Chisokone Market coordinator Pastor Simuchimba arrested

KINGS Church Pastor and Chisokone market Coordinator Duncan Simuchimba has been arrested and detained at Kalulushi Police Station for allegedly defaming the Kitwe District Commissioner (DC) Lawrence Mwanza

Pastor Simuchimba, who was earlier detained at the Kitwe Central Police Station, was later taken to Kalulushi Police Station after marketeers at Chisokone market became agitated with almost a riot ensuing before Police in riot gear were called in to ensure that there were no disturbances

Nkana Member of Parliament (MP) Binwell Mpundu confirmed the arrest and detention of Mr Simuchimba which he described as abuse of political power and advised the Kitwe City Council (KCC) to desist from forcing development on people without engaging them

“Yes, I can confirm that Pastor Simuchimba has been arrested and detained in Kalulushi. According to the police, he has been arrested and detained for allegedly defaming the Kitwe DC Lawrence Mwanza

“He was detained at KItwe Central Police Station but was later taken to Kalulushi after marketeers at Chisokone market became agitated. As area MP, I must say am on the side of the marketeers and I must advise the UPND that political power is very temporal,’’ Mr Mpundu said

Earlier, a check at Chisokone market by the Daily Nation found police in riot gear, while some marketeers were closing their shops fearing that a riot may erupt because the situation was becoming tensed up

Marketeers at Chisokone market are up in arms against the Kitwe City Council (KCC) and office of the District Commissioner whom they have accused to be working together to disadvantage trader’s by intending to demolish more than 90 shops at the green market.

Some marketeers identified as Lydia Museba, Ireen Sakala , Mary Namukonda claimed that the two offices were using the outbreak of cholera to go ahead to demolish the structures so that they can offer shops to their preferred individuals.