Police Arrest 9 In Nakonde Riots, Shooting One

Police in Muchinga Province have arrested nine people believed to have been involved in riots that took place in Nakonde yesterday in connection to the Covid-19 lockdown. 

Muchinga Police Commissioner Joel Njase confirmed the arrests in a brief interview, adding that officers had shot one protestor in both legs and that they were now receiving medical treatment. 

Protests broke out in Nakonde on Wednesday after some motorcycle taxi drivers wanted to return to work despite the ongoing lockdown in the border-town because of Covid-19. 

Nakonde MP Yizukanji Siwanzi explained that the taxi operators had been prevented from ferrying passengers around town, which had caused confusion and frustration.

He added that Nakonde residents had “replied very well with the lockdown” otherwise and were “adhering to all the regulations that have been set up”. 

However, the lawmaker criticised those who were posting pictures of the unrest on social media, threatening them with legal action. 

“Those people who are posting those pictures on social media may not mean well. Nakonde is a very big place. If an area as I am describing the situation that was the case; and then someone picks those pictures there and starts insinuating or creating an impression that it’s everywhere in Nakonde, that is misleading and we have warned those and we have started identifying them so that they can face the law,” he said. 

Riots in Nakonde on Wednesday