Home Affairs Must Check Their Facts

A STATEMENT issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration entitled, ‘Carry your ID or face arrest and detention’ is both factually and legally incorrect.To the best of my knowledge, the Identification Act is the only legal instrument that compels and/or requires Namibians to carry an ID at all times.

The last time I checked, the Bill was still bogged down with the Legal Drafters at the Ministry of Justice and unless I am assured that such a Bill has been enacted and passed by Parliament, I would caution officials of this Ministry to desist from making inflammatory statements that they cannot back up with legislation. My advice to the Ministry is to simply educate Namibians on why they need to carry some form of identification when travelling on holidays or during the festive season instead of using “draconian measures” to put up the message across.So who’s fooling whom? No wonder the Ministry has in the past spent huge amounts of money settling claims by Namibians who were arrested or detained falsely.True, you have a job to do without fear or favour but please, for heaven’s sake, do your homework and put your house in order first before you threaten us with arrests and detention.Joe Sinvula OshanaMy advice to the Ministry is to simply educate Namibians on why they need to carry some form of identification when travelling on holidays or during the festive season instead of using “draconian measures” to put up the message across.So who’s fooling whom? No wonder the Ministry has in the past spent huge amounts of money settling claims by Namibians who were arrested or detained falsely.True, you have a job to do without fear or favour but please, for heaven’s sake, do your homework and put your house in order first before you threaten us with arrests and detention.Joe Sinvula Oshana