By Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has officially opened a new sub-regional office in Karasburg.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Lucia Iipumbu explained that that while a sub-regional office had already been established in 2008, it had operated from the old hospital building, which posed several challenges. Iipumbu highlighted the location as one such issue, noting that the building was far from the central business district, making access difficult鈥攑articularly for senior citizens鈥攁nd that the building itself was not fit for purpose. She added that the space was also not conducive for clients or staff.
鈥淎s the office continued providing services, it became evident that the space was neither conducive nor convenient enough to both clients and staff members. I believe that to fulfil its mandate, which includes, among others, the facilitation of lawful migration and management of the national population register, the Ministry needs offices that are adequately resourced in terms human capital and requisite infrastructure,鈥 Iipumbu said.
The Minister revealed that the new office comprises two departments: the Department of Civil Registration and the Department of Immigration Control and Citizenship. The Department of Civil Registration will handle birth and death registration, amendments and corrections to national documents, applications for duplicate documents, the issuance of confirmation letters, and the distribution of identity cards. The Department of Immigration Control and Citizenship will deal with applications for passports, citizenship, visas, and permits.
鈥淭he Department of Immigration Control and Citizenship, plays an important role in the facilitation of the movement of people across the Namibian borders, manage entry and exit of individuals and oversee all matters related migration. Therefore, residents and visitors who need to apply for passports, employment permits, permanent residence permits, citizenship and all other migration-related matters will continue to receive these services at this new office,鈥 Iipumbu added.