Eleven trail-awaiting prisoners carried out a daring midnight jailbreak at the Katima Mulilo Police station.

Three of the escapees have been re-arrested so far, while the police in the Zambezi Region have launched a manhunt for the rest.

Details of the escape emerged late today when police officials revealed that the group escaped after cutting an opening in the roof of the cell, through which they made their way out around one o'clock on Monday morning. 

The World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the Namibian Agronomic Board, recently handed over essential farming equipment to two small-scale farmers in the Zambezi Region. This initiative aims to support and enhance agricultural productivity in the area.

One of the farmers, Regina Mayumbelo, received equipment valued at N$250,000, which included fencing material, a shade net with irrigation, seeds, and continued technical support.

The second farmer, Vincent Siliye, whose equipment included solar panels, was funded at N$350,000.

The National Democratic Party (NDP) is appealing to the government to declare the drought a state of emergency.

NDP President Martin Lukato said during a media briefing that the severe lack of rainfall has resulted in widespread crop failure, food shortages, and a dire lack of water for both people and animals.

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.

Police in the Zambezi Region held a community outreach programme to educate and sensitise the public on the dangers of explosive ordinances.

The intervention follows the recent explosion of a hand grenade, which resulted in the deaths of three children in Mpancha when they brought it home.

The outreach programme at Kongola featured dramas and a showcase of different explosive devices found.

Zambezi Police Commander Andreas Shilelo cautioned the public to be aware of their surroundings, urging elders to educate young children about the dangers of explosives.

The Zambezi Regional Head of Immigration, Daisy Musweu, has cautioned residents of Kongola to be more vigilant against human trafficking.

Musweu issued the warning during a community outreach programme by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security aimed at educating the public on issues of human trafficking, gender-based violence, and the dangers of explosive ordinances.

Residents of Omega 3 in the Zambezi Region have expressed their intention to apply to become part of the Kavango Region.

This decision stems from their dissatisfaction with the local leadership's alleged failure to address the community's development needs.

During the demonstration, community members highlighted years of neglect and a lack of essential services, despite repeated complaints to regional authorities.

Three of the four victims, who died from an explosion of a hand grenade almost two weeks ago at Liselo in the Zambezi Region, were laid to rest today.

The deceased are 14-year-old Yamuno Mulatehi, nine-year-old Lydia Mulatehi, and four-year-old Mulatehi Mulatehi, all siblings.

The three children were in the presence of their father, Kashako Mulatehi, who is currently admitted to a Windhoek hospital since the explosion on January 19.

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 Zambezi Regional Health Directorate has commenced its malaria spraying campaign in the region, which has reported over 7,000 cases since January 2023.

Yolanda Lisho, the acting health director for the Zambezi Region, indicated that between January 2023 and January 2024, a total of 7,264 cases were reported, and 367 of those were severe. 

However, the month of January 2024 alone already stands at an alarming number of cases in just 3 weeks.