Victoria Kaapanda

Ruacana constituency councillor Andreas Shintama says they have noticed a high number of Angolans in the region, with 1 780 camping at Etunda.

The Angolans continue to cross into Namibia at unofficial entry points in the Omusati and Ohangwena regions in search of food, medical services and employment opportunities.

Hilda Manuel, one of the Angolan nationals at the camp, says they sometimes go to bed without eating. 

“Our government seems not to care about us. How long are we here without being helped? We cannot go back to Angola where there are no jobs,” Manuel adds. 

According to Shintama, the desperate migrants were sneaking into the country mostly at night. 

“Angolans sneak into the country at night as the official entry points remain closed due to Covid-19,” he explains, adding that Angolan nationals are scattered all over the Omusati region.

Some are found roaming in towns such as Opuwo, Outapi, Oshifo and Ruacana.

“The situation is getting worse every day as more Angolans are flocking into the country. They are now moving all over the region, looking for any kinds of jobs to feed themselves,” he states.

According to Omusati police commissioner Titus Shikongo, the police are only deporting people selling smuggled items, but not those camping at places like Etunda in hopes of getting food for survival.

Food that the office of the governor provided them last month has run out.

Manuel adds that there is no food in Angola. They are thus hoping to find odd jobs such as looking after livestock in Namibia to sustain their families back home.

– vkaapanda@nepc.com.na