RIOTING by Patriotic Front (PF) supporters has now spread to Kitwe on the Copperbelt while police in Lusaka are still battling to quell continued disturbances.

Some residents of selected parts of Lusaka yesterday overpowered the police as they protested against President Mwanawasa's lead in the elections results that have been announced so far.

In Kitwe, the cadres rioted, going around the town centre smashing minibuses. Serious violence erupted at the town centre in protest against election results that have put MMD presidential candidate Levy Mwanawasa in the lead.

There was heavy police presence at Kitwe's town centre while most shops were closed. Banks in Luanshya were also closed in fear of the riots going on in Kitwe. Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission (HRC) chairperson Mumba Malila stated that injury to people and loses of life is the very antithesis of democracy and norms of values.

And residents from Matero, Garden, Mandevu and Chipata compounds in Lusaka fought running battles, in separate incidents, and overwhelmed the police who later called on the Zambia Army officers for assistance.

The protest had started on Sunday at Mulungushi International Conference Centre where they wanted to enter the results management centre but were blocked by the police who even arrested 19 of the PF supporters.

After police contained the protest at Mulungushi earlier in the day, some cadres flocked to Garden compound around 14:00 hours and were joined by the residents of Garden who become uncontrollable and blocked Garden and Katimamulilo roads.

Red Cross officials carrying Vincent Phiri with a dislocated leg after he was hit during the riot in Garden Compound - Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza

The cadres mounted a huge fire on Garden and Katimamulilo roads that forced the police in full riot gear to advance in the area in their quest to restore order. The police found logs and makeshift stalls on the roads trying to block any vehicle from passing in the area.

At about 16:00 hours, the situation became worse and residents threw stones at the police officers that fought back by firing teargas on them.

By 18:00 hours the police had arrested several people and kept patrols in the area until around 06:00 hours in the morning.

In Matero, the police were so overwhelmed that they failed to contain the situation and had to call for backup from the Zambia Army.

The situation became worse after residents were told that PF president Michael Sata was still trailing in the third position after results were announced at 16:00 hours.

There were police reinforcements to the area but suffered a setback, as they were defeated by cadres who threw stones at them.

Some unscrupulous individuals took advantage and store goods worth millions of kwachaa at JKS complex, where they also stole cell phones from the complex.

Shoprite Checkers in the area was not spared from the fracas as the security gate was forced to open and several goods were stolen from the shop.

Firefighters putting out the fire in Garden Compund - Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza

It was when the rioters broke into Shoprite that security personnel was beefed up in the area and saved the shop from further looting.

Shoprite proprietors found at the shop in the morning refused to talk to the press on what worth of goods were stolen.

Marketeers and shop owners whose property was burnt by PF cadres expressed disappointment at the unruly behaviour.

Joyce Mwanza, a Chipata resident, said it was unfortunate that cadres were destroying people's livelihood just because of election results.

Mwanza said PF cadres should have waited until all the results were announced. "How can they start burning our shops and market stands as well as our goods. Some of us have no interest in their results," said Mwanza.

"These people should accept whatever the outcome."

...page... And a Matero resident who sought anonymity said it was unfortunate that people had resorted to violence instead of waiting for the outcome of the results.

"Zambia is a democratic nation and people should learn to respect the majority decision. Now the little property that marketeers had has been destroyed," said the resident.

One of the affected traders Bernard Kaemba said the protesters from Lilanda and Shadreck compounds converged in Matero where they burnt and stormed the market, breaking window panes of various stalls and stole goods worthy millions of kwachas. Kaemba appealed to the police to beef up patrols in the area in that anything could happen as people were still contemplating staging protests.

"This is not the first time we are having elections, and it is shocking that people can go to an extent of breaking butcheries and burning deep freezers and stealing property in the name of protests," he said.

Kaemba said Matero had a lot of thieves who had since taken advantage of the situation and robbed several businesses and individuals.

The protest also spilled to Mandevu and Chipata compounds where they set the Zambeef Butchery on fire.

By 06:00 hours in the morning, the butchery was still burning and carcasses of meat worthy millions of kwacha were burnt in the inferno.

By press time some residents of Chipata township were regrouping for another demonstration.

And police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso could not disclose the number of arrested protesters by press time.

However, sources said the police cells at Central Police were overwhelmed with those protesting in Garden compound. The source said the police arrested more than 19 cadres from Garden Compound alone.

Police anti-riot squad arrest a PF cadre outside Mulungushi Election Centre - Picture by Eddie Mwanaleza

Police sources said the total number of those arrested was more than 40. The source revealed that even cells at Emmasdale police were filled with protesters from other areas.

"We have arrested more than 40 people for violent behaviour. This is bad. People should learn to behave like human beings," said the police source.

And three vehicles belonging to the Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) were severely damaged by protesters in Mandevu and Chipata during the protests. ZRCS secretary general Charles Mushitu disclosed in a statement yesterday that the vehicles had their windows shattered while ferrying casualties during the demonstrations.

Mushitu expressed surprise as to why the protesters vented their anger on the Red Cross vehicles despite that they could be easily distinguished due to their flags.

He also revealed that the protesters attacked Red Cross volunteers and staff that had been providing first aid services to the casualties during the fracas.

"The Zambia Red Cross Society is appealing to the protesting residents to refrain from attacking the Red Cross vehicles and staff that have been providing first aid services to the casualties," Mushitu appealed. "The Red Cross is a respected and distinctive symbol respected worldwide which is neutral and impartial that does not take sides in hostilities."

He called upon leaders of the protesting political parties to educate their members on the need to respect the Red Cross emblem. "In this regard we condemn the attack of the Red Cross staff yesterday and hope that the act shall not recur in future," Mushitu stated.

He pointed out that according to CAP 307 of the Laws of Zambia and the Geneva Conventions of 1949, to which Zambia is a signatory, it was a serious offence to attack the Red Cross sign. And a Zambeef source disclosed that goods worth millions of kwacha after their outlet in Chipata and Matero were gutted.

The source disclosed that Zambeef outlet in Chipata compound was set ablaze by political party cadres around 19:00 hours on Sunday evening.

The source expressed disappointment at the behaviour of the suspected PF cadres, saying it was a setback for the company and the livestock industry as a whole.

An unidentified man complaining about his child who was tear-gassed during the protest in Garden Compound - Picture by Thomas Nsama

And Malila said while the Commission supports the peaceful exercise of freedom and association and assembly, it does not condone violence and destruction of property under any guise. He stated that democracy entailed that the wishes of the majority should carry the day. "The supporters of the losing candidates in the just ended general elections should accept that they represent minority and therefore could not hold the majority to ransom no matter how wrong in principle the majority may, in their view be," Malila stated.

He stated that Zambians should not allow peace to elude them merely because some factions of society are unhappy with the election results.

"Any grievances arising from the alleged electoral malpractice manipulation should be addressed through the legitimate lawful and peaceful process available under the laws of Zambia," stated Malila.