EVEN before the nine police officers completely heal from bruises and swellings they obtained from a savage beating handed to them by a village mob in Katete about a fortnight ago, six other cops in the barricaded town of Luanshya on the Copperbelt have been injured after being attacked by angry mourners yesterday.
Â
Like their colleagues in Katete District, officers in Luanshya rushed to calm a riotous situation in Kawama Compound in Mpatamatu where suspicious mourners were preparing to “deal” with an old woman accused of bewitching her 19-year grandson and causing his death last Friday.
Â
According to witnesses, Enock Kaoma died suddenly on Friday afternoon after vomiting blood.
Â
Following the boy’s death, suspicious neighbours and residents of Kawama Compound suspected that his grandmother had bewitched him.
Â
Probably sensing danger, the accused grandmother fled the compound and has not been seen since.
Â
As Kaoma’s burial took place yesterday afternoon, the funeral gathering of about 500 people decided to conduct a traditional witch-finding ritual called “Bwela Bwela”.
Â
Upon hearing about the happenings, police rushed to cemetery but were clearly not welcome.
Â
The gathering acknowledged the arrival of Lemmy Kajoba’s men by flying missiles in their direction.
Â
As soon the officers arrived, mourners suspended their mourning burial ceremony and took on the officers, pelting them with stones and any missiles they could land their hands on.
Â
In the ensuing violent chaos four constables, one sergeant and an inspector were injured.
Â
The rioting mourners also shattered the front wind screen of a Police Toyota Land Cruiser the officers had come with.
Â
But despite the danger, the men from Lilayi stood their ground, called for reinforcement and decisively dealt with misconduct and made the violent mourners to run for dear life.
Â
With mourners nowhere in sight, the officers took over the burial ceremony and interred Kaoma.
Â
Copperbelt Police commanding officer Peacewell Mweemba confirmed the incident and injuries of of the six cops.
Â
“The conditions of the injured officers is reported to be stable with minor injuries. No one was apprehended but investigations have been instituted to identify culprits,” Mweemba told Kalemba in a statement.
Â
Kalemba December 7, 2022
Advert