‘Unhelpful’ Police rile Tasila Tembo’s family

By KALOBWE BWALYA
THE family of the late Dr Tasila Tembo who was allegedly killed by a Zambia Army officer Lieutenant Nigel Mwaba has complained of inadequate support from the Zambia Police, alleging that they have been denied an opportunity to identify the suspect since his arrest on Saturday.
But police have advised the family to give them chance to do their work.
A family representative, Ms Charity Katongo said they visited the police station where the suspect was detained, but officers denied them the opportunity to identify him.
The Zambia Army on Saturday captured Lt Mwaba who had been a fugitive since the alleged murder of Dr Tembo in October, before handing him over to police.
At a media briefing in Lusaka, Ms Katongo however said the Zambia Army has been there for the family since the body of Dr Tembo was found in Mikango area.
Ms Katongo said the family of the suspect had been interfering in the matter as evidenced by Lt Mwaba’s mother visiting Dr Tembo’s mother after her son was apprehended.
She said the family should be left to mourn in peace as they were yet to recover from the death of Dr Tembo.
Meanwhile, police have advised to Dr Tembo’s family to give them chance to do their work in a professional manner as there were procedures which are followed before a suspect appears in court.
Police spokesperson Esther Katongo has also clarified that police did not parade any family member of the accused person.
Ms Katongo however explained that only witness were called to identify the suspect therefore there was no need for the family to offer themselves to identify the suspect unless they were witnesses.
She said before a suspect is charged, there are procedures to be done such as conducting an identification parade and scene reconstruction among many others so as to strengthen the case.
She appealed to the family that if they needed information on the matter, they need to engage the police and request for whatever information they would need and that should be done in an orderly manner.
“The police has and will never have anything to hide in this matter as our interest in this case and many other cases that we have handled and are handling is to see that suspects are prosecuted,” said Ms Katongo.