THE National Assembly will convene only one meeting next week, on Monday, due to Independence Day celebrations.
Usually, the lower house sits on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Thursday 21 March is, however, a public holiday.
The distance to Katima Mulilo, where official celebrations will take place this year, has also been considered.
The deputy speaker of the parliament, Loide Kasingo, in parliament on Tuesday said: “We know how far the Zambezi region is. The 20th is obvious – we are not going to have a sitting on the 19th and the 20th.
“This is to enable all members, the executive proponent and non-executive, to travel to the Zambezi region, because it is very far.”
The house agreed with no objection.
Popular Democratic Movement parliamentarian Nico Smit is, however, doubtful that there will be a “serious” session on Monday.
“It’s a joke to sit on Monday from 09h00 to 13h00 with the usual 40-minute tea break . . . to do what within the three hours?
“I seriously doubt if there would even be a voting quorum to work constructively,” he said on Wednesday.
He said it would not be practical to have any sitting next week.
In response, Landless People’s Movement parliamentarian Henny Seibeb said it’s not abnormal circumstances.
“It’s per the rules, and during budget committee stages the parliament always sits on Mondays and Friday mornings, so it’s not the first time,” he said.
“Independence Day is on a Thursday, so many people will drive on Wednesday, because Katima is far,” he said.
The government will host the 34th Independence Day celebrations at Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi region next Thursday.
The parliament will resume on 26 Marc
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