The Attorney General, Festus Mbandeka, has called for the enhancement of a culture of legal compliance within government institutions and agencies to reduce litigation costs.

He made the call during a consultative engagement with stakeholders in the ||Kharas Region held at Keetmanshoop.

The engagement is designed to facilitate an objective assessment of the Office of the Attorney General's operations and service delivery.

Additionally, it aims to reinforce good governance principles, including transparency, accountability and the rule of law.

"All of us carry a huge responsibility towards our nation. They say that we have signed a social contract with the Namibian people, whether you are there as an elected member or whether you are there as an appointed one, so we have a social contract with the Namibian people to serve them in a fair and prompt manner," said Mbandeka.

The Governor of ||Kharas Dawid Gertze, encouraged government institutions and agencies to consult the Office of the Attorney General on legal matters.

"Sometimes we go out and sign memorandums of understanding and contracts with people. And sometimes, because we are not that knowledgeable legally, people can take us for a ride. But the consequences that come after become a national problem."

Stakeholders, among others, raised concerns over the unregulated sale of homemade brews such as tombo and "buk en poep", saying it contributes to alcohol abuse.

Aroab Village Councillor Andrew de Jay said that "it doesn't matter what time it is; they sell it, and others must stick to hours. These homemade ones have no restrictions."

Kharas Police Commissioner Marius Katamila explained that "the liquor act does not regulate these homemade brews, which makes enforcement very difficult for us. Moreover, based on our experience, we have learned that some of these homemade brews do not register in blood tests, particularly in drink-and-drive cases where blood cannot be drawn. That's also a grey area."

Also speaking at the event was government attorney Janselina Gavises, who shared that "The region can send us the concerns and the issues they are picking up so that we can involve or engage the ministry and then consider engaging the relevant stakeholders on possible legislation frameworks we need to come up with."

The engagement will be conducted across the country.