Not Playing The Game

I SENT a letter for publication on 22 Sept 2005 titled ‘Our neighbour Zambia’ but I have not seen it in print yet.

In the event that my e-mail was not received, it is retyped for your convenience. Mr GK Nyirongo, the Zambian High Commissioner to Namibia, responded to a letter from a couple of UK tourists on the subject of the depletion of fish in the Zambezi River.That letter prompted my own in the hope of bringing one or two problems to his attention.The town of Sesheke in Zambia lies 800 m from the town of Katima Mulilo, in fact just across the Zambezi River.In the years gone by and up to the present day, Zambians cross the river illegally and are involved in housebreaking, theft and smuggling.The Zambian police seemingly turn a blind eye to these mostly night-time activities.Rumour has it that not even a positive identification will result in an arrest, it being far more lucrative to harass tourists for driving in Zambia without emergency triangles.Recently, a businessman was refused entry into Zambia.He was delayed for four hours at the customs office near the new bridge, eventually paying a bribe of R1 000 before being allowed to proceed.Bribery is not new or uncommon; the timber trade has been paying bribes for years.It is strongly felt that Zambia and in particular our neighbours in Sesheke are not playing the game; be it fish and river protection, policing, customs and immigrations, or even the development of what is potentially a new tourist destination.This letter is not written with disrespect for the Zambian authorities; but should be seen as an opportunity to voice a concern for the betterment of the region.Hopefully, the Zambian High Commissioner to Namibia will read this letter and take it one step further by passing it on to those who can make a difference.Keith Rooken-Smith Caprivi River LodgeMr GK Nyirongo, the Zambian High Commissioner to Namibia, responded to a letter from a couple of UK tourists on the subject of the depletion of fish in the Zambezi River.That letter prompted my own in the hope of bringing one or two problems to his attention.The town of Sesheke in Zambia lies 800 m from the town of Katima Mulilo, in fact just across the Zambezi River.In the years gone by and up to the present day, Zambians cross the river illegally and are involved in housebreaking, theft and smuggling.The Zambian police seemingly turn a blind eye to these mostly night-time activities.Rumour has it that not even a positive identification will result in an arrest, it being far more lucrative to harass tourists for driving in Zambia without emergency triangles.Recently, a businessman was refused entry into Zambia.He was delayed for four hours at the customs office near the new bridge, eventually paying a bribe of R1 000 before being allowed to proceed.Bribery is not new or uncommon; the timber trade has been paying bribes for years.It is strongly felt that Zambia and in particular our neighbours in Sesheke are not playing the game; be it fish and river protection, policing, customs and immigrations, or even the development of what is potentially a new tourist destination.This letter is not written with disrespect for the Zambian authorities; but should be seen as an opportunity to voice a concern for the betterment of the region. Hopefully, the Zambian High Commissioner to Namibia will read this letter and take it one step further by passing it on to those who can make a difference.Keith Rooken-Smith Caprivi River Lodge