Luanshya Residents injure cops

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EVEN before the nine police officers completely heal from bruises and swellings they obtained from a savage beating handed to them by a village mob in Katete about a fortnight ago, six other cops in the barricaded town of Luanshya on the Copperbelt have been injured after being attacked by angry mourners yesterday.

Like their colleagues in Katete District, officers in Luanshya rushed to calm a riotous situation in Kawama Compound in Mpatamatu where suspicious mourners were preparing to “deal” with an old woman accused of bewitching her 19-year grandson and causing his death last Friday.

According to witnesses, Enock Kaoma died suddenly on Friday afternoon after vomiting blood.

Following the boy’s death, suspicious neighbours and residents of Kawama Compound suspected that his grandmother had bewitched him.

Probably sensing danger, the accused grandmother fled the compound and has not been seen since.

As Kaoma’s burial took place yesterday afternoon, the funeral gathering of about 500 people decided to conduct a traditional witch-finding ritual called “Bwela Bwela”.

Upon hearing about the happenings, police rushed to cemetery but were clearly not welcome.

The gathering acknowledged the arrival of Lemmy Kajoba’s men by flying missiles in their direction.

As soon the officers arrived, mourners suspended their mourning burial ceremony and took on the officers, pelting them with stones and any missiles they could land their hands on.

In the ensuing violent chaos four constables, one sergeant and an inspector were injured.

The rioting mourners also shattered the front wind screen of a Police Toyota Land Cruiser the officers had come with.

But despite the danger, the men from Lilayi stood their ground, called for reinforcement and decisively dealt with misconduct and made the violent mourners to run for dear life.

With mourners nowhere in sight, the officers took over the burial ceremony and interred Kaoma.

Copperbelt Police commanding officer Peacewell Mweemba confirmed the incident and injuries of of the six cops.

“The conditions of the injured officers is reported to be stable with minor injuries. No one was apprehended but investigations have been instituted to identify culprits,” Mweemba told Kalemba in a statement.

Kalemba December 7, 2022