The Association of the Dependents of Namibia's Veterans (AODNDV) handed in a petition requesting Parliament to amend the Veterans Act on war veteran dependence to accommodate them.

The group intended to hand over the petition to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi, but was directed to Zoo Park, where they read and handed the petition over to an official from Parliament's Office of the Secretary. 

The current Veterans Act's definition of a veteran, they say, is misleading, unjust, and incorrect, as it only recognises the born-frees who are under the age of 18 as children of war veterans, while those who were born and raised in war zones are not recognised by the act because they are all over 18.

The association believes that the child of a veteran is someone born before independence and is urging the executive and legislature to listen to their request and urgently amend the Veterans Act.

This, they say, will correct the error that was made by the legislature and aid in the suffering of these offspring.

The association further clarified that they are a body on its own and have no association with the Namibia Exile Kids Association (NEKA), although some of its members belong to it. 

Ndungula says the 80 members of the association are from different political parties.

Last month, they handed over a petition at the Swapo Party Headquarters. 

The association wants the act to be amended by August 26.