Conmen agents worry ministry
The home affairs ministry has announced that it has received an enormous number of complaints through their suggestions boxes at their various offices countrywide about people being ripped off by conmen agents.
These agents are used to speed up or ease the process of applying for legal documents at the ministry.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital yesterday, Salome Kambala, spokesperson at the ministry, disclosed that a lot of foreigners are complaining that agents are robbing them.
“These complaints are becoming a problem and the number of incidences appears to be alarming,” said Kambala. She further clarified that agents are not allowed to practice legally in Namibia thus people should avoid seeking help from them. She recommended that foreigners and the general public go through the normal procedures at the ministry and not use agents who end up disappearing without executing the services promised, with cash payments in hand.
Kambala revealed that there have been cases reported where agents have been paid more than N$20 000 for documents. In some cases, even more was paid with figures of N$100 000 mentioned.
Prices charged by agents also depend on which type of document one needs to acquire.
The ministry requested people not to use agents because they do not participate in the Immigration Selection Board (IBS) that approves and disapproves applications of any sort.
Kambala appealed to people who are involved in these practices to exercise patriotism for Namibia and develop the love of serving Namibia honestly and not engage in these business practices. Kambala further called on people to not waste government resources and collect their passports they have applied, for on time.
Michael Kayunde
These agents are used to speed up or ease the process of applying for legal documents at the ministry.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital yesterday, Salome Kambala, spokesperson at the ministry, disclosed that a lot of foreigners are complaining that agents are robbing them.
“These complaints are becoming a problem and the number of incidences appears to be alarming,” said Kambala. She further clarified that agents are not allowed to practice legally in Namibia thus people should avoid seeking help from them. She recommended that foreigners and the general public go through the normal procedures at the ministry and not use agents who end up disappearing without executing the services promised, with cash payments in hand.
Kambala revealed that there have been cases reported where agents have been paid more than N$20 000 for documents. In some cases, even more was paid with figures of N$100 000 mentioned.
Prices charged by agents also depend on which type of document one needs to acquire.
The ministry requested people not to use agents because they do not participate in the Immigration Selection Board (IBS) that approves and disapproves applications of any sort.
Kambala appealed to people who are involved in these practices to exercise patriotism for Namibia and develop the love of serving Namibia honestly and not engage in these business practices. Kambala further called on people to not waste government resources and collect their passports they have applied, for on time.
Michael Kayunde
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