Farmers in the Zambezi Region want visible security along Namibia's borders as cases of stock theft keep increasing.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting by the Liselo-Kamenga Anti Stock Theft Association, Chairperson Vincent Siliye, said the government has not been active with regard to the safety of its citizens, especially in the Zambezi Region, where weekly cases of stock theft are being reported.

Most of the animals were recovered from Zambia, and Siliye says the incidents are not limited to stock theft.

Lister Sabuta, the Kasheshe area Induna and a victim of stock theft, said that the dense and bushy border between Namibia and Zambia is a concern.

He said not only is the area not patrolled, but foreigners move freely in and out of Namibia, bringing in illegal items or taking out properties they have stolen, and that they do so while carrying weapons.

Vincent Kalikañwi, the Bitto area Induna and also a victim, said the Zambian government has not been playing its part in minimising the problem from its side.

In response, the Zambezi Governor, Alufea Sampofu, said that the Zambian government has been made aware of the stock theft problem through its ambassador to Namibia and that the Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration, Dr Albert Kawana, has also extended an invitation to his Zambian counterpart on the matter.

The governor cautioned frustrated farmers to refrain from employing foreigners who do not have documentation or work permits, as they may be the same people stealing from them and are hard to trace because of the false names they use.

The meeting was also attended by immigration control, customs and exercise officers, the Namibian Police, the NDF and regional councillors.