98 500 benefit from mass registration exercise

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has attended to 98 581 applicants for various services in the ongoing Mass Registration Programme for national documents.

This was revealed by ministry executive director Etienne Maritz yesterday.

The campaign started in February and will run until the end of August in all 14 regions.

This follows concerns raised by NamRights that there have been widespread complaints from some citizens about inconsistencies in connection with the issuance of Namibian citizenship identity cards by officials at Oshakati.

The complaints include the slow processing in the issuance of documents, with some not issued.

Additionally, some citizens have complained that they are unable to vote because they are unable to register as voters.

“Each application has its particular facts and is considered on its own merit. The length of time required to solve cases of late birth registration depends on the proof presented to meet the legislative and administrative requirements,” Maritz said.

He explained that investigations are required to ascertain whether the applicant is indeed entitled to be registered as a Namibian citizen.
This is especially true for late birth registration, Maritz said.

“The ministry has a standard practice to issue an acknowledgment receipt for every application that is submitted. This practice has not changed. The ministry is urging those who allege to have applied and were not given such proof to visit the office of registration to obtain the proof,” he said.

The Namibian reported in March last year that Namibia had 141 000 stateless people.

The ministry, at the time, said it was drafting a bill to deal with the plight of 141 084 undocumented people in the country.

Meanwhile, social justice activist Shaun Gariseb applauded the Mass Registration Programme, saying it encourages more civic participation in voting and directing the future of the country.

“This means more people can have access to service delivery like social grants, schools and other privileges of natural citizens,” he says.

He says the mass registration for national documents must be followed by a mass assessment of the needs of the people in terms of development and socio-economic activity.

“The government must not only register people’s national documents because it is election year, they must make an undertaking to address other challenges too .What’s the point in hoping to access health care facilities when there’s also a vacuum in that sector?” he asked.