The National Assembly has adopted a motion addressing the inclusion of Namibian former mine workers in southern Africa for compensation.

The motion was moved by Swapo Party MP Sebastiaan Karupu, who urged the house to directly adopt the motion to avoid referrals to the standing committee, citing potential delays and resource constraints.

Residents of Omatjete Settlement and surrounding villages in the Daures Constituency have joined in the fray to get the Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, to keenly look into dealings of small-scale mines and license holders.

At the community meeting with the minister, they argued that some mines are not only illegal but are also not assisting locals to benefit from the natural resources mined there.

The residents stressed how Chinese-owned mining companies mistreat locals despite the millions of dollars they are collecting in revenue.