Home Affairs addresses ID problems in Tsumkwe

OFFICIALS from the Home Affairs Ministry on Wednesday met with representatives of political parties to address problems being experienced by residents of Tsumkwe and the western Caprivi in obtaining identity documents.

In an earlier meeting this week with the Electoral Commission of Namibia, the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) expressed concern at the lack of IDs is some areas and said this prevented some Namibians from taking part in elections. “At Tsumkwe, the people don’t have documents, they don’t know what’s needed and some of their documents are found not to be valid.This must be solved now before the end of the supplementary registrations,” said Usiel Tjijenda, a Nudo official.The people who were having problems obtaining IDs were mostly Hereros, San and Caprivians who returned to Namibia from Botswana in 1994.The issue was taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs.Deputy Director of Elections Ananias Elago described Wednesday’s meeting with the various political parties as “fruitful”.Representatives of Nudo, Republican Party, Swapo, United Democratic Front and the DTA attended the meeting.Elago said residents of Tsumkwe and western Caprivi were no different from those from the rest of the country.”The only problem was with the young ones, who still have to renounce their Botswana citizenship.Some of them are already over 18 years, but the law states that they can only renounce citizenship when they’re 21 years of age,” Elago said.Those affected will not be able to vote in the November elections.The Namibian Government has, however, issued them with passports to be able to enrol at schools, make use of health facilities and to facilitate travelling.”At Tsumkwe, the people don’t have documents, they don’t know what’s needed and some of their documents are found not to be valid.This must be solved now before the end of the supplementary registrations,” said Usiel Tjijenda, a Nudo official.The people who were having problems obtaining IDs were mostly Hereros, San and Caprivians who returned to Namibia from Botswana in 1994.The issue was taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs.Deputy Director of Elections Ananias Elago described Wednesday’s meeting with the various political parties as “fruitful”.Representatives of Nudo, Republican Party, Swapo, United Democratic Front and the DTA attended the meeting.Elago said residents of Tsumkwe and western Caprivi were no different from those from the rest of the country.”The only problem was with the young ones, who still have to renounce their Botswana citizenship.Some of them are already over 18 years, but the law states that they can only renounce citizenship when they’re 21 years of age,” Elago said.Those affected will not be able to vote in the November elections.The Namibian Government has, however, issued them with passports to be able to enrol at schools, make use of health facilities and to facilitate travelling.