The 3rd session of the Zambia-Tanzania Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) on Defence and Security has opened in Livingstone District of Southern Province with a call to heighten border security between Zambia and Tanzania.

Speaking during the official opening, Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary, Maambo Hamaundu said Zambia and Tanzania are faced with challenges of transnational crimes that required concerted efforts to combat.

Mr Hamaundu who is also the Chairman of the 3rd session of the Zambia-Tanzania JPC, cited smuggling, human and drug trafficking and illegal migration as some of the transnational threats facing Zambia and Tanzania.

“As we are aware, our two countries have continued to face various transnational crimes, including smuggling, human and drug trafficking, as well as illegal migration.”

He implored the delegates attending the JPC to use the session to come up with strategies aimed at addressing transnational crimes.

Mr Hamaundu said transnational crimes have the potential to threaten peace and stability in the region. 

He bemoaned that smuggling has continued to rob Zambia and Tanzania revenue that would have been used to better the livelihoods of the citizenry.

Mr Hamaundu further indicated that criminal elements have continued to use Zambia and Tanzania as a transit route for human trafficking.

He called on security institutions in both countries to devise new strategies aimed at combating transnational crimes.

‘’ I wish to appeal to you all to deliberate freely so that we can devise better strategies to enable us to address our mutual security concerns,” he stated.

And Tanzania’s Ministry of Defence and National Service Permanent Secretary, Faragi Kasidi Mnyepe said his country remains committed to collaborating with Zambia in addressing transnational crimes.

Dr Mnyepe observed that transnational crimes require concerted efforts to address. 

He said Tanzania wants to use the JPC to cement issues of common mutual benefits with Zambia.