The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy and Industry, Public Administration and Planning has conducted a public hearing on household debts and lending practices in ||Kharas Region. 

The public hearing was held at Keetmanshoop. 

The public hearing stems from a motion "on whether the existing laws are truly protecting the Namibians from exploitation by lending institutions and informal money lenders". 

It also forms part of the committee's oversight mandate to assess Namibia's rising household and personal debt levels. 

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy and Industry, Public Administration and Planning Deputy Chairperson, Hilma Iita, said, "This hearing is not about blaming anyone. It is about listening; it is about learning so that parliament can make better laws to protect Namibians."

The ||Kharas Regional Council chairperson, Gerrit Witbooi, says many households face financial pressure.

"For many households income is received once a month, while financial responsibilities continue throughout the month. Food, transport, school expenses, rent, utilities, medical needs and family obligations can place a significant pressure on household income. It is therefore understandable that people may turn to borrowing when their income is no longer sufficient. However, this is precisely why we need to have an honest conversation about financial discipline and responsible borrowing."

These were some of the sentiments shared by the public participants. 

Nama Traditional Leaders Association representative Deodat Dirkse advised, "The parliamentary Standing Committee must consider a forensic audit, number one, and number two a regulatory body for Agribank. We must understand that with the Appropriation Bill that is passed in parliament, those funds that are made available to be facilitated by Agribank and the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) are funds approved by parliament, and they must be used accordingly. Therefore, we need a regulatory body that makes sure that those funds are appropriately used."  

Dirkse further called for the review of the Namibian Pension Act relating to the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) retirement two-thirds benefit, which does not extend to children when the principal member and their spouse have died. 

||Kharas Region's Administration Head for the police, Deputy Commissioner Silvia !Kharuxas, asked, "After 60 years old, living only two years; thereafter, we say goodbye to the earth. So, where does my contribution go? So, I share the same sentiment as the recommendation that was given by Mr Dirkse."

The stakeholders attributed low salaries of civil servants to rising household and personal debt levels.