Maravi

There is tension in Mongu - Inonge

There is tension in Mongu - Inonge
By George Chellah
Sun 06 Feb. 2011, 04:01 CAT

INONGE Wina says there is an uneasy tension in Mongu. Wina, who recently returned from Western Province, stressed the need for the government to act quickly to diffuse the tension.

"I have just returned from Mongu and there is an uneasy tension in Mongu and government should act quickly to diffuse the tension," Wina said. "And to find a peaceful resolution to the Barotseland Agreement. As we all know, the Agreement is a matter of public interest."

On the decision by police to move 106 Barotse suspects from Mongu to Mumbwa, Wina, who is also opposition PF national chairperson, expressed dissatisfaction with the transfer of the detainees.

"The transfer of the accused from Mongu to Mumbwa raises a lot of issues which government will need to address and to explain both to the nation and to the families of the detainees to allay their anxiety," she said.

Wina said one of the issues of concern was the human rights of the detainees.

"They have been moved away from an institution closer to their relatives to a faraway place where it will be very difficult for the families to visit the detainees," she said.

Wina said the rights of the detainees needed to be respected.

"We are not certain also of the medical services and support they are receiving because among the group that was taken to Mumbwa, six were injured and many with gunshot wounds," Wina said. "And also a grade 5 pupil and three adults who were seriously injured are still battling for their lives in Lewanika General Hospital in Mongu."

She wondered what law was being applied particularly that the country is not under a state of emergency.

Last week, police moved the 106 Barotse suspects from Mongu to Mumbwa where they were expected to appear in court.

Police public relations officer Ndandula Siamana confirmed the movement of the Barotse activists who were charged with offences ranging from conduct likely to cause breach of the peace and riotous behaviour.

"The Zambia Police Service would like to inform the members of the public especially those in Mongu that the 106 people who were arrested in Mongu during the Mongu riots were transferred to Mumbwa yesterday Wednesday," stated Siamana.

Labels: BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT, INONGE WINA, MONGU

posted by MrK @ 7:18 PM