Namiseb urges communities to hold Govt accountable

KATIMA MULILO – Secretary to the National Council Tousy Namiseb has urged Namibians to understand their constitutional rights, engage elected representatives and hold government accountable, stressing that no individual, including the President, is above the law.

Namiseb said the Constitution is the supreme law of the country and provides the foundation for democratic governance, accountability and the protection of citizens against the abuse of power.

Addressing learners and teachers at Caprivi Senior Secondary School during a parliamentary outreach programme, he explained that constitutional supremacy marked a departure from the colonial system of parliamentary sovereignty, under which Parliament could enact laws without the constitutional limitations that govern Namibia today.

He said Namibia’s independence ushered in a constitutional order in which all individuals and state institutions are subject to the same supreme law.

Namiseb further emphasised that the separation of powers among the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary ensures that no single arm of government operates without checks and balances.

He explained that while the Executive, headed by the President, is responsible for implementing government policies and programmes, Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to oversee its performance and ensure public resources are properly utilised.

“Both the National Assembly and the National Council” have powers to hold the Executive accountable through parliamentary oversight, he explained.

Namiseb said Parliament exercises this responsibility through committees that visit government institutions to assess whether ministries are delivering services in line with their mandates and allocated budgets.

Using the justice sector as an example, he said committees assess whether courts have adequate magistrates, interpreters, transport and other resources to ensure effective access to justice.

Where shortcomings are identified, committees raise concerns with responsible ministers to ensure corrective action.

He stressed that oversight is not merely about inspecting government institutions but ensuring that public resources translate into improved services for citizens.

Namiseb also called on communities to make use of their elected regional councillors, who represent them in the National Council, urging residents to take their concerns to constituency offices and demand feedback.

He explained that regional councillors elect three representatives from each region to serve in the National Council, giving communities a direct link to Parliament. “You must bring your concerns to them, and they must come back and report back to you,” he said.

On the legislative process, Namiseb explained that the National Assembly is the principal lawmaking chamber, where proposed laws are debated before being referred to the National Council for scrutiny and review.

He said the National Council also has the power to initiate legislation to address challenges affecting regions. As an example, he cited the Constituency Development Fund Bill, which was proposed by the National Council to address concerns around slow decentralisation and inadequate resources reaching constituencies.

He said the proposed legislation seeks to strengthen development at constituency level by ensuring that local leaders have resources to respond to community needs.

Namiseb’s engagement formed part of a week-long National Council outreach programme in the Zambezi region aimed at raising awareness of the Council’s legislative review and oversight functions, explaining the constitutional separation of powers and encouraging public participation in parliamentary processes.

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