By CHARITY MOONGA and NAKUBIANA SHABONGO –
GOVERNMENT has sent reinforcements to tighten security in Kasumbalesa area following the shooting of a couple at the weekend.
Home Affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula said in an interview that Government had sent reinforcements to keep vigil and ensure the safety of citizens.
Foreign gunmen at the weekend shot and wounded a couple at home in Minestone.
The bandits also went away with K4,000.
Dr Simbyakula appealed to residents in Kasumbalesa to remain calm as Government was addressing the problem.
He said Government had not yet established who was behind the attacks but was doing everything to avoid further loss of life.
“We are appealing to our citizens in Kasumbalesa to remain calm. We have not yet established who is behind those attacks but to be on the safe side we have sent reinforcement in the area for the benefit of our people there,” he said.
On the Mozambican border situation, Dr Simbyakula said Government had remained concerned and the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) had been touring the area to ensure there was continued peace.
The border security concerns follow civil strife that had broken out in Mozambique following renewed fighting between the rebel movement Renamo and the Mozambican Government.
There was need to ensure the safety of the Zambians living along the border post with Mozambique due to the outbreak of civil strife in the area.
Dr Simbyakula said currently, there were no incursions and people in the area were being sensitised and asked to remain alert.
“So far, we have not seen anything of concern. Life is going on smoothly and we have continued to request the members of public at that border to remain vigilant and report any suspicious looking people or activities and alert security personnel,” he said.
In relation, Dr Simbyakula said seven boats costing a total K24million, had been purchased in an effort to patrol water bodies.
He said the acquisition of the seven boats would assist in curbing crime.
Dr Simbyakula said the boats would also enhance security on water bodies of the country such as Lake Mweru and Lake Tanganyika.
“We have a very long border and previously, we have not been able to patrol those areas and our people there feel very insecure, so with these boats our police officers including Immigration and customs will be able to do their jobs properly,” he said.
He said once they were legally cleared, they would soon be distributed in order to improve service delivery as the lack of transport was a challenge that needed to be met.