Zimbabwean authorities arrests 2 Zambian fishermen

Zimbabwean authorities arrests 2 Zambian fishermen
 Siavonga, June 28, ZANIS …….The Zimbabwean authorities have arrested two Zambian fishermen for illegally fishing in that country’s water’s.

The two fishermen of Namomba village in Siavonga district were arrested for allegedly entering Zimbabwean water’s and fishing without a permit.

Siavonga District Commissioner (DC) Brave Mweetwa confirmed the development to ZANIS adding that the incident happened on Tuesday night around 21hours.

Mr. Mweetwa who identified the fishermen as Siwell Mweemba, 30 and Chris, 43 of the same village said they were arrested by the Zimbabwean authorities after a tip off from a named Zimbabwean white man that there were fishermen fishing at Namomba Island along Zambezi River after he conducted a night patrol.

Mr. Mweetwa was however not sure whether the fishermen were still detained in custody or released back to Zambia as he was waiting to hear from Siavonga police.

He said that government was aware about the rampant increase of Zambian fishermen being arrested by Zimbabwean authorities either on Lake kariba or Zambezi river for entering in that country’s water’s.

Mr. Mweetwa said government was doing everything possible to ensure that the lives of innocent Zambian’s fishermen were protected.

Meanwhile MMD Siavonga’s Nanyanga ward councillor Kanyamu Chidakwa has condemned the Zimbabwean authorities for the arrests saying the fishermen did not do any illegal fishing.

He said the Namomba Island where the fishermen were apprehended from did not belong to Zimbabwe as they claim.

He said that since January this year there have been frequent arrest made by Zimbabwean authorities with 5 fishermen from Namomba village and two canoes seized.