Kitwe riots blame probe

Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, from the United Party for National Development, has been warned by police after he was summoned to appear before them on Tuesday following claims he had instigated riots in Kitwe several weeks ago.

The police arrested 18 people, allegedly for disturbing peace during a support rally for him on Tuesday, the Zambian Observer reported yesterday.

Following questioning, Hichilema was released from the Copperbelt police divisional offices in Ndola but cautioned against carrying out acts of sedition.

The Kitwe riots were sparked by reports that the government was in the process of selling off Zaffico, a state-owned business responsible for timber and wood, to a private Chinese buyer.

During the riots, business was brought to a standstill in the Racecourse, Kamatipa and Kawama compounds as saw millers and residents alike fought with police, blockading the road to two compounds with burning tyres.

Two hundred people were arrested.