IPC to resubmit no-confidence motion against speaker

The Independent Patriots for Change is finalising legal requirements to resubmit a motion of no confidence against National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. IPC parliamentarian Michael Mulunga yesterday said the motion is being prepared for submission, saying the remaining legal requirements are being finalised. “Once finalised, we will table the motion at a later stage,’’ he said. The move could set the stage for a fresh confrontation in the National Assembly, where the speaker has faced criticism from opposition parties over the way she presides over parliamentary business. This comes after the speaker last week deferred her ruling on the motion and it was followed up by the deputy speaker, Phillipus Katamelo.

A Swapo member of parliament recently said the rules do not allow for a motion of notice without the notice calling for the removal of the speaker to be tabled, adding that it ought to be done procedurally. Mulunga’s motion cites that Kuugongelwa-Amadhila be removed from office, accusing her of failing to act fairly and impartially in presiding over the parliament. Mulunga says standing rule 27 requires the speaker to apply the rules fairly and impartially while ensuring the participation of all members, while standing rule 111(1) provides that complaints alleging contempt of parliament should be referred to the Committee of Privileges. Public policy and governance analyst Marius Kudumo says any motion brought before the parliament should be debated objectively and in accordance with the rules of procedure of the National Assembly. “If a motion was tabled or is still to be tabled, then, in my view, the motion should be debated objectively, and in accordance with the rules of procedure of the National Assembly in…