🇳🇦NamibiaSouthern Africa
Migrants exploiting domestic abuse claims for UK residency, BBC investigation reveals
via The Namibian11 min read
A BBC investigation has uncovered that some migrants are making false claims of domestic abuse to secure permanent residency in the UK more quickly. This exploitation targets rules designed to help genuine victims, allowing individuals to gain residency with minimal evidence due to inadequate Home Office checks. Lawyers report that unsuspecting British partners face severe disruption from these false accusations. The number of fast-track residency applications based on domestic abuse has increased by over 50% in three years, reaching more than 5,500 annually. The investigation revealed instances of migrants duping British partners into relationships and marriages, then fabricating abuse claims. Some legal advisers are also encouraging and facilitating these false allegations. An undercover BBC reporter met an adviser who offered to fabricate a psychological domestic abuse claim for £900, despite not being a registered solicitor or regulated immigration adviser. The adviser claimed a 100% success rate for such cases. The Home Office's Migrant Victims of Domestic Abuse Concession allows temporary visa holders who are partners of British citizens to apply for support and then indefinite leave to remain, a much faster route than other immigration processes. Concerns about the abuse of these rules have been raised by experts and in Parliament. Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding, condemned the exploitation, stating that fraudulent applications will be refused and those fa
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
The Namibia Development Foundation Namdef Trust will host a two-day national conversation on responsible gambling in Windhoek from June 8 to 9. The event aims to address growing concerns over gambling addiction and its social impact in Namibia, particularly among young people facing unemployment. The discussions will bring together regulators, operators, psychologists, researchers, civil society, and affected communities to develop solution-oriented dialogues. Key objectives include initiating inclusive dialogue, strengthening prevention and early intervention, addressing workplace productivity risks, and improving access to counselling and rehabilitation services. Namdef hopes the discussions will generate policy recommendations for future planning and social protection strategies. The foundation has highlighted the prevalence of gambling in informal settings with limited consumer protection. This initiative follows public appeals from individuals like Jason Kauhondamwa, who sought stronger intervention measures and publicly requested to be banned from gambling premises due to his addiction. The Namibia Gaming and Entertainment Control Board acknowledged delays in processing self-exclusion requests, attributing them to the slow development of an interactive register for licensed establishments. Namdef's safe gambling programme will operate as an independent non-profit social safeguard, supporting responsible gambling obligations without assuming a regulatory or enforcement r
Must ReadPresident Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring sufficient food production, creating employment opportunities for the youth, and fostering community development during a visit to key agricultural and development projects in the Hangwena region. This visit was part of her nationwide tour of agricultural and livestock projects, accompanied by Minister Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform. The government supports the Ekoka Brownfield Green Scheme project, where Nandi-Ndaitwah was briefed on infrastructure development, including a completed fence, borehole, and an irrigation system aimed at boosting agriculture. This project has successfully cultivated millet, maize, beans, and groundnuts this year, with all crops currently being harvested. The President emphasized that the project is part of broader government efforts to enhance agriculture and livestock farming, strengthen food security, and create jobs, especially for rural youth. She encouraged the young workers at the project to remain dedicated and hardworking, highlighting the importance of their commitment to the project's continuous progress. President Nandi-Ndaitwah also visited the government-supported San Communities Development Centre in Ekoka, which focuses on improving livelihoods and economic empowerment, enhancing incomes, and enabling the local community to actively participate in the economy. She was informed about programs designed to improve
Namibian defensive midfielder Dynamo Fredericks has won his third consecutive Botswana Orange FA Cup with Jwaneng Galaxy FC, marking his 13th major career title. Jwaneng Galaxy defeated Mochudi Centre Chiefs 2-1 in Gaborone on Friday, May 29. Mochudi Centre Chiefs opened the scoring in the 27th minute, but Jwaneng Galaxy equalized a minute later, with Omaatla Kebatho scoring the decisive goal in the 58th minute. This victory represents Fredericks' fourth major trophy with Jwaneng Galaxy since joining in 2023, adding to his Botswana Premier League title from the 2023/24 season. The 34-year-old's career began in Namibia, playing for Ramblers FC, Civics FC, and Black Africa FC, where he won four Namibia Premier League titles and two domestic trophies. He also played for African Stars before moving to Botswana in 2023 after an impressive performance at the 2023 Cosafa Cup. His first season with Jwaneng Galaxy was affected by a serious knee injury, but he returned to action in August 2024. Fredericks stated that despite the FA Cup win, the season was challenging, and he is happy to have won the cup for the third time. He emphasized that winning involves maximum effort on and off the pitch. Fellow Namibian midfielder Marcel Papama of Township Rollers FC was a joint top scorer in the Botswana FA Cup with three goals.
Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo and former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey have been included in Ghana's 26-man World Cup squad. Coach Carlos Queiroz finalized the selection for the tournament, where Ghana is placed in a challenging Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The team will play a friendly against Wales in Cardiff before heading to North America for their fifth World Cup appearance. Midfielder Partey, 32, from Villarreal, is scheduled to stand trial in the UK on rape and sexual assault charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Veteran Leicester City attacker Jordan Ayew will captain the Black Stars. Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus will miss the tournament due to injury. Semenyo, 26, joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in January for an initial £62.5 million and has scored 11 goals in 27 games. Ghana's World Cup campaign in the United States, Canada, and Mexico begins on June 11, with their opening match against Panama six days later.