Swanu condemns suspension of LPM MPs
KENYA KAMBOWE
RUNDU
Swanu has described the decision of National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi to suspend two of the four Landless People's Movement (LPM) members of parliament as illegal.
Swanu president Tangeni Iiyambo expressed dismay over the decision to suspend Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb from parliament because of the chaos that erupted on 15 April during the State of the Nation address.
“Swanu of Namibia is perturbed and wishes hereby to express its dismay and rejects the unilateral and capricious decision of the speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, to suspend Swartbooi and Seibeb from the parliament of Namibia without following the due processes of law,” Iiyambo said in a press release issued on Friday.
“Our rejection is grounded on the fact that the decision of the Speaker has no legal and factual basis to rely on since such action is supposed to emanate from a recommendation of the parliamentary standing committee on privileges, therefore the Speaker acted outside the power bestowed upon him.
“The suspension of the duo without the opportunity to be heard let alone from a person who is not a repository of such power is inconsistent with Article 18 (administrative justice) of the constitution and such action amounts to a kangaroo trial,” he said.
Making a scene
After disrupting the question-and-answer session following the State of the Nation Address, Swartbooi was escorted out of the chamber while Seibeb was dragged out by security personnel.
Katjavivi then suspended the joint sitting of parliament.
Last Wednesday, the LPM's lawyer wrote to Katjavivi demanding that he revoke the suspension.
The demand was rejected, and the LPM leaders filed an urgent court application that will be heard today.
[email protected]
RUNDU
Swanu has described the decision of National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi to suspend two of the four Landless People's Movement (LPM) members of parliament as illegal.
Swanu president Tangeni Iiyambo expressed dismay over the decision to suspend Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb from parliament because of the chaos that erupted on 15 April during the State of the Nation address.
“Swanu of Namibia is perturbed and wishes hereby to express its dismay and rejects the unilateral and capricious decision of the speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, to suspend Swartbooi and Seibeb from the parliament of Namibia without following the due processes of law,” Iiyambo said in a press release issued on Friday.
“Our rejection is grounded on the fact that the decision of the Speaker has no legal and factual basis to rely on since such action is supposed to emanate from a recommendation of the parliamentary standing committee on privileges, therefore the Speaker acted outside the power bestowed upon him.
“The suspension of the duo without the opportunity to be heard let alone from a person who is not a repository of such power is inconsistent with Article 18 (administrative justice) of the constitution and such action amounts to a kangaroo trial,” he said.
Making a scene
After disrupting the question-and-answer session following the State of the Nation Address, Swartbooi was escorted out of the chamber while Seibeb was dragged out by security personnel.
Katjavivi then suspended the joint sitting of parliament.
Last Wednesday, the LPM's lawyer wrote to Katjavivi demanding that he revoke the suspension.
The demand was rejected, and the LPM leaders filed an urgent court application that will be heard today.
[email protected]
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