The Ministry of Safety and Security in the Kavango East Region has raised concern about the rise in deaths due to animal attacks in the region. Coupled to this is a rise in drowning incidents, Kavango East Governor Dr Samuel Mbambo said. He noted that the deaths occur mostly at ‘Rundu Beach’ and in the Ndiyona and Mukwe constituencies. Mbambo made the remarks in his briefing to Vice President Dr Nickey Iyambo on Friday. Iyambo is on a familiarisation tour of the region, and is accompanied by Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry John Mutorwa, Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism Tommy Nambahu, as well as senior officials from the Office of the President. “Crimes of concern in the region are rape, poaching, murder, housebreaking, theft and animal-related deaths,” he said. Since 2013, some 116 lives have been lost to drowning and animal attacks. In 2013, 34 drownings, one hippo attack and three crocodile attacks were recorded. In 2014, 34 people drowned and four crocodile attacks recorded, while in 2015, 15 drownings, 12 crocodile attacks, three snake bites and four elephant attacks were recorded. In 2016, three people drowned and three were attacked by crocodiles. One person has drowned so far this year. Mbambo said there are also threats that directly or indirectly impact the well-being and social welfare of the community. “These are poverty, teenage pregnancies, a high rate of school dropouts, early marriages, alcohol abuse, a high number of unemployed youth, as well as tribal conflict caused by succession issues in tribal authorities,” he said. The VP said government could look into building crossing points for people to use in order to reduce the water-related deaths.