Police nab 24 rioters

By ALEX NJOVU  
POLICE in Kitwe have arrested 24 suspected Patriotic Front (PF) members, who include PF Copperbelt youth vice chairman Elias Kamanga, for alleged riotous behaviour.
And Change Life Zambia executive director Father Frank Bwalya yesterday pleaded not guilty to the charge of conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
Copperbelt police commanding officer Antonneil Mutentwa confirmed the arrests of the suspects and that they may also be charged for contempt of court.
“We are still looking at the case; we are looking at where the incident happened because some people threw stones at the police officers who were at the court.
“We may also charge them for contempt of court but for now we have charged them for riotous behaviour,” he said.
The people, who sang songs in support of Fr Bwalya, fought running battles with the police and caused a huge traffic jam on Obote Avenue in the city centre.
Business in the central business district came to a standstill as Fr Bwalya’s sympathisers gathered near the magistrate court demanding his release.
Motorists were forced to use alternative routes while shops and banks were temporarily closed for fear of being caught up in the fracas.
Police fired teargas canisters to disperse the protesters after they started throwing stones and other missiles at the police officers who were outside the Kitwe magistrate court.
The suspects ran amok immediately after Fr Bwalya’s case was adjourned.
Mr Mutentwa said the suspects will appear in court soon and warned members of the public to desist from activities which can endanger public peace.
He urged Zambians to follow laid down procedures when airing their grievances instead of taking the law into their hands.
And Fr Bwalya, 41, of House Number 4843 Almaliki Street, Riverside, appeared before Kitwe chief resident magistrate Mercy Makubalo.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge of conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
It is alleged that Fr Bwalya acted in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace on March 12.
The matter was adjourned to March 31 and Fr Bwalya was granted bail in his own recognisance in the sum of K 100,000.
The court also ordered Fr Bwalya to provide two working sureties who must not be security guards.
Magistrate Makubalo also told Fr Bwalya to advise his supporters to desist from disturbing the court proceedings when the matter comes up for trial.
“I will personally order the arrest of these people because they were disturbing court proceedings.
I will ensure that they are taken to Kamfinsa prison if they will behave in the same manner next time,” Ms Makubalo said.
The defence team, which was led by Richard Madona of Permanent Chambers, applied for an adjournment to get instructions from their client.
The state was represented by Martin Shula.