Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda’s recent video of him cleaning a gun could harm his political image and weaken support for the AR.
Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah said the video, posted on Amupanda’s Facebook page showing him holding a firearm and asking how guns are cleaned, risks being used by opponents to paint him as reckless and unfit for leadership.
“Given the recent drama in Parliament, this video could be seen as adding fuel to the fire and may alienate some supporters,” Kamwanyah told the Windhoek Observer.
He said the timing of the video compounds its impact.
“This is a distraction that could weaken AR’s political standing. Instead of focusing on policy issues or rallying support, the debate is now about gun handling,” he said.
Kamwanyah cautioned that such incidents can harm institutions beyond individuals.
“When MPs are careless, it damages the institution’s credibility and can erode public trust in Parliament,” he said.
The video surfaced days after Amupanda and other AR members were ejected from Parliament following a heated confrontation.
On Thursday last week, National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila ordered the removal of Amupanda, Vaino Hangula, and Tuhafeni Kalola after a disruption over parliamentary rules.
In a statement, the National Assembly said AR MPs had breached house rules, prompting the speaker to act to restore order.
The statement added that Kalola was ordered to leave after defying the speaker’s instructions, but Amupanda and Hangula intervened, allegedly obstructing security officials. The tussle led to all three being forcefully removed.
The Assembly cited violations of Rule 106(5) and accused Amupanda of disregarding dress code requirements, using unparliamentary language, and speaking on his phone during proceedings.
AR later issued a statement calling the incident “regrettable” and blaming what it described as the speaker’s emotional handling of parliamentary procedures.
The movement said the ruling elites were trying to silence “radical minds” and claimed its members were singled out because of their working-class consciousness.
Kamwanyah said the firearm video adds pressure at a politically sensitive time.
“It strengthens the narrative of recklessness, and that is not what AR needs right now,” he said.
He stressed that public perception is crucial.
“Being a role model to young Namibians comes with responsibility. Leaders must show better judgement, especially on public platforms,” he said.
Attempts to reach Amupanda for comment were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
