The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration embarked on an oversight visit to domestic tax offices and customs entry points, including border posts and airports in the Zambezi and the Kavango East and West regions.

They identified a shortage of staff across all offices, ministries, and agencies responsible for service delivery at the border posts and customs entry points.

Swapo MP Natangwe Ithete said this during his report delivered in the National Assembly.

He said that the recruitment process is slow, while at some offices there is no recruitment taking place, causing a delay in the clearing of goods and passengers.

''All those shortcomings may result in revenue losses to the state and comprise safety and security at our borders and entry points. Despite the increased demands for public services and delivery at all border posts and customs entry points, the current challenges regarding personnel structures, infrastructure, office equipment, excess staff accommodation, and excess internet remain unresolved. Considering the number of taxpayers and revenue collections, there is a need for an awareness campaign on citizen duty to pay tax and meet tax returns.''

He said that the customs clearing system at border posts and customs entry points is slow and, at times, not operational due to poor network reception at the border posts.

''Incidents of illegal crossing at ungazzeted border posts and smuggling of illegal goods were noted during the visit. The lack of security lights cannot be replaced because, in actual fact, those bulbs are apparently not available in the local markets''

LPM leader Bernardus Swartbooi, in his contribution, suggested some short-term recruitment measures that can be taken.

''One is wondering if you look at our military and recruitment that was made over the past thirty years, it has indeed had the consequence that many young people who are capable in terms of mastering technologies are able to go for short courses in customs and other duty training. They could be used as a stop-gap measure. And these are people, because of the military training, who would not necessarily be constraint by accommodation challenges; they could put up a tent and accommodation facilities, and they could be deployed there; reselected few ones; the young ones can be deployed after good training of two to three months as customs officers or whatever is necessary for a year or so while we are sorting out some of these things''.