A 38-year-old Namibian man was apprehended by Nshimwe security guards at Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi Region while he was digging for copper cables.

The suspect was handed over to the police, who charged him with theft.

Two other suspects managed to escape arrest.

The NORED Regional Manager for Operations in the Zambezi Region, Sylvester Chaka, who was at the scene, told nbc News that they carried out investigations after realising that the town centre was without power.

Hostel dwellers at the Simataa Senior Secondary School in the Zambezi Region are breathing a sigh of relief following the donation of mattresses by the Mine Workers Union of Namibia (MUN).

Learners have been forced to make their beds on the bare floors.

Simataa Senior Secondary School has a school population of 435 learners, and 280 are living in the hostel.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has released the findings of an investigation into the mass mortalities of cattle in the Zambezi Region’s Kabe South constituency between June and November last year.

585 cattle, most of them old, pregnant, lactating, or young, died at 23 homesteads and 12 crush pen areas by the end of October.

Over 80% of the cattle visited were found to be in poor bodily condition at the time of the investigation, and poor grazing pastures were observed in most areas visited.

Due to the ongoing drought, farmers in the Zambezi Region are counting their losses.

The region, whose residents heavily rely on agriculture for both consumption and commercial purposes, is worried about the prospects of their farming. 

Some residents of Maalo Village next to Lake Lyambezi say not only do they have to deal with wildlife damaging their crops, but a lack of rainfall also made things difficult this year.

The unemployed farmers who survive through farming say they will not get their return on investment.

The completed low-volume seal road infrastructure at Impalila Island, Zambezi Region, is likely to be inaugurated in April. 

The construction of the N$60 million, 25-kilometre project as well as the upgrading of a loading port, which started in 2022, will be completed by the end of March. 

During a site visit to the island on Thursday, Roads Authority CEO Conrad Lutombi said road-surfacing has been completed and road markings are now being completed, while signage is also completed.

Traditional Authorities in the Zambezi Region have paid homage to the late President Hage Geingob, describing him as having lived a life worth emulating by current and future generations.

The Masubia, Mayeyi, Mafwe, and Mashi Traditional Authorities say the memories of Dr. Geingob as a freedom fighter and persevering statesman are legacies that need to be honored.

Four political parties in Zambezi Region have commended the late President Hage Geingob as a leader of note who committed himself to Namibia's prosperity.

Political parties remarked on this at a regional memorial service organised by the regional council.

The National Democratic Party (NDP) representative, Success Musialike, noted that Dr. Geingob set a bar high for all Namibians in upholding high etiquette, values, and morals.

Speaking from his rural abode in the Zambezi Region, former ECN Chairperson and university lecturer, Dr. Victor Tonchi, expressed shock and sadness upon hearing of the death of Professor Totemeyer.

An emotional Dr. Tonchi says he shared very close bonds with the late Professor Totemeyer, whom he says he was thinking about as recently as Tuesday morning.

Dr. Tonchi has described the late Totemeyer as his mentor and guide when he started working under him at the University of Namibia's Faculty of Politics and Public Administration, as it was known in 1991.

The leader of the official opposition, McHenry Venaani, says a lack of active leadership is partly the reason why Zambezi Region continues to be one of the poorest regions.

The president of the Popular Democratic Party (PDM) was speaking at a media briefing in Katima Mulilo on Thursday.

Venaani questioned why strides have not been made in the agricultural sector, particularly with regards to reviving Katima Farm.

Years of waiting for tender approvals, Venaani said, have contributed to a lack of food production and employment creation in the region.

The death toll in last Friday's hand grenade explosion, in which two people died at their homestead in Lumina Village in the Mpacha area of the Zambezi Region, has risen to three.

The family of four—the 34-year-old father, Kashako Mulatehi, and his three children, Mulatehi Mulatehi, Yamuno Mulatehi, and Lydia Mulatehi—were all involved in the explosion.

14-year-old Yamuno Mulatehi died on the spot, while his 9-year-old sister, Lydia Mulatehi, died at the Katima Mulilo State Hospital, where they were rushed for medical care.