Thu, 31 Aug 2017 09:35:45 +0000
By Simon Muntemba
I WAS picked up at my home where I was beaten like a snake, kicked, punched and elbowed all over the body by the police officers, Patriotic Front (PF) Lusaka district secretary, Simon Mapulanga has lamented.
And Zambia Police Service spokesperson, Esther Katongo who confirmed the development said that the police used minimum force on Mr. Mapulanga because he was resisting arrest.
Mr. Mapulanga, 44, of Lusaka’s Matero Township, house number 183/39 told the Daily Nation yesterday that he was brutally beaten by the police to an extent that he fainted.
He explained that he was picked up in connection with the land wrangle concerning his plot that he had occupied for over 10 years. “A woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo was recently sold part of my plot I have occupied since 2006 by some unknown people.
“Surprisingly, on Monday 28th August, 2017, the police from Matero picked me up at my home where I was beaten like a snake, kicked, punched and elbowed all over the body,” Mr. Mapulanga complained.
He said upon entering the cells which had 35 inmates, the inmates descended on him and almost killed him.
Mr. Mapulanga who had a police medical report further said he was not even allowed to lock his house by the police which led him losing various items worth over K15,000.
“They could not even allow me to lock the house which remained open since the time they picked me up on Monday around 20:00 hours up to when I was released on Tuesday around 15:00 hours. This resulted in the loss of my three suits and K15, 000 cash meant for my trip to South Africa,” he said.
But when asked for a comment, the Police spokesperson said the police officers had to use minimum force on Mr. Mapulanga because he was resisting arrest.
