Phones confiscated after golden visa letter leak

The home affairs ministry has launched an internal investigation after a letter, containing information on the prospect of a ‘golden visa’ to wealthy foreigners, was leaked to the media.

This visa aims to grant wealthy foreign investors permanent residency in Namibia.

A source claims a high-level meeting on Friday resulted in officials’ phones being confiscated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security to determine who leaked the letter to the media.

“They have taken five officials’ phones, and they are currently investigating,” the source says.

The Namibian on Friday reported that the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has urged the government to grant rich foreigners interested in buying Namibian farms as part of their retirement plans permanent residency.

NIPDB chief executive Nangula Uaandja sent the letter in question to executive director of home affairs, immigration, safety and security Etienne Maritz on 16 July.

The initiative, which has so far attracted more than N$50 billion, will boost Namibia’s economic development, the board says.
Maritz on Friday confirmed the investigation into the leak.

‘SENSITIVE INFORMATION’

“The ministry of home affairs would like to confirm that it is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the recent leak of a letter allegedly addressed to The Namibian concerning the NIPDB,” he said. “This letter pertained to a request for an audience before the Immigration Selection Board (ISB) to discuss applications for permanent residence permits for high-net-worth individuals,” he said.

Maritz said the ministry is committed to investigating all suspected breaches of confidential information.

“The ministry is working diligently to ascertain the source of the leak and to take appropriate measures to prevent any future occurrences,” he said.

Maritz said the objective is to safeguard sensitive information and to maintain the public’s trust in the ministry.

NIPDB CONFIRMS LETTER

Uaandja in a statement on Friday confirmed having approached the ministry to help facilitate potential investment.

“The NIPDB can confirm that we have approached the ministry of home affairs, along with numerous other stakeholders, on numerous occasions to help facilitate potential investments in Namibia,” she said.

“The NIPDB remains committed to transparency and fairness in all its operations and continues to uphold the highest standards of integrity in its processes,” she said.

Uaandja said the investment board would not comment on the details of specific investors’ applications.

“In our evaluation criteria for investors, we consider components such as the value of the investment, jobs to be created, expected revenue earnings with a focus on revenue earned from export, the expected contribution to the treasury, the total of assets owned and prior experience, and other possible opportunities that will be offered by the investor to Namibia in terms of branding, market access, capacity building as well as direct/indirect support to Namibian micro, small and medium enterprises,” she said.

N$50 BILLION ATTRACTED

Uaandja said the initiative, code-named the ‘Desert Visa’ programme, has so far raised more than N$50 billion in investments. “The underlying objective of this programme, which was due for implementation in the second quarter of the 2021/22 financial year, has raised more than N$50 billion in investments during the Harambee Prosperity Plan II period,” she said.

Uaandja said golden visas typically target high net-worth and talented individuals who contribute to economic growth through direct investments, increased consumer spending, imparting their skills and knowledge, as well as philanthropy.