By Chinoyi Chipulu
Three Zambians who hacked a Mozambican national to death after an argument in his country have been arrested.
And the Mozambican government has sent more than 200 soldiers to Luka village, an area which borders with Zambia.
This came to light in Parliament today during urgent matters without notice when Kaumbwe member of parliament Aaron Mwanza said the presence of soldiers made some Zambians in nearby areas to flee their homes in fear of being killed.
Mwanza wanted to know what assurances the people would be given to ensure that their lives were protected.
He asked the leader of government business to assure people whether the presence of the soldiers was not going to escalate to war.
“Three of our citizens farming in Mozambique had a fight with Mozambicans and one of them was hacked to death. As I’m speaking now, the trio are held in Mozambique and our people in retaliation have held one Mozambican who was trading in Zambia,” Mwanza said.
“And there is chaos. Government has sent more than 200 soldiers at Luka village which borders with Zambia. The people of Mukukudzi village did not sleep in their homes in fear of their lives.”
Mwanza said the matter was escalated because of the informal border between Kaumbwe and Mozambique.
“Most of our people farm in Mozambique while Mozambicans seek for medical services in Zambia that’s where they also get essential commodities,” he said.
Mwanza said the matter was presented through the district joint commission and traditional leaders in order to dialogue with the Mozambican sides.
“What assurance are you going to give the Zambian people that the presence of soldiers won’t escalate into war because rumour has it that the Mozambicans want to come to revenge because of that death that occurred,” he said.
And Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti advised Mwanza to put the matter in an urgent question .
“I will suggest you put in an urgent question since the matter borders on the national security then the minister of Defense or Her Honor the Vice-President will come to the house and respond to that question once you have submitted,”said Mutti.
