Shebeen owners and street vendors in Angola are allegedly making a living by selling Namibia’s free Smile condoms.
It is alleged that this common business is being carried out by Angolan nationals who collect them from Namibia under a pretext of personal use.
Shockingly, serious allegations have also emerged against the ministry of health officials in Namibia who are allegedly supplying small businesses in Angola with Smile condoms.
The ministry of health spokesperson Walters Kamaya said that the ministry is aware of the rumours stating some officials allegedly selling condoms.
He further stated that the ministry did not yet catch anybody red handed but whoever is going to be found conducting illegal business will be dealt with.
Health professionals said this practice resulted in a scarcity of condoms within Namibian hospitals, as the substantial quantity finds its way across the border.
A source who pleaded for anonymity stated that there is a clinic stationed in Santa Clara, Angola provided by Namibia’s ministry of health and Red Cross Society. The source continued to say the clinic is there to help Angolans who have to walk a long distance to collect medications in Namibia.
The source clarified that the clinic usually has medication such as ARVs and TB capsules.
The clinic also gets free condoms, mosquito nets and water disinfecting powders for Angolans.
It is, however, not clear if the condoms being sold in Angola are from that specific clinic or they are from other different Namibian hospitals.
A health worker that also spoke on condition of anonymity stated that lack of condoms in the country is becoming a serious concern resulting on a very high health risk.
“The cases of STDs will in actual fact continue to rise because people are allegedly selling condoms illegally that are supposed to be given to the community for free.
We are supposed to be sharing these condoms with community members including bar owners that help us to distribute this condoms at their bars also, but now we only find ourselves receiving one box at the hospital which only benefit a very few number of people,” She added.
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