One police officer for every 201 Zambezi residents - council

Just 712 police officers are at hand to serve a population of about 142 000 people in the Zambezi region, a ratio of one officer for every 201 residents, far above the standard ratio of one to 50.

The figures are contained in the Zambezi Regional Council’s report for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March, which describes the region's safety and security forces as “seriously understaffed”.

The report says the staffing shortage is particularly concerning as the region continues to grapple with cross-border crimes, including cattle rustling, illegal timber harvesting, illegal border crossings, illegal fishing, poaching and the smuggling of goods through ungazetted points.

Despite the shortage, reported crime declined from 4 095 cases in the previous reporting period to 3 526 cases during the period under review.

“The Namibian Police remain committed to fighting crime, including manning the porous border to ensure the security of our society,” the report states.

The region has eight police stations and several police posts, but the report notes that these facilities are also understaffed. The Greenwell Matongo Class A Police Station is nearing completion, alongside the home affairs and immigration regional offices, which are expected to be officially opened soon.

Land grabs, sanitation and education

Beyond policing, the report highlights a range of challenges facing the region, including mounting disputes over communal land.

During the reporting period, 1 514 communal land rights were granted, while 900 land-related disputes were lodged with the Zambezi communal land board. The report also notes that several areas have been illegally fenced, prompting the regional authorities to call on residents to remove unlawful fencing.

“All residents who have illegally fenced land in their communities are urged to voluntarily remove such fencing and comply with the Communal Land Reform Act, Act No. 5 of 2002,” the report states.

The regional council also supported one agricultural project in each constituency with materials worth N$50 000 per project and employed 50 casual workers to install precast pit latrine toilets at a cost of N$200 000.

Education infrastructure remains another priority, with two new schools under construction in Katima Mulilo Urban Constituency and additional classroom blocks being built at Nakabolelwa, Lusese, Nfooma, Ibbu, Ngoma, Mafwila, Chinchimani, Isize, Makanga, Kisako and Choto schools.

During the rainy season, flooding continued to disrupt education, forcing more than 1 600 learners and 77 staff members to relocate from flood-prone areas to higher ground before returning once water levels subsided.

Advancing healthcare

The region also reported progress in healthcare, including the construction of the Katima Mulilo District Hospital maternity wing, which the report says has reduced patient overflow.

Mobile clinics were deployed to remote areas to improve access to healthcare, while medical equipment and infrastructure, including theatre anaesthesia machines, an X-ray machine and dental suction machines, were repaired and maintained.

Renovations were also carried out at Ibbu Clinic, Mafuta and Mavuluma primary healthcare facilities, as well as port health offices.

A total of 158 staff members were recruited across various categories to strengthen the region’s health facilities.

Meanwhile, port health officials screened 482 466 travellers entering Namibia during the reporting period, highlighting the scale of movement through the region’s border posts.