Five fishermen of Nchelenge District in Luapula Province have been taken hostage and detained at Kilwa Mulenga Island by Congolese authorities.
The five were apprehended on Tuesday around 14: 00 hours on the Congolese side of Lake Mweru near Nkole Island, for allegedly using Mosquito nets to catch fish.
Luapula Province Deputy Commissioner of Police Webby Shula confirmed this in a telephone interview with ZANIS on Thursday.
Mr. Shula identified the victims as Timothy Masengo 28, Lewis Kabanda 25, Guston Manda 26, Philip Mwansa 23 and Patrick Kabaso 21 all of Kilwa Island in Chief Nshimba’s area.
Mr. Shula disclosed that the Congolese authorities are demanding for the release of their 19 nationals that are remanded at Nchelenge State Prison for trafficking in Psychotropic substances, in exchange for the freedom of the five captives.
Mr Shula says he since advised the Officer-In-Charge in Nchelenge to liaise with the District Joint Operation Committee, on how to engage the Congolese authorities for the possible release of the five fishermen.ZANIS
Why ,is in congo any law that can touch my people ? That’s nonsense .