WINDHOEK, Feb. 20 — The Namibian Correctional Service and Angolan authorities on Wednesday established a joint technical team to verify inmates in Namibia who claim Angolan nationality and wish to be transferred to serve their sentences in Angola. Speaking at the launch in Namibia‘s capital, Windhoek, Commissioner-General Raphael Hamunyela said the exercise follows the entry into force of the 2022 Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Offenders between Namibia and Angola. According to Hamunyela, 98 Angolan nationals initially applied for transfer after the agreement came into force in November 2022, but only 11 had the required national identification documents. The commissioner-general said Namibia is currently holding 184 Angolan nationals in its correctional facilities, including 180 sentenced inmates and four awaiting trial. The most common offenses committed by the inmates include stock theft, immigration violations, rape, escape, drug-related offenses, housebreaking, assault, murder, nature conservation offenses, and theft and possession of illicit goods, he said. Hamunyela said the verification exercise is expected to facilitate the transfer of qualifying inmates, allowing them to serve the remainder of their sentences closer to their families. He also underscored Namibia‘s commitment to maintaining strong cooperation with Angola, including through collaboration with the Angola Penitentiary Service. The joint technical team comprises officials from correctional services, justice ministries, and foreign affairs authorities from both countries.
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