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Zambian Police Arrest Three As Striking Miners Run Riot

Posted on: Thursday, 21 July 2005, 09:00 CDT

Zambian police arrest three as striking miners run riot

LUSAKA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- At least three were arrested as thousands of miners in Zambia's mining town Chingola in the Copperbelt Province run riot Wednesday in their demand for better conditions of services.

Copperbelt Provincial police commanding officer Francis Kabonde confirmed the incident to Xinhua when contacted through the phone. He described the situation as calm now.

The riot came a day after the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) reached an agreement with the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), the leading copper mine in Zambia, for a 30 percent wage hike for the workers.

Miners at KCM have been on strike since June 28 demanding a 100 percent salary increase.

Thousands of miners took to the street Wednesday. The police prevented them from looting the South African chain store Shoprite and the Indo Zambia Bank.

Munganga Chanda, assistant spokesperson at the police headquarters in Lusaka said nine vehicles were damaged by rioters.

Zambia's Mines and Minerals Development Minister Kaunda Lembalemba has condemned the riot and continued strike, saying it is a calculated move to disgrace the government of President Levy Mwanawasa in the international community.

He urged the miners to respect the position taken by their union if their cause are genuine. MUZ president Andrew Mwanza also condemned the violence.

Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

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