The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security says its refusal to approve a work visa application by two South African lawyers was not politically driven.

The authority says the refusal was procedural and in line with its dedication to a fair and transparent immigration process.

Among the two was senior advocate and prominent member of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Dali Mpofu.

Mpofu and his associate came into the country on Tuesday to fight the de-registration case of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) against the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN).

They arrived on the same day as the case was to be heard and were allowed to apply for their work visas before they could represent their clients.

The applications were done, but the ministry says not all required documents, such as academic qualifications and accreditation certificates, issued by the Chief Justice of Namibia, were submitted.

"The decision to deny the work visas was purely procedural and based on the Ministry's commitment to upholding the law. Therefore, the ministry did not take into account political considerations as alleged by some quarters. There was no intention to hinder legal representation or impede the legitimate activities of any party involved in the legal proceedings within Namibia."

The case proceeded without the SA attorneys, and NEFF was represented by Kadhila Amoomo Legal Practitioners.

It is not the first time that South African lawyers have run afoul of Namibian immigration laws.

In 2021, two South African top attorneys were arrested, found guilty, and deported from Namibia when they lied to immigration officials that they came to Namibia on holiday. 

However, they were in the country to represent the initial six accused in the fishrot trial.

Advocates Mike Helens and Danie Joubert, after their guilty verdict in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court and sentencing to $10,000 or 18 months imprisonment, appealed to the High Court, which set aside their conviction and sentencing.

However, on appeal by the Prosecutor General, a full Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Petrus Damaseb, Hosea Hangula, and Shafimana Ueitele found that the magistrate did not err in his judgement and reinstated both the conviction and sentence.