Aupindi warns of subpoenas over non-cooperation in committee probe

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources Tobie Aupindi has warned individuals and entities refusing to cooperate with the committee’s investigations, saying Parliament will not hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers to compel appearances.

Aupindi made these remarks following the successful recently ended week-long stakeholder engagement workshop held in Swakopmund.

“As I said before, those who are not going to cooperate or who are not going to show up whenever we require them to do so, we will revoke the provisions that are given to us both in our rules and procedures and in the Constitution, we will subpoena them to appear,” Aupindi said.

He highlighted that matters concerning the country’s development and the fair distribution of its resources are not to be taken lightly. “This is not a joke. The development of Namibia and its people and the provision of resources for our people is not a joke,” he said.

“This is a serious discussion which must be handled by adults sitting on the table, rather than people avoiding each other,” he added.