Home affairs rubbishes corruption allegations
Amushelelo points finger at ministry, retailer
According to the ministry, the visa application process is carefully scrutinised, leaving no room for corruption.
The home affairs ministry has rubbished allegations that it fraudulently issued work visas and permits to South African nationals.
This follows claims made on social media by activist Michael Amushelelo, who said through its alleged corruption, the ministry is aiding in taking jobs from vulnerable, unemployed Namibians.
"Sources within the ministry have detected corrupt officials [who issue work] visas for plumbers and cleaners coming from South Africa to do work for [retailer] Mr Price,” he wrote.
“We understand that this issue has been going on for years. The problem here is that plumbing and cleaning contractors can be hired here directly in Namibia, but because these white monopoly capital companies like to make sure that every single cent goes back to South Africa, they hire contractors from South Africa to come and do work here.
“These contractors get paid as much as N$100 000 per shop. Mr Price has more than 21 shops in Namibia - that's N$2.1 million that could've created jobs for Namibians," Amushelelo said.
No room for corruption
In a statement, executive director Etienne Maritz rebuffed the claims, saying the visa application process at the ministry is carefully scrutinised, leaving no room for corruption.
"The ministry has the mandate to issue visas and permits to foreign nationals who wish to render service/expertise to companies/institutions operating in Namibia. The permits/visas regulate/legalise their stay in the country.
“The application(s) of Mr Price follow(s) the same process as any other application, and they are duly scrutinised before approval," it read.
Maritz added that the ministry cannot refuse permits and visas applied for by a South African company for work that needs to be done by South African nationals in Namibia.
"Mr Price is a South African company. From time to time, they send staff from their mother company to do auditing or company visits on a specific period.
“The ministry in this case cannot reject this application as, to our understanding, these applicants are not in any way taking up Namibian jobs. Our database can be scrutinised and there is no way we issued visas to cleaners or plumbers to do work at Mr Price," he wrote.
‘We’re coming for them’
Meanwhile, Amushelelo called for accountability from senior ministry officials and demanded that Mr Price make use of Namibian contractors for work at the retailer’s shops across the country.
"Those officials should take note that we are coming for them. Stop the issuing of those work visas. As for Mr Price, start making use of local companies - or else be prepared to get out of our country," he said.
This follows claims made on social media by activist Michael Amushelelo, who said through its alleged corruption, the ministry is aiding in taking jobs from vulnerable, unemployed Namibians.
"Sources within the ministry have detected corrupt officials [who issue work] visas for plumbers and cleaners coming from South Africa to do work for [retailer] Mr Price,” he wrote.
“We understand that this issue has been going on for years. The problem here is that plumbing and cleaning contractors can be hired here directly in Namibia, but because these white monopoly capital companies like to make sure that every single cent goes back to South Africa, they hire contractors from South Africa to come and do work here.
“These contractors get paid as much as N$100 000 per shop. Mr Price has more than 21 shops in Namibia - that's N$2.1 million that could've created jobs for Namibians," Amushelelo said.
No room for corruption
In a statement, executive director Etienne Maritz rebuffed the claims, saying the visa application process at the ministry is carefully scrutinised, leaving no room for corruption.
"The ministry has the mandate to issue visas and permits to foreign nationals who wish to render service/expertise to companies/institutions operating in Namibia. The permits/visas regulate/legalise their stay in the country.
“The application(s) of Mr Price follow(s) the same process as any other application, and they are duly scrutinised before approval," it read.
Maritz added that the ministry cannot refuse permits and visas applied for by a South African company for work that needs to be done by South African nationals in Namibia.
"Mr Price is a South African company. From time to time, they send staff from their mother company to do auditing or company visits on a specific period.
“The ministry in this case cannot reject this application as, to our understanding, these applicants are not in any way taking up Namibian jobs. Our database can be scrutinised and there is no way we issued visas to cleaners or plumbers to do work at Mr Price," he wrote.
‘We’re coming for them’
Meanwhile, Amushelelo called for accountability from senior ministry officials and demanded that Mr Price make use of Namibian contractors for work at the retailer’s shops across the country.
"Those officials should take note that we are coming for them. Stop the issuing of those work visas. As for Mr Price, start making use of local companies - or else be prepared to get out of our country," he said.
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