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Gen Mihova Leads Soldier Rescue Team
IN a rescue operation to win over one of their own, a Zambia Army special operations team yesterday displayed bravery and skill to save a discharged staff sergeant from a communication mast he had climbed in an apparent suicide attempt.
Staff Sergeant Trywell Katupila drew the attention of scores of people, including Zambia Army Commander Lieutenant-General Paul Mihova. Rarely do generals acquiesce to such social mischief or negotiations but Gen Mihova had to because there was a life about to be lost.
Staff Sergeant Katupila, 44, may have involuntarily left the army, but opted not to recall the army rules – that you need permission from the commanding officer to do virtually anything.
He decided to carry out the special stint in style by climbing a communication mast on Chitukuko Road near Arakan Barracks in Lusaka, turning the place into an instant spectacle.
He was outdone by one brave soldier who scaled the tower within seconds, resisted the violent kicks and grabbed the dissident, bringing him to the ground without a scratch.
The rescuer turned into an instant hero as he was lifted shoulder-high by the cheering crowd. Gen Mihova may already have called for his file for the obvious.
Katupila was hurled into an army vehicle as he inaudibly mumbled. That is part one.
So, what is the story of this ex-convict?
He claimed he was wrongfully dismissed and convicted and now wanted everything reversed, unconditionally.
He clung to the metal bars from 07:00 hours until 12:00 hours, threatening to plunge to his death if Gen Mihova did not show up. The general obliged, purely on humanitarian grounds. He provided the tonic after which his men acted, preserving a sorry soul.
Now it was time for police to say something. Up stepped police spokesperson Charity Chanda who said Staff Sergeant Katupila attempted to commit suicide on claims that he was wrongly convicted and discharged from the army.
“We have interviewed the victim and identified him as Staff Sergeant Trywell Katupila, 44, who was convicted in 2012 and was released in 2014 from Milima Prison in Kasama.
Sergeant Katupila was discharged from his duties in the army after he was found in possession of 106 rounds of ammunition,” she said.
She added: “He has an appeal case in the Supreme Court which he is complaining that it’s taking too long to come up. He maintains that a scheme was used to plant the offensive weapons in his house.”
She said Staff Sergeant Katupila is seemingly battling the “tag of a convict”, which he is challenging in his appeal case.
She said Sergeant Katupila was pushing the court and army to respond and expedite the case to ensure justice is done.
Police will verify the records at the Legal Aid Board, which is representing him before charging him.
Posted by Editor
on November 13, 2015. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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sikazwethegreat
November 13, 2015 at 7:16 am
katupila is a real soldier. he has a heart for his job and I feel is brave to take this action, there is to much hatred happening in this country in almost every angle. when I became president I’ll make sure that I work with the Zambian Army to the fullest. General Mihova bring sanity to my best units. unite the army. personally am proud of the army and wrongful dismissal should be avoided so that the proud men and women save us with courage. God bless the Zambian Army, God bless sikazwethegreat and God bless Zambia.
Denkete
November 13, 2015 at 11:08 am
when you became? which year?
spiner87
November 13, 2015 at 1:32 pm
wanted to as the same?
NEAUTRAL
November 13, 2015 at 1:56 pm
wanted to as the same, or wanted to ask the same?
English is just a language my friend. Inkama kumfwa fintu baladile, chapwa. We all make mistakes boss.
KARODS
November 13, 2015 at 4:04 pm
Am sure that was NEZ wanted to commit suicid bcoz his HH has seen that he is again losing 2016 Elections,atilafye ati cawama ntangileko than ukwisamono musebanya wakulusa.
jojo
November 13, 2015 at 8:08 am
When I became president………..Mmm since when did you become president @ sikazwthegreat?
Mr Its Global Kambwili.
November 13, 2015 at 8:09 am
Its Global bane for soldiers frustrated by a failed regime to commit suicide.This is not just unique to Zambia. Edgar Lungu is not the only worst President in the world. Yes, in Zambia he is the worst but not in the entire world. Its global for the presidents to be visionless like Edgar Lungu, this is not unique to Zambia only. Are u telling me that Edgar Lungu is also the president of those other countries were soldiers are commuting suicide due to frustrations from a visionless and politically impotent presidents. Edgar Lungu is not the only political impotent president in Africa, its globaaaal .bane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BY; HONORABLE CHISHIMBA ITS GLOBAL KAMBWILI.
Concerned Citizen
November 13, 2015 at 8:27 am
I really sympathize with Staff Sergeant Trywell Katupila. Edgar Lungu should see to it that he is reinstated unconditionally and given all his dues.
Soldiers are really suffering in Zambia.
Please have mercy on Staff Sergeant Trywell Katupila and his family. He has really suffered alot.
Kuj
November 13, 2015 at 8:55 am
What rescue team? The guy was up there for four hours, he was never going to jump. He just wanted attention. Re-open his case maybe he’s innocent to go to that extent.
SPEAR NGOZI
November 13, 2015 at 8:57 am
justice delayed is justice denied,but suicide is not the solution,good he was rescued but in future he should remember that he is not the only one with problems.
O'bren
November 13, 2015 at 9:22 am
Congratulations to CHANSA for your bravery. You really saved the nation from witnessing a gruesome death
Ilonda
November 13, 2015 at 9:39 am
Congrats Katupila for standing out for others. Its deadly too much, widows are even getting married due to non payments but still occupying camp houses. PAY their dues to avoid Katupila Part II.
Ilo
November 13, 2015 at 9:41 am
Workers are suffering insults at Horse Shoe by there Bosses. Needs help urgently.
Lamba boy
November 13, 2015 at 10:12 am
this guy waited until the rescuer came to him without much resistance he accepted to get down, cz carrying him like a child is not true, he never wanted to commit suicide! but let justice prevail becoz it is evident that he has been given little or no attention. u er a parent,guardian sg, remember that not all situations are permanent,if unfairly dismissed from work it is Blessing form GOD en a CURSE to them that du evil on a brother, but it is not that end of da world for u! GOD is in control en owez be
Kelvin
November 13, 2015 at 10:44 am
U r a brave Soldier and u deserve a promotion.
Denkete
November 13, 2015 at 11:13 am
“Umwaice ashilafwa:atiila nakwa Leesa kwaliba ubwali” Goes the Bemba proverb. That was attempted murder. Arrest and charge the Capricorn.
Shaka Zulu
November 13, 2015 at 11:39 am
Suicide is not a crime but attempted suicide is. The man is now in BIG trouble. He should have jumped quickly and killed himself. Now he is on his way to prison.
surprised!!!
November 13, 2015 at 12:05 pm
CORRUPTION GONE TOO FAR!!
Government leaders should be concerned with that incident. Soldiers should never be allowed to reach points where they feel so neglected and despondent! He mentioned that he informed the army commandant about his alleged mistreatment by his superior officers. The army commander took no action. Sadly, this behaviour of not taking matters seriously is going on in all ministries. Ministers hear things, but take no action even where the president has not stopped them from taking remedial action. Then, people accuse the president of running a corrupt government. Sgt Katukula should be commended for standing up against injustice; sadly.
ndaje Kakhs
November 13, 2015 at 12:37 pm
@surprised!!! The justice system lost it many years ago. I had an issue with court bailiffs in Kitwe in 2002 and up to now these bailiffs have not been brought to book. Each time I went to court as scheduled, these two gentlemen never showed up and no contempt summons have ever been issued to them. I just stopped going to court when one of the died.
Washaout
November 13, 2015 at 5:39 pm
Did you have a hand in his death?Why have you stopped pursuing the case,the other one is still surviving,or has he been turned into a cabbage?ndaje ulimukali,you have your own justice system no wonder you believe in another system.
New Mulyokela
November 13, 2015 at 5:37 pm
GOOD
ZEE WORLD
November 13, 2015 at 1:44 pm
There is no problem on earth that God cannot solve.Often times when men and women are going through one form of turbulence or the other,they conclude that God has no solution to it and give room to despair.Our country zambia is filled with men and women who are tired of their very existence.No wonder the suicide rates has reached an alarming rate in developed nations as well as in developing nations.
The greatest problem of the white man is loneliness and desperation.many whites who are successful and wealthy still commit suicide when there is no apparent problem.The truth is that many people are finding it difficult to hold on in a world that has gone berserk.Research has shown that eight out of ten civil servants feel dejected,lonely and isolated.God have mercy for our civil servants these people they shade silent tears.
TEE TEE
November 13, 2015 at 2:14 pm
ZEE WORLD ,are you suggesting that attempt and committing suicide is also a global problem not only in Zambia by world wide.
Honourable Chishimba Kambwili has asked me to find out on his behalf
redlinso
November 13, 2015 at 2:24 pm
The soldier has a chain of charges military is about displine not comedy. ITS NOT ABOUT CADERLISM
gumu gumu
November 13, 2015 at 3:00 pm
The man put the security of the state at risk by letting the army commander come out without prior arrangement to see his gymnastics. Treason apa!
pompi
November 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm
gugumu are u also a military personnel.
Mimi huru
November 13, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Th whole rescue operation looked like grade ones playing yet some is praising ‘brave brave’ shame on u.
ishilu
November 13, 2015 at 5:04 pm
gumu gumu and redlinso nimwe bafikala and u must be soldiers too from the way ur toking…..ati he had a chain of charges…. stanyoku niwe wamu chargine……imwe fishushushu fyansala…instead of writing abt the security of the nation u are busy writing abt the innocent katupila so tht u impress yo folish bosses… we are awere of the mistreatment u give to these pipo bt very soon u be soartedout u think millitary is animal farm
New Mulyokela
November 13, 2015 at 5:35 pm
Z yeve wako ni wako
DEMUSONI
November 13, 2015 at 6:40 pm
THERE SHOULD BE A WAY OF RESTRICTING ACCESS TO MOST OF THESE TOWERS
New Educated Zambia©❤√
November 13, 2015 at 9:01 pm
my friend, poverty and suffering under pf is causing this. Please find a way to restrict pf poverty.
New Educated Zambia©❤√
November 13, 2015 at 9:00 pm
The sorry conditions in zambia caused by PF’s poor economic planning and lack of priorities has meant that even soldiers are experiencing difficult conditions. Things are bad such that people now would rather be dead than carry on suffering under the pf. We ask you all to be resolute and patient. 2016 is soon you people. You can then vote upnd to secure a comfortable life. We in upnd apologise on behalf of PF for the suffering they have caused. we are sorry