Speaker blocks Venaani from tabling two bills
Venaani pledges to challenge decision
Venaani intended to introduce a bill recognising the Baster community as a traditional tribal authority and another proposing additional export levies on Namibian agricultural products and minerals.
Two motions by PDM party leader McHenry Venaani to table bills were removed from the agenda by the speaker of parliament during Wednesday’s session.
Venaani intended to introduce two bills: one recognising the Baster community as a traditional tribal authority and another proposing additional export levies on Namibian agricultural products and minerals.
A private member’s bill – unlike government bills usually introduced by the executive – can be proposed under the Westminster parliamentary system by ordinary MPs who are not members of Cabinet.
In Namibia's parliament, this requires the support of one-third of the voting members, as per the rules, which remained valid until early 2024.
However, in June 2024, the National Assembly adopted new rules, pushed through by the then Swapo majority, which the opposition condemned as undemocratic.
Among these is Rule 197.
Format and style
As speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced on Wednesday, Rule 197 requires that private members' bills to be submitted in a format and style in line with legislative drafting standards of the Directorate of Legal Drafting.
The bills must also be accompanied by explanatory notes and a certificate from the head of the National Assembly’s legal services (or a designated parliamentary legal advisor), confirming it is in line with the Constitution and existing laws.
“Mr Venaani’s bills on the agenda do not meet these requirements and are therefore declared inadmissible and struck from the agenda," she said.
However, she added that MPs retain the right to resubmit bills as long as they comply with Rule 197.
Visibly surprised and angry, Venaani responded by calling the move unconstitutional.
“The Constitution allows ordinary MPs to introduce bills. Parliament cannot override that through new rules,” he argued.
He demanded the names of the legal services staff involved and pledged to challenge the ruling.
Several opposition MPs loudly protested the speaker’s decision.
Venaani had previously introduced a similar bill in mid-2023, which was at least heard but rejected by Swapo MPs.
Venaani intended to introduce two bills: one recognising the Baster community as a traditional tribal authority and another proposing additional export levies on Namibian agricultural products and minerals.
A private member’s bill – unlike government bills usually introduced by the executive – can be proposed under the Westminster parliamentary system by ordinary MPs who are not members of Cabinet.
In Namibia's parliament, this requires the support of one-third of the voting members, as per the rules, which remained valid until early 2024.
However, in June 2024, the National Assembly adopted new rules, pushed through by the then Swapo majority, which the opposition condemned as undemocratic.
Among these is Rule 197.
Format and style
As speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced on Wednesday, Rule 197 requires that private members' bills to be submitted in a format and style in line with legislative drafting standards of the Directorate of Legal Drafting.
The bills must also be accompanied by explanatory notes and a certificate from the head of the National Assembly’s legal services (or a designated parliamentary legal advisor), confirming it is in line with the Constitution and existing laws.
“Mr Venaani’s bills on the agenda do not meet these requirements and are therefore declared inadmissible and struck from the agenda," she said.
However, she added that MPs retain the right to resubmit bills as long as they comply with Rule 197.
Visibly surprised and angry, Venaani responded by calling the move unconstitutional.
“The Constitution allows ordinary MPs to introduce bills. Parliament cannot override that through new rules,” he argued.
He demanded the names of the legal services staff involved and pledged to challenge the ruling.
Several opposition MPs loudly protested the speaker’s decision.
Venaani had previously introduced a similar bill in mid-2023, which was at least heard but rejected by Swapo MPs.
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