The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has discharged 21 staff members between 2020 and 2025 for matters related to the illegal issuance of national documents and permits.

This was revealed by Minister Lucia Iipumbu following reports of the illegal sale of national documents.

Iipumbu stated that the ministry is currently investigating four cases involving staff members suspected of illegally issuing national documents and permits in response to a question from Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) MP Immanuel Nashinge about the sale of documents.

"Currently, there are a few cases that the ministry is investigating where staff members are suspected to have issued multiple birth certificates to suspected Angolan nationals under investigation. These investigations are at an advanced stage, and criminal cases were registered with the Namibian police."

The minister said that over the years, several vulnerabilities have been identified in the process of applying for birth registration verification and issuance, and new interventions have been employed to strengthen the system.

"The first intervention is to establish more points of registration. Two, to have some of the processes streamlined and being carried out online to avoid long queues and ensure that those who are vulnerable and not able to reach the point are also catered for by the many outreach programmes that we have."

The minister pointed out that the ministry is committed to maintaining public confidence and safeguarding the integrity of national identification systems.