(LUSAKATIMES) Death threats force Munali Coffee managers to flee

Death threats force Munali Coffee managers to flee
January 11, 2009

Two senior managers at Zambia’s largest Coffee producing company, Munali Coffee limited in Mazabuka have fled the company premises following death threats from former Mubuyu farms employees, who were evicted from the farmland by Court Bailiffs.

Company Finance Manager, Britten Gavin, confirmed the development to Mazabuka District Commissioner, Tyson Hamaamba, when he visited the company to investigate the eviction of former employees by the Bailiffs.

Mr Gavin said a human resource manager and Coffee Control marketing manager fled the premises on Thursday Night and their whereabouts are not yet known.

He said the two fled after some former employees turned violent against them.

But armed Police officers from Mazabuka and Nega Nega Police stations, who are still keeping vigil at the company premises, told ZANIS, there was no need for the managers to run away because maximum security measures had been put in place.

The Police, further, explained that the stoppage of the evictions greatly contributed to the peaceful atmosphere at the company.

On Thursday, Court Bailiffs from Lusaka swung into action and evicted former Mubuyu farms workers and dumped them across the Mazabuka- Kafue high way opposite the main entrance to Mubuyu farms.

ZANIS/ENDS/HC/SJK