Isai Sipunga
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has raised concern over the alarming number of uncollected identity documents (IDs), revealing that a staggering 39 168 individuals have failed to retrieve their identification cards.
The ministry’s head of public relations, Margaret Kalo said during the 2022/2023 financial year, the ministry produced a total number of 116 354 ID cards, out of which 77 186 have been collected.
“That means a total number of 39 168 ID cards are still uncollected and are piling up at our offices,” she noted.
The ministry has identified several reasons for this concerning trend, including applicants relocating to different towns or regions; instances of applicants’ demise; and the considerable distances which some individuals must traverse to collect their IDs.
Applicants are advised that they can collect their IDs at the specific office they initially designated for collection. Alternatively, individuals can request a transfer of their ID cards to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ office in their respective regions. To facilitate this transfer, applicants need to visit the nearest office and submit a consent letter, indicating their preference for the transfer.
In an effort to reach as many individuals as possible, the ministry also launched a comprehensive awareness campaign.
“As a ministry, we have started with creating awareness through media platforms such as radio, newspapers, TV, social media, and the ministerial website to ensure that many people heed this information and act on it. Furthermore, the ministry is planning outreach programmes to take the uncollected IDs to areas such as constituency offices, or at local expos and trade fairs,” Kalo stated.
Failure to collect or possess a valid ID carries severe consequences for individuals.
These documents play a crucial role in establishing one’s citizenship, enabling the exercise of various rights, and accessing essential services such as healthcare, education, and banking facilities.
Kalo stressed that without a valid ID, individuals may find themselves vulnerable to exploitation, human trafficking, and exclusion from societal benefits.
The ministry emphasises the significance of collecting these unclaimed IDs promptly, not only for the individuals’ benefit, but also to strengthen national identity systems and promote the overall well-being and inclusivity of Namibian citizens.