Africa-Press – Namibia. DEFENCE minister Frans Kapofi has expressed concern over cross-border crime between Namibia and Zambia, which he says continues unabated.
Kapofi made these remarks during the just ended 23rd session of the Namibia-Zambia joint permanent commission on defence and security, held at Swakopmund last week.
Crimes such as poaching, smuggling of goods, livestock theft and illegal border crossing remain a problem, although Covid-19 restrictions caused a slight reduction, he said.
“Disappointingly, some of the people involved in these criminal activities are law enforcement agents. I would like to appeal to our security officials to tighten the noose around these agents and their cohorts.”
Kapofi expressed concern over the lack of travelling documentation for people living along the borders, and those who cross the borders of the two countries for daily necessities. Illegally crossing into other countries has led to many ending up on the wrong side of the law.
“It is my hope that the senior officials explore ways of expediting the process for establishing a legal framework for the use of border passes and identity cards for cross border travel. This will not only help alleviate the suffering of our people but will also boost the economies of our countries.”
Kapofi also expressed concern at the high influx of asylum seekers from the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere, through the Namibia-Zambia border over the past two years, saying a syndicate, likely associated with human trafficking, could be responsible.
“The majority of these people are women and children whom we expected to have sought asylum in their first country of contact, as is the norm.”
Defence executive director Wilhelmine Shivute acknowledged that border crimes are the result of ineffective border management, providing ground for criminals to carry out their activities with impunity.
Shivute said illegal activities can be reduced if the two countries redouble their efforts in the implementation of the existing instruments of their coorporation.
She further proposed the accelerated implementation of the African Union border management programme, launched in 2007 in order to improve peace, security, integration and development on the continent through enhanced border governance.
CONSIDERATIONS AND DELIBERATIONS The commission deliberated on tax evasion and the delayed implementation of the one-stop border post concept at Katima Mulilo.
It also called for the speedy harmonisation of fisheries legislation, reaffirmation of borders, fast-tracking the formalisation of working relations between veterinary authorities and the finalisation of the feasibility study for the extension of the Trans-Zambezi railway from Grootfontein to Katima Mulilo via Rundu by the two governments.
It also urged police authorities in the two countries to finalise the joint investigation of the December 2019 incident in Lusaka resulting in the death of seven Namibians. It also directed the surveyor generals in both countries to undertake the reaffirmation of boundary beacons between the two counters to avoid incidents, such as the October 2021 incident involving the Namibian Police and Zambian traders. Zambia will host the 24th session of the Namibia-Zambia joint permanent commission on defence and security on a yet to be confirmed date.
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