52 Arrested for rioting and looting in Chingola
Fifty-two illegal miners have been arrested in Chingola for rioting and looting.
Copperbelt Police Commissioner, PATHIAS SIANDENGE says illegal miners this morning besieged the closed Sensele Mine but were removed by Zambia National Service Officers, but regrouped in Chiwempala Township.
Mr SIANDENGE told ZNBC news in Kitwe that illegal miners then rioted and looted Zambeef, Quicksave and Antelope milling outlets.
He said the situation is currently under control and calm has returned to Chingola.
Mr. SIANDENGE said police officers are patrolling the townships.
Sensele Mine was closed following a mine accident in December 2023, where about 30 illegal miners were trapped.
Twenty-seven bodies were retrieved and one person was rescued alive.
The government ordered a complete shutdown of Sensele mining area and halted the rescue mission due to safety concerns.
