In a disturbing turn of events, another case of alleged military brutality has emerged in Masaiti District, where a 32-year-old man, Henshel Muya, claims he was brutally beaten by Zambia Army soldiers stationed at the Malaya border. This incident, which comes on the heels of a recent altercation in Mufulira involving Zambia Army recruits and local residents, has once again raised concerns over the conduct of some military personnel.
Mr. Muya, a father of five from Maliko Village in Senior Chief Chiwala’s area, recounted the harrowing experience that took place last Thursday around 23:00 hours. He explained that the altercation began when a canter truck transporting mealie meal hit a speed hump he had set up near his property to protect his livestock. The truck, which was traveling along the Dangote Conveyor Belt in Kafulafuta Constituency, struck the hump, causing a bag of mealie meal to fall from the vehicle.
Unaware that the incident would escalate, Mr. Muya attempted to retrieve the fallen bag and signal the truck driver to stop. However, his actions soon caught the attention of soldiers stationed at a nearby checkpoint, who, according to Muya, accused him of attempting to steal the mealie meal. What followed, he described, was a brutal assault by the soldiers, leaving him with severe injuries.
“They came at me without even listening to my explanation. They just started beating me,” Muya recounted, still visibly shaken from the ordeal. “I tried to tell them that I wasn’t stealing the mealie meal, but they wouldn’t listen. They kept hitting me with their batons, and I could feel my body breaking down with every blow.”
Muya’s injuries were severe, leaving him in a critical condition. The father of five was rushed to the nearest health facility, where he is currently receiving treatment. Medical professionals attending to him have expressed concerns about the extent of his injuries, which include multiple fractures and deep tissue damage.
Mr. Muya is now calling for justice, demanding that the soldiers responsible for his assault be held accountable for their actions. “I don’t understand why they had to beat me like that,” he said. “I was only trying to protect my livestock. Now, I can’t even work or provide for my family because of these injuries.”
This incident has sparked outrage within the local community, with residents of Maliko Village condemning the actions of the soldiers. Many have called for a thorough investigation into the matter and the implementation of stricter oversight to prevent further instances of military violence against civilians. “We live in fear now,” one villager said. “If soldiers can beat a man over a bag of mealie meal, what will they do next? This is not how things should be.”
The allegations come at a time when the military is already facing scrutiny after a group of Zambia Army recruits were involved in an altercation in Mufulira. In that case, the soldiers reportedly assaulted local residents in retaliation after one of their own was beaten by a group of taxi drivers. These back-to-back incidents have raised concerns among human rights advocates and the public at large, with many questioning whether the military is adequately trained in handling conflicts involving civilians.
Senior Chief Chiwala, under whose jurisdiction Maliko Village falls, has expressed deep concern over the growing tensions between military personnel and local residents. Speaking through his spokesperson, the traditional leader called for calm but emphasized the need for justice. “Our people must be protected, not harmed by those entrusted with the nation’s security. This kind of behavior from the military cannot be condoned,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambia Army officials have yet to issue an official statement regarding the Masaiti incident, though sources within the military indicate that an internal investigation may be underway. The Zambia Police Service has also been called upon to launch an independent inquiry into the matter to ensure accountability.
As Mr. Muya continues his recovery, his family remains uncertain about their future. With five children to care for, his wife expressed deep concern over the impact the assault has had on their livelihood. “My husband is the sole provider for our family. Now that he’s injured, I don’t know how we will survive,” she said tearfully. “All we want is justice and for those responsible to be held accountable.”
This latest incident has reignited a national conversation about the relationship between the military and civilians, with calls for reforms in military conduct and the establishment of clear protocols for dealing with civilians in non-combat situations. As the investigation unfolds, many are hoping that this tragic incident will serve as a wake-up call for those in power to address the growing issue of military brutality in Zambia.
By Lovemore Sondashi