No state funeral for Uerikua

The Presidency has confirmed that there will be no state-funded funeral for late Swapo member of parliament and former Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua, who died in a car accident on 3 April alongside his son.

The confirmation follows growing speculation among members of the public and within the ruling party over whether Uerikua would be accorded a state-funded funeral, given his contributions to government and regional leadership.

Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo said the conferral of national honours, including state or state-sponsored funerals, remains a constitutional prerogative of the president.

“These matters fall within the discretion of the Presidency and are exercised in line with established laws and protocols. As such, decisions of this nature do not require public justification,” Mbambo said yesterday.

A memorial service for Uerikua and his son Venturo Uerikua was held at the Parliament Gardens in Windhoek on Wednesday, where mourners gathered to honour their lives and contributions. The pair will be buried on Sunday at Gam in the Otjozondjupa region.

Moratorium complicates process

The issue comes against the backdrop of a Cabinet resolution last year to suspend the awarding of official funerals from 16 June 2025 to 31 March 2026, pending a comprehensive review of the criteria and processes governing national honours.

Despite this moratorium, exceptions have been made in some cases.

Former Namibian Defence Force (NDF) chief Solomon ‘Jesus’ Hawala and liberation struggle veteran Kanana Hishoono were both accorded state funerals in recognition of their roles in the liberation struggle.

This has fuelled perceptions within some quarters that the application of state-sponsored funerals has been inconsistent.

A Swapo central committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed this week that such honours are being “applied selectively”.

However, others within the party argue that while Uerikua was a rising figure in both Swapo and government, his record does not necessarily meet the threshold for a state-funded funeral.

Committee frozen during review

The advisory committee on national honours says it is currently unable to advise the president due to the ongoing review process.

Committee chairperson Annely Haiphene told Namibian Sun that the moratorium effectively limits the body’s role in recommending state honours at this stage.

A separate review committee has been appointed to assess the existing framework governing state-funded funerals and other national recognitions.

“So for now, no one should comment or provide advice in the interim,” Haiphene said.

Presidential powers intact

Government has previously maintained that the moratorium is procedural and does not override the president's constitutional authority.

Defence minister Frans Kapofi last year emphasised that Cabinet’s decision relates to the process of awarding honours rather than the power itself.

“What Cabinet placed under moratorium was the manner in which honours are typically awarded, not the president’s constitutional authority,” he said at the time.