Border Point Problems

I WOULD like to register my dismay following the treatment I got from a certain male immigration officer at Oranjemund border post.

On Friday 15 December 2006 at 10h00 I went to the Oranjemund border post between Namibia and South Africa. My prime purpose was to apply for an emergency travel certificate to enable me to travel to Windhoek via South Africa.On my arrival at the immigration offices I met an official who is only known to me as John.I greeted him and he greeted back.I explained the purpose of my visit.This officer attacked me by alleging that it had come to his knowledge that I apply for the emergency certificates but not a Namibian passport.I told him that the emergency travel certificate that he was referring to was full and I learnt through the media that the passport that I needed to apply for was not available in Windhoek.He dismissed my statement as unfounded and warned me it should be the last time that I apply for the emergency certificate.I asked him why and he responded that as it was not allowed by law.I felt badly treated and thought to get redress by writing this for clarification’s sake.I would like to know from the Minister how many emergency travel certificates one can apply for; in what circumstances is one allowed to apply for the emergency certificate; is there any legislation in place that prohibits any citizen of this land to apply for more than one emergency certificate for reasons beyond their control? If any, can the Ministry responsible come up and educate us, as not all of us are legally minded like the immigration official in question.Who is responsible for the payments for the application in question – is it free of charge or does the applicant pay for it? It is time up that the Ministry of Home Affairs pulls up its socks, as we as taxpayers pay a lot of money for poor service.I would like the Minister to respond positively to this and let the nation know by educating us.George Matali Via e-mailMy prime purpose was to apply for an emergency travel certificate to enable me to travel to Windhoek via South Africa.On my arrival at the immigration offices I met an official who is only known to me as John.I greeted him and he greeted back.I explained the purpose of my visit.This officer attacked me by alleging that it had come to his knowledge that I apply for the emergency certificates but not a Namibian passport.I told him that the emergency travel certificate that he was referring to was full and I learnt through the media that the passport that I needed to apply for was not available in Windhoek.He dismissed my statement as unfounded and warned me it should be the last time that I apply for the emergency certificate.I asked him why and he responded that as it was not allowed by law.I felt badly treated and thought to get redress by writing this for clarification’s sake.I would like to know from the Minister how many emergency travel certificates one can apply for; in what circumstances is one allowed to apply for the emergency certificate; is there any legislation in place that prohibits any citizen of this land to apply for more than one emergency certificate for reasons beyond their control? If any, can the Ministry responsible come up and educate us, as not all of us are legally minded like the immigration official in question.Who is responsible for the payments for the application in question – is it free of charge or does the applicant pay for it? It is time up that the Ministry of Home Affairs pulls up its socks, as we as taxpayers pay a lot of money for poor service.I would like the Minister to respond positively to this and let the nation know by educating us.George Matali Via e-mail