10/11/2025
People have 'confidence', pursuing the President's motorcade? Mwati si 'attempted tilizon iyo? 🤣🤣
Police arrest 3 more following Chingola chaos during presidential address
THE Zambia Police Service has arrested three additional suspects in connection with the riot and arson that erupted in Chingola District during President Hakainde Hichilema’s visit on Saturday, bringing the total number of arrests to five.
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The unrest began around 14:50 hours at Chiwempala Market and later spread to Chikola Secondary School grounds, where the President had been addressing residents.
Reports indicate that some unruly individuals began breaking into shops and looting.
When police intervened to restore order, the crowd became violent, advancing toward the area where the President was speaking.
For security reasons, President Hichilema was quickly escorted to a nearby landing pad at Chikola Secondary School.
However, the mob reportedly pursued the presidential motorcade, throwing stones at vehicles near the helicopter take off point.
During the chaos, a police Toyota Land Cruiser (registration ZP 2537 😎 was overturned and set ablaze.
Superintendent Lloyd Kanondo, the vehicle’s driver, fired 10 warning shots into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd, but the mob continued its attack.
The rioters also set fire to the presidential holding tent, one floor carpet, two carpet runners, a coffee table and the official portrait of President Hichilema.
A portable toilet was destroyed and the windscreen of an Isuzu vehicle transporting the toilet was smashed.
The total value of the damage is still being assessed.
In the initial phase of the investigation, police arrested two suspects namely, 24 year old Abraham Chilumbu of Chiwempala Township and 21 year old Abraham Sichone, a bar attendant from Mjomba Compound.
Following further inquiries, three more suspects were detained namely, 30 year old James Banda of R-Section, 22 year old Arnold Mbewe of Maiteneke Compound and 25 year old Jackson Mbulo of Lufwanyama Road, Chingola.
All are currently in police custody awaiting court proceedings.
The police say the situation in Chingola has been brought under control, with reinforcements deployed to maintain law and order.
In a statement, Inspector General of Police, Graphel Musamba, warned that acts of violence, riots and destruction of property would not be tolerated.
Musamba urged members of the public to exercise restraint and cooperate with law enforcement, emphasising that peaceful expression of opinions remains a constitutional right, but violence has no place in society.
“The Zambia Police Service wishes to sternly warn all would be offenders that acts of violence, riotous behavior and destruction of property will not be tolerated. The police will continue to pursue and arrest anyone found involved in the riot until all perpetrators are brought to book,” stated Musamba.
“We further appeal to members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement officers as investigations continue. Peaceful expressions of opinions remain a constitutional right, but violence and lawlessness have no place in our society.”
By Dorica Kapwaya
Kalemba, November 10, 2025
