Emeute à Solwezi – mai 2010

42 nabbed over Solwezi riots

daily-mail.co.zm

18 05 2010

By KATONGO CHISUPA

POLICE in Solwezi have arrested 42 people after riots that ensued following a road traffic accident in which four people were injured.

North-Western Province police chief Fabian Katiba said those arrested have been charged with several offences including arson, assault of police officers and riotous behaviour.

An angry crowd on Sunday ran amok and set a car ablaze after its driver ploughed into a crowd near a church.

Police had to fire tear gas canisters to quell the riot, which also saw a police post being set ablaze.

Trouble started after a woman ran over four people after she lost control of the car she was driving.

Mr Katiba named the victims of the accident as Frank Kalaba, Patrick Mpande, Nelson Sanyiwangu and Jessy Mundengu.

He said the driver, who fled the scene after the accident, will be charged with dangerous driving.

Mr Katiba said five police officers were injured, one seriously, while the owner of the car, Mwika Mulao, was badly beaten after he was dragged out of the car.

He said the angry mob turned its wrath on police officers who were trying to rescue the owner of the vehicle from being beaten.

Police fought running battles with rioters but failed to contain the situation and had to call for reinforcement from other security wings.

Close to 40 heavy duty trucks that transport copper concentrate from Lumwana in Solwezi to the Copperbelt for processing were marooned as the road between town and Kyawama township was blocked with logs and rocks.

Mr Katiba said police have a duty to protect everybody and that people should not look at them as enemies.

He said everybody seeks protection from police and that when officers rescue someone from injustice, people should not think that they are siding with the offender.