Police arrest Jerabos

Sun, 18 Dec 2016 09:26:18 +0000

… FOR RIOTOUS BEHAVIOR

By ROGERS KALERO

THE purported sale of the slug dump in Kitwe to a Chinese national yesterday ended in a clash between police and illegal miners popularly knowns as Jerabos resulting in 10 of them being arrested.

The mineral-rich dump site in Kitwe’s Wusakile mine township has been at the centre of controversy for years in relation to its ownership.

But yesterday when word went round that the site had finally been sold a Chinese national, the Jerabos quickly organised themselves and staged an illegal match to the office of the district commissioner Mr Chanda Kabwe to protest the sale.

Police in riot gear fired teargas canisters to disperse the Jerabos and later arrested 10 of them including  suspected ring  leader Richard Chileshe popularly known as ‘Chile One’  who was beaten up before being bundled in one of the waiting Police vehicle.

Copperbelt police Chief Charity Katanga confirmed to the Daily Nation the arrest of 10 Jerabos who were now in police custody.

“Yes, I can confirm that 10 Jerabos including ring leader Chileshe  have been arrested and detained at Kitwe Central Police Station for unlawful procession. One of them was found with an offensive weapon, an iron rod,” said Ms Katanga

And Kitwe District Commissioner (DC) Chanda Kabwe who was to address the Jerabos refused to comment on the arrests because people he was supposed to meet had been dispersed by riot police who fired teargas canisters.

“What can I say ? I was supposed to address those people who have been dispersed by police. So there is nothing I can say,” said Mr Kabwe.