HRDC secures legal aid for girl shot by officer
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has offered legal assistance to the family of Trizah Vinkhumbo, 9.
She was shot in November last year by Rumphi Police Station officer George Kaleso who said he was shooting a stray dog.
HRDC leaders Timothy Mtambo, Gift Trapence and Happy Mhango made the revelation on Saturday when they visited the family in Rumphi, but also stormed Rumphi Police Station to seek answers on the matter.
During the HRDC visit on Saturday, Trizah’s aunt Chrissy Mhango said she was facing challenges in accessing justice on the matter.
She said Trizah is facing difficulties in walking and carrying out household chores.
“Kaleso took away Trizah’s health passport and doesn’t want to return it. My child still has that bullet in her body, what will I do with her? Why can’t the police take the girl to better hospitals?
“I went to the police, but all I have been told are insults. He shot the girl, but he does not want to help her.” she said while shedding tears.
On his part, Mtambo said the action of the police demonstrates high levels of negligence and disregard to human rights and asked government to send the girl to a hospital.
Sounding angry and agitated, Kaleso on Saturday claimed the girl is fine and that “the family understood that it was an accident”.
He also denied taking the girl’s health passport. n
