. Katanga

By SYLVIA MWEETWA –
A POLICE officer has been injured after suspected copper thieves commonly known as Jerabos outnumbered the officers dispatched to stop a theft of copper cables believed to have been stolen from Mopper Copper Mine in Mufulira on the Copperbelt.
The mob of Jerobos was reportedly in the process of burning the cables and police were dispatched to intercept the theft resulting in them retaliating by stoning the police officers, who later abandoned their mission, leaving one injured.
The attack on the police officers also left a Toyota Land Cruiser with a shattered rear windscreen.
Copperbelt Commissioner of Police Charity Katanga confirmed the incident which happened around 10:00 hours on Saturday
Ms Katanga identified the officer who sustained three cuts on his head only as Constable Hamuyuni of Kansuswa Police station and has since been stitched and discharged from hospital.
She said the police officers attached to the mining firm received information that unknown people were burning copper cables suspected to have been stolen.
On arrival the police officers were outnumbered by a mob of jerabos who retaliated by throwing stones at the officers.
She said in the process one officer was injured and the whole lot sped off before the situation could escalate.
“I can confirm that one officer sustained head injuries after he was allegedly stoned by a mob of Jerabos in Mufulira after officers attempted establish reports of thefts of copper cables, but the off duty officer was met by flying stones forcing them to abandon the mission,” she said.
She said there were no arrests made so far, but investigations were on course..
Ms Katanga also said police patrols have been intensified to arrest anyone in conflict with the law.
She said the police was committed to ensuring lives and property were protected