Today, in the Zambezi Region, the Kongola settlement witnessed protests by local residents.

The cause of their unrest? A decision to grant bail to six regional council employees who are currently facing fraud charges. 

The community expressed disappointment over the court's decision to allow these accused individuals bail without imposing any conditions.

This development unfolded as the suspects made their appearance in court earlier on Tuesday.

The demonstrators travelled from Kongola, 120 kilometres west of Katima Mulilo, to the Zambezi Regional Council and Katima Mulilo Magistrate's Court.

They emphasised that many lives have been lost in Kongola due to road accidents, while many unemployed youth could have been employed at the settlement project.

They believe that the N$4.7 million, the amount alleged to have been defrauded at the council, could have been used to develop Kongola and surrounding areas.

The Kongola community feels that the corruption case involving the officials of the Regional Council is not different from the Fishrot case, in which all the accused have been in custody since their arrest.

Community members demand that the bail granted to the accused be cancelled and they be remanded in custody until the finalisation of their case.

The petition was received by Katima Mulilo Control Prosecutor Brunah Mukoya, who promised to channel it to the relevant authorities.

The accused in the corruption case, who made their first regional court appearance, had their case postponed to the 9th of September this year for plea and trial.

Their bail was extended until then.