Zambezi region is of strategic importance to the country and SADC in terms of economic development and trade.
This tactical benefit was abused by the South African racist regime when Mpacha Airport was used as a launching pad by jets to hit Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe simultaneously.
The region should be put to good use by being the entry point and conduit of goods from neighbouring countries.
However, this strategic importance of the region is being tarnished by the high rate of illegal immigrants and theft on an unprecedented scale.
The high number of illegal immigrants comes from Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe – and to a lesser extent from Botswana.
This high influx of non-Namibians comes with stock theft and other crimes.
Constitutionally, Namibia being a sovereign state, should be able to defend its borders and its people.
However, it seems the security apparatus are failing to contain the situation, as whole herds of cattle are sometimes stolen without a trace.
Imagine what happens to the owners of these herds, as their livelihoods depend on cattle.
Whatever the case may be, the hindrance of combating the high rate of influx of illegal immigrants and theft of animals is complicated by many factors.
One of the major factors is the neglect of the beaconed Andara to Katima Mulilo Rapids border cutline.
This cutline, which separates Namibia, Angola and Zambia, has laid fallow since independence and is now overgrown with bushes and shrubs, making it almost impossible to make effective patrols by the security agents.
This situation makes it easier for both animals and people to enter Namibia illegally. On the other hand, people from the Zambezi region are entirely dependent on illegal immigrants for cheap labour. Illegal immigrants carry out all sorts of odd jobs, starting from babysitting, cultivating, herding cattle, weeding and serving as husbands and wives. In any effort of expelling these illegal immigrants, people from the Zambezi region will be forced to revisit their situations and make adjustments for themselves to be self-reliant.
This might pose some challenges, as many of these illegal immigrants are firmly entrenched in many communities, as all villages can boast of a minimum of not less than ten illegal immigrants.
In this case, whatever steps are taken to dislodge the illegal immigrants are met with resistance from their spouses.
In many cases, the illegal immigrants have sired offspring, and some of their children have landed comfortable jobs, despite the fact that their parents have no papers to allow them to live in Namibia.
Some people in Zambezi are cooperating with illegal immigrants to steal livestock and share the loot, compromising the security of the country. Unfortunately, this practice has permeated even within some ranks in the security forces, especially on the other side of the border.
This is always manifested in the attitude of the security agents who refuse to hand over the livestock to their rightful owners once the animals are found.
There is also an issue of push and pull factors, which are crucial in influencing the influx of illegal immigrants into Namibia. The areas of Silowana, Natukoma and Shangombo, where most of the Zambian illegal immigrants come from are tough in terms of getting basic services and resources. This is equally true with other illegal immigrants like Zimbabweans, where life is a “push and a pull” situation.
The scarcity of basic services and employment opportunities in the countries of these people makes Namibia an attractive place, and they try to enter the country. However, the scarcity of opportunities and basic services of any country should not be blamed on others but upon the state concerned.
Historical ties among the people of the countries involved also facilitate easy methods of stealing livestock from Namibia – and to some extent vice versa.
During the colonial period, the racist South African regime and its security agents made sure people from all countries had their borders controlled; hence, an influx of illegal immigrants was minimised. The fact is that whether they are historical family ties or not, the theft of livestock has picked up momentum – and many people are losing their animals on an unprecedented scale.
It is, therefore, imperative that the governments of the affected communities find measures and ways of combating the curse of stock theft. Since all countries are independent, ways to intensify patrols along the beaconed cutline should be sought. Security agents from all countries should be deployed along the borderline and be instructed to carry out their duties professionally. Spouses should be encouraged and counselled to relocate on either side of the country if the head comes from one of the affected areas.
Illegal immigrants who have been in any country should be assisted in applying for citizenship in either of the countries they reside in.
All governments should also issue permits valued for a particular period, which allow the illegal immigrants to move freely in Namibia and should be ready to produce them upon enquiry.
If a permitted migrant moves from one employment to another, an agreement should be struck between the employers to avoid conflicts.
It is also important that governments, in their endless conferences, consider advising one another to improve the living conditions of their people, as this is the major cause of illegal influx in Namibia.