Mazabuka cops nab 3 over killing of farmer

Mazabuka cops nab 3 over killing of farmer
By Mwala Kalaluka
Friday January 04, 2008 [03:00]

Police officers in Mazabuka have arrested three men in connection with the fatal shooting of a 70-year-old Monze farmer last Thursday. Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Guy Robinson confirmed from Mazabuka yesterday that Tom Savory of Morring Farms was killed at his farm house by suspected thugs.

“I am aware that a farmer was shot dead and what has happened is that police have acted fast and efficiently and investigations are going on,” he said.

“It is very sad this man has been shot because he was a very good man. He was 70 years old and his grandfather started farming there in the 1800s; so it means that his family has been in the area for a long time.”

He urged the farming community to be vigilant against any crime activities and assist the police in dealing with the problem.

Asked how the shooting of Savory has affected the farming community in the Mazabuka-Monze area, Robinson said the farmers were on alert and were geared to collaborate with law enforcement officers in crime prevention undertakings.

“Savory was a very good man and it is very sad that these vandals have robbed him like this,” he said. “They got away with virtually nothing, but they killed a very nice man.”

Robinson said Savory’s wife, a medical doctor, was running a clinic at their farm, which is assisting in the provision of health services in the surrounding communities.

Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo also confirmed the shooting of Savory at a press briefing yesterday.

“One farmer was shot dead and as at now, we have arrested three people and the weapon used has been recovered,” he said. “I have received a report from Southern Province that one farmer was shot by criminals. The three are in custody and the gun and rounds of ammunition have been recovered.”

Mateyo said his office was trying to get more details on the shooting.