A Zambian national was arrested after a police stakeout in Katima Mulilo's NHE Location when he and three more suspects were found breaking into a house on Saturday.

It is reported that the suspects broke into a house at the NHE location on Saturday and stole items valued at N$12,500.

On Monday, they emerged again at a different house, where they were caught red-handed.

Police Station Commander in Katima Mulilo Chief Inspector Charles Mayumbelo described the scene.

“Three managed to run; a 45-year-old Zambian national was arrested, and he is currently in our cells here in custody. And upon his arrest, he said there were three. They managed to break in but did not take anything due to the prompt action that the police took, which is a very good thing.”

The suspect took the police to the area where they hid their canoes at the Zambezi River.

“He took them where they were hiding the canoe. This is a dugout canoe, which they are always using to ferry properties that are being stolen in Namibia into Zambia, but for now we are still investigating. It will be a joint investigation with the Zambian police. We want to know where these people or thieves or suspects are residing in Zambia so that we can take it up from there.”

Police suspect all three suspects are Zambian nationals and that they may have fled back home. 

Chief Inspector Mayumbelo used the opportunity to caution residents to stop buying second-hand items without police declarations.

“Visit our police station here or any nearby nearest police station or the secondhand office, which is at the regional headquarters, so that they will write for you a declaration, but should you just buy and at the end of the day we find out that you bought stolen property, we are definitely going to lay a charge against you for receiving and possessing suspected stolen property.”