HATEMBOS HIDING IN THE BUSH

…NGO appeals for Hatembo family, as police remain mute

THE

Hatembo family has been living in the bush for the past two weeks because of the constant threats they have been receiving, a human rights organisation has said.

Zitukule Consortium Executive Director Nicholas Phiri expressed shock after visiting the victim in the bush.

The organisation has appealed to the State to look into the plight of Nevea Hatembo, the woman who was assaulted by unidentified assailants after her family lost the legal battle with United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema. To Page 3

“This issue has been reported to Macha Police, and this is where we want to passionately appeal to the State to take keen interest in what is happening in this issue, because clearly some criminal elements are taking advantage of the fact that the land transaction has been politicised,” Mr Phiri said

“We are not concerned about the private affair or the transaction that happened between private parties in the name of the Hatembo family and whosoever was involved in that land issue,” he said.

Mr Phiri said, the state may be blamed if something happened to the Hatembos as they are mandated to protect the lives of all citizens.

And Zitukule Consortium Board chairperson Partner Siabutuba emphasised on the need to protect the lives of the Hatembos looking at how lives have been lost in this country as a result of political squabbles.

Efforts to get a comment from Southern Province Commissioner of Police Alfred Nawa proved futile as his phone was unreachable.

POLICE spokesperson, Esther Katongo said she was not aware of the attack on the woman with her children by masked men in Choma.