184 Angola nationals are currently held in correctional facilities in Namibia majority without National documents
By TUW
A total of 184 Angolan nationals are currently held in correctional facilities across Namibia, with the majority lacking the required national identification documents. The Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) revealed that 107 inmates have applied to be transferred to Angola to serve the remainder of their sentences, but only 17 applicants possess valid identification.
According to NCS Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela, the offences committed by the Angolan nationals include stock theft (32), immigration offences (31), rape (29), escape (25), dealing or possession of drugs (21), housebreaking (19), assault (13), murder (11), offences related to nature conservation (9), theft (8), and possession of illicit goods (6).
Hamunyela made the remarks in Windhoek during the establishment of the Namibia/Angola Joint Technical Team (JTT), which is tasked with verifying inmates claiming Angolan nationality who wish to serve the remainder of their sentences in Angola.
He explained that out of the 184 inmates, 180 are sentenced offenders while four are awaiting trial. The inmate population consists of 181 males and three females. Additionally, 73 inmates indicated they are unwilling to be transferred, while the four awaiting-trial inmates do not qualify under the transfer provisions.
The Commissioner-General said the inmates currently undergoing the verification process are being held at the Windhoek Correctional Facility and the Windhoek Female Correctional Facility.
Hamunyela noted that Namibia initiated the transfer process after the bilateral Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Offenders or Persons Deprived of Liberty between Namibia and Angola came into force in November 2022. At that time, 98 Angolan nationals applied for transfer, but only 11 had national identification documents, while 87 lacked the necessary paperwork.
He added that the documentation challenges were later discussed at the Senior Officials Meeting of the inaugural session of the Angola/Namibia Bi-National Commission held in Luanda in March 2024. The discussions led to the establishment of the joint verification exercise.
Meanwhile, a 12-member Angolan delegation is currently visiting Namibian correctional facilities to commence the verification of Angolan nationals incarcerated in the country.
