A dispute over land in Chieftainess Mwanjawanthu’s Chiefdom in Petauke District has reportedly led to violent confrontations between Zambian and Mozambican nationals along the border.
According to reports, three Mozambican nationals were allegedly assaulted by Zambian residents of Mtukukuzi village, while three Zambian nationals were detained by Mozambican authorities during a clash over farming land.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Robertson Mweemba, told Breeze FM News that authorities in Mozambique had informed Zambian farmers that they would not be allowed to continue cultivating land in Mozambique this year, as the government prefers to allocate fields to its own residents due to the growing population.
This decision sparked anger among the affected Zambian farmers, who retaliated by assaulting the three Mozambican nationals. In turn, Mozambican authorities detained three Zambian nationals.
Mr. Mweemba stated that police from Petauke Police station, led by the officer in charge, crossed into Mozambique yesterday to negotiate the release of the detained Zambian nationals.
He added that calm has now been restored in the area.
