The immigration ministry says its refusal to issue work permits to two South African lawyers due to represent the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) in court, was not political.
The two lawyers, Dali Mpofu and Lerato Moela, came to Namibia on Monday to represent the NEFF in a deregistration case against the Electoral Commission of Namibia.
Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security executive director Etienne Maritz on Tuesday said the decision to deny the work visas was procedural and based on the ministry’s commitment to upholding the law.
“The applications for work visas were rejected due to the applicants’ failure to submit all required documents,” he said.
Maritz noted that essential documents such as academic qualifications and accreditation certificates issued by Namibia’s chief justice were not included with the lawyers’ applications.
NEFF deputy leader Longinus Iipumbu on Tuesday said the government is undermining the party’s constitutional right to legal representation of choice by playing “dirty tricks”.
Iipumbu said the South African Legal Practice Council had issued certificates confirming the professional status of the lawyers and Namibia’s chief justice gave permission for them to appear in the Electoral Court for the NEFF.
“How could these esteemed offices recognise our lawyers’ credentials but not mere immigration officials?” he asked.
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