By ALEX NJOVUREAL Life Matters Zambia, an organisation which looks into the plight of vulnerable children in society, has castigated some Zambians allegedly harbouring suspected former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) soldiers who are reportedly terrorising small-scale farmers in Mufulira’s Mupena farming settlement and are marrying Zambian schoolchildren, some as young as nine years old.
Mupena Middle Basic School head teacher Douglas Chama last week revealed that 10 pupils from the school have already been married off and taken to DRC and that the female pupils’ population at the learning institution is reducing at a fast rate.
Real Life Matters Zambia national co-ordinator Tina Banda said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that it is inhuman to marry off girls who are as young as nine years old.
Ms Banda called on Zambians living in border towns of the country to desist from harbouring foreigners who perpetrate criminal activities in various communities.
“We are saddened to hear that school pupils, some as young as nine and 10 years old, are being married by suspected former soldiers from DRC. We are told they are taken to DRC. What can a nine-year-old girl do in a marriage? This is inhuman and the trend must be stopped immediately,” she said.
Ms Banda urged parents and guardians in Mupena farming settlement to stop marrying off their children at a tender age.
Ms Banda said her organisation will soon start sensitising people in the area on the dangers of marrying off their children at tender ages.
“We must not keep foreigners in our homes who don’t have proper documentation to stay in our country. These are the people who end up committing serious crimes against our own people.
“What is happening in Mupena area in Muflira is worrying. Women are being raped and beaten by these suspected foreigners from DRC,” she said.
Ms Banda said there is need for communities in the area to work hand in hand with the security wings in reducing criminal activities in Mupena settlement.
She commended the police command on the Copperbelt for assuring the public that a checkpoint will be opened this week in Mupena to curb crime.
Copperbelt police commissioner Mary Tembo last week held a meeting in the area where she was told by the villagers that suspected former soldiers from DRC were allegedly terrorising small-scale farmers in Mupena farming settlement and were marrying Zambian schoolchildren.
Mupena settlement is located about 28 kilometres south of Mufulira central business district.
Ms Tembo assured the residents that police will enhance security in the area.
She said it is unfortunate that the farmers have abandoned their fields in Mpepamu, about seven kilometres from the DRC, for fear of being attacked.
No comments:
Post a Comment