In the National Assembly, MPs have voted against the Private Member's Bill on the recognition of the baster traditional authority by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani.

The bill seeks to regulate the formal recognition of the Baster Traditional Authority within the country.

The objections made during the parliamentary session lacked detailed explanations, as the speaker cited in Rule 78 of the National Assembly's procedures.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development (MURD), Erastus Uutoni, has responded to concerns regarding the delay in the presentation of the Rent Control Bill.

Uutoni was responding to Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Maximalliant Katjimune, who sought answers as to why this piece of legislation had not yet been tabled in Parliament.

Uutoni stated that the ministry is diligently scrutinising the draft bill and assured the house that there was no reason for further delays.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP, Mike Venaani, has introduced a motion aimed at urgently addressing the high crime rate in Namibia, emphasising the critical need to reduce crime and ensure the safety of the Namibian people.

Venaani's motion underscores the ongoing prevalence of various types of crimes in the country, particularly violent ones such as robbery, gender-based violence, rape, murder, and assault, as well as economic crimes.

He highlighted that there has been an increase in these crimes compared to the previous year.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Winnie Moongo has tabled a motion that seeks to extend maternity leave and introduces the concept of paternity leave in a bid to strengthen family bonds and support newborns' health.

Moongo cited the critical role that mothers play in society, describing them as the strongest pillars holding communities together.

She underscored the vulnerability mothers face when their needs are neglected and called for universal maternity protection for social justice, inclusive growth, and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Lukas Hamata tabled a motion to seek and put forth recommendations that would minimise the need for long-distance deployments of spouses.

Hamata said that long-distance marriages are sensitive in terms of critical decision-making among spouses, which can cause irreversible harm to relationships.

Leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) McHenry Venaani has pledged his support for local company Paragon Aviation taking over ground handling services from Menzies Aviation at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA).

He says it is only fair that they are granted a chance to prove themselves.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Maximalliant Katjimune has questioned the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, to explain why President Hage Geingob congratulated Zimbabwe's re-elected President Emmerson Mnangagwa amid reports that the national elections failed to meet some of the constitutional requirements.

Katjimune posed the question when the National Assembly resumed yesterday.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) parliamentarian Yvette Araes has described the recent rape of a six-year-old as shocking and a grim testament to inadequate protection measures for the most vulnerable in society, particularly children.

Araes says the horrifying incident has laid bare deep-rooted issues that must be addressed with urgency.

The MP has therefore called on the Ministry of Safety and Security to ensure swift justice for the minor.

Popular Democratic Movement councillor at Usakos, Aletta Katiti Sem (45), has died.

Sem served as the deputy mayor of Usakos and was also the acting Karibib Constituency Coordinator and interim chairperson of the PDM Women's League.

PDM president McHenry Venaani described the late Sem as an extraordinary individual whose unwavering commitment and tireless efforts played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Movement.

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) president McHenry Venaani says poverty, corruption, and a lack of accessible health care services in the country need urgent interventions.

He was speaking at a PDM rally in Rundu over the weekend.

Venaani stated that PDM will galvanise efforts to develop and introduce a comprehensive and effective healthcare system.

He says the party will focus on health promotion and community health, which will eventually lead to physical and mental well-being.