Villagers in chief Kathumba’s area in Katete district have accused Mozambican security officers of harassment when manning the boarder areas.
Chief Kathumba’s Induna, Mbila Banda, said his subjects have for a long time suffered beatings and loss of money in circumstances when attacked by Mozambican security officers.
Mr Banda disclosed this at a sensitization meeting on health, marketing, agriculture and security in Katete district yesterday.
He appealed to government to quickly address the situation, saying Zambians have been kind to Mozambican nationals who are allowed to access medical assistance in the district.
Mr Banda has also called on government to quickly open up markets to stop farmers from selling their maize produce to briefcase buyers who are allegedly buying the commodity at give away prices.
He explained that it was unfair that farmers who had spent a lot of resources on farming are not benefiting from their produce.
Meanwhile, Katete District Commissioner, Elemani Mwanza, appealed for continued peace and patience among Zambians living in the border areas as government would address the matter to protect its citizens.
Mr Mwanza assured the villagers of responsible action, saying everything possible would be done as Zambia and Mozambique currently had warm existing relations.
He, however, expressed concern that some security officers were harassing Zambians for selfish gain because they do not provide government receipts to those that pay fines for the various offences charged.
The District Commissioner also commended some vigilant Zambians who retrieved eleven rounds of ammunition from a Mozambican national and reported the matter to the police.
He disclosed that the three named Zambians were initially summoned by chief Mwala of Mozambique for allegedly assaulting a Mozambican national and reported the matter to police in Zambia but it was later discovered that the assault occurred as the trio were trying to retrieve ammunition from the Mozambican national.
ZANIS
Ama tshangani(Tsonga) aya we have heard stories about them in S.A. Be careful ba gelo
icimpwena pa boader pakupita without a pass. Just stay away from them.
You need to understand what happens in border areas,these pipo use our Health facilities,school facilities even our currency but we do not harass them. So I dont think we have icimpwena, we are just too nice and peaceful and so they have to pay back this peace.How do we stay away when they have to stay away first?
They are the same people – Chewas, why should they treat them like that especially after we looked after them during their civil war?
L T, what is happening, stroy yende, yashani. Muli pa go-slow.
The MZ police officers should demonstrate the spirit and culture of Ubuntu when dealing with their neighbours. We are one people for christ’s sake….
Frelimo keep your stupidity in Mozambique!
Ba Chisuzi, inchito yamoneka, dont just sit in that office chewing soldier’s claims. ACC is after you soon, sooner, soonest !
You Mozambican security Officers , leave Kagoro and Mtandaza residents alone…
No foreign authority should be given grounds to act on the zambian soil. There is sonething wrong here and the Govt should do something very quick.
Zambians by nature are accommodating to other nationals but the treatment we receive in return is very bad. If Mozambican security officers are harrasing our brothers and sisters in Katete Boma then sad situation. I dont think that is official status of Maputo, its just some border small chaps doing it out of selfishness and lacking understanding of the warm relation the two countries have. In any case our Foreign Affairs Ministry should call the Mozambican envoy to Zambia for clarification. We do need to await until we hear that a Zambian national has been killed at the border. The pipo who live in border areas of both countries are the same get it from me there could be peace in Tate Province but out there are still Renamo elements who have not shed off banditary behaviour.
Katete is full of foreign nationals, mostly Malawians & Mozambicans. Our people are harassed on a daily basis & these neighbours of our are taking advantage of the hospitality provided to them. Coupled with corruption practiced by our officers starting from customs, immigration, other border based officers from health & agriculture, things are bad as money is the medium of exchange. The junior immigration officers at the district offices in Katete are worst, they loaf around all day in a private mini bus collecting monies & other favours from foreigners, who do our people turn to? Some businessmen who have businesses both in Katete & at the border, especially some who are aligned to the ruling party, are also involved in illegal migration of foreign nationals.