Lahja Nashuuta
The issue of loan sharks is back on the agenda in the National Assembly.
It is expected to dominate debates when Parliament resumes this afternoon.
The motion, spearheaded by Inna Hengari, an outspoken member of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), calls for an open and urgent national discussion on whether Namibia’s current financial laws are truly protecting citizens from the exploitative practices of loan
sharks and unregulated lending institutions.
Prior to Parliament’s recess, she tabled the motion, arguing that the debt crisis facing Namibians, particularly civil servants, is spiralling out of control.
She said recent reports show nearly half the population is burdened by debt, a crisis that demands immediate legislative scrutiny.
“Lending institutions, such as the infamous Letshego, made a staggering profit of N$199 million in just six months in 2024. This reflects the alarming disparity between the profits of financial institutions and the financial despair of ordinary Namibian,” Hengari pointed out.
She noted that many desperate individuals are increasingly turning to informal, backyard loan sharks, who charge exorbitant interest rates, further exacerbating their financial struggles.
Mushrooming health training centres
Also on today’s parliamentary agenda is a motion tabled by Winnie Moongo, which seeks to critically investigate the state of health training institutions in Namibia.
The motion is especially focused on the rapid and unchecked proliferation of these institutions across the country.
Moongo’s motion calls for a thorough assessment of the quality and relevance of health education programmes.
It aims to determine whether these academic offerings align with the actual needs of the healthcare sector and whether graduates are being adequately prepared for professional practice.
She further calls for an in-depth review of the accreditation procedures employed by Namibia Qualifications Authority and Health Professions Councils of Namibia.
The aim is to ensure that accreditation standards are robust, transparent and effective in safeguarding the integrity of health education in the country.
“The motion has two key goals,” Moongo stated.
“First, to raise the alarm over the mushrooming of health training institutions. Second, to push for reforms in the accreditation process to protect the public, uphold professional standards, and maintain the credibility of our health sector,” she said.
Both motions are expected to be referred to the relevant parliamentary standing committees for further investigation and formal reporting.