. CHANDA
By KASONDE KASONDE –
NINE people have been arrested in Kanyama Township in Lusaka following a riot over an alleged defilement case involving a local traditional healer and a 16-year-old girl.
The riot took place at the weekend and led to widespread looting of shops.
A mob looted shops believed to belong to the traditional healer’s tenants and also damaged the place at which he prescribed his charms.
Police spokesperson Charity Chanda confirmed the arrests in an interview yesterday, and identified the traditional healer as Chilufya Chileya, who is also known as ‘Dr Kalonga Kanono’.
Ms Chanda said Police picked up the witch doctor along with eight other people to help with the probe.
“We have in our custody a traditional healer who allegedly defiled a 16-year-old girl in Kanyama Township and eight other people for rioting which left property destroyed. They will help us with our investigations,” Ms Chanda said.
She said Mr Chileya was facing two counts of assault prior to the riots and that Police were still investigating the defilement case against him.
The angry residents regrouped yesterday morning to riot but were stopped by Police officers deployed in the area to ensure there was peace.
