Maravi

SADC drivers refuse to operate in Congo DR

SADC drivers refuse to operate in Congo DR
By Darious Kapembwa in Kasumbalesa
Sat 07 July 2012, 13:23 CAT

DRIVERS from all SADC countries have refused to start operations in the Congo DRC, describing the country as "an open prison for foreigners" following the burning of a Zambian truck driver, Derrick Chanda, by some Congolese.

And Vice-President Guy Scott says the Zambian government will engage the Katanga government at a higher level following the burning to death of a Zambian driver in Congo on Thursday.

The situation at Kasumbalesa has remained tense following the burning to ashes of a Zambian driver Derrick Chanda by the Congolese.

During a meeting with Chililabombwe acting district commissioner Stephen Chishiko at Kasumbalesa border post, the drivers refused to return to work demanding that Katanga governor Moise Katumbi assures them of the their safety whilst in Congo.

"Sir, we appreciate your efforts as the government of Zambia in resolving this crisis but we cannot return to work until we are addressed by a Congolese official at the highest level, not the mayor of Kasumbalesa," said a driver from Zimbabwe.

"Look, this is the only opportunity we have to change the mindset of the Congolese people, they have to assure us that they have stopped harassing us, too many bribes along the way, anyone can do anything to you in Congo. In Zambia systems work very well but in Congo individuals matter and we told the immigration officer on the Congo side that when you come to Zambia, you operate freely without any inconveniences and he shocked us with his response, he called us fools. We will not go into Congo until they address these issues especially security, it's an open prison."

Chishiko tried to assure them that the matter was being handled and that the mayor of Kasumbalesa had guaranteed them safety.

But chairman of the SADC Drivers Association Stanley Muluka said the only language that the Congolese will understand is Katumbi.

"The only language the Congolese will understand is Katumbi. Here, the soldiers, the immigration and everybody else will only get serious when Katumbi gets involved, the mayor cannot guarantee our security…we have dealt with him so many times but this impunity has continued and the other reason why we want Katumbi to address us is because burning of foreign trucks in Congo is not just synonymous to Kasumbalesa but even other towns in Katanga Province," said Muluka.

Meanwhile, Chishiko assured the drivers that government was doing everything in collaboration with Congolese authorities to address the matter urgently.

No business was taking place yesterday at the border with Zambian drivers chasing away Congolese pedestrians back to Congo peacefully.

By press time, security personnel and border authorities from Zambia were still awaiting a delegation from Congo to address them.

Chanda's remains are still at Kakoso Clinic mortuary in Chililabombwe.

And Vice-President Scott told Parliament yesterday that the according to initial reports received by his office, the situation at Kasumbalesa had "normalized", adding that there was an element of anarchy creeping in at the border.

Vice-President Scott was responding to a question from Nalikwanda member of parliament Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa who was asking what the government will do about the burning of the Zambian driver in Congo and other reports of abductions of Zambians by Congolese.

Labels: DRC, SADC

posted by MrK @ 1:27 PM