Nghidinua Danielrevealed that private platforms have resulted intravellers making payments for visas they did not receive
Source
“"This resulted in travellers making payments for visas which they did not receive, as the agents failed to deliver on their promise," Daniel continued.”
Nghidinua Danielexplainedstreet children left Angola primarily seeking better socio-economic opportunities
Source
“"Based on the definition above, the Angolan children who are seen roaming the streets in Namibia are not refugees. Available information indicates that these children and accompanying adults, in some cases, left their country of birth primarily in search of better socio-economic opportunities," Nghidinua said.”
Nghidinua Danielsaid victims are often issuedfraudulent documents, exposing them to criminal liability and prosecution
Source
“In a public notice issued this week, the Ministry's Executive Director, Nghidinua Daniel, said victims are often issued fraudulent documents, exposing them to criminal liability and prosecution, as well as financial loss.”
Nghidinua Danielsaid the Ministry has flaggedan unidentified male suspect using the name or pseudonym 'Martin Tangeni' or 'Martin Tangeni Ndeitwa'
Source
“Daniel said the Ministry has flagged an unidentified male suspect using the name or pseudonym "Martin Tangeni" or "Martin Tangeni Ndeitwa" and multiple mobile numbers: 0814891258, 0813357742, 0813357935, 0817874014, 0817874013, and 0816609285.”
Nghidinua Danielwarned thatfailure to complete verification would lead to deactivation and loss of services
Source
“He warned that failure to complete the process would lead to deactivation from the system and loss of access to services provided by the Ministry and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).”
Executive director Nghidinua Danielsayswork visas are only granted when qualified and no Namibians available
Source
“Responding to questions from The Namibian, executive director Nghidinua Daniel says work visas are only granted to foreigners when they are qualified and when there are no Namibians to fill those roles.”
Nghidinua Danielsaidthe allegations are entirely false, unfounded, and without official basis
Source
“The Ministry's Executive Director, Nghidinua Daniel, said in a statement that the allegations are "entirely false, unfounded, and without any official basis".”
The Ministry of Home Affairs has warned travellers against using private e-visa application platforms and agents, stating it has not appointed or authorised any external party to receive e-visa applications or fees. The Ministry has received complaints from international travellers who were directed to or mistakenly accessed private platforms, resulting in payments for visas that were never received.
Why it matters
Warning against fraudulent e-visa platforms protects Namibian travelers from financial and documentation scams by criminals exploiting the visa system.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has warned travellers against using private e-visa application platforms and agents, stating it has not appointed or authorised any external party to receive e-visa applications or fees. The Ministry has received complaints from international travellers who were directed to or mistakenly accessed private platforms, resulting in payments for visas that were never received.
The Ministry of Home Affairs says Angolan nationals, including children on Namibian streets, do not qualify for refugee status under Namibian law and international conventions, as they left Angola seeking socio-economic opportunities rather than fleeing persecution.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has warned the public about scammers impersonating ministry staff to sell fake national documents and permits. Victims—mostly foreign nationals—face criminal liability, prosecution, and financial loss, while the Ministry does not operate through intermediaries or facilitators.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has warned the public against scammers posing as ministry officials to demand money for national documents, permits and residency papers, sometimes issuing fake documents. Most victims are foreign nationals who, unable to qualify through official channels, pay large sums to fraudsters; the ministry has identified suspects using the names "Martin Tangeni" or "Martin Tangeni Ndeitwa" and stressed it does not use intermediaries or authorise officials to solicit money.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is urging all asylum seekers and refugees in Namibia to participate in a verification exercise to confirm their status and maintain eligibility for support services. Failure to participate will result in deactivation from the system and loss of access to services provided by the Ministry and UNHCR.
A Windhoek resident submitted a 161-page dossier to the Security Commission in April 2025 requesting President Nandi-Ndaitwah remove inspector general Joseph Shikongo from office, alleging corruption, criminal interference, intimidation and abuse of state institutions. Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed major general Anne-Marie Nainda as acting inspector general, though the president did not publicly state reasons for the suspension.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has dismissed allegations that it plans to recruit 39 truck drivers from Zimbabwe as "entirely false, unfounded, and without any official basis," stating it has no intention to recruit foreign nationals for such positions. The Executive Director warned the public against spreading unverified information and reiterated that Namibian citizens receive priority for employment under the Immigration Control Act.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has rejected claims circulating on social media that it intends to recruit 39 truck drivers from Zimbabwe, calling the allegations false and describing the WhatsApp voice note promoting the recruitment as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. The ministry reiterated that under Namibian law, employment opportunities prioritise Namibian citizens.
At least 379 foreign nationals have voluntarily departed Namibia under a government immigration amnesty programme extended to 27 February 2026, with the majority from Zimbabwe, Angola, China and other African countries. Immigration authorities say normal enforcement operations have resumed and will intensify inspections to identify individuals residing or working illegally.
Namibia's immigration amnesty programme, extended to 27 February, has facilitated the voluntary departure of at least 379 foreign nationals, with Zimbabweans accounting for 55% of those who left. The government extended the amnesty—originally set to end 16 January—to allow individuals who had overstayed permits or breached immigration laws to depart without arrest or prosecution, and has now resumed normal enforcement operations.
Namibia's Ministry of Home Affairs has repatriated over 1,000 Angolan nationals illegally in the country for more than 12 months, plus 33 Congolese and 347 other foreign nationals through an amnesty programme. Despite these deportations, Angolan migrants continue crossing into Namibia seeking economic opportunity and relief from severe drought and food insecurity in Angola's southern regions.
Namibia's immigration ministry dismissed claims that the visa-on-arrival portal is privately operated by an Indian national, stating the system is government property controlled by an in-house team. The ministry confirmed the portal generated over N$413 million in revenue from visas issued between March 2025 and January 2026.
Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu told staff that providing good public service is non-negotiable, stating that mediocre delivery undermines state trust. She emphasized the need to improve civil registration processes, expand access to birth certificates and identity documents, and align all ministry work with national development priorities.
Namibia's visa-on-arrival system, launched on 3 March 2025, generated N$413 million in revenue and issued 289,510 visas by 31 January. The government is advancing digital transformation in immigration services, including planned electronic and digital ID launches in the 2026/27 financial year, while implementing further visa reforms by 1 April.
Namibia's Ministry of Home Affairs has extended an amnesty period for foreign nationals who have overstayed visas or are in the country illegally until 27 February 2026, allowing them to voluntarily depart without prosecution. Those benefiting from the amnesty must cover their own travel costs and secure necessary documents through their home country's diplomatic mission.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has extended an amnesty period for foreign nationals who have overstayed visas or are residing in Namibia without proper documentation, allowing them to report to immigration offices and leave the country within five days without facing penalties. The extended deadline is 20 January, with no further extensions promised, after which law enforcement action will be taken against non-compliant individuals.