A 22 year old man has been shot dead, three others seriously injured and 79 people arrested following violent riots that erupted in Chingola, on the Copperbelt yesterday.
The unrest, according to Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, was sparked by a protest from informal small scale miners known as Jerabos, who had recently been displaced from the Senseli Open Pit Mine.
Hamoonga said the protest turned violent as angry crowds took to the streets of Chiwempala, Lulamba and Mwaiseni townships, targeting public infrastructure, looting shops and clashing with police.
He said criminals took advantage of the unrest and added in a spice of their expertise to loot, destroy property and resist law enforcement officers attempts to restore order.
One of the rioters, who happened to be 22 year old Bwalya Nsanda of Tula Compound in Chiwempala, died after sustaining a gunshot wound to the chest and his body has since been taken to Nchanga North Hospital Mortuary.
Among those injured was Patrick Musenge of Chikola Township, who sustained a gunshot wound to the pelvic area.
Another individual, Timothy Musonda of Chiwempala, suffered severe hand injuries after attempting to pick up a police hand grenade, while a 13 year old boy was treated for a gunshot wound to the hand.
Hamoonga reported that all the injured people were receiving treatment at Nchanga North Hospital.
Furthermore, he revealed that seven police officers were also injured in the operation as they attempted to quell the riots.
The spokesperson stated that most of the affected people sustained injuries from stones thrown by the mob, with some suffering cuts, bruises and soft tissue damage.
He said all but one officer were currently under medical observation.
Meanwhile, Mathews Nkhuwa Police Post in Chinkola was also attacked and vandalised with 11 vehicles parked at the station for safekeeping left extensively damaged, including buses, trucks and private cars.
In a separate incident, two pieces of heavy road construction equipment, a compactor and a grader parked near Chawama Clinic in Chiwempala were set ablaze and the full cost of the damage has not yet been established.
In addition, several businesses were looted during the riot which included Antelope Milling retail shop in Maiteneke, Mataba Milling Company in Lulamba, Termites Butchery in Chiwempala, a mobile phone shop, a wholesale outlet and council hostels on Chiwempala Road.
Hamoonga disclosed that the total value of the stolen goods was still being assessed, although some items such as bags of mealie meal and bicycles had been recovered.
79 suspects have been arrested and are currently in police custody.
“They will appear in court soon on charges relating to riotous behaviour, malicious damage to property, assault on police officers, and theft,” said Hamoonga.
“The situation in Chingola has now been brought under control and calm has returned to the affected areas. Police continue to maintain presence on the ground to prevent further disturbances.”
The police also warned all individuals contemplating engaging in such lawless conduct that they will not hesitate to act decisively within the confines of the law to protect life and property.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, July 31, 2025
