Windhoek: At the heart of every functioning democracy lies a strong and well-resourced legislature. However, this cannot be said of Namibia’s National Assembly (NA), where lawmakers face significant challenges in fulfilling their constitutional mandate.
According to Namibia Press Agency, a critical shortage of essential staff, particularly researchers, policy analysts, and legal support, is subtly undermining the institution tasked with enacting legislation and holding the executive to account. To grasp the gravity of the situation, it is worth noting that the National Assembly currently has only two researchers and a single legal expert. These officials are responsible for supporting all Members of Parliament (MPs), including the 12 standing committees that regularly conduct public hearings on matters of national importance.
First-time MP and leader of the Affirmative Repositioning movement, Job Amupanda, raised concerns about the staffing crisis as the eighth National Assembly commenced its first session
in March 2025. ‘We are really concerned about the capacity and capability of Parliament as an institution. So, for example, we are asking a question, how can you be a law-making house, but you only have one lawyer?’ Amupanda posed this question during the induction and orientation seminar for Members of Parliament in March.
The National Assembly has since confirmed to Nampa that it is severely understaffed, with only two researchers supporting all standing committees and just one legal officer within its legal department. NA spokesperson, Sakeus Kadhikwa, said although the assembly continues to operate, it does so under strain due to insufficient financial resources and a shortage of critical personnel. He explained that the current approved organisational structure, dated 2 July 2019, allows for one director position, currently filled, and four legal officer positions, of which only one is occupied. However, with two additional legal officer positions advertised for this year, the number of filled posts is
expected to increase to three.
‘We plan every year as per the approved structure by the Public Service Commission, based on the request for the structure. With the current structure that we have proposed, there are a number of positions under legal control that we have also proposed, awaiting approval,’ he said. Kadhikwa also acknowledged the severe shortage of specialised research staff, noting that the two researchers currently employed are responsible for supporting 12 standing committees. This, he said, hampers the Assembly’s ability to thoroughly analyse information and obtain data necessary to inform debate and strengthen oversight.
He further pointed out that the National Assembly lacks sufficient legislative drafters, policy analysts, and technical staff to support the efficient formulation of legislation. According to Kadhikwa, efforts are underway to address the staffing crisis and enhance parliamentary efficiency through a restructuring process. ‘Several initiatives are underway to enhance legisl
ative capacity and operational efficiency, including the establishment of the Parliamentary Service Commission, which will address restructuring of the organogram to improve efficiency and optimise staffing,’ he noted.
Lawmakers have voiced frustration that the chronic understaffing undermines the quality of debate and weakens the institutional checks and balances essential to safeguarding democracy. ‘The current format of the NA is a terrible state of affairs. There is no capacity to engage, to advise; it has no capacity at all-and no wonder funny laws pass through. Even to just have printers for Members of Parliament, there is nothing. And the rule says that you must table this and that in blue, in this colour and that colour, but there are no printers,’ Amupanda said.
Observers have long warned that Parliament is becoming increasingly reactive rather than proactive, operating more as a rubber stamp for legislation than a robust law-making institution. They stress that the Assembly’s institutional credibi
lity is being eroded by a lack of resources, particularly in its knowledge infrastructure. Political analyst, Ndumba Kamwanyah, has opined that when departments such as Legal Services and Research are understaffed, it becomes significantly harder for Parliament to discharge its duties effectively. He noted that legal officers are responsible for reviewing laws to ensure they comply with the Constitution and are drafted clearly and accurately.
‘If there is only one legal officer, it’s almost impossible for that person to keep up with all the work, which can lead to mistakes or poor-quality laws being passed. On the other hand, researchers help Members of Parliament understand complex issues, write reports, and ask the right questions during debates or investigations. If there are only two, this makes it difficult for them to hold the government accountable or to make decisions based on strong evidence,’ he said. Kamwanyah observed that, in the long term, a lack of capacity negatively affects the National Asse
mbly’s overall performance. This deficiency weakens the legislative process, reduces executive oversight, and ultimately erodes public trust in the institution.
The Deputy Executive Director of the Public Service Secretariat, Alfredt Tjihambuma, explained that it is the responsibility of public institutions, including Parliament, to identify their staffing needs. ‘Please note that the concerned office, ministry, and agency or regional councils will conduct a needs assessment for necessary structural adjustments within their organisation. After completing this assessment, they will submit their proposed structure and job categories to the Department of Public Service Management within the Office of the Prime Minister,’ he explained. He added that the Public Service Commission, which is responsible for appointments within the public service, makes recommendations based on the justifications provided by requesting institutions in support of new staffing structures.