The president of the Association of Localised Interests (Asoli), Joseph Kauandenge, has accused Swapo of using its dominant position in Parliament to ‘rush legislation without proper debate or public input, turning Parliament into a mere rubber stamp.’ 

Kauandenge, a former parliamentarian under the National Unity Democratic Movement, shared this with Nampa on Thursday, stating that although there is a call for the swift enactment of laws in the National Assembly, Bills should first undergo thorough scrutiny. 

“We believe that for this dream to become a reality, Swapo must stop rendering Parliament as a mere rubber stamp and must restore Parliament to its rightful place of being an important, independent organ of State where robust debates take place before a Bill is passed into law,” charged Kauandenge. 

He noted that, as a result, many bills passed over the years in Parliament have been found lacking when legally challenged, as they could not withstand legal scrutiny. 

In response to Kauandenge, Swapo’s youth league secretary, Ephraim Nekongo, refuted the claim. 

“The accusation that the party has become a rubber stamp is not true because there are processes to any process of lawmaking,” he remarked, adding that Swapo has its own methods for reviewing any Bill that is presented to them through the party caucus. 

According to Nekongo, “in Parliament they do not simply approve things without discussion; they engage in discussions about the issues at hand, and if amendments are necessary, they are made.” 

Nekongo further emphasised that collaboration with other parties is encouraged for effective debate and the passage of Bills, adding that the ruling party “prioritises serving the people over individual interests, focusing on efficient lawmaking that benefits all.” 

-Nampa