The scenes that unfolded in Parliament on Thursday were nothing short of disgraceful. What should have been an ordinary sitting of the National Assembly turned into chaos when Affirmative Repositioning (AR) members clashed with Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. The events left Namibians shaking their heads, wondering whether the institution meant to embody our democracy is losing its way.
It began when AR member Tuhafeni Kalola rose without permission and refused to take his seat when instructed to do so. The Speaker ordered him out of the chamber, but he refused. When security officers were called in, fellow AR MPs Job Amupanda and Vaino Hangula shielded him from removal. A scuffle ensued. Kalola ended up in hospital with a swollen lip, and Amupanda claimed he was assaulted by individuals who were not even parliamentary security.
The Speaker struggled to restore order, calling repeatedly for calm, before eventually adjourning the session. What should have been a space for serious debate became a theatre of anarchy.
Discipline and respect are non-negotiable
Parliament is the cornerstone of our democracy. It is where laws are debated and passed, where government is held accountable, and where the people’s representatives are expected to conduct themselves with dignity. But for that to happen, there must be order. Discipline is not optional; it is the foundation on which parliamentary work rests.
The rot sets in when MPs hurl insults across the floor, ignore the Speaker’s authority, or treat parliamentary rules as suggestions. Even basic respect for dress codes is sometimes thrown out of the window, with some MPs dressing as if Parliament were a casual gathering rather than a constitutional institution. These things may appear minor, but they are not. They reflect a lack of seriousness, a lack of respect for the office they hold, and ultimately a lack of respect for the citizens who placed them there.
No MP, whether ruling or opposition, has the right to defy the very rules they swore to uphold. If they cannot conduct themselves with discipline, they should not be MPs at all. The people of Namibia deserve leaders who are committed to governance, not political theatre.
Both sides to blame
Thursday’s chaos cannot be pinned on one side alone. Opposition MPs often come in spoiling for a fight, eager to show their supporters that they are bold and uncompromising. Some boast openly on social media that they are in Parliament to “give Swapo hell.” That attitude undermines the very essence of democratic debate, replacing persuasion and reason with disruption and defiance.
At the same time, some Swapo MPs have been just as irresponsible, promising to frustrate opposition members and ensure they achieve nothing. Such arrogance only deepens division and creates a toxic environment where cooperation becomes impossible. Parliament should not be reduced to a battlefield where one side blocks and the other side provokes.
Risking a dysfunctional parliament
The real danger is that Parliament risks becoming dysfunctional. A legislature without discipline cannot hold government accountable, cannot pass laws effectively, and cannot serve the people. Important debates on unemployment, inequality, corruption, and service delivery risk being overshadowed by endless shouting matches and walkouts.
Namibia is already facing deep social and economic challenges. We cannot afford to have a Parliament that spends more time on chaos than on solutions. Dysfunction at the top filters down: when MPs treat Parliament with contempt, public confidence in democracy erodes. Citizens begin to question whether their votes matter at all if the outcome is endless disorder.
The speaker’s role
The Speaker must also shoulder responsibility. As the custodian of order in the chamber, the Speaker must enforce rules firmly and consistently, without fear or favour. Parliamentarians will always push boundaries, especially younger, radical voices who thrive on confrontation. But the line must be clear, and the consequences for misconduct must be swift and real. Suspension, docking of pay, and removal from sittings must be more than idle threats.
At the same time, the Speaker must work to ensure that all MPs, regardless of party, feel they are treated fairly. Bias, whether real or perceived, only fuels defiance. Strong leadership requires both firmness and fairness.
Respect for the institution
The bigger issue is respect for the institution itself. Parliament is not a rally ground. It is not a stage for personal egos. It is a national platform that embodies the will of the people. MPs must remember why they are there: to legislate, to represent their constituents, and to ensure government is accountable.
Some MPs may see disruption as a badge of honour, while others revel in blocking their opponents. But in truth, every act of disorder weakens Parliament and weakens Namibia. Respect for rules, procedures, and traditions is not old-fashioned; it is the glue that holds the system together. Without it, Parliament is just another noisy room.
A call for sanity
Namibians are right to feel embarrassed by Thursday’s events. But embarrassment must not turn into acceptance. Our leaders must do better. Opposition MPs must channel their energy into constructive debate, not defiance. Ruling party MPs must rise above arrogance and engage with arguments rather than shutting them down. And the Speaker must ensure order is maintained at all costs.
Democracy thrives on robust debate, but it cannot survive without respect. MPs must ask themselves a simple question: why did they run for office? Was it for likes on social media, to prove a point, or to serve the people of Namibia? If it is the latter, then they must start behaving like it.
Thursday’s scenes were a national disgrace. They showed us what happens when discipline and respect vanish from the very heart of democracy. The Speaker must restore order. MPs must rediscover humility and responsibility. And the people must demand better from those who claim to represent them.
Namibia cannot afford a dysfunctional Parliament. Sanity must prevail.
