Police have arrested a Zambian businessman for trying to traffick 11 Congolese into Namibia using a canoe across the Zambezi river.

Peter Banda, 40, of Chawama in Lusaka tried to ferry the 11 Congolese across the raging waters of the Zambezi River but police swiftly moved in following a tip from members of the public. They arrested Mr Banda on Monday and Western Province Commissioner of Police Charles Lungu warned: “Police in Sesheke are on the ground and we shall deal with this syndicate once for all.”

Those arrested are four men, three women and four children hoping to enter Namibia for economic reasons, as most do. Mr Lungu said Mr Banda is detained at Sesheke Police Station and will appear in court soon.

Meanwhile, a 37-year-old man of Kaoma has been arrested for suspected involvement in Karavina activities. Mr Lungu said Isaac Lungu was arrested on Wednesday around 03:00 hours at his residence in Kamikolo.

“Upon searching his house, the officers recovered a rifle with one round of ammunition, with one empty cartridge while another one round of ammunition from a different firearm, an AK 47, was also found on him,” Mr Lungu said. He said police are interrogating the suspect to establish where he used the ammunition from the recovered empty cartridge. Police also recovered cannabis in a plastic bag from the suspect, which is yet to be weighed by the Drug Enforcement Commission.