LPM wants Sona slate wiped clean

JEMIMA BEUKES



WINDHOEK

Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leaders Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb have returned to the High Court, this time demanding that their alleged transgressions during the controversial State of the Nation Address (Sona) be removed from the record.

In April, much to the shock of Namibians, President Geingob’s Sona exploded into mayhem when the presidential bodyguard aggressively grabbed and dragged Seibeb out of parliament for tearing up a copy of the Harambee Prosperity Plan II.

This after an order by Speaker Peter Katjavivi that Seibeb and Swartbooi be removed for allegedly refusing to stick to the rules.

The duo’s purported crime was their persistent questioning of the president about the alleged corrupt farm deals of Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.

Following their unceremonious exit from Parliament, they returned securing victory in the Supreme Court, which set aside a High Court ruling to have them suspended from parliamentary sessions.

Null and void

In papers filed with the High Court last week, Swartbooi and Seibeb have demanded that a decision by the Rules Committee in April to refer their conduct on that day to the Privileges Committee, and a subsequent investigation, be reviewed or set aside.

They also want the court to set aside the National Assembly’s adoption of the final investigation report.

“Alternatively, that the above decisions and/or actions be declared to be unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void, and setting same aside. That the following statutory provisions, rules and/or standing orders be declared unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void,” their demands read.

They further demanded that the court grant them relief and that the National Assembly, Attorney-General Festus Mbandeka, McHenry Venaani as part of the Privileges Committee and Katjavivi be ordered to pay their legal costs.

Swartbooi and Seibeb are represented by Dr Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Inc.

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