Ester Mbathera
The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) is facing increasing scrutiny from economists and politicians after omitting the Labour Force Survey in its latest Census Main Report released on Wednesday.
Economist, Roaland Brown took to the X platform, calling for the dismissal of the NSA board and executive for excluding the labour force survey.
“The 2023 Census was released today, however the normal section on employment/unemployment was removed (see 2011 report example vs. 2023). After not producing socioeconomic data for six years, the NSA now hides vital information before elections. The board and executive should be held to account and dismissed,” he said.
His sentiments come days after Affirmative Repositioning Movement (AR) leader, Job Amupanda questioned the credibility of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) for the same reason.
Amupanda claimed that the unemployment statistics stand at 50%.
He also claimed that the NSA had completed the Labour Force Survey and was prepared to release the findings but was halted after the NSA briefed the government.
The last labour force survey statistics were released in 2018.
Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) spokesperson, Immanuel Nashinge accused the minister of economic planning, Obeth Kandjoze, the statistician general, Alex Shimuafeni, and the NSA board of political manipulation.
“In a shocking display of cowardice and subservience to the ruling Swapo party, these officials have chosen to withhold crucial unemployment data from the report on the 2023 population census, prioritising political expediency over the truth. Although unemployment was specifically surveyed in the census, no mention is made of the results in the Main Report,” he said.
Nashinge claims the suppression of the data is a betrayal of public trust and calls for the immediate release of the unemployment data.
The party argues that the NSA, under Kandjoze’s leadership, has become a “puppet organisation” serving political interests.
“This is not just an issue of statistics; it is a matter of national integrity. Namibia’s future is at stake, and we will not remain silent while our leaders hide the truth and deceive the Namibian people in such a blatant and shameful fashion. The IPC demands the immediate release of the withheld unemployment data and the immediate resignation of Kandjoze, Shimuafeni, and the entire NSA board. Clearly, none of them shows the required integrity or serves the interest of our country,” said Nashinge.
Earlier this week, Shimuafeni dismissed Amupanda’s claims.
Shimuafeni said that the Labour Force Thematic Report has not yet been published, and its figures will only be available once it is released impartially, as required by law.
