The Paramount Chief of Marampa Chiefdom in the Port Loko district, PC Bai Koblo Queen 11, last Friday, travelled to Freetown to speak exclusively to the Global Times Newspaper on allegations of the mysterious death of three of his subjects allegedly tortured and murdered by some white security personnel employed by Marampa Mines Limited. According to PC Koblo Queen 11, the matter had “been laid to rest” since last year. He said a post-mortem carried out by the Government Consultant Pathologist, Dr Owizz Kamara, shows that, the three Sierra Leoneans died by drowning.
PC Koblo Queen informed the Global Times that, the three had allegedly gone to the mining site of Marampa Mines Limited to steal fuel and other company property. They were chased out of the site and they allegedly jumped into a nearby lake where they allegedly died by drowning.
The Paramount Chief of Marampa Chiefdom disclosed that some of the deceased family members have been employed by the company and they are now ‘living happily’.
He added that, the company provided financial assistance to the bereaved family members in order to help them settle some domestic financial challenges.
According to PC Koblo Queen 11, his role in the Chiefdom is to maintain peace and stability and to promote and protect foreign investments. He described the current situation in his chiefdom as peaceful and stable. He added that, there is no resentment amongst his people towards Marampa Mines Limited. “The company has employed many of my community people…They are doing a lot for my Chiefdom through Corporate Social Responsibility”, the Chief said.
PC Koblo Queen disclosed that, they are expecting a payment of US$1.7M this month from the company as Community Development Fund.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the company has refused to comment on the alleged murder insisting that, they do not want to engage in a running commentary on a matter that is a subject of Police investigation.
A prominent human rights lawyer based in Freetown has noted that the company might face “corporate manslaughter” charges. Police say they are investigating the matter.
Global Times investigations continue.
