Namibia has transferred six sentenced Zambian nationals back to their home country via the Katima Mulilo border post. 

The repatriation in the Zambezi Region marks the third joint offender transfer exercise conducted between Zambia and Namibia.

In a media release, Namibia Correctional Services Commissioner (NCS) General Raphael Hamunyela said the transfer was carried out in accordance with Article 8(1) and (2) of the Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Offenders between the two countries. 

The six were selected from 142 Zambian nationals serving sentences in Namibian correctional facilities.

No Namibians were transferred from Zambia, as none of the three Namibian nationals serving sentences there expressed interest in returning home.

Speaking at the occasion, Zambia Correctional Services Western regional commander and senior assistant commissioner Jonathan Jere said family support plays an important role in rehabilitation. 

"This programme, you know, gives opportunities to our inmates who we have received so that they can have the opportunity to interact with their relatives the time they will be serving their sentences, so we are very happy."

Meanwhile, Namibian Correctional Service Northern Region Commander Commissioner Eliakim Shikongo called for continued collaboration between the two sister countries. 

"As, correctional officers, let us collaborate and support one another to overcome challenges we are faced with in order to deliver noble services to our stakeholders in our two countries." 

The latest exercise brings the total number of offenders transferred between the two countries to 46 since the agreement was signed in March 2012.

The transferred offenders are serving sentences for various offences, including contraventions of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, immigration offences, rape, murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.