Seibeb, Swartbooi suspension ‘plagued by irregularities’
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
A legal analyst says the indefinite suspensions of Landless People’s Movement (LPM) members of parliament Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb has been plagued by irregularities and can be seen to be politically motivated.
Swartbooi and Seibeb were both suspended from attending National Assembly sessions by Speaker Peter Katjavivi after the delivery of President Hage Geingob’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) earlier this year.
Seibeb had been dragged out by presidential bodyguard Johan Ndjaronguru while Swartbooi knocked down the ceremonial mace when asked to leave the chambers.
The duo is set to appear before Parliament’s Committee on Privileges on 20 July.
Commenting on the matter, Steven Ndorokaze said the suspensions were fraught with irregularities.
“It is unfortunate [how] it has unfolded; it is plagued with so many irregularities, it is difficult to say what could happen. One does not know whether there are other transgressions. It is not clear how the Committee on Privileges will deal with the two MPs. The process is replete with political rather than legal processes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani said he hoped the process involving Seibeb and Swartbooi would be fair.
“I have been pushing for fairness on them including having legal counsel if they so elect. [This includes] summoning the Presidential Protector to be a witness for cross examination,” he said, adding that he could not comment on what the outcome was likely to be for the duo.
LPM spokesperson Duminga Ndala had previously been quoted by the Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) as saying that they would seek legal advice before commenting on the matter.
WINDHOEK
A legal analyst says the indefinite suspensions of Landless People’s Movement (LPM) members of parliament Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb has been plagued by irregularities and can be seen to be politically motivated.
Swartbooi and Seibeb were both suspended from attending National Assembly sessions by Speaker Peter Katjavivi after the delivery of President Hage Geingob’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) earlier this year.
Seibeb had been dragged out by presidential bodyguard Johan Ndjaronguru while Swartbooi knocked down the ceremonial mace when asked to leave the chambers.
The duo is set to appear before Parliament’s Committee on Privileges on 20 July.
Commenting on the matter, Steven Ndorokaze said the suspensions were fraught with irregularities.
“It is unfortunate [how] it has unfolded; it is plagued with so many irregularities, it is difficult to say what could happen. One does not know whether there are other transgressions. It is not clear how the Committee on Privileges will deal with the two MPs. The process is replete with political rather than legal processes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani said he hoped the process involving Seibeb and Swartbooi would be fair.
“I have been pushing for fairness on them including having legal counsel if they so elect. [This includes] summoning the Presidential Protector to be a witness for cross examination,” he said, adding that he could not comment on what the outcome was likely to be for the duo.
LPM spokesperson Duminga Ndala had previously been quoted by the Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) as saying that they would seek legal advice before commenting on the matter.
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