Court rules on RU child shooting case

The Child Justice Court in Mzuzu has ruled in favour of a mother whose nine-year-old daughter was shot by a police officer in Rumphi last year.

The girl, Trizza Vinkhumbo, was shot by Rumphi Police station officer George Kaleso while trying to kill a stray dog.

Following the shooting, divisions arose over a claim for compensation from government between the girl’s father who wanted K250 million and the mother who demanded K120 million. The matter was referred to court to rule on who should represent the child.

Senior resident magistrate Felix Kanzaila noted that the child has been under the mother’s care and it was right that she should represent the child.

Lawyer for the mother Christon Ghambi hailed the court ruling, saying he would now proceed with the case.

“We are going ahead to represent the child. We want her to go for treatment soon,” said Ghambi.

Rumphi Residents Association executive director Moir Walita Mkandawire hailed the court for resolving the family dispute, saying it would help the mother’s side to proceed with the matter.

“We also questioned the manner in which the father handled the matter. Instead of coming to see the child, he rushed to start fighting for compensation,” he said. A diagnosis report from Rumphi District Hospital shows that Trizah was shot on the right lateral aspect of the right upper thigh.