EDITORIAL: Lasting solution needed for homeless Angolans

The outburst of Angolan nationals who are temporarily housed at the National Youth Service hostel in Ondangwa yesterday should be a wake-up call for the government not to make decisions without duly consulting all those affected.

Deputy home affairs minister Lucia Witbooi faced a baptism of fire when she addressed the group yesterday, a sign that they are not happy with the decision to remove them from the streets where they eked a living.

While the government's initiative to round up the homeless Angolan nationals and house them at a public facility is commendable, it will always be short-lived if consultations do not take place.

Like any other decision-making process, if any of the stakeholders are not party to the decision, they will eventually revolt.

While we need a lasting solution to this matter, we should not fall into the trap of desperation by going for the low-hanging fruit.

The Namibian authorities must comprehensively discuss the matter with their Angolan counterparts. That is the only way this matter can be put to bed amicably.