The police in the Zambezi Region have reminded the public that the United Democratic Party (UDP) is still banned from holding meetings in Namibia.

The government banned the UDP in September 2007, after the party was accused of advocating the secession of the then-Caprivi Region from the rest of Namibia.

Zambezi's NamPol Regional Commander Commissioner, Andreas Shilelo, warned residents in Zambezi Region not to organise or attend UDP meetings.

The warning came after reports emerged of people working underground to advocate for the activities of the United Democratic Party.

Commissioner Shilelo warned that the police want peace to continue prevailing in the region and that anyone found to be advocating the secession idea in furtherance of the UDP will be dealt with according to the law.

Five members of the UDP were already arrested at Kaliyangile for holding an illegal meeting, and Commissioner Shilelo says two more cases are still pending against the UDP.

Sibbinda Constituency Councillor Mickey Lukaezi was equally shocked that there are still community members in the Zambezi Region working underground and misleading people with secessionist ideas.

In 1999, a group of suspected separatist gunmen attacked government infrastructure at Katima Mulilo, and this led to the arrest of several people, while others, including former DTA leader and founder of the UDP, Mishake Muyongo, fled into Botswana and are now exiled in Denmark.