. POLICE in Kitwe fought running battles with Copperbelt University students on Friday who were protesting over allowances. Above, officers patrol the area. Picture By THOMAS KAPUMPE

By SARAH TEMBO and  ETAMBUYU SANG’ANDU –
TWO security guards were yesterday killed by criminals in Lilanda Township while their two colleagues are battling for their lives in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
The security guards identified as Whitson Mwanza, aged 61, of George Township and Mathews Sakala, 30, of Diana Kayemba Township were killed using iron bars around 02:00 hours on Friday.
Police acting spokesperson Esther Katongo said those nursing serious injuries in UTH were Emmanuel Chimwanso of unkown age and Henry Chanda, 40, both of George Township.
Ms Katongo said the criminals attacked the four security guards after gaining entry into Lilanda Market, breaking into three shops where they got away with goods.
Ms Katongo has since appealed to members of the public to ensure that they employ people from well-established security firms who have the capacity to fight the criminals.
And Copperbelt University (CBU) students on Friday night rioted demanding project and accommodation allowances in the process extensively damaging two security vehicles.
The students who blocked Jambo Drive by burning tyres along the road caused traffic congestion to motorists and other road users.
A Sunday Times reporter, who rushed to the scene around 20:00 hours, found Police officers keeping vigil to prevent further damage by the students.
Copperbelt University Students (COBUSU) acting president Humphrey Mwenya said students were demonstrating over the issue of accommodation and project allowances.
Mr Mwenya said the students had not received their allowances since May this year.
He said a number of students had been evicted from their boarding houses for failure to settle rentals.
Acting CBU registrar Mwala Sheba regretted students’ action, saying the demands had nothing to do with the public they disturbed.
Kitwe District commanding officer Lizzie Machina, who was found at CBU, condemned the action by the students. She said it was not the best way to air their grievances.
She said rioting was not the best way to air the grievances to management and advised that students should use proper channels to speak to management.
Twenty five students and six members of the public were arrested.