Plumber assaulted over water disconnection, suspect arrested
Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) has expressed concern over assaults their meter readers suffer at the hands of customers.
SRWB spokesperson Rita Makwangwala expressed the concern on Wednesday in Zomba after the board’s plumber Andrew Selemani was allegedly assaulted by the proprietor of Eagles Car Hire, Imtias Musa, over a K17 000 water bill.
A witness, Memory Sichali, said the victim told Musa that the board wanted to disconnect water at his business premises over the cited outstanding water bill, but he resisted.
She said as the victim went to collect tools for disconnection, Musa followed him and allegedly hit him at the back of the neck; that pushing the victim against a metal bar in front of him in the process before he collapsed.
“Mussa offered a vehicle to take the victim to Islamic Clinic in the city but the well-wishers assisting the victim refused and rushed with him to Zomba City Clinic, where he was later referred to Zomba Central Hospital as he was still unconscious for about two hours,” she said.
Eastern Region Police spokesperson Joseph Sauka confirmed the incident, saying they arrested the suspect the same day and released him on police bail yesterday in the morning.
Makwangwala warned customers that any assault to the board’s officers is a crime and that perpetrators will be prosecuted.
“We will follow this matter with keen interest until justice prevails,” she said. n
