The National Assembly Speaker, Professor Peter Katjavivi, has appealed for respect among parliamentarians.

This follows the opposition MPs' two-day walkout in the House last week.

The walkout was sparked by comments made by Works and Transport Deputy Minister Veikko Nekundi, who compared the colonial budget, which he claimed was under the PDM or the then-DTA government, to a criminal and genocidal budget, and referred to the opposition as hypocrites.

In his ruling, Professor Katjavivi called on MPs to observe Rule 116 of the House's standing rules and orders on general restrictions.

He alluded to the fact that he has in the past observed insensitive words such as murderers, thieves, puppets, liars, and sellouts being used in the house.

The Speaker explained that the rules prohibit members from using offensive and unbecoming words in the chamber.

He noted that some words might not be prohibited outright by the rules but might be insensitive to others, and he advised against their use.

Members of the opposition parties have now shown up at Parliament today.

Last week, they said they would not show up until the Speaker gave them a thorough explanation of what transpired during the session.