By Mohamed T Massaquoi
Police in the Pujehun District, Southern Sierra Leone, have confirmed the arrest of two people in Sahn Malen chiefdom, the operational area of the Belgian agri-business company Socfin, with arms and ammunition.
Police Chief Superintendent attached to the district headquarter division, Nathaniel Brewah, said the suspects were arrested on January 27 at about 5am in a village called Monongoh Zone Seven, Section ‘B’ of the Socfin operational area. He said they have exhibits of one short gun, five cartridges and one cutlass, allegedly confiscated from the suspects whose names were given as Moiniwoh Fatoma and Vandi Fatoma.
According to the police Superintendent, suspects would be charged to court for unlawful possession of fire arms. He said they have already been sent to the regional headquarters South in Bo, pending proper investigation.
Superintendent Brewah told Politico the police were going to pay more attention to the chiefdom for the increasing prevalence of crime there lately.
Malen chiefdom, notorious for recurrent ritual murder and other violent happenings, is also believed to be the most populated chiefdom in the district with an estimated population of over 45, 000, yet manned by just a few police officers.
Socfin, in 2011, secured a 6, 500 hectare farmland intended for rubber and oil palm plantations in the Malen chiefdom. According to a document seen by Politico, the agri-business company is operating with over five thousand workers from various parts of the country.
The company has since been seeking an additional 5, 000 hectare to expand its concession in the Malen region and neighboring chiefdoms. Its total investment is estimated at $100 million, and it has promised jobs and compensation for lost farms, as well as the construction of infrastructures in host communities.
But the company has been met largely with stiff resistance from some community members mainly unhappy with its land acquisition style and alleged failed promises.
Earlier this month, a Belgian and a Zimbabwean nationals working for Socfin were shot during a protest over land rights.
© Politico 29/01/15
