Authorities confirm 79 arrested, one shot dead as 7 police officers injured in Chingola riot

Police say 79 rioting illegal miners have been picked up in Chingola on Wednesday with one shot dead in the police operations leaving seven police officers seriously wounded.

Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hammonga, said in a statement on Thursday that a total of 79 suspects had been apprehended and were currently in police custody in connection with acts of Riotous Behaviour that erupted July30, 2025, in Chingola District.

This followed a disturbance by irate Jerabos (informal small-scale miners) who had been recently displaced from the Senseli Open Pit.

The group resorted to violence and wanton destruction of property, targeting public infrastructure and private businesses in Chiwempala Township, Lulamba Township, and Mwaiseni Trading Area.

Police officers were swiftly deployed to restore law and order.

However, Moonga said police met stiff resistance from the unruly mob, which included not only the Jerabos but also criminal-minded individuals who joined in to take advantage of the chaos.

“Tragically, four civilians who were actively involved in the riots sustained injuries, with one fatality recorded.

He named the deceased as Bwalya Nsanda 22 of Tula Compound, Chiwempala who was shot dead after sustaining a gunshot wound to the left side of the chest.

“The body has been deposited in the Nchanga North Hospital Mortuary,” he disclosed.

Patrick Musenge 33, of Chikola Township sustained a gunshot wound to the right pelvic area while Timothy Musonda, age unknown, of Chiwempala Township suffered severe hand injuries after attempting to pick up a police hand grenade.

Others are a juvenile, aged 13, of Chingola who sustained a gunshot wound to the left hand.

All injured individuals have been admitted to Nchanga North Hospital for medical attention.

Meanwhile, seven officers sustained injuries during efforts to disperse the riotous crowd who included:

1. Assistant Superintendent James Lwanja (50) – multiple head cuts, hand bruises, swollen jaw.

2. Assistant Superintendent Lubomba Kabandama (45) – facial cuts and hand bruises.

3. Chief Inspector Daniel Kanyanta (52) – swollen right calf from stoning.

4. Constable Onongani Phiri (35) – head injury due to stoning.

5. Sergeant Mkandawire Julius – painful right arm from falling off a moving vehicle.

6. Constable Chisanga Francis – chest pains and leg bruises from mob beating.

7. Constable Obed Sakaleni – facial cuts due to stoning.

He said except for Sergeant Mkandawire, all injured officers were under observation at Nchanga North Hospital.

Hamoonga said the damage to property was enormous.

“Mathews Nkhuwa Police Post in Chinkola area was vandalized using stones and other projectiles as well as 11 motor vehicles parked for safekeeping at the post were extensively damaged.

“The owners of the affected vehicles are being traced for further documentation and statements,” he said.

On the torched machinery, he said two earth-moving equipment, a compactor and grader parked near Chawama Clinic in Chiwempala, part of ongoing road works, were set ablaze.

The value of this loss has not yet been ascertained adding that investigations were underway to identify the owners.

There were other several business premises that were looted including Antelope Milling Retail Shop – Maiteneke, Chiwempala,Mataba Milling Company – Lulamba Township and Termites Butchery – Chiwempala.

Others are Mobile Phone Shop – Chiwempala, Council Hostels – Chiwempala Road and Wholesale Shop – Chiwempala Township.

The value of stolen property remains undetermined.

However, he said some stolen items including bags of mealie meal, bicycles and accessories have since been recovered.

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