Africa-Press – Namibia. Over the past five years, the Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security ministry has focused investigations on corruption within its internal structures, where birth certificates and identity documents were issued by staff illegally.
A total of 21 cases were successfully resolved between 2020 and 2025, resulting in 21 staff members being discharged from the ministry.
In parliament last Thursday, line minister Lucia Iipumbu said four cases involving staff suspected of illegal issuance of national documents and permits are currently under investigation.
Three of these individuals were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and granted bail, and the other case is being investigated by the Namibian Police (Nampol).
Initially on 2 July 2025 in Parliament, Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Imms Nashinge questioned Iipumbu whether there is a “well-organised syndicate” within the ministry that is involved in the illegal sale of national documents such as identity cards, work permits and passports.
Last week, Iipumbu acknowledged that there are certain individuals who were or are involved in the sale of birth certificates.
However, this cannot be qualified as a syndicate “because a syndicate is something that is bigger in magnitude and is not controllable,” she added.
Iipumbu said the staff members under investigation are suspected of having issued multiple birth certificates to suspected Angolan nationals.
Tightening the noose, the ministry is making it mandatory to conduct security vetting on all its new employees to ensure the system does not hire people who will not comply with delivering the services the ministry wants.
In 2017, the ministry established a division of security and risk management services specifically to handle internal investigations, working alongside other law enforcement agencies such as the ACC, the Nampol, and the Office of the Ombudsman.
“We are looking at internal risk mechanisms and improving on them while ensuring that the outdated legislation is reviewed accordingly,” she added.
Iipumbu reported to Parliament that over the years several vulnerabilities have been identified in the process of application for birth registration, verification and issuance and that new interventions are being implemented to strengthen the system.
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