50 arrested in Matero for idling, disorderly

By Staff Reporter
A joint team of Defence and Security officers have arrested at least 50 people in Matero for idling and disorderly conduct, police have confirmed.
In a Statement Police public spokeperson Esther Katongo said unruly groupings were arming themselves with offensive weapons and terrorizing the communities.
Katongo said three people were  lynched by mobs in separate incidents in Matero’s Katambalala area, Zingalume and Hill side area and were only rescued by the joint patrol team of officers.
“However, one male adult among those rescued aged between 40 and 45 years who was attacked in Hill side area only identified as Emmanuel later died in Matero Level 1 Hospital  around 02 00 hours . The body has been taken to UTH mortuary awaiting identification and postmortem. One suspect has been arrested and investigations have continued. Another male person aged between 30 and 35 years was murdered by a mob yesterday around 21:20 hours in Chikondano area on suspicion of chemical spraying. The body is in UTH mortuary,” said Katongo
She said Matero also recorded  four reports of unruly behaviour where mobs blocked some roads in Chingwere, Hill side , Maiteneke and Katambalala areas.
She however, explained that officers on patrol dispersed the mobs and order was restored.
“Four reports of chemical spraying were recieved by Matero with a total of 16 victims. These cases were recorded from George compound,   Salima road in Kasamba area and Chunga Dumpsite area.Emmasdale Police recorded three reports of chemical spraying with seven victims . These reports were received from Chazanga and Chipata overspill,” she said
She said most reports received by many other police stations involving chemical spraying could not be verified.
Meanwhile, Katongo said in another development, police in Lusaka picked a body of an unidentified male person suspected to have been murdered and burnt by a mob on suspicion of being one of people spraying chemicals.
She said the incidents is suspected to have happened  between 04:30 hours and 05 00 hours at Mponda village,  10 kilometers from Kasisi School and the remains are in UTH mortuary.
“Yesterday in Katende area , a mob descended on a person suspecting him to be among people behind chemical spraying who was later known to be a mental patient of Kanakantapa area. He was rescued by a member of the neighbourhood watch who was also assaulted on accusations that he was protecting a criminal.Police officers  rushed to the scene to rescue the victims and later relatives of the mental patient victim produced documentation to prove that the victim was a mental patient. This happened on15th February, 2020 around 09:00 hours,” she added.
And Katongo said in Kabwe, Central Province, an unidentified man in his 30s was murdered around 23:50 hrs by a mob and the body was picked from Katondo Primary School premises with a burnt face and fingers.
She stated that Police in Kabwe recieved seven reports of malicious administering of chemical substance in Pollen, High ridge,  and Ngungu areas  in which victims were reffered to health facilities for medical attention while Mumbwa district recorded eight reports which are still unverified.
“In Mabumba area of Luapula Province  a mental patient was assaulted along Samfya road by  a mob on mere suspicion and was only rescued by police officers. He survived with injuries. Meanwhile, in Chiengi District near the border, an unidentified male person aged between 50 and 60 years was yesterday around 21 00 hours  murdered by a mob . Officers who went to pick the body were blocked by youths who blocked the road and police fired tear gas canisters to disperse them,” Katongo stated.
She disclosed that police in Matero had so far arrested two suspects for malicious damage in which a motor vehicle Toyota Land cruiser was damaged by a mob in Lusaka on February 11, 2020 on suspicion that occupants were among people spraying chemicals.
Meanwhile, Katongo also said Eastern Province recorded some reports of chemical spraying and victims were issued with medical report forms and police are still waiting for the signed reports from the victims.
Police have instituted investigations in all cases of murder recorded as a result of recent instant mob justice as well as those of malicious damage to property.
“Police have also intensified Investigations in reports of Malicious Admistering of poison with intent to harm (chemical spraying) and this charge attracts 14 years imprisonment upon conviction. We continue appealing to members of the public to always restrain themselves from taking part in instant mob justice,” she said.
“Compared to yesterday, we have observed a positive reduction of mob justice incidences within Lusaka although we still have some concerns. We therefore, call upon all stakeholders in the fight against crime to continue preaching peace and discourage instant mob justice”.