The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration is convinced that the Ministry of Mines and Energy is hiding information and documentation on diamond deposits and mining operations in Skeleton Coast Park.

In a report, the committee has recommended that the ministry not renew any mining and exploration licences within the park.

The committee went on an oversight visit to Skeleton Coast Park in August 2023. That mission was tasked with assessing and determining whether there are existing diamond deposits or mining operations taking place.

The committee has now released the findings of their visit, saying their objective was not met because of problems.

According to the lawmakers, employees of the Ministry of Mines and Energy refused to provide the required information, including documentation.

Their investigation was thus left incomplete, they say, after ministry staff either feigned ignorance or were afraid to speak out. 

The report further asserts that the visiting delegation was not, to date, allowed to see any relevant documentation.

The parliamentarians were reportedly told the documents they sought access to were confidential and not for their inspection.

Moreover, the findings were that no mining companies populated the various sites visited.   

The committee recommended that all officials from government offices, agencies, and state-owned enterprises be trained to understand and respect the constitutional mandate of parliament when it comes to oversight visits.

Another recommendation states that no licences should be renewed to allow time for the committee to verify the facts as to why the ministry allegedly hid information and documents during the visit. 

The Public Relations Officer in the ministry, Ten Hasheela, could not respond to the allegations, saying the report has yet to be reviewed by relevant officials in the ministry.