Katima Mulilo:The governments of Namibia and Zambia have successfully conducted their third transfer of sentenced inmates between the two countries. This operation took place at the Wenela Border Post in Namibia's Zambezi Region and involved the repatriation of six Zambian nationals to serve the remainder of their prison sentences in their home country.

According to NAMPA, this transfer is part of a bilateral agreement signed in March 2012, which has facilitated the transfer of a total of 46 inmates to date. Raphael Hamunyela, the Commissioner-General of the Namibian Correctional Service, highlighted a notable discrepancy in participation rates, as no Namibian inmates opted for transfer back to Namibia, despite there being three Namibian nationals incarcerated in Zambia.

The transfer was conducted following Articles 8 (1) and (2) of the bilateral Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Offenders, with strict adherence to the vetting procedures outlined in Article 3. This third operation included only Zambian nationals, with previous transfers having occurred in April 2023 and September 2024, involving both Namibian and Zambian inmates.

The repatriated individuals are serving sentences for various offences, including Nature Conservation Ordinance violations, immigration infractions, assault, murder, and rape. Among them is an inmate serving a 34-year sentence for multiple rape counts, the longest sentence in this transfer group. The treaty's underlying aim is both humanitarian and rehabilitative, as it supports inmates serving sentences closer to their families, which studies suggest improves rehabilitation outcomes and reduces recidivism.