Anti-gay group calls for Dausab’s removal
An anti-gay group - ‘Stop Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriages in Namibia’ - is demanding the removal of justice minister Yvonne Dausab from her position following reports of her same-sex marriage conducted abroad last year.
The submission - attributed to Pendapala Nakathingo, the group’s interim chairperson who is also the secretary-general of the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) - expressed concern over the minister's marital status and its perceived conflict with Namibian laws, and was submitted to the Office of the President.
The controversy revolves around reports that Dausab entered into a same-sex marriage with a fellow Namibian woman, a local media personality, in 2022. The group argued that her marital status contradicts Namibian laws, which do not currently recognise same-sex marriages or homosexual relationships.
According to the submission, Dausab's actions are viewed as undermining Namibian cultures, religions, laws and the constitution.
"We, the Namibian people and voters, believe that this has become a serious issue that warrants the removal of Yvonne Dausab from the office and position of the minister of justice," the submission, addressed to President Hage Geingob, read.
The group contends that Dausab's purported marriage contradicts her oath of office and that engaging in a same-sex marriage during her tenure as justice minister is perceived as disrespectful to the Namibian people.
Personal conflict
As the chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation, Dausab's role in scrutinising bills aimed at addressing same-sex marriages and homosexual relationships was also cited as a point of concern.
The group fears that her personal conflict on this matter may hinder impartiality in her chairing of committee deliberations.
In response to the submission, the justice minister said: "I have taken note that the letter is addressed to the president. I am therefore not at liberty to discuss its content at this stage".
The letter demanding Dausab's removal comes at a critical time as the nation awaits Geingob's decision on two anti-gay bills passed recently in parliament. These bills seek to redefine the word ‘spouse’ in the Immigration Control Act to refer only to individuals of biological opposite sex, and to criminalise any views supporting same-sex marriages.
State House was contacted for comment on calls to remove the minister, but no response was offered.
The submission - attributed to Pendapala Nakathingo, the group’s interim chairperson who is also the secretary-general of the Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) - expressed concern over the minister's marital status and its perceived conflict with Namibian laws, and was submitted to the Office of the President.
The controversy revolves around reports that Dausab entered into a same-sex marriage with a fellow Namibian woman, a local media personality, in 2022. The group argued that her marital status contradicts Namibian laws, which do not currently recognise same-sex marriages or homosexual relationships.
According to the submission, Dausab's actions are viewed as undermining Namibian cultures, religions, laws and the constitution.
"We, the Namibian people and voters, believe that this has become a serious issue that warrants the removal of Yvonne Dausab from the office and position of the minister of justice," the submission, addressed to President Hage Geingob, read.
The group contends that Dausab's purported marriage contradicts her oath of office and that engaging in a same-sex marriage during her tenure as justice minister is perceived as disrespectful to the Namibian people.
Personal conflict
As the chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation, Dausab's role in scrutinising bills aimed at addressing same-sex marriages and homosexual relationships was also cited as a point of concern.
The group fears that her personal conflict on this matter may hinder impartiality in her chairing of committee deliberations.
In response to the submission, the justice minister said: "I have taken note that the letter is addressed to the president. I am therefore not at liberty to discuss its content at this stage".
The letter demanding Dausab's removal comes at a critical time as the nation awaits Geingob's decision on two anti-gay bills passed recently in parliament. These bills seek to redefine the word ‘spouse’ in the Immigration Control Act to refer only to individuals of biological opposite sex, and to criminalise any views supporting same-sex marriages.
State House was contacted for comment on calls to remove the minister, but no response was offered.
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