Staff Reporter
POPULAR Democratic Movement (PDM) member of parliament (MP) Charmaine Tjirare posed questions to the Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, asking for clarity on the payback of funds to six PDM members who were removed from parliament illegally and subsequently reinstated after a court order.
In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that six PDM members were wrongfully excluded from the list of candidates nominated for election to the National Assembly following the 2019 election. The court ordered that they be sworn in as members of the National Assembly.
The six individuals who were sworn in that year are Frans Bertolini, Charmaine Tjirare, Yvette Araes, Tjekupe Maximilliant Katjimune, Raymond Reginald Diergaardt, and Mike Rapuikua Venaani.
“We have two and a half years of remuneration losses, as well as the regard for our full term because our pension payout was given to the illegitimate six as a golden handshake for their illegal stay in Parliament. When do the legitimate six get what is rightfully ours, and what have you done in your capacity as Government (Line Ministry) to ensure that equality, fairness, and law are imposed and benefited by all parties involved?” Tjirare questioned.
She further stated that they have come to the realisation that the National Assembly has developed a tendency to disregard laws and judgements.
“After numerous failed attempts to secure a meeting with the Office of the Speaker, we are left with no choice but to seek clarity from the Minister of Justice on the position of the government on the issue. With full knowledge and cognisance of what transpired between March 2020 and June 2022, we are at a standstill as to what is to happen with the legitimate, constitutionally elected Members of Parliament,” Tjirare said.
She added that while they sought an audience with the Office of the Speaker on the stance of their finances, the National Assembly stated that they were under no legal obligation to compensate them for their losses.
“(Ironic how the National Assembly is knowledgeable of the law and is eager to obey it, yet most, if not all, of their decisions and actions against Members of Parliament have been reversed by the Judiciary.) With full knowledge and cognisance of what transpired between March 2020 and June 2022, we are at a standstill as to what is to happen with the legitimate, constitutionally elected Members of Parliament. The National Assembly was fully aware from the onset that the swearing in of the PDM six was illegal. We specifically alerted them of our intent to challenge the action and that it would have financial repercussions. The decision to aid and abet the swearing in of the PDM six not only touched the constitutionality of the matter but also the constitutional right of the electorate, the legal principles, and the judicial precedents thereof,” Tjirare concluded.
