Compensation claims split shot Rumphi girl’s family

Differences have emerged among family members over compensation claims for nine-year-old Trizah Vinkumbo who was accidentally shot by Rumphi Police station officer George Kaleso.

The girl was shot when Kaleso allegedly attempted to kill a stray rabid dog which was apparently disturbing his puppy.

The girl’s father,  William Vinkhumbo based in South Africa, has engaged lawyer Leonard Mbulo to claim K250 million from government while the mother’s family also engaged another lawyer, Christon Ghambi, who is claiming K120 million over the same.

Speaking in an interview on yesterday, Mbulo confirmed that there are disagreements over compensation claims.

He said the matter is currently before the Rumphi First Grade Magistrate’s Court for a determination on who is entitled to make the claim.

Mbulo said the father is being sidelined in the matter on the basis that he broke up with the girl’s mother.

He said the father only went to South Africa to seek employment.  

“If the court decides in favour of the other party, we will withdraw the claim,” said Mbulo.

On his part, Ghambi said he was not aware that another compensation claim has been filed.

“What I was told is that the father abandoned the child long ago and she has been living with the mother,” he said.

In an earlier interview, Kaleso claimed that the girl is fine and that her family told him “they understood that it was an accident and nothing more”.