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Namibian Home affairs out of passports â€` again

Source: Namibian, 30/06/2019

The ministry is issuing `brown passports`, which are issued as an
alternative, and are fully compliant with normal international
standards. But some countries, especially in Europe, refuse to
recognise them.

The Namibian has also come across a tweet last week which read:
â€œNamibia, this non-passport book situation is bad, real bad Michael
Jackson. They have gone from saying July to saying September. What is
the truth? South Africa doesnt accept emergency travel docs famâ€.

As a result, it was impossible for some Namibians who had travel plans
to visit these countries.

Another applicant, who refused to be identified, said she applied to
renew her passport which has expired last month, but has not been able
to get a satisfactory answer.

â€œIf you call, you get different stories. One says the books are here,
next day another says cancel your trips, only in August. (It is)
frustrating,â€ she stressed.

However, applicants, especially those travelling abroad for medical or
other critical issues, are considered favourably.

The Namibian was not able to establish the backlog the ministry is
currently dealing with, although citizens who have approached the
newspaper said it dates back to March.

Director of immigration in the ministry, Nehemia Nghishekwa, yesterday
confirmed the shortage, but quickly added that the ministry is not in
a position to give an answer as they are working on a media statement,
which will be issued this week.

â€œWe are issuing for critical or emergency travel,â€ he stated. He told
The Namibian that he is not aware of anyone who has not been able to
travel as a result of the documents they have issued as they are
handling each case as it comes.

The ministry last month announced that it is experiencing a low stock
of passport books, and appealed to citizens to acquire passports only
when absolutely necessary.

At the time, home affairs minister Frans Kapofi advised citizens to
only apply for a passport when it is needed, as some come back â€œfor
renewal or replacement, but have never been [stamped] out of the country.â€

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