The unresolved cases of corruption in the Zambezi region caused dissatisfaction among certain participants at the regional consultation regarding the formulation of the third National Anti-corruption strategy for the years 2026-2030.

The absence of equal opportunities, along with issues such as forgery, bribery, and the elevated cost of living, was also identified as a contributing factor to the prevalence of corruption.

Other concerns raised included state projects such as the Manyeha crocodile farm, Kalimbeza rice project and uncompleted Zambezi waterfront that were initiated to improve food security and tourism in the region as well as create job opportunities.

Roger Coetzee represented the VTC sector in the Zambezi Region.

"The moment we have an imbalance between opportunity vs skilled Namibians, we create an opportunity for corruption to be activated. I do not know how true this policy and framework are, but we can advocate that opportunity in Namibia must match the skills in the country. if we want to curb corruption in this nation."

"We have the Zambezi Waterfront since the time of Dr Sam Nujoma before he passed on; it was a community project for the tourism sector to develop Katima Mulilo and the Zambezi region. So far the money that was spent there is unaccounted for. Fellow friends are trying to tell you that don't talk about this; it is very sensitive. "What is sensitive on a public resource if it has been embezzled?" asked Zambezi resident Dobson Kwala.

In response, the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Paulus Noa, said the concerns raised by the public question how other institutions are fighting corruption.

He added that though public awareness and interaction are important, ACC still faces budget constraints.

"The outreach programme cannot be advanced to the level we expect. You know there are youth here who have spoken about that, but then remember that if the budget is limited, the officials at ACC need to travel to those lengths and breadths of the country to engage the people in the villages, and I agree with one of the speakers who said that we are the people who know what is happening in the community, and that is very true, and if ACC is not engaging with us, ACC will know nothing."