Immigration holds up EFF at airport

THREE members of parliament from South Africa’s opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were held at the Hosea Kutako International Airport for two hours on Friday morning.

EFF MPs were invited by the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) to attend its manifesto launch at Soweto’s UN Plaza in Windhoek tomorrow.

NEFF accused the ruling party Swapo of interfering in the administrative matters of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration by holding the three EFF MPs who were asked to produce work visas in order to pass through the airport.

NEFF second in command Kalimbo Iipumbu said Swapo was afraid of their party’s progress in the run up to next month’s elections.

“This is Swapo’s tactic to stay in power,” he said after the three members were released later.

EFFs national coordinator, Mpho Ramakatsa was accompanied by MPs Andile Mngxitima and Magdalene Moonsamy.

“We had a very good reception here. For two hours,” said Ramakatsa when they were finally allowed through.

Immigration permanent secretary Patrick Nandago told The Namibian that the government demands visas from foreigners coming to work in Namibia.

The PS said the EFF officials were supposed to get visas because they were planning to address a rally.

“It’s just like pastors. They have to get visas if they are going to preach here,” he added.

Asked whether that rule also applies to presidential delegations, Nandago said: “You cannot compare presidents to with ordinary people. Presidents have their own impunity”.

Meanwhile, the Namibian Sun quoted Ramakatsa as saying firebrand leader Julius Malema will not coming to Namibia as promoted by NEFF.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.