Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698748538805.pdf (Namibia)
BUDGET SPEECH BY THE HON.

DR ALBERT KAWANA, MP MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS, IMMIGRATION, SAFETY AND SECURITY, ON THE OCCASION OF MOTIVATING VOTE 39, MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, IMMIGRATION, SAFETY AND SECURITY “YEAR OF REVIVAL” 28 MARCH 2023 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WINDHOEK 2 Honourable Chairperson of the whole House Committee Honourable Members of this august House I stand here to motivate Vote 39 - Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security.
Allow me also to join other Honourable members of this august House to congratulate and thank Honourable Ipumbu Shiimi, the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises and Hon.

Obeth Kandjoze, the Director- General of the National Planning Commission and their teams for crafting a pro poor budget for 2023/2024 financial year.

In addition, I am indebted to all Members of this august House for supporting Vote 39 over the years.
In order to effectively execute its mandate as enshrined in Articles 4, 97, 118 and 121 of the Namibian Constitution, as well as a number of Acts of Parliament, Vote 39 consists of eleven (11) programmes.

These programmes have been developed along the country’s long and medium-term development goals; namely Vision 2030, NDP5, 3 and Harambee Prosperity Plan II with a view to ensuring a conducive environment for economic development, internal security, peace and stability in our country.

Hon.
Hon.

Chairperson of the Whole House Committee, Honourable Members, I now turn to discussing the individual Programmes as follows: PROGRAMME 1: ESTABLISHMENT AND REGULATION OF POPULATION REGISTER Article 4 of the Namibian Constitution provides for the acquisition of citizenship, whereas Article 15 states that children shall have the right from birth to a name and the right to acquire a nationality.
The Department of Civil Registration is, therefore, mandated through the Births, Marriages and Deaths Registration Act of 1963 to manage the National Population Register.

4 As part of ensuring registration coverage for births and deaths, the Department of Civil Registration has connected health facilities and state mortuaries with e-notification system.

In this regard, the Ministry has a team of e-trainers who do assessments, set up facilities and train the users of the system.
We will, therefore, continue to ensure that our citizens receive the required services.

We will continue to conduct outreach programmes, especially in schools and hard to reach areas with a view to ensuring that Namibians are provided with necessary services.

An amount of One hundred and twenty-nine million, Four hundred and twenty-six thousand Namibia Dollars (N$ 129,426,000) is requested under this programme.
PROGRAMME 2: IMMIGRATION CONTROL This programme is responsible for ensuring lawful migration, removal of illegal immigrants from Namibia, consideration of applications for various types of citizenship and issuing of travel documents.

This programme is divided into two sub-programmes as follow: 5 2.1 VISAS, PERMITS, PASSPORTS AND CITIZENSHIP The sub-progamme is responsible for receiving and processing applications for visas, permits, passports and citizenship.
Honourable members will recall that on 15 March this year, I launched the online applications for passports and short term employment permits or work visas for up to six (6) months.

In the coming financial year, more online services will be added.

2.2.

IMMIGRATION AND BORDER CONTROL This sub-programme is responsible for the administration and processing of movement of persons entering and exiting country.
Other responsibilities include surveillance on suspected illegal immigrants, the facilitation of deportations of illegal immigrants, the provision of secretarial services to the Immigration Tribunals and conducting joint operations with other Law Enforcement Agencies.

6 Effective from 24 February 2023, the Directorate is also charged with managing the entry and exit of our nationals as well as those of Botswana who are using identity cards.
I am pleased to inform Honourable Members of this august House that our new look ID cards are one of the most advanced because they are compatible with the International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements.

In the same vein, allow me to salute our President His Excellency Dr. Hage Geingob for His vision.

Today, our nationals are able to legally cross the border between Namibia and Botswana using Namibian ID cards.
This move, which is the first in SADC if not in Africa, will enable our citizens to visit their family members and friends in Botswana and vise versa.

This move will also promote trade and tourism between the two countries and thereby promote economic growth.

Indeed the President of Botswana, His Excellency Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi should also be commended.
7 In order for this Programme to continue fulfilling its core functions, I humbly request this august House to approve a total amount of two hundred and twenty-four million, one hundred and forty-one thousand Namibia dollars (N$ 224,141 000).

PROGRAMME 3: INTERNATIONAL REFUGEES MANAGEMENT This Programme provides international protection and support to asylum seekers and refugees in Namibia.
It further coordinates, facilitates and promotes the three durable solutions which are internationally recognised by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, namely, Local Integration, Voluntary Repatriation and Resettlement.

This is done in accordance with the Namibia Refugees Recognition and Control Act of 1999, the 1951 UN Convention, the 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees, and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa.
8 Currently, Namibia is a host to 7,421 asylum seekers and refugees of which 6,420 are nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo with women and children being the majority.

Namibia has joined other UN member states on the #I belong Campaign, aimed at ending statelessness by 2024.

Against this background, Namibia commenced with the identification and registration of stateless and undocumented persons in the country.
To date, 141 048 individuals have been identified and registered as stateless and undocumented persons.

This number is currently being validated against the National Population Registration System.

We are still waiting for feedback from Hardap Region and few constituencies from other Regions.

A new law will be enacted in order to regularize the status of stateless persons in Namibia.
9 I therefore humbly request this august House to approve an amount of Nine million, eight hundred and ninety-six Thousand Namibia Dollars (N$ 9,896,000) under this programme.

PROGRAMME 4: COMBATING OF CRIME The main purpose of this Programme is to combat crime in the country, to create a safe environment which is conducive for economic and social development.

Furthermore, under this Programme, the Namibian Police Force enhances cooperation with other stakeholders in the fight against crime.
This include Government institutions, non-governmental and civic organisations, business entities, neighbouring countries, other countries of the world, as well as regional and international organisations.

The cooperation is achieved through meetings, workshops, joint and multilateral crime combating operations and investigations.
10 It is also under this Programme, where the responsibilities of safeguarding Namibia’s territorial borders, maritime, key and critical State infrastructure and provision of security at the country’s ports of entry/exit, are taking place.

In a nutshell, the Combating of Crime Programme represents the main part of the core functions and activities of the Department of Police.
In order for this programme to achieve its objectives, I humbly request this august House to approve an amount of four billion, two hundred and ninety-four million one hundred and ten thousand Namibia dollars (N$ 4,294,110,000) under this Programme.
PROGRAMME 05: VIP PROTECTION SERVICES The main purpose of this Programme is to render protection to the Head of State, visiting Heads of States and Governments, national and visiting foreign dignitaries, through the provision of close and physical protection, and static security.

11 The Programme also caters for the provision of security at the offices and residences of diplomatic missions in Namibia.
In order to achieve the intended objective under this Programme, I humbly request this august House to approve an amount of Three hundred and Eighty-Nine million, Eight hundred and Eighty-Seven thousand Namibia Dollars (N$ 389,887,000).
PROGRAMME 06: TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Honourable Chairperson, in the context of police force, it is incumbent upon any institution that aims to improve service delivery to continue the development and academic progression of its staff in order to build their operational, investigative as well as administrative capacities.

The fourth industrial revolution has its flip side, it poses a threat in terms of cybercrime, as a result of technological advancement.
12 In addition, cross border crime and violence against women and children are some forms of contemporary emerging crime, which require the attention of the Police Force.

Therefore, the only viable approach to contain these threats is through investment in human resources development.

Continuous training of police officers will also enable the Force to respond to the threats posed by human trafficking, drug trafficking, and terrorism.
Therefore, in order to achieve the intended objective, I humbly request this august House to approve an amount of Eighty-Seven million, and Twenty-Three thousand Namibia Dollars (N$ 87,023,000) under this Programme.

PROGRAMME 07: FORENSIC SERVICES The Namibian Police Forensic Science Institute will enhance crime combatting efforts by providing scientific and medical legal support to criminal investigations and the judiciary.
13 The allocated financial resources will be utilized to procure and replace end of life scientific equipment, maintenance of systems on the Forensic Institute Campus as well as mortuaries, licensing of instrumentation, software and databases, purchasing of reagents, chemicals and consumables for the various Divisions and disciplines.
In order to achieve the above stated objectives, I humbly request this august House to approve an amount of Forty- Five million, six hundred and Eight thousand Namibia Dollars (N$ 45,608,000) under this Programme.

PROGRAMME 08: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT The Ministry, in line with the Government Policy on E- Governance, is busy with its digitalization operations.

This is geared towards achieving efficiency, effectiveness and most reliable service delivery to the public.
14 The Programme is designed to make the Namibian Police Force effective by improving reporting capabilities between the Police Force and members of the public, improved Crime prevention capabilities and improved Crime investigation.
To this end, the Namibian Police Force will continue to implement and expand the following projects: • • Electronic Policing Eco system or E-Policing; INTERPOL Secure Global Communication System; • NamPol Automated Biometric Identification System; • Advanced Video Surveillance or CCTV; • Universal Backhauling improved Internet and intranet Communications services; • UHF Tetra Digital Two Way Radio System or Motorola Digital Radio System aimed at moving from analogue to digital communications system for the purpose of effective and secure communication network; and • Overall maintenance of all ICT Systems.
15 In order to achieve the aforestated objectives, I humbly request this august House to approve an amount of Ninety-three million, six hundred and Ninety-Seven thousand Namibia Dollars (N$ 93,697,000) under this Programme.

PROGRAMME 9: SAFE CUSTODY This Programme ensures that the Ministry achieves its mandate of contributing to public safety by providing safe, secure and humane custody of offenders in accordance with universally acceptable standards.
It further ensures the Department of Namibian Correctional Service to prevent and avert institutional incidents, escapes and the smuggling of prohibited articles into correctional facilities through the provision of dynamic, physical and procedural security.

In the same vein, it is aimed at supporting safe and secure custody and adhere to international standards.
16 In order to achieve the aforestated objectives, I humbly request this august House to approve an amount of Nine hundred and forty-one million, six hundred and seventy four thousand Namibia Dollars (N$941,674,000) under this programme.
PROGRAMME 10: REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION Various specialized officers are required to conduct evidence-based case management assessments on offenders, and to design rehabilitation programmes in the areas targeted to address their risk factors such as cognition and substance abuse.
As such, Programme Officers, Case Management Officers and Rehabilitation Coordinators play a critical role in the execution of the above functions which are crucial to the implementation of the Offender Risk Management Correctional Strategy.

17 During the 2022/2023 financial year, 72 correctional officers were trained on the delivery of rehabilitation services.
In addition, 1759 inmates were enrolled in the rehabilitation programmes, while 1054 inmates have successfully benefitted from participating in the rehabilitation programmes.

In order to achieve the objectives stated above, I humbly request this august House to approve an amount of Eleven million, six hundred and ninety-five thousand Namibia dollars (11,695,000) under this programme.
PROGRAMME 99: POLICY COORDINATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES This programme includes all administrative and is aimed at supporting the Ministry in order to ensure leadership, supervision and prudent allocation of financial, material and human resources.

18 In order to achieve the above stated objectives, I humbly request this august House to approve an amount of Four hundred and Eighty-One million, Four hundred and Seventy-Five thousand Namibia Dollars (N$ 481,475,000) under this programme.
In conclusion, I humbly request this august House to approve a global amount of Six billion, Seven hundred and eight million, Six hundred and thirty-two thousand Namibia dollars (N$ 6, 708, 632, 000) for Vote 39.

I THANK YOU!