‘Order with me’ imported N$684m worth of goods
From April to 12 December, retailers who order goods abroad to sell locally - casually known as ‘order with me’ entrepreneurs - imported more than N$684 million worth of goods.
The goods are mostly from China, and many of which entered the country through the Hosea Kutako International Airport.
These figures were provided by Abner David, Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA) regional manager for customs operation in the central region.
NamRA yesterday held a public meeting with clearing agencies and entrepreneurs in Windhoek to tackle allegations of irregularities, unilateral seizures and unhelpful officials.
The agency’s head, commissioner Sam Shivute, said: “We heard you. We hear your complaints and your pleas. That is why we are here, for discussion and then to give direction".
He added that since its inception in 2017, there has been no criminal prosecution of any NamRa officials for theft of goods.
Shivute encouraged concerned entrepreneurs whose products disappear to report this to the Namibian Police or the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
"If there are people at NamRA who steal, we must arrest them with evidence. We have zero tolerance for corruption. Look at all the arrests and raids we have carried out this year. If there are bad apples, we have to remove them now," he said.
Shady agents
Some of the retailers who attended the event complained that their merchandise was confiscated and that they did not receive any documentation for it.
However, David insisted that NamRA never seizes goods without providing documentation, which is given to clearance agents. According to him, importers should therefore insist on documentation from their agencies.
He added that the revenue agency knows of certain agencies' employees who have been caught in the act, and the incidents have been reported to the police.
"If everything is in order with your goods, NamRA can release them within a day.”
David also said NamRA is considering scrapping the joint grouping of imports to be able to track specific shipments more efficiently and to give importers personal feedback on their goods.
‘Zula to survive’
However, guest of honour and Namibian ambassador to China, Elia George Kaiyamo, warned against such a plan.
He reminded the revenue agency that retailers import together to save costs, and that they should be supported.
“What I want NamRA to understand, the bottom line we need to understand, is that these boys and girls here are ‘zula[ing] to survive’. If you try to be smart, it becomes different politics.
“Our laws must serve them, not the imperialists. And I want you to have more meetings of this type so things are cleared,” he said.
Kayaimo further encouraged young entrepreneurs to work with his embassy in China when they order goods in order to ensure efficient clearances by relevant institutions.
“The government has attached two important offices to my office - that being trade and investment - so why are [they] bypassing us? The Chinese government is clear on their procedures, and they are honest all the time, so if there is any trouble, then you talk to me.
“Make sure you are dealing with the Chinese who are cleared, or maybe it could be one from the street - a botsotso [crook].”
Soft loans
Namibia Economic Freedom Fighter (NEFF) economic commissar Michael Amushelelo said Namibians must learn that if they allow injustices such as the confiscating of unbranded products from Namibian entrepreneurs - while Chinese small businesses are allowed to import and sell the very same products undisturbed - they will soon be foreigners in their own country.
“You as NamRA dare not touch them [Chinese business people]. Is it because those guys give you loans to build your nice buildings, your headquarters, and give you soft loans and bribes under the table so you don’t go after them?” he asked.
The goods are mostly from China, and many of which entered the country through the Hosea Kutako International Airport.
These figures were provided by Abner David, Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA) regional manager for customs operation in the central region.
NamRA yesterday held a public meeting with clearing agencies and entrepreneurs in Windhoek to tackle allegations of irregularities, unilateral seizures and unhelpful officials.
The agency’s head, commissioner Sam Shivute, said: “We heard you. We hear your complaints and your pleas. That is why we are here, for discussion and then to give direction".
He added that since its inception in 2017, there has been no criminal prosecution of any NamRa officials for theft of goods.
Shivute encouraged concerned entrepreneurs whose products disappear to report this to the Namibian Police or the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
"If there are people at NamRA who steal, we must arrest them with evidence. We have zero tolerance for corruption. Look at all the arrests and raids we have carried out this year. If there are bad apples, we have to remove them now," he said.
Shady agents
Some of the retailers who attended the event complained that their merchandise was confiscated and that they did not receive any documentation for it.
However, David insisted that NamRA never seizes goods without providing documentation, which is given to clearance agents. According to him, importers should therefore insist on documentation from their agencies.
He added that the revenue agency knows of certain agencies' employees who have been caught in the act, and the incidents have been reported to the police.
"If everything is in order with your goods, NamRA can release them within a day.”
David also said NamRA is considering scrapping the joint grouping of imports to be able to track specific shipments more efficiently and to give importers personal feedback on their goods.
‘Zula to survive’
However, guest of honour and Namibian ambassador to China, Elia George Kaiyamo, warned against such a plan.
He reminded the revenue agency that retailers import together to save costs, and that they should be supported.
“What I want NamRA to understand, the bottom line we need to understand, is that these boys and girls here are ‘zula[ing] to survive’. If you try to be smart, it becomes different politics.
“Our laws must serve them, not the imperialists. And I want you to have more meetings of this type so things are cleared,” he said.
Kayaimo further encouraged young entrepreneurs to work with his embassy in China when they order goods in order to ensure efficient clearances by relevant institutions.
“The government has attached two important offices to my office - that being trade and investment - so why are [they] bypassing us? The Chinese government is clear on their procedures, and they are honest all the time, so if there is any trouble, then you talk to me.
“Make sure you are dealing with the Chinese who are cleared, or maybe it could be one from the street - a botsotso [crook].”
Soft loans
Namibia Economic Freedom Fighter (NEFF) economic commissar Michael Amushelelo said Namibians must learn that if they allow injustices such as the confiscating of unbranded products from Namibian entrepreneurs - while Chinese small businesses are allowed to import and sell the very same products undisturbed - they will soon be foreigners in their own country.
“You as NamRA dare not touch them [Chinese business people]. Is it because those guys give you loans to build your nice buildings, your headquarters, and give you soft loans and bribes under the table so you don’t go after them?” he asked.
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