By SYLVIA MWEETWA –
KITWE police are holding nine teen-aged boys from a gang calling itself ‘Sons of the devil’ after the group rampaged through a number of residential areas this week, robbing homes and attacking residents.
The boys, aged between 16 and 18, were apprehended by police for unlawful wounding, burglary and for being in possession of psychotropic substances, among other charges.
Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga identified the suspects as Goodson Banda, Ackson Kayombo, Mick Mandala, David Sikapizye, Hope Mulenga, Joel Mwendalubi and Charles Lwanga, all of Kwacha Township.
Residents of Riverside who have borne the brunt of the gang’s attacks have praised the police for apprehending the nine youth, saying they had lost household goods worth thousands of Kwacha.
In different interviews, the residents narrated how they had woken up to find their homes burgled and goods stolen. The items most stolen were electronic goods that the burglars were able to re-sell.
A resident whose home had been broken into described the boys as ruthless, saying they went about their evil business in packs armed with all manner of weapons.
“Residents who have attempted to confront them have ended up being brutally assaulted,” she said.
Another urged the courts to deal sternly with the suspects when convicted, saying some of the boys were repeat offenders who were in and out of prison serving short sentences or none at all.
“We can breathe a bit at the news of the arrest of some of the gang members but we know that they will be released to continue to terrorise the community simply because they are considered juvenile. They need to be sent to reformatories like Katombora for a long time for them to mend their ways,” another said.
Ms Katanga said police had intensified patrols in the most affected parts of the city and would deal ruthlessly with the law-breakers.
Meanwhile, police have recovered 18 of 19 tyres worth K65,000 which were stolen from China  Civil  Engineer Company in Chambishi and apprehended three  people to assist with investigations.
Ms Katanga said initial indications were that the suspects managed to get into the company’s warehouse using a set of spare keys.
The suspects being held have been identified as  David Kabamba, Lewis Chileshe and  Richard Chipimpi, all of Chambishi  while the  security guards on duty on the night of the theft have not been heard from.