Lusaka Business Technical College riot over load shedding

By NATION REPORTER 

STUDENTS from Lusaka Business and Technical College yesterday ran amok at the Kabwata ZESCO Sub Center in protest against the prolonged power outage at their institution.

The college is situated along Burma Road and Zesco is less than a kilometer from the learning institution while Kabwata Police Station is a few metres from the power utility company.

Rae Hamoonga, the Police Public Relations Officer said in a statement that students gathered at Zesco and demanded to be addressed by the centre manager.

“Despite efforts by the officers to engage with the students and encourage them to disperse, the crowd escalated their actions by blocking Burma Road and throwing stones,” Mr Hamoonga said.

The police spokesperson said in response, the officers were compelled to disperse the students forcefully to restore public order.

Mr Hamoonga said as a result, 25 people were arrested for riotous behavior and subsequently detained in lawful custody.

“We are pleased to report that the situation has since returned to normal, with the blocked roads cleared for public use. All the detained individuals have since been released after being issued severe warnings regarding their conduct,” he said.

Mr Hamoonga warned that the Zambia Police Service takes riotous behavior seriously and has since urged all students and citizens to follow lawful channels to address their grievances, as unlawful assemblies and disruptive behavior would not be tolerated.