Zambezi regional head of immigration and border control deputy director Daisy Musweu says a lack of infrastructure development and manpower at the regional borders puts Namibia’s security at risk.
She said this during regional midterm budget consultations undertaken by the minister of finance and public enterprises, Iipumbu Shiimi, at Katima Mulilo on Monday.
Musweu said the lack of staff accommodation facilities at the various border posts is of major concern, especially at the Katima Mulilo border post, which has now started operating on a 24-hour basis.
This results in staff members renting accommodation in town and having to commute to work every day.
“However, transportation becomes a challenge as our vehicles are very old and have constant breakdowns. This forces workers who go to work at 22h00 or knock off to take taxis.
“This is not safe for immigration officers who are dealing with foreign nationals who, at times, are running pirate taxis.
“It’s not safe for the public either, as currently there are no flashlights at the border. It’s completely dark and bushy. We have problems with baboons terrorising staff members and travellers during the day already,” she said.
Musweu said the Impalila and Luhonono border posts are operating from police stations, and staff members are sharing barracks with police officers.
“Imagine an adult person with children who has to share a room with another adult due to a lack of accommodation. At the Impalila border, travellers are dropped off at the harbour and walk about 200m to the border to get a stamp.
“A person can then decide not to go get the stamp because nobody can see that they have just arrived. This puts our security in jeopardy as we don’t know what people are really bringing in or taking out, and we are also losing revenue,” she said.
Namibia Revenue Agency (Namra) regional manager Thaddeus Simataa has also called for the Katima Mulilo border post’s infrastructure to be expanded in light of one-stop-border plans which are underway.
He said the water challenges experienced at the Ngoma border post should also be addressed, as staff members currently have to consume salty water.
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