By Jeremiah Ndjoze

Political Analyst, Ndumba Kamwanyah has denounced the melee that ensued in Parliament as a breakdown in discipline, respect for parliamentary procedures and lack of parliamentary leadership. 
He called for the installation of legislation that would see members of parliament (MPs) either fined or sinned for disparaging behaviour. 

Kamwanyah was responding to an incident in which National Assembly speaker, Saara Kuukongelwa-Amadhila ordered the removal of Affirmative Repositioning MP Tuhafeni Kalola from the house after he allegedly refused to obey parliamentary standing rules and regulations. 
On Thursday, Kalola rose on a Point of Privilege while an Independent Patriot for Change MP had the floor and refused to stand down despite speaker repeatedly imploring him to do so. This ostensibly compelled Kuukongelwa-Amadhla to order security to remove him. The speaker maintained that her order was in line with the standing rules of the parliament.

UNDERMINES AUTHORITY
Kamwanyah maintained that Kalola’s refusal to obey Kuukongelwa-Amadhila’s instructions undermines the authority of the Speaker and the rules that govern orderly debate in parliament. 
“Equally, while the Speaker acted within her powers to call security, such escalations indicate rising tensions and a lack of political maturity in the eight August House,” the political scientist stressed. 
He added that, when MPs refuse to follow standing rules or disrupt proceedings, it stalls the legislative process and erodes public confidence in democratic institutions, further maintaining that parliament should be a place of robust debate, not chaos. 
“If sessions are constantly adjourned due to disorder, critical legislations that affects people’s lives are delayed or shelved altogether,” Kamwayah said.

“Introducing penalties like fines or temporary suspensions—as seen in countries could help enforce discipline. However, enforcement alone is not enough. There must be a broader political commitment across parties to uphold the dignity and purpose of Parliament,” he added.

REVISIT RULES
He suggested that Namibia could consider revising standing rules to include clearer consequences for misconduct, along with regular training for MPs on parliamentary procedure. Ultimately, according to him, respect for the House must be rooted in political culture, not just rulebooks. 

“In addition, I am more concerned about the quality of the debate and issues being raised in this parliament. It's more about showing off and question-driven debates than policy deliberative approaches. I also want to add that the Speaker has been biased in many instances [and] such actions invite chaos in the house,” Kamwanyah 
Meanwhile, media reports has it that Body of Christ Party president Festus Thomas was injured the left foot during the fracas says. His left foot is said to have been injured after being stepped on during a scuffle between Affirmative Repositioning (AR) members of parliament and security officers while escorting them out of the chamber on National Assembly. 
Initially, AR leader Job Amupanda was dragged out of the chamber along with Kalola but later returned another stand-off ensued between him and the Speaker, leading to heated verbal exchanges between him, the Speaker, Swapo Deputy Secretary General, Uahekua Herunga and AR Chief Whip, Tuhafeni Hangula. The house was subsequently adjourned.