Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Namibia has never been silent on human rights violations on the African continent. She was responding to concerns raised by DTA President McHenry Venaani in the National Assembly. Venaani alleged that Namibia has been silent about the current situation in Zimbabwe, to which the Premier responded by saying Namibia followed the relevant protocol when addressing such matters. She stressed that the Government was calling on those parts of the continent to live up to the commitment they have made as members of the African Union. The Premier noted that Namibia has been working actively as part of the Southern African Development Community to assist Zimbabwe in normalizing the social, political and economic situation in that country. She said this was not only for humanitarian purposes, but also to ensure that the region enjoyed stability necessary for development. Many Zimbabweans, including civil servants such as teachers and nurses, stayed at home earlier in July in a protest against the government for allowing corruption, injustice and poverty. Zimbabwe has been gripped by a devastating drought, adding to high unemployment and an acute shortage of cash that has angered citizens.