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assistance by Namibia in its northern parts which were flooded owing to heavy rains in that country.
Windhoek requires experts such as engineers among others to clear the water so that it flows into the sea.
Namibian Transport and Works Minister Erkki Nghimtina met President Mugabe yesterday and delivered a special message from President Hikifepunye Pohamba.
Minister Nghimtina held an hour-long meeting with the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces at the Zanu-PF Headquarters yesterday.
Briefing journalists soon after the meeting, Minister Nghimtina said he had been sent by President Pohamba to convey a request for assistance.
“I was sent as a special envoy to convey from President Pohamba to His Excellency President Mugabe asking for assistance.
“The northern parts of the country are in flood. Water is needed, there has been no water for sometime but the northern side is a plateau and there is no way water can flow, that is why we need assistance from Zimbabwe so that we can handle the situation,” said Minister Nghimtina.
He said Namibia was mostly desert with no meaningful rains but of late there have been heavy rains that have seen water levels rising.
“Water is needed but now there is a lot of it, if there is running water going somewhere, it would have been easier for us and this is why we have come to ask for assistance from Zimbabwe,” he said.
The Namibian minister said Harare was expected to respond in due course to the request.
President Pohamba has declared a state of emergency following the serious flooding.
More than 20 people, according to media reports, have drowned and some 10 000 displaced, many from the town of Oshakati.
Livestock has been lost, crops destroyed and roads washed away.
There have been heavy rains since January causing water levels to rise in the Zambezi and Okavango Rivers.
Foreign Affairs Secretary, Mr Joey Bimha also attended the meeting.
Online Reporter