IIPUMBU URGES NAMIBIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA TO STAY SAFE - nbc

Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security Lucia Iipumbu has advised Namibians in South Africa to remain calm and stay indoors during the ongoing protests, as the situation is being monitored by the embassy. This follows concerns raised by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Leader McHenry Venaani regarding the recent violent attacks of foreign nationals in South Africa, particularly that of a video circulating online of a Namibian truck driver having been brutally assaulted. Venaani questions whether there is any effort to repatriate Namibians finding themselves in the crossfire between the South African residents who are demanding the removal of illegal immigrants from their country. "Has the ministry put an effort at reaching out to them? Are they safe? Are you bringing them home? Have you deployed resources for that exercise, and what is happening with our people in South Africa, and what are you advising ordinary citizens in terms of travelling to South Africa at this point in time?" The minister in her response stated that they have deployed various officials to carry out verification processes in Pretoria and Cape Town and also to assess the situation. "If we are at home, we believe they are safe, but there are also shelter places that are identified where they are being advised to move should the situation necessitate them to move to those shelters. We are encouraging them to move to those shelter places. And our people who are commuting in these places, especially the truck drivers, we are also then encouraging them to monitor the situation and, when they see that it's not safe for them, to contact businesses to alert them. They are given the contact number of the people they should reach out to so that they are safe." Iipumbu added that border patrol has also been intensified to avoid any illegal movement into and out of the country.