Maravi

Mongu mayor escapes lynching

Mongu mayor escapes lynching
By Nyambe Muyumbana in Mongu
Thursday August 23, 2007 [07:01]

MONGU Mayor Charles Akende, acting town clerk Frank Kalenga and two police officers on Tuesday escaped lynching by an angry mob as they attempted to demolish an illegal market in Limulunga Royal Village at the behest of the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE). Akende and Kalenga escaped the mob’s wrath but one of the police officers was not so lucky. The three, acting on instructions from the BRE, went to remove a wire fence belonging to Abel Liwoyo who was suspected to be operating an illegal market at his premises. Most of the markets in Mongu are owned by the BRE.

When some villagers and marketeers realised what was happening, they mobilised themselves and threatened to manhandle the two council officials and police officers. One of the armed police officers shot in the air to scare away the mob but the mob advanced and lifted the other police officer. However, the police officers were rescued after a 20-minute struggle by Joy Rural Ministries pastor Daniel Nawa, who told the mob to resolve the matter amicably.

The mob then asked the two officers why they were removing the wire fence where they were trading from since the market was full. In response, the officers said they were acting under instructions from the BRE and the council.

After that, the mob decided to go and see the Litunga since they were told that he was outside the palace for the enthroning of chief Mwenechiengele but were stopped by Pastor Nawa who told them not to act out of emotions.

The owner of the concerned plot said there was nothing wrong for him to fence his premises and help those without stands in the market to trade from his yard. He said it was a violation of human rights for the council to remove the fence around his yard by force, saying that he was not charging the people trading from his yard but was merely helping them.

But inside sources from the BRE who did not want to be named disclosed that the Kuta (BRE court) had resolved that the fence be removed since more marketeers had resorted to trade inside it and refused to pay market fees to the BRE.

Labels: CHARLES AKENDE, MARKETEERS, MARKETS, MONGU

posted by MrK @ 3:23 PM