Govt mourns seven Congolese refugees
By Staff Reporter
Government says it regrets the death of the seven Congolese refugees who died on the May 18 after the boat they were travelling in capsised on Lake Mweru, Luapula Province.
Addressing journalists, Home Affairs minister Stephen Kampyongo said 22 refugees survived the accident and were in Chienge at the refugee reception shelter awaiting relocation to the main camp in Nchelenge.
“Before they could reach Kasothe the boat capsised leading to the death of seven people: children and adolescents. Four bodies were recovered on the 19th and 3 were retrieved on the 21st,” Kampyongo said.
“Police in Chienge received a report of drowning from Kasote Village. The boat was carrying suspected Congolese refugees who had left Kenani transit centre in Nchelenge to return to the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
Kampyongo said the group travelled without informing the authorities.
He said the deceased were buried in Chienge district and the burial was witnessed by the 22 survivors.
“We noted with great regret that the refugees at Kenani camp have been deserting the transit centre without following the already established procedures like the one they used when entering. The refugees should seek guidance from the relevant authorities for assisted voluntary repatriation and not filtering into neighbouring villages avoiding relocation to Mantapala settlement camp,” said Kampyongo.
