Patience Makwele
Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula-Simushi has revealed that the region has only one police officer for every 201 residents, highlighting a critical manpower shortage that continues to hamper law enforcement efforts despite a drop in reported crime.
The governor made the disclosure during her State of the Region Address (SORA), where she warned that the region remains critically understaffed, leaving police to contend with stock theft, cross-border crime, and other persistent security threats with limited manpower.
Kabula-Simushi said the region currently has about 712 police officers serving a population of approximately 142 000 people, translating to one police officer for every 201 residents, compared to the accepted policing ratio of one officer for every 50 people.
“This means that the Zambezi region is seriously understaffed,” she said.
The governor said the staffing shortage continues to place pressure on policing in a region that shares borders with Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Angola, where stock theft, smuggling, and other cross-border crimes remain persistent security challenges.
Although overall reported crime declined from 4 095 cases in 2025 to 3 526 during the reporting period, she said several serious offences continue to threaten communities and livelihoods.
Stock theft remains one of the region’s biggest concerns. Kabula-Simushi said 184 stock theft cases were recorded during the reporting period, involving livestock valued at approximately N2 million worth of livestock was not recovered.
“I therefore urge the new Regional Police Commander to work closely with other security forces to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” she said.
Kabula-Simushi also identified housebreaking, poaching, assault, drug-related offences, reckless and negligent driving, gender-based violence, and the smuggling of wildlife products among the region’s most prevalent crimes, warning that they require sustained law enforcement attention.
To strengthen policing, the governor said the government is investing in security infrastructure, with the Greenwell Matongo Class A Police Station now 91% complete.
She added that plans are underway to construct new police stations at Bukalo and Chinchimane to expand policing services in underserved communities.
However, she stressed that infrastructure alone would not resolve the region’s policing challenges unless staffing levels are strengthened.
Speaking ahead of the SORA, Acting Chief Regional Officer Beaven Walubita said regional development depends on strong partnerships among institutions responsible for security, infrastructure, and service delivery.
“We need to work with all our partners,” Walubita said, adding that coordinated planning remains essential to addressing the region’s development priorities.
Meanwhile, Zambezi Vocational Training Centre manager Richard Kambinda said continued investment in skills development and youth employment is equally important in building safer communities by creating economic opportunities for young people.
Kabula-Simushi maintained that strengthening security remains essential to attracting investment, stimulating economic growth, and improving livelihoods across the region.
