The Association of Dependents of Veterans Namibia (AODV) has called for an audience with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The group wants to present its concerns over amendments to the Veterans Act and is calling for changes that will accommodate the dependents.
During the handover of a petition at Parliament, the Association is appealing and demanding the implementation of the recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs.
The committee instructs the Ministry to review the proposal by the association to amend the Veterans Act or for the Ministry to come up with amendments that will accommodate children who were born in exile and those who joined the war as minors.
“Your Excellency, it took 15 years for us to request the amendment of the Veterans Act No. 2 of 2008 through a petition to the National Assembly so that all dependents of living or deceased war veterans who were born or joined the war as minors may benefit from the veterans fund, like other veterans. We humbly and cordially request an emergency meeting with Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah so that we can give more clarification,” AODV President John Amadhila said.
The association has also expressed dissatisfaction with the way Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs Frans Kapofi is handling their demands and requests.
“The association is not against Minister Kapofi’s view to consider dependents of inside-Namibia-approved veterans because most of these children Kapofi is referring to are already getting benefits from the veterans fund. What the association is appealing for and demanding is the implementation of the recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, which instructed the ministry to review our proposal to amend the Act.”
The group says it simply wants to be registered under the Department of Veterans Affairs where they are camping in Windhoek.
The Deputy Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Charles Mubita, received the petition on behalf of the President.
“Thank you very much for your letter and the petition. I will make sure it is delivered to whom it is intended, and we all hope a solution can be found.”