Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Banner Left
Banner Right

President Mbumba says no to Ekandjo’s anti-gay bills

President Nangolo Mbumba has declined to sign Swapo parliamentarian Jerry Ekandjo’s private member’s bills against same-sex marriage.

This due to the constitutional implications of doing so.

Minister in the Presidency Christine //Hoebes revealed this in the parliament on Thursday.

She was responding to Ekandjo demanding an update on the status of his proposed bills.

Ekandjo last week accused //Hoebes of playing “cat and mouse” over his bills, as she has been absent from the parliament.

The minister on Thursday said Mbumba declined to sign the bills aiming to amend the definition of the terms ‘spouse’ and ‘marriage’, which were passed by the National Assembly (NA) to prevent same-sex marriages in Namibia and to criminalise homosexuality in the country.

She said the bills were not passed by a two-thirds majority in the NA and also presented constitutional challenges.

Ekandjo tabled his two bills in 2023, seeking to criminalise those who violate the law against same-sex marriage and punish them with a fine of N$100 000 or up to six years’ imprisonment.

//Hoebes said following the succession of former president Hage Geingob, Mbumba was informed on the matter and, amid competing national obligations, had to re-engage the process to ensure the bills meet substantive and procedural constitutional requirements.

“In considering the bills, the president was concerned about whether they have gone through a proper law-making process.

“More generally, the assessment related to the process under the tutelage of the parliament, and specifically whether it would meet the constitutional test and the additional procedural requirements . . ,” //Hoebes said.

She said the bills fall short of meeting some basic norms and standards of legislative drafting in the Namibian context.

//Hoebes said the president was rightfully concerned about the possible constitutional implications the bills may have, given they were not subjected to a constitutionality review or drafting guidance before they were tabled and passed by the parliament.

She said the president could not assent to the bills knowing the potential constitutional implications thereof.

This is consistent with the letter and spirit of the Constitution, she said

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News