MAN shot dead while 35 arrested in Kafue Riots

A MAN was shot dead while 35 others have been arrested after a mob burnt a fire engine and two police posts in protest against a marketer who was knocked down by a police officer.
The residents of Kafue’s Zambia township ran amok in the early hours of yesterday after a police officer knocked down a woman and left her with serious injuries.
Some of the residents said the police officer was drunk.
According to Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) television, medical authorities and the police confirmed that one man was shot dead by a stray bullet.
Zambia Police Service spokesperson Charity Chanda confirmed the incident but could not state whether or not the police officer involved was drunk.
“Yes, I can confirm that two police posts namely Mthendere and Lumumba have been burnt down by angry victims of Zambia compound in Kafue. The residents were reacting to the knocking down of a woman by a police officer,” she said.
Ms Chanda said one of the rioters was hit by a stray bullet and died at Kafue District Hospital.
Ms Chanda said the rowdy crowd also burnt down eight motor vehicles that they found at Lumumba and Mthendere police posts when the officer in question ran to the police in fear of the mob.
Of the burnt vehicles, one is a fire tender.
Ms Chanda identified the woman who was knocked down as Ireen Kaluba, 49, who is admitted to Kafue District Hospital.
She said the 35 suspects – 30 men and 5 women – are in detention and will be charged with arson and riotous behaviour if preliminary investigations find them wanting.

Daily Mail