• MANSA residents on Monday took to the streets and blocked roads with timber and rocks in protest over the death of a pedestrian, who was run over by a vehicle driven by Chief Chisunka. Picture courtesy of ZAMBIA POLICE

By REBECCA MUSHOTA –
THIRTY-TWO people have been arrested for rioting in Mansa on Monday. The riots were sparked by the death of Isaac Musonda, 28, who was run over by a vehicle driven by Chief Chisunka of the Ushi people of Mansa.
The 32 include 28 males aged between 10 and 52 years and an 11-year-old girl.
They have been charged with riotous behaviour and will appear in court soon.
Mansa residents, mainly from Senama Township, ran amok, throwing stones at motorists and blocked roads with burning timber and tyres.
They demanded that the police give Justine Hakamwaya, who is Chief Chisunka, the body of Mr Musonda, to bury because they believed that some body parts of the deceased were missing.
But Luapula Province Police chief Malcolm Mulenga said yesterday that after the accident, on Saturday, the body was taken to Mansa General Hospital mortuary where a postmortem was conducted.
The body was then handed over to the relatives who took it for burial on Monday morning.
It was at the burial that some people incited others to riot over alleged missing body parts and left the coffin near Mansa Police Station after police officers intercepted them.
“Police were alert and blocked them from proceeding by way of throwing tear smoke, which made them leave the coffin and scattered in different directions. Then they re-organised and started throwing stones at passing vehicles and setting fire along the road,” he said.
Mr Mulenga said the situation was back to normal and the family of the deceased and a few friends went ahead and buried Mr Musonda yesterday.
Chief Chisunka has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and is scheduled to appear in court today.