Omuthiya: Residents of Omuthiya, led by the Power of Unity Movement Foundation, held a peaceful demonstration at the governor's office on Friday, where they handed over a petition opposing the proposed mandatory digital identification system in Namibia.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the national biometric electronic identity (e-ID) system will be rolled out by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security next month and is aimed at improving identity verification and simplifying access to both public and private services.
Reading the petition, the foundation's representative in Omuthiya, Kaunambili Nuukala, emphasized that the petition is not against development, modernisation, or technological innovation, but highlights concerns that it could affect the privacy, freedom, dignity, equality, and constitutional rights of all Namibians.
Nuukala reiterated that Namibia is a democratic state founded on the principles of justice, freedom, equality, and respect for human rights. The Constitution protects the dignity and liberties of every citizen, and any national policy that may interfere with those rights must be approached with caution, transparency, and broad public consultation.
"We believe that decisions involving the collection of biometric information, digital tracking, centralized databases, and electronic identity systems require careful consideration because they directly affect the relationship between citizens and the State," she stated.
Nuukala further expressed concerns that a digital identity system becomes even more concerning when it is made mandatory for every citizen, as mandatory systems remove freedom of choice and create conditions in which citizens might be forced to surrender sensitive personal information to access basic services and participate fully in society.
"One of the greatest concerns surrounding mandatory digital identification is the threat to personal privacy. No digital system in the world is completely safe from cyberattacks, hacking, technical failures, or data leaks. If sensitive personal information falls into the wrong hands, the consequences can be severe. Namibia should not blindly copy international models without first carefully studying both their successes and failures," she added.
For these reasons, Nuukala said they respectfully call upon the government to reconsider any proposal that would make digital identification mandatory for all citizens.
Oshikoto Governor Sacky Kathindi received the petition and stated, "I received the petition and will forward it to the relevant authority."