Staff Reporter
THE Namibian government has taken the initiative to provide support to minor children, the majority of whom are believed to be from Angola. According to Etienne Maritz, the Executive Director of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, the government has taken action to help and support these vulnerable minors, and over 200 have already been relocated to the Ondangwa National Youth Service Centre, where they will temporarily be accommodated and taken care of.
“Additionally,” he said, “efforts are underway to transport more children from various towns across the country to the Centre in Ondangwa for similar support. This measure has been taken to ensure their safety and care, as well as to profile them so that they can be reunited with their parents or family members.”
The children are engaged in street vending activities, selling various wooden products such as knobkieries, cups, wooden cooking sticks, and spoons at shopping malls, mostly in northern towns but also in other parts of the country. Although they roam the streets offering their handicrafts to potential buyers, they become suspicious and walk or run away whenever they are asked questions about their personal details and their place of origin.
Maritz said that based on observable cultural identities such as hairstyles, clothing, and language, the children appear to belong to the Mwila tribe, primarily found in the Huila province of Angola.
“The government has now taken action to help and support these vulnerable minors. Efforts are underway to transport more children from various towns across the country to the Centre in Ondangwa for similar support. This measure has been taken to ensure their safety and care, as well as to profile them so that they can be reunited with their parents or family members,” said Maritz in a recent statement.
He added that Namibia is a signatory to various international instruments aimed at protecting the rights of children, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“In addition, our domestic laws such as the Child Care and Protection Act, 2015 (Act No. 3 of 2015), as well as Article 15 of the Namibian Constitution, require similar protection. It is against the aforementioned background that the Government shall ensure that the children are returned to their parents and family members in dignity. We are working closely with the Angolan authorities to ensure that a long-lasting solution is found regarding this matter. The Government remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals within Namibia’s borders, especially those who are most vulnerable,” he said.
He is urging members of the public to report any suspected cases of human trafficking or child exploitation to the relevant authorities in order to prevent violations of human rights.
For inquiries or assistance, public members are requested to contact Margaret Kalo, Chief Public Relations Officer, at 081 122 6797, or Lavinia Haimbodi, Public Relations Officer, at 081 156 0507, or via their respective emails: Margaret.Kalo@mha.gov.na or Lavinia.Haimbodi@mha.gov.na
