KATIMA MULILO – The Zambezi region experienced an unusually calm and incident-free Easter long weekend despite ongoing flooding in some parts of the region, according to Zambezi police chief, Commissioner Andreas Shilelo.
Speaking to New Era earlier this week, Shilelo said the region remained “very, very quiet” over the Easter period, with only a few minor incidents reported.
“There were some minor incidents that are not really so bad. It was just here and there, some few housebreaks and misunderstandings at drinking places, but not like the way it used to be,” he said.
Shilelo said police did not record any serious motor vehicle accidents over the holiday period, apart from isolated cases of drinking and driving and motorists driving without licences.
He attributed the quiet period partly to the fact that many residents had travelled to remote areas and villages for the Easter weekend, leaving towns across Zambezi relatively deserted.
“Most of the people went to spend this time in the villages, so the town was very, very quiet,” he said.
However, Shilelo expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of roads in the region, particularly around Kongola, where large potholes continue to pose a danger to motorists.
“Our road is not that good. We have more potholes, especially around Kongola. It is the road that is causing most of the damage to the tyres of especially small cars,” he said.
He warned that the potholes are expanding daily due to the heavy movement of trucks and could eventually lead to serious accidents if not repaired urgently.
“I hope the Ministry of Works and Transport is busy doing something about it because we might lose lives if this continues,” he said.
On the worsening flood situation, Shilelo said police had not recorded any deaths or major incidents directly linked to the rising waters.
Although there had been isolated incidents earlier in the year, including a hippo attack, he said no drownings or other flood-related fatalities had been reported.
“So far, the flood itself did not claim any incident. Communities that were trapped were rescued safely, and the cattle herders also managed to come out safely,” he said.
He added that several learners displaced by the floods remain accommodated at Luhonono Compound, and Lusese, while floodwater in some areas are still rising slowly.
“The water is still going up a little bit, but since the beginning of this week things have been relatively calm,” Shilelo said.