Inspector General of the Police, Joseph Shikongo, has expressed disappointment with the performance of law enforcement officers in the Kavango East Region. 

Following a visit to the region, Shikongo addressed the underperformance and outlined improvement plans.

Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo says, that despite Kavango East being the second-largest region, there is enough manpower for effective policing. 

He pointed out police visibility as a key to combating crime.

Healthcare services in the Kavango East Region are unable to cater to the region's population growth. 

Kavango East Governor, Bonifatius Wakudumo, says health facilities are crumbling under pressure, not only from locals but also from patients needing treatment from neighbouring Angola. 

The region is vast, and locals who can afford it are sometimes forced to travel long distances for medical care, but for the unfortunate majority, it is a different story. 

In March, four minors from Livayi village died of suspected food poisoning. 

A contractor has blocked a sewerage pond at Max Makushe Secondary School in the Kavango East Region due to what they regard as outstanding payments by the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture.

The school has since suspended classes due to sewerage overflow.

The school has been struggling to get a permanent solution for the sewerage for almost five years.

The contractor, Empire Sense Investment, carried out what is referred to as emergency work for N$2 million.

The tender was awarded in November 2021.

The Hambukushu Community in the Kavango East Region's Mukwe Constituency is against the designation of a Khwe Chief at Bwabwata National Park.

This comes after the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, approved the appointment of a Khwe Chief.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security started with its outreach programme for the distribution of national documents in the Kavango East Region.

The programme aims to issue a national document to people in outlying areas who face challenges travelling to Rundu for services. 

The first outreach programme for 2024 started on February 19th and ended on March 4th.

In the Kavango East Region, mourners gathered in numbers at the governor's office, and candles were lit as a sign of honour and remembrance. 

Governor Bonifatius Wakudumo explained the importance of lighting candles on such occasions.

"The light of the candle means honouring the deceased, remembering the deceased as well, and equally paying tribute to the person."

Shambyu Traditional Authority Hompa encouraged mourners to stay strong during this dark time.

The Kavango East Region has four times fewer police officers than required.

Acting Police Regional Commander Eino Nambahu says there are only 665 officers on the ground in the region, while 3,000 police officers are required.

Deputy Commissioner Nambahu said this during a meeting with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Security.

Deputy Commissioner Nambahu further said a lack of transport is another challenge at the Rundu police station and at all five police stations in the region.

The offices of the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture in Kavango East Region were broken into.

The incident was discovered by staff members who reported for duty on Friday. 

Authorities say they lost valuable items and data that were on the stolen laptops.

Work started on a dull note for staff members of the Directorate of Education office at Rundu on Friday morning.

Officially, the first on the scene was Acting Deputy Director Muhongo Mateya and a junior staff member, who arrived at the office at around 06:40.

Close to 1300 learners still need to find placement in the Kavango East Region.

Despite this, the acting education director, Christine Silima, is adamant that they will be accommodated when schools reopen next week.

Out of the six circuits found in Kavango East, the Rundu circuit is the only one still concerned with placement-related matters. 

High HIV infection and transmission in the Kavango East Region has prompted the new health director in the region to urge the community to offer love and support to the affected and infected.

During the commemoration of the belated World AIDS Day held at Mazana Village in Rundu Rural Kavango East, Health Director Idah Mendai explained that community infection is a grave concern.