Namibia's Cabinet has approved the introduction of contactless microchip identity documents.

Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Dr. Peya Mushelenga, said during his weekly Cabinet Briefing that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security has now been directed to consider the introduction of digital ID documents that would comprise all national documents.

Among other Cabinet decisions, Dr. Mushelenga also stated that additional funding for critical activities and interventions to strengthen health systems has been approved.

Undocumented and stateless residents from Bravo Settlement in Kavango West got an opportunity to be registered by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.

The initiative was held on Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day, usually celebrated on August 10 each year.

Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day is about increasing public awareness of the importance of the timely registration of vital events, particularly births and deaths.

The Police Inspector-General, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Dr. Albert Kawana, have encouraged more individuals to join the community police units in their respective regions.

Speaking during a community meeting in Zambezi, Lieutenant General Shikongo applauded the region's high number of volunteers who are actively engaged in the community police programme.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security says it will comply with the Supreme Court's judgement on same-sex marriages.

In a statement, the Executive Director of the Ministry, Etienne Maritz, says the ministry acknowledges the independence of the courts and the finality of Supreme Court decisions.

Maritz says the ministry is currently engaged in consultations with relevant key stakeholders regarding any other legal implications that may arise from the judgement.

The Katima Mulilo Border Post between Namibia and Zambia will start operating 24 hours a day by the end of next month.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Dr. Albert Kawana, says this is one of the steps the government is taking to ensure smooth trade and services with its neighbouring countries.

Dr. Kawana was addressing a two-week training workshop for the security sector and other agencies operating at the border.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Dr. Daniel Kashikola, has taken a significant step towards enhancing civil registration and identification processes by tabling a comprehensive bill in Parliament.

The proposed legislation aims to modernise and streamline the existing civil registration system, ensuring efficient and accurate recording of vital events and providing individuals with a secure legal identity.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security (MoHAISS) is facing another court matter after it was dragged to court for refusing to issue a man with Namibian citizenship with a Namibian passport.

22-year-old Russell Kwizera was born to his Burundian refugee parents in 2002 at the Otjiwarongo State Hospital and was issued with a Namibian full birth certificate and a confirmation of birth document.

Kwizera was later issued with a Namibian identification document, which states that he is a citizen.

The Councillor of Musese Constituency in Kavango West Region, Kosmos Katura, has urged the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security to enhance civil registration outreach programmes within his constituency.

Katura's call follows a significant turnout of undocumented Namibians seeking registration at Olavi Sivute Combined School.

Katura says a considerable number of individuals, particularly children, lack national identity documents.

Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security Minister Dr. Albert Kawana has provided clarity on the recent recruitment of police cadets, saying Namibians from across the board were represented.

Dr. Kawana says despite many quarters viewing the recruitment process as having been on tribal lines, each region was accommodated under the principles of the Namibian House and building unity.

The Namibian government is in support of a proposal by residents of the Impalila Islands to establish a border crossing point at Macenje Harbor, between Namibia and neighboring Zambia.

Namibia's Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Dr. Albert Kawana, assured the community of the Impalila Islands during a joint visit with his Zambian counterpart, Jacob Mwiimbu.

Kawana said the crossing point is assisting residents on both sides to trade as well as providing medical services to Namibians by the Zambian authority.