….Two suspects arrested as Zambia Police confirm arson, looting, and attacks on government property amid chaos during President Hichilema’s address
LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-Chingola District on the Copperbelt was engulfed in violence on Saturday afternoon when riots broke out during President Hakainde Hichilema’s visit, leading to the destruction of public property and attacks on police officers.
According to a statement from the Zambia Police Service, the incident occurred at around 14:50 hours at Chiwempala Market and Chikola Secondary School grounds.
The Chingola Central Police Station received a report of arson from Superintendent Lloyd Kanondo, a 48-year-old officer based at the Copperbelt Division Headquarters.
Superintendent Kanondo reported that a police motor vehicle, a white Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number ZP 2537 B, was set ablaze by an irate mob that turned violent during the presidential engagement.
Earlier in the day, President Hichilema had been addressing residents at Chiwempala Market as part of his tour of the Copperbelt Province.
However, at around 14:00 hours, as the President continued his address, a group of unruly individuals began breaking into and looting shops near the venue.
When police officers intervened to contain the situation, the crowd became increasingly hostile and began advancing toward the area where the President was speaking.
For security reasons, President Hichilema was quickly evacuated and escorted to the Chikola Secondary School landing pad.
The mob, however, followed the presidential motorcade, hurling stones at vehicles in the convoy.
In the ensuing chaos, the police Toyota Land Cruiser was attacked, its windscreen smashed, before being overturned and set on fire.
Superintendent Kanondo, who was driving the vehicle, fired ten rounds of pistol ammunition into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd, but the mob refused to retreat.
The value of the destroyed government property has not yet been determined, but officials say the damage is extensive.
The rioters also torched the Presidential Holding Tent belonging to Events Matters Company of Lusaka.
Among the items destroyed were a floor carpet, two carpet runners, a Presidential portrait, and a coffee table used by Lusaka Provincial Maintenance.
The violent group went on to burn a portable toilet belonging to Chrisai Company of Lusaka and shattered the windows of an Isuzu vehicle, registration number CAE 5930, owned by Mr. Chisha Musonda, who had transported the portable toilet.
Police have since arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.
They have been identified as Abraham Chilumbu, aged 24, an unemployed resident of House No. 24 Isunge Road, Chiwempala Township, and Abraham Sichone, aged 21, a bar attendant from Mjomba Compound in Chingola South.
Both suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to appear in court soon.
Following the arrests, calm has been restored in Chingola, and police patrols have been intensified to prevent further unrest.
In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer Rae Hamoonga strongly condemned the acts of violence and vandalism, warning that such behavior will not be tolerated.
He urged citizens to refrain from engaging in criminal conduct, particularly during national events attended by high-profile figures.
Hamoonga emphasized that peace and order are collective responsibilities and that violence only undermines national development and endangers lives.
He further appealed to the public to cooperate with law enforcement officers and exercise restraint at all times.
The incident in Chingola has raised concerns about crowd control and security preparedness during presidential visits, with authorities vowing to ensure that similar disruptions do not occur in the future.
The post Police vehicle, properties set ablaze during Zambia President Hakainde’s Chingola visit appeared first on The Maravi Post.