The National Assembly resumes its business today after its chaotic adjournment last week.
Lawmakers are returning to a chamber that has, over the years, been marked by legislation, political debate and several confrontations.
Since independence, Parliament has witnessed walkouts, heated exchanges, placards, songs and the physical removal of MPs from the chamber. The political atmosphere changed after the 2019 elections, when the Swapo Party lost its two‑thirds majority and the opposition increased its presence in the National Assembly.
In 2020, parliamentary debates became increasingly confrontational, with personal exchanges between lawmakers.
During one debate, LPM leader Bernadus Swartbooi criticised former President Sam Nujoma, while then Labour Minister Utoni Nujoma told Parliament that the government was prepared to “crush” those challenging it.
The State of the Nation Address that year also descended into disruption when opposition MPs held up placards referring to the Fishrot scandal while President Hage Geingob was delivering his address. Geingob eventually stopped speaking and sat down.
The following year brought one of the most serious confrontations in the chamber. LPM MPs Bernadus Swartbooi and Henny Seibeb clashed with parliamentary authorities during the State of the Nation Address.
State security personnel intervened, and the confrontation became physical.
The ceremonial mace was knocked from its stand, while Seibeb tore up a copy of the Harambee Prosperity Plan. The two MPs were eventually removed from the chamber by security personnel.
The dispute later moved to court, with the MPs challenging their suspension and raising questions about the Speaker’s powers.
Four years later, another physical removal occurred when AR MP Tuhafeni Kalola refused repeated instructions to leave the chamber. When security personnel moved in, Job Amupanda and Vaino Hangula intervened. The confrontation ended outside the chamber, with Amupanda left with a torn shirt.
The current Parliament has also seen heated exchanges over points of order, voting procedures and rulings from the Speaker, including walkouts and disruptions.
The tension comes as the Eighth Parliament has so far passed only the Appropriation Amendment Act this year. Since MPs took their oaths last year, only three budget‑related Bills have been passed.
Emil Xamro Seibeb