Parliament in session

**Ester Hakaala **

The National Assembly on Wednesday considered matters relating to education, healthcare, public spending and unemployment as opposition members raised questions and the house debated the Appropriation Amendment Bill for the 2026/27 financial year.

Protection of teachers on social media

Affirmative Repositing (AR) MP George Kambala raised concerns about learners recording teachers during lessons and sharing videos on social media without their consent.

The member asked the ministry of education whether it keeps records of reported cases over the past three years and what disciplinary or corrective measures have been taken.

The member also questioned whether existing school codes of conduct and policies on mobile phones provide adequate protection for teachers whose images are circulated online.

The ministry was further asked what support, including counselling, legal assistance and cooperation with online platforms, is available to affected teachers, and when the teachers’ profession bill is expected to be tabled in parliament.

Okondjatu school infrastructure

The condition of hostel facilities at Okondjatu Combined School in the Okakarara constituency in Otjozondjupa region was raised. Vetaruhe Kandorozu from the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) called for the rehabilitation of ablution blocks damaged by a fire in 2013.

The school reportedly accommodates about 1 100 learners, nearly 30% of whom are San.

He said the damaged facilities had remained unrepaired for more than a decade, while an estimated N$5 million is needed for rehabilitation.

The ministry responsible for education was asked when funding would be made available and what immediate measures would be taken to address the reported sanitation challenges.

Havana district hospital

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) MP Borniface Susiku raised progress on the proposed 500-bed Havana district hospital in Windhoek.

He sought clarification on reported construction progress, expenditure to date and whether work on the main hospital building had started, given concerns that reported progress related mainly to supporting infrastructure such as roads and water and electricity services.

The questions sought greater transparency on the project’s implementation and the use of funds allocated to it.

Public health preparedness

Namibia’s preparedness for a possible Ebola outbreak was another issue raised during the session Body of Christ Party (BCP) MP Festus Thomas asked what measures were in place to protect the country, including public awareness programmes, emergency equipment, isolation facilities and coordination between relevant sectors.

He said the government needs to explain its preparedness as cross-border movement continuus across the continent.

Missing persons and public safety

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Rosa Mbinge Tjeundo raised concerns about reports that people had to wait 48 hours before reporting someone missing.

The member sought clarification on the procedures followed by law enforcement agencies when a person is reported missing and whether any waiting period applies and the issue highlighted the need for clarity on reporting procedures and the response to missing-person cases.

Qualified engineers in local authorities

The availability of qualified engineers in local authorities was also raised by Popular Democratic Movement MP Winnie Moongo seeking information from the Minister of Urban and Rural development James Sankwasa on the recruitment and deployment of professionals responsible for municipal infrastructure and technical services.

The question sought to establish whether local authorities have the necessary technical capacity to carry out their responsibilities.

Veterans’ benefits

Independent Patriots for Chang (IPC) Alosius Kangulu concerns relating to veterans’ benefits and outstanding claims, seeking information on the handling of pending matters and the steps being taken to address them.

Kangulu asked the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, about delays in paying veterans’ benefits, pending applications for veteran status confirmation, and the total value of unpaid benefits.

He also seeks clarity on whether families of deceased veterans can claim benefits approved after their deaths and whether the ministry plans reforms to protect veterans and their dependants from losing these benefits.

Firearms

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) MP Lilian Lutuhezi has proposed a review of firearm licensing procedures, citing concerns about the use of firearms in intimate killings and other cases of gender-based violence.

In a notice of motion presented to the National Assembly, Lutuhezi said Namibia may need additional safeguards to protect victims of domestic violence, particularly women threatened by intimate partners who possess firearms.

Lutuhezi proposed that firearm licence applications take into account applicants’ criminal records, history of domestic violence, protection orders and documented threats.

She further proposed ongoing risk assessments for firearm licence holders and procedures for temporarily removing firearms where there is a credible risk of violence. The motion also proposes improved collection and publication of statistics on firearm-related GBV and murder cases, including whether the firearms involved were legally licensed.

Appropriation Amendment Bill debate

An Affirmative Repositioning member, George Kambala, said the budget should address the difficulties faced by ordinary Namibians, including unemployed graduates, entrepreneurs struggling to access loans and communal farmers affected by livestock diseases.

He raised concerns about government expenditure on interest payments and questioned whether proposed spending reductions could delay projects, leave contractors unpaid and disrupt essential services.

Kambala also called for stronger financial oversight of the public service medical aid scheme following an additional allocation, arguing that increased funding should be accompanied by transparent claims management and accountability.

He proposed that major government projects worth more than N$100 million include job-impact statements indicating the expected number of jobs, opportunities for Namibians and skills development.

He further called for stronger local procurement measures to enable Namibian businesses to benefit from government-funded projects.

Popular Democratic Member (PDM) MP Diederik Vries questioned whether government interventions are effectively addressing food insecurity, citing projected hunger levels and child malnutrition.

He called for evidence that assistance reaches vulnerable households and drought-affected communities. Vries also raised concerns over Namibia’s revised economic growth forecast, saying growth should be measured by its impact on jobs, small businesses and household living conditions.

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