Defense Minister Ambrose Lufuma has declined to reveal the identity and details of the ZNS officer alleged to have killed a 15-year-old juvenile identified as Chrispin Bunda during an anti-mealie meal smuggling operation.
Recently, the Zambia National Service – ZNS officer in Kankoyo Township of Mufulira district during an anti-mealie meal smuggling operation, allegedly cut short the life of a 15-year-old juvenile identified as Chrispin Bunda after a fracas that resulted from the operation resulting into the shooting of an innocent boy who is now deceased.
According to the police report, the 15-year-old boy was killed after a ZNS officer used live ammunition to disperse people who were obstructing the officers from searching their premises suspected to be harboring mealie meal destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo – DRC.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Lufuma revealed that the shooting incident is still being investigated and that details of the investigations will be availed to members of the public.
Asked to confirm if it was indeed a ZNS officer who shot dead Bunda, Lufuma retorted that the response to the question was unnecessary information.
“Don’t extract unnecessary information, I have told you what to do, you think you will just say who shot? How do you know? It’s difficult to say. You put it in writing that the shooting is still being investigated and the public will be told.” Remarked Lufuma.
Government leaders have been accused of being incentives to the economic hardships on the ground and the “no money in circulation” complaints which is pushing people into desperation and involved in illegal exports (smuggling) of mealie meal to survive.
The government continues to struggle to provide an enabling environment for local enterprises to thrive, thereby leading to limited to no employment opportunities for citizens.
