OUTAPI – The Governor of Omusati Region Sophia Shaningwa last week gave officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration in the Omusati Regio a tongue lashing accusing them of sabotaging the development of the region, including the voter registration process.
The governor said a significant number of people in the region are unable to vote, because they are refused identification documents on the ground of their accents or ethnicity. She laid the blame squarely at the doorsteps of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration. “I think some of you are busy sabotaging, and if there are those that are sabotaging, take the message that they better pack up ago. You are refusing people citizenship yet you have your citizenship, how did you get yours?” asked Shaningwa last week.
She further claims that many people in the region are turned away without identification documents and are accused of being Angolan citizens, despite letters from traditional authorities and churches that confirm that they are bona fide Namibian citizens.
The governor maintains that life has become particularly difficult for scores of youths who are now unable to get study loans, orphans who are unable to receive grants, the elderly who are unable to access pensions, while those that are eligible to vote are unable to register as voters, all because home affairs officials are not doing their jobs. “What is the mission of home affairs officials in the Omusati Region? Who is that who delegated you to sabotage. The fact that a person speaks Oshimbadja, Oshikwanyama or Nkumbi, does not make them [foreigners]. Namibia does not only belong to Aakwambi, Aanbalantu, Aakwaluudhi, Aakolonkadhi and Aangandjera… no. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying give documents to Angolans, but if you get acknowledgment letters from traditional leaders and the churches what else do you want from the people? Elundu olifike peni? Mwa lunduka nee. Omwa tumwa? (How stubborn can one be. You are very stubborn. Have you been sent)? Why are you being paid for? If you don’t want to work for the benefit of Namibians, pack up and go,” Shaningwa shot out. Shaningwa further threatened to picket the ministry’s offices should officials fail to change their attitudes. She said councillors in the region are working amid difficulties as they are forced to represent up to 100 people during the voter registration process, because people do not have identification documents.
“If you don’t change, I, Sophia Shaningwa will organise a very big demonstration and lead it to your offices, so that you can tell us what you want from us,” the governor threatened.
By Helvy Shaanika