By 
Police in Chingola District on the Copperbelt Province have arrested three additional suspects in the arson and riotous behaviour case, bringing the total number of arrests to five.
The suspects have been charged and detained for arson.
President Hakainde Hichilema abandoned a scheduled presidential address at the recently gutted Chiwempala Market in Chingola after unruly illegal miners began throwing stones at the podium.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, Inspector General of Police, Graphael Musamba, said the five suspects were expected to appear in court soon.
Musamba warned all would-be offenders that acts of violence, riotous behaviour, and destruction of property would not be tolerated, emphasizing that police would continue to pursue and arrest anyone found involved in the riot until all perpetrators were brought to book.
He identified those arrested as James Banda, aged 30, of R-Section; Arnold Mbewe, aged 22, of Maiteneke Compound; and Jackson Mbulo, aged 25, of No. 2 Lufwanyama Road, Chingola.
In the initial phase of investigations, two suspects were apprehended and identified as Abraham Chilumbu, aged 24, unemployed, of House No. 24, Isunge Road, Chiwempala Township; and Abraham Sichone, aged 21, a bar attendant of Mjomba Compound, Chingola South.
“The Zambia Police Service wishes to inform the nation that on 8th November 2025, at about 14:50 hours, a riot and arson incident occurred at Chiwempala Market and Chikola Secondary School grounds in Chingola District, Copperbelt Province,” Musamba said.
He stated that the incident was reported to Chingola Central Police Station at 15:50 hours by Superintendent Lloyd Kanondo, aged 48, a police officer based at the Copperbelt Division Headquarters.
Kanondo reported that a police motor vehicle, a white Toyota Land Cruiser registration number ZP 2537 B, was burnt by an irate mob that turned riotous during the presidential visit.
On the said date, President Hichilema visited Chingola District and was addressing residents at Chiwempala Market when, at about 14:00 hours, some unruly members of the public began breaking into shops and looting.
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