Lela Mobile Online - Namandje issues ultimatum to revoke Zim expats exemption
Namandje issues ultimatum to revoke Zim expats exemption
10 Aug 2017 19:10pm
WINDHOEK, 10 AUG (NAMPA)  Lawyer Sisa Namandje has issued an ultimatum to the Works and Transport Ministry to revoke its exemption of Zimbabwean architects and quantity surveyors from registering with the Namibia Architects and Quantity Surveyors' Council.
In a letter addressed to Minister Alpheus !Naruseb on Thursday, Namandje demanded that a notice be issued on Friday, 11 August that the decision would be withdrawn within 10 days because the agreement between Namibia and Zimbabwe is invalid.
Namandje argued that the agreement was allegedly negotiated and signed by the permanent secretary of the ministry when he did not have power to negotiate and execute an international agreement between Namibia and another state, unless he had a written delegation of power by the President.
In view of clear fundamental illegalities, public interest and the massive prejudice on our clients, we hereby demand that the minister gives us an undertaking by close of business on 11 August 2017, the letter states.
Namandje is representing a number of young Namibian architects and quantity surveyors who are aggrieved by the decision taken by government.
Addressing a media conference on Monday, works ministry permanent secretary Willem Goeiemann said there are 29 Zimbabweans seconded by their government to Namibia after the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2012.
However, the MoU expired on 16 May this year and was extended to October.
According to the Architects and Quantity Surveyors' Act of 1979, architects and quantity surveyors must write tests for the Namibia Council of Architects and Quantity Surveyors before they can be accepted as members.
Should !Naruseb not heed Namandjes call an urgent application will be lodged with the Windhoek High Court.
Should we not receive such an undertaking we hereby place you on notice that the High Court shall be approached on urgent basis in order to have the notice and the underlying decision by the minister reviewed alternatively declared invalid and set aside, Namandje said.
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