Batoka residents riot

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 13:11:24 +0000

ANDREW MUKOMA and KALOBWE BWALYA

RESIDENTS of Batoka in Choma district along the Great North Road on Monday night run amok, rioted, blocked the main road and burnt down the Batoka Police Post.

This followed the arrest of a suspect who was found with an offensive weapon in public place.

Southern Province Police Commissioner Bonny Kapeso confirmed the development to the Daily Nation in Livingstone.

Mr. Kapeso further said when he featured on a live Radio programme on BYTA FM dubbed “Chuundu Chaitwa” that the police will withdraw their presence until the residents come to their normal senses.

He described the conduct of the residents as unfortunate adding that they should blame themselves for resorting to destroying public structure.

Mr. Kapeso said the irate residents also blocked the main road, the Great North Road resulting in traffic jam.

“That’s the end of police presence in Batoka until the community puts up its own building.

He said that the police is withdrawing its presence until such a time when new structures will be erected.

He said that quick action by police from Choma who went to provide reinforcement managed to calm the situation and managed to unblock the road which they had blocked.

And calm has returned in the area while police officers are monitoring the situation.

And Choma Central Member of Parliament Cornelius Mweetwa has pleaded with police not to withdraw their service from the area because the community may be subjected to increased crime levels.