable while the awarding of tender are already pre-determined.

- 482 - - 138 - Hence I ask: 1.

What is the logic behind encouraging August 26 Trading Logistics monopoly in the construction especially in smaller projects of schools classrooms and ablution facilities?

2.

The economy of the country supposed to be built on a broad based principles rather than creating pyramid monopolies as it were.
Who benefits from this practice?

3.

Broad based economy will make a difference in many young people’s lives, when will the government review and address the unfair practice of awarding of tenders in this country?

_________________ Question 101 (2023-06-21) Hon.

Dienda (PDM) asked the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

In an effort to address human-wildlife conflict, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism recently announced the sale of 40 crocodiles to the public.
The ministry further explained that the sale of crocodiles aims to minimize incidents and reduce the impact of crocodile attacks on communities, particularly in the north-eastern regions of Kavango West, Kavango East, and Zambezi.

I therefore wish to ask: 1.

What is the current population of crocodiles in the Kavango West, Kavango East and Zambezi Regions?

2.

The total number of crocodiles to be sold is 40.

How did the ministry determine this number?

3.


Has the ministry determined the age groups of the crocodiles that will be sold?

4.

Does the Honourable Minister believe that removing these crocodiles will help to solve the problem of crocodiles attacking local people?

5.

There have also been Hippo attacks on people in the Kavango West, Kavango East and Zambezi Regions.

What efforts are in place to minimize incidents and reduce the impact of Hippo attacks on the said communities?
_________________ Question 102 (2023-06-21) Hon.

Swartbooi (LPM) asked the Minister of Urban and Rural Development.

The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development is tasked with the development of urban and rural human habitats.
Accordingly, the World Bank Report: Namibia Systemic Country Diagnostic, of July 2021 suggests that “Namibia should prepare for massive urban population growth and ensure that it occurs in efficient and sustainable ways and assess the feasibility and efficiency of policies designed to reap the benefits of agglomeration, with an emphasis on land, service delivery and transport issues.” The Report further articulates that the “urban dilemma” connotes the paradoxical - 483 - - 139 - challenge of urbanization as an engine of development, as well as an accelerator of the risk of violence, especially for the urban poor.” And finally, the Report concludes that “developing a new urban agenda, and supporting urban resilience to climate change and disaster risks should be the core government priorities in the years to come.
There is urgent need to support sustainable economic growth in urban spaces.” Given these diagnostics contained in this Report of the World Bank, I therefore ask the following questions: 1.

This year’s budget has seen major towns not under the control of SWAPO receiving exceedingly small amounts of monies for the capital projects.

In other words, an election outcome through a democratic process results in punitive policy making, including exclusion from legitimate resources of the state.
Honourable Minister, in terms of our national endeavour and the Constitutional Republic we are building, which law provides these powers to the central government to create such budgetary framework of politically induced exclusion and discrimination?

2.

What is the stated class agenda, in the rural and urban developmental space, as part of the broader territorial development of the Namibian people, that the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development espouses to obtain?

3.
3.

The urban and rural space requires a dynamic intervention by dynamic leaders, to deliver services and create opportunities for youth, the working class, the corporate sector and the elderly to enhance life of innovation, creativity and forward movement for society.

Where are the new dynamic programmes that the Minister of MURD has developed, instead of writing foolish and inconsequential correspondence on non-issues as is now the practice.

4.
4.

Does the Minister of MURD consider himself deserving to continue serving in his current capacity, given his evident inability to resolve critical developmental matters of service delivery and urban planning as required and stated in the above-cited World Bank Report?

5.

What is our policy articulation and implementation on Integrated Rural Development strategy to boost rural economic development, with the aim of reducing poverty, inequality and unemployment?
_________________ Question 103 (2023-06-21) Hon.

Swartbooi (LPM) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, as an administrator and custodian of the national fish and marine resources, embodies an important task to contribute toward meaningful and sustainable socio-economic development.
To this end this Ministry has been mandated to run the entire ocean economy of the Namibian state, without exclusion, to the sole interest and benefit of the Namibian people.

Since independence the broad policy stroke has been the Namibianisation and value addition to the raw material, with a view to create vast jobs and to enhance the welfare of the Namibian society.
Indeed, in retrospect, the achievements in the fishing sector are at best mixed, and most certainly disappointing for the expectations not met on the premise of a better life for all.

- 484 - - 140 - Questions: 1.

After COVID-19, the dynamics in the fishing sector has changed, and simultaneously there has been increase in poverty and unemployment.

What deliberate measures has the Ministry implement to broaden the scope of fishing quotas beneficiaries apart from the current concentration on patronage?

2.
2.

Apart from fishing what other policies have you proposed so we seize advantage of the blue ocean economy?

3.

What policy initiatives have you taken to ward off the industry competition for the use of ocean resources by different sectors, such as the mining activities seismic exploration, diamond mining, and now oil and gas exploration as it has negative impacts on the catches of highly migratory tuna and rock lobsters?

4.
4.

The World Bank Group Namibia Systematic Country Diagnostic 2021 states that “a lack of zoned land and access to water for mariculture projects along the coast hamper the expansion of mariculture production.” What initiatives have you undertook to correct this anomaly?

5.

What policy options have you taken to foster the Blue Economy and prepare for marine Spatial Planning in order to mainstream resources sustainably?

6.
6.

What efforts have you undertaken to promote market diversification and value addition of fisheries products through eco-labelling and microgeneration certification scheme to improve the industry?

_________________ Question 104 (2023-06-21) Hon.

Swartbooi (LPM) asked the Right Honourable Prime Minister.
The World Bank Report: Namibia Systemic Country Diagnostic of July 2021, states that: “The chronic undernutrition rate of children or “stunting “ of children under the age of 5, is 24 percent, a rate 40 percent higher than in South Africa and about six times higher than peer countries in Latin America.” This, the Report indicates, is linked to poverty.
Stunting has a severe impact lifelong impact on the persistence of poverty, as childhood malnutrition affects health and educational outcomes of children in adulthood.

As it stands, life expectancy is shorter in Namibia compared to other countries with similar spending on health spending.

Namibians are thus starving, especially the children under the age of 5.

In fact, Namibian children will only be 43 percent as productive when they grow up, according to this Report.
Additionally, the Report cites that overall coordination at the “center of the government is ineffectual.” There is limited capacity for policy coordination or interagency coordination, it goes further.

Horizontal coordination is low due in inter-ministerial rivalry and the inability of NPC to enforce decisions.

The situation is so bad that Namibia declined on the BTI Policy Coordination score dropped from 7 out of 10 in 2007, to 5 to 10 in 2016.

- 485 - - 141 - Therefore, the following questions: 1.
With Malnutrition crisis on our hands, how does the government account for its decision to cease drought relief efforts in certain parts of the country without any consideration of the dire impact it will have on communities and specifically children?

2.

As expressed, our policy coordination score dropped, are there any plans of action to ensure that Ministries/Offices/Agencies can better coordinate policies to address issues of such malnutrition, food security and other relevant class struggles?
_________________ Question 105 (2023-06-21) Hon.

Iipumbu (NEFF) asked the Minister in the Presidency.

Two Prime Ministers from the Netherlands and Denmark paid a working visit to Namibia, where they held talks with President Hage Geingob, some of his ministers and members of his Green Hydrogen Team.

The motive of this meeting, as we have been reliably informed, is for these three governments to collaborate on matters of mutual concern, primarily on the sustainable energy issue hinged on Green Hydrogen.
Allow me, to ask the following questions in light of this: 1.

Can you inform this August House on how the Green Hydrogen team reached the decision to have 24% of the stake in Hyphen and what advised this decision?

2.

Where will this government find the money needed to buy these shares and by when do you think this will be done?

3.

Why did this team negotiate a deal in which they have to buy shares into the project, when the resources belong to the Namibians?

4.
4.

If this Green Hydrogen Project is to be successful, how much of the energy output will be consumed by Namibians and at what cost, and how much will be sold out?

and are we not getting into a deal in which we will end up being used as a warehouse to provide energy for Europe’s needs?

_________________ Question 106 (2023-06-26) Hon.

Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Urban and Rural Development.
I hereby give notice that on Thursday, 6 July 2023, I shall ask the Minister of Urban and Rural Development Honourable Amutenya Erastus Uutoni few questions with regards to his so-called “Official Visit to Karasburg Town Council” on Thursday, 29 June 2023, 09h00.

In your letter to the Mayor of Karasburg.

Her Worship Councillor Maria Veldskoen on stamped 23 June 2023, you mentioned that you want to meet with the Councillors to discuss issues surraounding the development of Karasburg town.
You also mentioned that you would like to use that opportunity to interact with staff members of the council for familiarization, as well as to meet with the members of the community to foster better working relations between the council and the community.

You will be accompanied by the senior officials of the Ministry.

- 486 - - 142 - Question: 1. Who informed you that there are no better relations between the Councillors and the community?

2.
2.

Why does the letter to the Mayor delivered by a certain staff member, Mrs. Coetzee and not through the Acting Chief Officer?

Are you undermining the governance structure of the town council and LPM Councillors?

3.

Have you witnessed any civil unrest, protests, plundering by the community in Karasburg?

If so, share such information with us.

4.

There are more pressing issues that your Ministry is seized with like the sanitation.
bulk municipal services for land and electricity; why are you so obsessed with Karasburg and LPM led local authorities?

5.

There were cases of the CEO and Chairperson of the Management Committee in Karibib allegedly into a near fist-fight but you did nothing over there.

Recently, Councillor Fabiam George is the Chairperson of the Management Committee of Ongwediva but works fulltime in Okakarara and therefore unable to discharge his duties.
Have you also undertaken trips to Karibib and Ongwediva as you are seemingly now doing with Karasburg?

6.
6.

What development issues do you want to discuss in Karasburg whereas you have only allocated for this current Capital Budget Projects 2023, Karasburg, N$35 000, compared to Okahao, N$15 million; Okalongo, N$16.7 million; Oshikuku, N$10.8 million; Katima Mulilo , N$8 million; Ondangwa, N$4 million; Omuthiya, N$3 million; Tsumeb, N$20 million; Helao Nafidi, N$2.67 million; Omungwelume, N$2.5 million; and Ongenga, N$1.7 million?

7.
7.

You are also sitting on the recommendations to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kalkrand for the past five months but you are so quick to jump onto nonsensical issues, wasting time and efforts of good Councillors and good people.

When will you appoint the CEO of Kalkrand local authority?

8.

Why do you continuously fight LPM in //Kharas and Hardap regions?

9.

What is your evil agenda?

10.

What pains you so much that LPM is governing in Karasburg?
_________________ Question 107 (2023-06-27) Hon.

McHenry Venaani (PDM) asked the Prime Minister.

Recently, international and domestic media outlets have reported that the Cabinet of the Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) has approved the entry into an agreement with Hyphen Hydrogen Energy (Hyphen) to govern the development, implementation and operation of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest, and its only fully vertically integrated, green hydrogen project.
- 487 - - 143 - Article 63(2)(d) of our respected Namibian Constitution grants the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia the responsibility and authority to scrutinize all agreements entered into by the Namibian government.

This critical provision is intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and meaningful oversight.

I thus ask the Prime Minister: 1.


I seek to inquire as to the reasons behind keeping the details of these agreements concealed and not submitting them to Parliament for proper scrutiny as required by our Constitution?

2.

When will this agreement be made available for public consumption, ensuring that our citizens are well-informed about such a significant project that will ultimately impact their lives?

3.
3.

Furthermore, can you explain why the government has opted not to engage in public consultation before committing to such a momentous agreement on behalf of our people?

_________________ Question 108 (2023-06-27) Hon.

McHenry Venaani (PDM) asked the Prime Minister.

About 27 months ago, Air Namibia (PTY) Ltd was formally liquidated by the High Court of Namibia.
After the closure of the national airline, it was agreed that its 640 employees would be paid severance packages at a cost to the company, based on the number of years of service at the airline.

Benefits to be paid also included accumulated leave days at a maximum of 60 days, a 13th cheque, and a one-month salary.

The total amount for all employees stood at N$105 million, which after revision by the Namibia National Employers’ Organisation (NaNEO), has been reduced to about N$103 million.
Moreover, at the time of its collapse, Air Namibia’s fleet consisted of four A319-100s (of which two were owned and two were leased from Deucalion Aviation Funds), the two leased A330-200s from Castlelake, four owned EMB-135ERs, and one B737-500 (stored).

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, the two A319-100s leased from Deucalion – VS-ANK (msn 3588) and V5-ANL (msn 3346) – were parked at Johannesburg O.R.

Tambo International Airport.


The airline’s own two A319-100s – VS-ANM (msn 5366) and VS-ANN (msn 5400) – were said to be parked at Hosea Kutako International Airport.

Since then, former Air Namibia employees have handed over two petitions to the National Assembly, of which they are said to have received no response.

In sharing the plight of the former employees, I put it to the Prime Minister as follows: Questions: 1.
How many former Air Namibia employees have received their full severance packages as well as benefits that have been prescribed above?

2.

What is the total amount that has been paid in severance packages and benefits thus far?

Similarly, how many employees are yet to be paid and what is the total balance outstanding?

- 488 - - 144 - 3.

When can the former employees who are yet to be paid out, expect to be paid in full?

4.

How many aircrafts are still in possession of Air Namibia?
What is the current status of these vessels, i.e, how many vessels were leased out?

5.

What is the current status of the leased aircrafts as referenced above?

6.

Lastly, as the nation navigates this significant transition almost three years after the liquidation, can the Rt.

Honourable Prime Minister provide this House with an update in respect of the overall liquidation process?

_________________ Question 109 (2023-06-27) Hon.


Mukwiilongo (NEFF) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

Questions: 1.

Honourable Minister, we have seen in various media reports demonstrations by members of the gay community in our streets calling for the government to recognize their rights.

Honourable Minister, why are these people finding it easy to get police clearance to hold their demonstrations on a matter that we do not recognize in this country?

2.
2.

Why is this clearance so easy to get from the police for the gay community when political activists like Michael Amushelelo and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma have been arrested and victimized many times while demonstrating for economic independence in this country?

_________________ Question 110 (2023-06-27) Hon.

Shekupakela (RDP) asked the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, the process of project funding for the war veterans is disturbingly slow, frustrating the war veterans and indeed very humiliating the already poverty stricken fellow Namibians.

We understand that some approved and qualified war veterans have been waiting for their project funding for 10 years now or more.
The excuse of lack of fund as often toted around is not a reason why the plight of war veterans, numbering only a couple of thousands, cannot be addressed once and for all.

Just imagine the amount of money returned to treasury from time to time.

Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, the other issue regarding war veterans, is the current ongoing registration of war veterans across the country, particularly in the villages.
The elderly people who were not previously registered as veterans are complaining that they are interviewed by the young people who know nothing about the war of National Liberation Struggle since some were not even born, and thus do not understand the difficult circumstances in which these elderly people were in contact with the fighting combatants.

Because of that, the information so collected is often found to be insufficient to qualify these elderly people as veterans.
Because elderly people have been told not to share the information about the combatants with anyone.

I wish to advice that teams so commissioned must at least include some former combatants who operated and known to have operated in those respective areas.

- 489 - - 145 - Thus I ask: 1.

Why is it taking so long to resolve some of the veterans’ project funding while others have received their project funding in cash payments several years ago?

2.
2.

What action did your Ministry take against those officials who corruptly abused the veterans project funding to their own benefit and not that of veterans?

3.

If no action was taken against those officials what were the logical considerations taken into account?

4.

Is it true that some veterans were paid projects funding in the sum of N$ 200 000 and others N$ 170 000?

Why the discrepancy?

What says the Act?


Against the above-mentioned anomalies, are we really serious in our quest to address poverty that is inflicting our people?

_________________ Question 111 (2023-06-27) Hon.

Hamata (PDM) asked the Minister of Education, Arts and Culture.

Job interviews can be a daunting process for any jobseeker, but graduates often find them particularly nerve-racking because of their inexperience at competing for vacancies.
Another added pressure for graduates in the current economic climate is the cost of attending interviews.

Research has revealed that 25 per cent of university leavers have to apply for five or more roles before they land their first full-time job.

The average graduate goes to more than three interviews before receiving a firm offer, with the costs of travelling and accommodation mounting up for individuals who can’t secure positions quickly and close to home.
You would be shocked to discover the true costs that these financially-struggling graduates face when they take their first career steps.

I thus wish to ask the Honourable Minister the following question(s): In Namibia, we have a situation whereby Education graduates attend job interviews for teaching posts across the country.

To put things into perspective, you would find that 30 applicants attend an interview (typically a written test) for one teaching post in Oshana region.
The 29 applicants who did not make it (only one apposite candidate was needed to fill the post anyway), would apply and subsequently get shortlisted for another interview for one teaching post in Omusati region, in which case they would be expected to travel and attend such interview.

Is it not possible to have all the vacant teaching posts (for various education circuits in the two regions) consolidated so that interviews are held at once at a certain center in each region?
This practice can be replicated across the country.

_________________ - 490 - - 146 - Question 112 (2023-06-28) Hon.

Dr. Iijambo (SWANU) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.

The current suffering and toil of the Namibian people is self-inflected, and nearly all is due to land availability (distribution and use).

Land is pivotal to any national development.

Our ancestors lost the land where they thrived - not money!
Our sovereignty should therefore, restore that lost self-worth by determining the “ceiling” on land ownership, especially absentee land ownership, to allow for fair and equitable access and use of both urban and rural land by all Namibians.

Thus, we should regulate our towns, rural, communal, commercial land, forests, housing, plantations, mines, etc.

in ways that add value to land as well as benefit to all Namibians.
With appropriate policies, everything required to feed the nation should be locally available.

However, due to skewed policies and practices, the nation is experiencing unprecedented shortages of essential agro-products.

Thirty-three years after our Uhuru or sovereignty, the government has done a disservice to both our producers and consumers.
To paraphrase an economist writing about the country pre-independence, Namibia remains a country that produces what it does not consume and consumes what it does not produce.

Following are my 5 questions: 1.

Why do so many products across the green schemes, conservancies, and even individual producers rot and go to waste?

2.
2.

Will the Honourable Minister agree with the fact that consumption by Namibians of foreign basic agro-products such as tomatoes, chicken, and even milk in a country that has more cattle than people is absolutely unacceptable?

3.

What are you doing Honourable Minister, to see to it that our army, school hostels, and hospitals are fed with locally produced agro-products?

4.

Livestock, agro-, and dairy products cannot be imported for a population of less than 3 million.
Whatever happened to the much-sought after food self-sufficiency that President Kambarange Julius Nyerere so eloquently advocated for Africa?

5.

If I may ask, what are the top 5 water and land reform policies that you, Honourable Minister, have either implemented or plan to implement in the near future to deal with these issues?

_________________ Question 113 (2023-06-29) Hon.

Shaningwa (SWAPO) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

Questions: 1.
Questions: 1.

Why did Minister failed to table the notice on the 20 June 2023 as per the Central Committee decision of the SWAPO Party to introduce the motion to amend the appropriate law?

- 491 - - 147 - 2.

Can the Minister assure the house and population out there that a motion to amend the law will be tabled in this August House before the end of this current sitting?

3.
3.

If the answer is a no to question 2 above, do you understand that you are pushing for a private member’s Bill to be introduced in this August House in accordance with rule 32 sub rule E (ii)?

4.

Why did you give the public notice on this immoral matter which the population rejects, yet there are so many cases the Ministry lost in the Courts but never gave such public notices?

5.
5.

Do you, Honourable Minister comprehend the sensitivity of the matter at hand, and its political implications on the Party you represent in this August House, in particular the seriousness of the matter, especially when is the Highest Decision- Making Body between Congresses, accordingly directed you to act without delay and fail?

6.
6.

Comrade Minister, this matter being an absolute weapon against the Party, why would you think its appropriate that you downplay it, and let it in the hands of a technocrat, being the Executive Director of your Ministry, who at no means represent nor convey, neither regard our political aspirations, in so far as promoting and maintaining our moral values, to which thousands of Namibian people died fighting?

_________________ Question 114 (2023-07-03) Hon.


Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises.

I hereby give notice that on Thursday, 13 July 2023, I shall ask the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises concerning the subject of economic diversification in Namibia.

Economic diversification entails the expansion of the range of products offered by a country.
This can be assessed by examining the variety of goods and services encompassed within the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or the range of export commodities.

On December 7, 2022, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Namibia.

During the consultation, the IMF Directors underscored the significance of promoting inclusive growth through the implementation of structural reforms that facilitate diversification and enhance productivity.
Recognizing the importance of stimulating growth led by the private sector and generating employment opportunities, the Directors recommended measures to enhance the business environment, improve access to finance, and reinforce governance standards.

They also emphasized the need for concerted efforts to address food insecurity, including initiatives aimed at bolstering climate resilience within the agricultural sector.
The assessment of the outlook and risks indicated the potential adverse effects of global conditions on the short-term prospects.

Factors such as unexpectedly high fuel and food prices, a slowdown in the global economy, a decline in export commodity prices, and further tightening of global financial conditions could exacerbate imbalances, and undermine the ongoing recovery process.

- 492 - - 148 - Questions: 1.


What policies and practical steps have you implemented in protecting the most vulnerable from the impact of higher food and fuel prices?

2.

Honourable Minister could you kindly provide insights on the progress made in finalizing the Public Asset Ownership Policy, which aims to establish the principles governing government asset ownership?

Additionally, I am interested in understanding the measures taken to expedite its implementation?

3.
3.

Honourable Minister, I would appreciate your perspectives on how the rationalization of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) can potentially enhance expenditure efficiency while minimizing the risk of exacerbating income inequality?

4.
4.

Honourable Minister, considering the decline in tax collection efficiency in Namibia with tax arrears amounting to 32 percent of GDP by the end of August 2022, I am interested in understanding the measures undertaken to enhance tax compliance and enforcement, which constitute crucial components of NamRA’s strategy.

Furthermore, I am keen to gain insights on how these efforts can potentially generate additional revenue without exacerbating income inequality?

5.
5.

IMF Directors called for the swift adoption of the long-standing Public Financial Management (PFM) Bill.

I would like to inquire about the tirneline for introducing this Bill to Parliament for substantive discussions?

6.

Honourable Minister you have been encouraged by the IMF in light of developing a comprehensive fiscal risk management framework to publish a fiscal risk statement alongside the annual budget statement, what practical steps have you undertook to implement this recommendation for 2024?
7.

Honourable Minister, I would like to seek your perspective on the importance of advancing structural reforms as a means to promote economic diversification and enhance productivity, with the ultimate goal of fostering inclusive growth!

_________________ Question 115 (2023-07-03) Hon.

Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation.
I hereby give notice that on Thursday, 13 July 2023, I shall ask the Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Honourable Dr. Itah Kandji-Murangi about the skills mismatch in Namibia.

As of late, the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM) are undergoing a historical change, which is not democratic nor organic, but which brings more scandals to these universities.
Traditional intellectuals were closely linked to the dominant class and performed socializing tasks for it, but ‘organic’ intellectuals had the ability to cut themselves off, universalize their experience, and join the class of the future, the proletariat and its revolutionary party.

Our analysis indicates that both Vice-Chancellors of UNAM and NUST, namely, Professor Kenneth Matengu and Professor Erold Naomab belongs to the so-called SWAPO Party Think Tank.
- 493 - - 149 - Typically, universities prioritize three fundamental aspects, learning and research.

However, recent developments have seen universities becoming embroiled in disputes over tenders, factional battles, and the infiltration of party politics and ethnic blases onto campuses.
In an opinion piece titled “Inauguration of NUST Centre: Less talk, more action,” Professor Tjama Tjivikua, the Founding Vice-Chancellor of NUST, expressed the view that a university should function as a catalyst for societal transformation, serving the greater good, rather than serving as a sanctuary for individuals seeking personal gain without contributing meaningfully.

Questions: 1.
Questions: 1.

Honourable Minister, is the historic bloc at UNAM and NUST captured by political party interests leading to them becoming ineffective and unable to perform their duties satisfactorily because both at UNAM and NUST there is seemingly a quiet revolution of the wind of change oncoming led by the academics, lecturers and students feeling handicapped, undermined by the ruling party establishment demanding open interference in the curriculum design and imposing ruling party interest on them?

2.
Why do you allow the two Vice-Chancellors of UNAM and NUST to belong to a political party because this limits them from exercising their academic freedom to their full potential and make them lame ducks to engage in society’s issues in comparison with for example the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala (now Rector of the United Nations University and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations) and Professor Adam Habib, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand?
3.

We are further informed that the Vice-Chancellor of UNAM, Prof. Matengu is perennially absent from his office, always on leave either to the United States of America (USA), or elswhere, not even sabbatical break related, during critical times at UNAM.

Honourable Minister, can you investigate and verify these claims whether there are any truths in it or not?

4.
4.

Article 21 Fundamental Freedoms sub-article (b) freedom of thought, conscience and belief, which shall include academic freedom in institutions of higher learning.

Our understanding is that UNAM academics and lecturers are intimidated silently and threatened with contracts not being renewed if they continue to project, or having strong opinions about the state of our democracy etc.

Minister, can you investigate such claims and inform us accordingly?

_________________ Question 116 (2023-07-03) Hon.


Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Justice.

I hereby give notice that on Thursday, 13 July 2023, I shall ask the Minister of Justice, Honourable Yvonne Dausab on the matter surrounding the //Kharas Regional Management Committee vis a vis the National Council membership.
In 2021 the Chief Magistrate sought an urgent court intervention to set aside the election of the Regional Councillors to constitute the //Kharas Regional Council Management, on the basis that being a member of the National Council bars membership to Management Committee.

The afore-going was their legal interpretation, devoid from the fundamental provisions of the Regional Council Act.

- 494 - - 150 - Their urgent application was thrown out as it did not meet the threshold of urgency.
Again, last year, 2022, the Chief Magistrate sought a court intervention, applying for a self-review on the matter as indicated above.

During the process of lodging the self- review application, the Chief Magistrate, and the Magistrates Commission, applied illegal and undue pressure on Magistrate Her Worship Unchen Konjore, to join the application for self-review, failure which would lead to disciplinary action against her.

She refused and maintained her legal posture.
The High Court Judge who presided over the matter, Her Lordship Essie Schimming- Chase, held, in utterly dismissing the case, that: “a self-review application cannot be brought in the absence of the person who took the decision that is sought to be set aside.” Further, the Court held that: “The Magistrates Act does not empower nor authorise the Magistrates Commission or the Chief Magistrate to review and set aside a decision of one of its magistrates in the manner undertaken.
In fact, s 4(4) of the Magistrates Act specifically prohibits interference with judicial independence or the judicial functioning of a magistrate.” I therefore ask the following questions 1.

Is this a political witch-hunt by the Chief Magistrate against a judicial officer with whom she does not agree on issues of fact or law?

2.
2.

Is the Chief Magistrate locked in a long political war against LPM, using state resources, because we did not renew the husband’s employment contract at the Keetmanshoop Municipality, Mr. Jack Christiaans, due to his non-performance?

3.

Given the High Court ruling that the Chief Magistrate or the Magistrates Commission had no authority to institute a self-review proceeding as the Magistrate Act 3 of 2003 did not expressly or impliedly empower them.
What is then the way forward, where a sitting Magistrate is being persecuted by the Magistrates Commission and the Chief Magistrate.

What action will the Minister of Justice undertake to ensure that proper disciplinary measures are taken against the Chief Magistrate.

4.

What measures will the Minister of Justice undertake further, to ensure the judicial independence of the judicial officers is protected as per the Magistrates Act?

5.
5.

What is the Minister’s view on the cost involved given the fact the Chief Magistrate lost on two occasions on the expense of taxpayer money?

_________________ Question 117 (2023-07-03) Hon.

Swartbooi (LPM) asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

Namibia and the Russian Federation have close diplomatic and political relations.
Namibia’s foreign policy assertion is that we are ‘friends to all and enemies to none.’ Recently, we have learnt that there is a private military contractor group, called the Wagner PMC group, which is a mercenary group acting at the beset either of President Putin or the Russian Federation.

The Wagner group is said to have its military presence in Libya, Mali, Central African Republic and Mozambique.
- 495 - - 151 - It is reported from various media outlets that this Wagner group is engaged in a campaign of rampage, terror and violence in these African jurisdictions.

The Russian Federation has not denied the Wagner group as an integral constituent of its defence and in international relations policy framework.

In fact, this Wagner group has been openly embraced by the Russian Federation in the various parts of the globe as part and parcel of Russia’s military wing.
In light of the current terrorism bills Namibia is attempting to enact at breakneck speed, seemingly at the behest of outside powers influencing and directing us to do so, I ask the following: Questions: 1.

What is Namibia’s position in regards to the Wagner group, which is terrorising many Africans in Mali, CAR and elsewhere on the African soil?

Do we regard the Wagner group as a terror group or as a progressive group?

2.

Do we endorse the actions of this Group, which represents the Russian state?
And by extension, do we embrace the actions of the Russian Federation through the activities of the Wagner group?

3.

Has Namibia ever raised concerns about the violence that is being perpetrated by the Wagner group on behalf of the Russian Federation, at the African Union or at the SADC Organ on Security and Defence Forum?

4.

In August, some Namibian Parliamentarians will be attending the Russian-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg.
Given the deteriorating security and political situation in Russia, which could also be ascribed to the working of the Wagner group, would it be safe for such meeting to be attended by our elected officials?

_________________ Question 118 (2023-07-04) Hon.

van Wyk (UPM) asked the Right Honourable Prime Minister.

Right Honourable Prime Minister, your Office is spearheading drought relief programs in various Regions.

The exercise to identify and register beneficiaries is due to end on 6 July 2023.
It has come to our attention that some rural areas in the Hardap Region, and the Rehoboth Rural Constituency in particular, were not served by the respective teams due to time limits and the lack of resources such as transport.

It is further alleged that the Office of the Rehoboth Urban East Constituency is selective in identifying and registering beneficiaries for the draught relive programme, as I was called by various people claiming that they were refused assistance by the Constituency Office.
I shall therefore ask the following: 1.

Right Honourable Prime Minister would your Office, considering the challenges experienced during the process, extend the exercise to identify beneficiaries for draughts relief to a date later than 6 July 2023?

- 496 - - 152 - 2.
- 496 - - 152 - 2.

It is not the first time that problems were reported regarding the selective treatment of draughts relief beneficiaries at the Rehoboth Urban East Constituency, as the Constituency Development Committee is not functional and the exercise is carried out by volunteers.

What would you advise the community to do and what would your office do to address the matter.

_________________ Question 119 (2023-07-04) Hon.


Van Den Heever (PDM) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.

On 8 June 2023, the minister provided responses to written questions I asked in this August House.

The questions were about the state of affairs at AGRIBUSDEV.

The responses provided by the minister failed to answer some important questions and missed the critical aspects of the entire scenario at AGRIBUSDEV.
It seems that the minister failed to consult the employees of AGRIBUSDEV when he was busy preparing the unsatisfactory responses he provided.

I therefore wish to ask the following questions: 1.

There is one company that supplies fertilizers to the Green Scheme Projects and it is the only company that has benefited from the N$40 million budget allocated to the Green Scheme Projects.
Why has this company not delivered all the procured fertilizers to the Green Scheme Projects and has the delay been explained to the ministry?

2.

It is alleged that the procurement process is handled by the ministry and no input is obtained from AGRIBUSDEV.

Why is AGRIBUSDEV always not consulted when it comes to the procurement process?

3.

Since June 2022, no employee at AGRIBUSDEV has been integrated into the ministry.
Please inform us at what stage this integration process is and what the cause of the current delay is?

4.

AGRIBUSDEV has a staff compliment of 32 people.

If employees at AGRIBUSDEV have been integrated or the process is still ongoing, please share with this August House the ratio and percentage of employees that have been integrated so far?

5.

Are you aware that the Human Resources Manager at AGRIBUSDEV has been in Acting Capacity for + - 5 to 6 years now?

Why has this been the case?

6.


According to the responses you provided, AGRIBUSDEV has been dissolved but why is AGRIBUSDEV still making use of rental cars and what has the financial implications been so far?

7.

Honourable Minister, you outlined that 7000 tons is expected to be harvested at the Green Scheme Projects.

With all the deplorable equipment at the Green Scheme Projects, do you think 7000 tons is a realistic expectation?

- 497 - - 153 - 8.
- 497 - - 153 - 8.

The Green Schemes mentioned by you in your earlier response such as Musese, Mashere and Shitemo, are private companies and have nothing to do with AGRIBUSDEV.

How will the harvesting of maize influence the production levels at AGRIBUSDEV or at the Ministry?

_________________ Question 120 (2023-07-04) Hon.

Hamata (PDM) asked the Right Honourable Prime Minister.

Government subsidizes housing for its employees by sixty-six percent (66%).
Which means, if the maximum value of the property is eight-hundred thousand (N$800,000.00), government pays five-hundred-and-twenty-eight thousand (N$528,000.00) and the employee pays two-hundred-and seventy-two thousaind (N$272,000.00) over the purchase period which is approximately twenty (20) years (or two-hundred-and -forty (240) months.

Let’s imagine that I, as government employee, qualify for a housing subsidy of six- hundred-and-ninety thousand (N$690,000.00).
That means, technically, the government will cover (four-hundred-and-fifty-five housand (N$455,400.00) and I will cover the remaining two-hundred-and-thirty-four thousand, six hundred (N$234,600.00 which is thirty-four percent (34%).

It is worth mentioning that this subsidy is taxable.

This means that the actual contribution from the government employee will not necessarily be 34% exactly, but something like plus-minus 36-38%.
I therefore wish to ask the Honourable Prime Minister the following question(s): 1.

Is this really sustainable from the government side?

2.

Is the government’s contribution only designed to cover the banks’ interest over the purchase period?

3.

Can we not do away with the commercial banks and deal directly with the employee or improve first capital to address this issue?

4.

Why is the housing subsidy taxed?

_________________ Question 121 (2023-07-04) Hon.


Seibeb (LPM) asked the Minister of Works and Transport.

By Namibian Law one is required to have on the rear of the vehicle a sticker, if your vehicle is foreign registered and you enter Namibia with it.

This is all well and fine but over the years we have had numerous complaints from mostly South Africans that have been fined at Police Road Blocks for not having these stickers on their vehicles.

The fine amount is invariably in the region of N$1 000.
Some have reported unpleasant experiences, whilst together with this comes the need to back track to the town where the police have come from to go to a magistrate’s court to pay the said fine.

- 498 - - 154 - Questions: 1.

Honourable Minister don’t you find that fining newly arrived tourists and guests to our country N$1 000.00 for not having that sticker to be in utterly bad taste?

2.
2.

Honourable Minister if you find it so logical and so strongly that these vehicles need to be stickered, then why are these stickers not available at border posts and form part of the road user tax?

3.

Honourable Minister, don’t you agree that in providing stickers at entry points that a lot of unnecessary unpleasantness could be easily avoided or would the minister prefer to habitually make guests to our country criminals before they have even reached their destination?
_________________ Question 122 (2023-07-04) Hon.

McHenry Venaani (PDM) asked the Right Honourable Prime Minister.

It is a sobering reality that over 50 percent of Namibians live below the poverty line, and this situation is exacerbated in times of severe weather conditions such as the persistent droughts we are experiencing.

The harsh reality of living in poverty, coupled with the devastating effects of drought, has pushed many communities into a state of utter destitution.
The immediate and tangible consequences of drought on their livelihoods - such as crop failure, livestock death and water scarcity - create a cycle of food insecurity, further deepening the poverty gap.
In the context of the persistent drought conditions that our nation has been grappling with, which has a profound impact on the vulnerable and marginalised communities of our country, particularly those in the Omaheke region, including the communities of Donkerbos, Sonneblom and Piet se Bos, it is imperative that the Office of the Prime Minister become proactive in addressing this desperate situation.

I thus wish to ask the Honourable Prime Minister the following questions: 1.
Why is it that drought relief packages, which are crucial lifelines for these vulnerable communities, are not made frequently available to these communities in dire need?

2.

Specifically, what are the plans if any by the Office of the Prime Minister to reach out and assist underprivileged communities such as the Donkerbos, Sonneblom and Piet se Bos communities in the Omaheke region, who are currently living in complete destitution?

_________________ Question 123 (2023-07-04) Hon.


McHenry Venaani (PDM) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

- 499 - - 155 - Not only are they the earliest inhabitants of Southern Africa, but the San also embody a wealth of cultural heritage integral to our shared identity.

Yet, currently, many of our San brothers and sisters live in destitute conditions, without access to basic rights such as having official identity documents.
As per the report by the Legal Assistance Centre in Namibia, an estimated 27,000 San people live in our country.

It’s a dire situation when a significant portion of these people do not have national identity documents, consequently bearing the brunt of poverty due to limited access to services, employment, and the formal economy.

Our constitution, highlights in Article 95, the principle of the state’s responsibility towards the welfare of its people, including those who are marginalized or disadvantaged.
It mandates us to actively promote and maintain their welfare.

Furthermore, Article 144 of our constitution stipulates that every international agreement binding upon Namibia must be adhered to.

This includes the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which asserts that indigenous individuals have the right to a nationality.
Specifically, the San inhabitants in areas such as Sonneblom and Donkerbos in the Otjombinde Constituency, amongst many other areas do not have access to the most basic services such as national identity documents.

I thus ask the Minister: 1.

Are you aware, Honourable Kawana, that the inhabitants of these and other areas face tremendous difficulties in accessing national documents?

2.
2.

What mechanisms have been put in place by your ministry to ensure that marginalised communities generally and in particular the communities outlined above, will have access to decentralised services offered by your ministry?

3.

What is the current backlog of national identity documents that ought to be issued to marginalised communities such as those outlined above?

4.

In the same vein, what is the timeframe envisaged by your Ministry to address this challenge?
_________________ Question 124 (2023-07-04) Hon.

McHenry Venaani (PDM) asked the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

It is concerning the commissioned police officers from Zambezi, who participated in the Etosha game protection initiative, a vital effort to safeguard our natural heritage by stemming illegal game hunting at the precious Etosha National Park.
Their involvement is not merely a matter of duty, but a symbol of our collective commitment to protecting the environment - a value enshrined in Article 95 of our National Constitution.

Despite their active participation and tireless service, it has come to my attention that these brave officers have yet to receive their Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), an essential aspect of their remuneration for working on such arduous tasks away from their bases of operation.
This DSA is not just financial compensation; it is a manifest recognition of their work, their dedication.

- 500 - - 156 - I thus ask the Minister: 1.

Are you aware, Honourable Kawana, of the members of the police in the Zambezi region who are yet to receive any DSA for their participation in the Etosha Game Protection initiative?

2.

Furthermore, Honourable Minister, could you provide the Assembly with an estimated total sum of the pending DSA payments due to these officers?

3.
3.

Lastly, when can these exceptional police officers expect to receive the payout of their rightfully earned Daily Subsistence Allowance?

_________________ Question 125 (2023-07-04) Hon.

McHenry Venaani (PDM) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.

It is with urgency and deep concern that I address an issue of paramount importance that affects a significant portion of our population – the San inhabitants in the Otjimbinde Constituency.
For numerous years, the boreholes, their primary source of water, have been underutilized and distressingly unrehabilitated, affecting their access to one of the most basic human necessities – clean drinking water.

To provide context, these boreholes were initially developed as a solution to the chronic water shortages affecting these marginalised communities.

As roots to a lifeline, they were supposed to ensure consistent access to water, addressing hygiene, health, and other related needs.
However, the neglect and consequent underutilisation of these boreholes have led to deterioration, impeding the San community’s access to safe and clean water.

This has further impaired their quality of life and even more concerning, their health.

We must remember our Constitution under Article 95 calls for the promotion of “a policy of basic needs for all.” Clean water is not just a ‘need’; it is a basic human right that none should have to beg for, more so the original dwellers of our land.
To ignore this right is to sidestep our duty and decency.

I thus ask the Minister: 1.

Could you elucidate why these boreholes, lifelines for our brethren in Otjimbinde Constituency, have not undergone rehabilitation for so many years despite their dire state and the community’s desperate need?

2.

When does the government plan to initiate the process of rehabilitation, ensuring operationalisation of these boreholes to guarantee a reliable source of clean water for the San community in this area?

3.
3.

Which measures has your Ministry put in place to ensure that the residents of the Otjombinde Constituency have clean, drinkable water, as they have been without such water for prolonged periods of time, owing to the unrehabilitated boreholes?

4.

Finally, could the esteemed Minister provide an estimated financial requirement for the complete rehabilitation of these water sources?

_________________ - 501 - - 157 - Question 126 (2023-07-05) Hon.
Katjimune (PDM) asked the Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation.

Honourable Minister, The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has been embroiled in a protracted fight between members of the former Council as well as infighting among senior members of its management.
The university under the former Chairperson of Council, Ms. Florette Nakusera has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons from allegations of nepotism, tribalism, abuse of power and theft culminating in an ongoing investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The former Chairperson of Council has warned that ‘the institution faces mayhem if critical governance shortcomings are not addressed’.
The crisis at NUST therefore highlights the fundamental challenge faced by higher education, especially when it concerns the erosion of corporate governance, and the comments by the Chairperson of Council must not be taken lightly.

It is clear that NUST is on the verge of collapse and it is has become imperative that the Minister intervene.

I therefore ask the Honourable Minister: 1.


Can the Honourable Minister provide a comprehensive analysis and account to this August House as to what has led to the collapse of leadership and corporate governance at the Namibia University of Science and Technology under her watch as the responsible line Minister?

2.
2.

Has it not become prudent that the Minister appoints the three (3) members of the Panel of Enquiry established in terms of the provisions of section 37 of the Higher Education Act 26 of 2003 (as amended) to investigate the collapse in corporate governance at NUST pursuant to section 37 (2)(a) of the Act?

3.
3.

Lastly, but most fundamentally, when can we expect the Minister to appoint new Members of Council in terms of Section 7 of the Namibia University of Science and Technology Act 7 of 2015 seeing that the term of the former Council lapsed on Friday (30 June 2023) last week?

_________________ Question 127 (2023-07-05) Hon.

Swartbooi (LPM) asked the Minister of Mines and Energy.
I hereby give notice that on Thursday, 13 July 2023, I shall ask the Minister of Mines and Energy, Honourable Kavaningilamo Thomas Alweendo about the continued court cases as far as contested EPL’s are concerned Honourable Minister since you became the Minister of Mines and Energy you have been caught up in numerous court battles of which some have been finalized and the Minister has lost some of them with cost.

- 502 - - 158 - Questions: 1.


Honourable Minister can you please provide us with full details of: 1.1 How many court cases have you fought on behalf of government to date detailing the particulars of case and case reference numbers?

1.2 How many are finalized?

1.3 How many did you loose?

1.4 What has been the cost implications for the government?

1.5 How could these losses have been avoided for the government that is not having unlimited resources?

_________________ Question 128 (2023-07-05) Hon.


Swartbooi (LPM) asked the Minister of Mines and Energy.

The Ministry of Mines and Energy has a crucial responsibility of safeguarding Namibia’s natural resources including oil and gas.

However, there are concerns regarding the protection of the interests of Namibians in this vital sector of our economy.
It is essential to emphasize that all legislative frameworks, regulations, and policies must adhere to the supreme law of our country, the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia.

As a Minister and Ministry, you have the authority to ensure that any policies, regulations, and guidelines developed to manage your portfolio are in alignment with the Constitution and the endorsed legislative frameworks.
Unfortunately, there are instances where the Ministry’s current policies and guidelines do not align with existing legislative frame works.

Serious allegations have been made regarding corruption within the Ministry, including dubious diamond valuation contracts, improperly acquired lithium EPLs and biased and haphazard processing of PEL applications.
It is our firm belief that the absence of documented decision-making processes regarding applications for State resources is irresponsible, negligent, and unacceptable.

Such lack of records raises concerns about the thoroughness and integrity of the decision-making process, and gives the impression that state resources are being managed as if they were private assets.

I therefore ask the following questions: 1.


Honourable Minister, what is the Ministry’s commitment to local economic empowerment because on or around 3 March 2023 you were quoted in one of the local daily newspapers to the effect of: “Some Locals Do Not Have Money and Technology for Exploration” and several other times you issued statements to the effect that Namibian should not be granted Licenses as they do not have financial capabilities to carry out the coloration activities?
Are you pro or anti Local Empowerment?

- 503 - - 159 - 2.

Honourable Minister, can you provide this August House with evidence as to whice provisions in the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining Act 33 of 1992 Act) requires the demonstration of financial capability for an application to be considered favourable?

3.

Honourable Minister, are you aware that a significant amount of development and investment sourcing by these same Namibians you term “as not having the capacity to develop the recources”?

4.
4.

There are industry complaints that local applicants are arguing that you are harsh to them on financial standing, technology, machinery etc but that you don’t necessarily apply the same principles to foreign investors partnering with the locals?

_________________