ONE OF THE 22 ZAMBIAN FISHERMEN WHO WERE SENTENCED FOR FOUR MONTHS IN PRISON IN DRC COMPLAINS OF PHYSICAL TORTURE

ONE OF THE 22 ZAMBIAN FISHERMEN WHO WERE SENTENCED FOR FOUR MONTHS IN PRISON WITH HARD LABOUR IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (DRC) FOR ILLEGAL FISHING IN THE CONGOLESE WATERS OF LAKE MWERU LAST YEAR HAS COMPLAINED OF PHYSICAL TORTURE FROM THE CONGOLESE AUTHORITIES.

SPEAKING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RADIO PHOENIX CHILILAMBOMBWE YESTERDAY JOHN MUSONDA SAID HE  WAS SEVERELY PUNISHED  WITH HIS FELLOW INMATES WHILST IN PRISON .

MR. MUSONDA SAYS   THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON DECEMBER 2^ND 2010 WHEN HE WAS FISHING WITH HIS FRIENDS ON LAKE MWERU AND SECURITY OFFICIALS FROM THE CONGO POUNCED ON THEM.

HE NARRATED THAT AFTER THEY WERE ARRESTED THEY LOST TOUCH WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE FAMILIES BUT THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT INTERVENED OVER THE MATTER AND CAME TO THEIR RESCUE.

THE 22 ZAMBIANS WERE JAILED AT KIPUSHI PRISON IN KATANGA PROVINCE OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO WHERE THEIR FELLOW FISHERMAN DIED DUE TO POOR HEALTH AND HE WAS IDENTIFIED AS FRANCIS KATUMBI OF KASHIKISHI DISTRICT OF LUAPULA PROVINCE.

THE FISHERMEN WERE RELEASED YESTERDAY BY KATANGA PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR EVRARD KIBAWA.

THE BODY OF THE LATE MR  KATUMBI WAS TAKEN TO MANSA AFTER CHILILAMBOMBWE TOWN CLERK GODWIN CHINOYA PROVIDED A HEARSE JUST AFTER THE DECEASED WAS HANDED OVER TO THE ZAMBIAN AUTHORITIES.

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