Africa-Press – Namibia. SEVERAL political parties in parliament are concerned about Swapo’s continued dominance in the institution, saying the ruling party has reduced them to bystanders while blocking bills.
This was revealed in an interview with South West Africa National Union (Swanu) president Tangeni Ijambo, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) chief whip Vipuakuje Muharukua, Landless People’s Movement (LPM) member of parliament Edson Isaacks, and PDM backbencher Sydney Ndumba on Desert Radio 95.3 FM on Monday.
Ijambo said the ruling party is notorious for taking over ideas presented by opposition parties and selling them as their own. “In academia there is something called plagiarism. This is what happened in the past: My predecessor proposed in parliament the creation of the sovereign wealth fund, and Swapo shot it down.
“A few years ago, we saw the minister of finance coming back, announcing they are launching the fund – as if it was their idea,” he said.
“Maybe we should take them to justice for stealing ideas and not recognising the origin,” he said. Ijambo said he is also keen to have parliament settling the ongoing issue of absent landlords in the country.
“There are some people who own land here that is larger than the countries of their origin, while Namibians do not have land. It cannot be right that after 32 years our people are still poor when we have resources, and fishing quotas are owned by individuals.
“We earlier suggested that quotas should be owned by governors, and incidentally, all governors should be elected by the people to make sure we avoid corruption,” he said.
He also accused Swapo of trying to divide the parties in parliament. “They know if they divide the house they will be the majority, and that’s how they will try to take over and outvote the alternative parties,” he said.
Isaacks said opposition parties have done enough research to provide good solutions to the problems the country is faced with, but their solutions are ignored.
“The government currently does not allow any opposition party that wants to make changes. Swapo, for example, uses that minority to shut any progress down.
“It’s not taken up if it’s not coming from that party,” he said. Isaacks said parliamentarians need to stop supporting motions along political lines and prioritise national interest.
“When you start articulating the statistics in place, they would come in and counter it, because they want to protect the record they’ve had over the years. So it’s about politics. It’s not about finding a solution,” he said.
Ndumba said as a young parliamentarian he has looked for ways to assist and push the youth agenda. “Sometimes you have good policies, but unfortunately Swapo always shoots it down,” he said.
Swapo information secretary Hilma Nicanor yesterday responded to the allegations, saying the ruling party delivers through law-making and decision-making processes.
“Swapo is no way standing in someone’s way to do what they are supposed to do as lawmakers.
“If opposition parties are saying that to me they are crybabies, and have nothing to offer Namibia,” she said.
Nicanor said Swapo has promised to represent the nation. “As a member, if you want to participate, you request for the flow and you share your views,” she said.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
