27 SUSPECTS ARRESTED OVER CHINGOLA'S CHIWEMPALA MARKET RIOT & ARSON INCIDENT AS MARKETEERS APOLOGISE TO PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA & ENTIRE NATION

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, SC, MP says substantial progress has been recorded in ongoing investigations aimed at bringing to book an unruly mob that disrupted President Hakainde Hichilema's address to marketeers whose stalls were recently gutted by fire at Chingola's Chiwempala Market last Saturday.

Addressing a press briefing at Chingola Central Police Station following an on-the-spot guided tour of Chiwempala Market on Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Mwiimbu said the 27 individuals are suspected of having participated in the riot and arson incident.

He said among those in custody, include individuals who stole the carpet and poles that were in a tent earmarked as a presidential holding room during the event at Chiwempala Market.

Mr. Mwiimbu said investigations have established links that will enable police and law enforcement agencies to get to those who led the riot and arson incident at Chiwempala Market.

During his visit to Chiwempala Market, Mr. Mwiimbu received a message of apology from the marketeers on behalf of President Hichilema, delivered through their chairperson, Christopher Chiwasha.

Mr. Chiwasha said they were sorry that such an incident occurred at a time when President Hichilema was commiserating with them over the gutting of their stalls.

They pledged to work with Government and ensure Chiwempala Market was rebuilt for the benefit of the people of Chingola, and to ensure such an incident does not repeat itself at Market.

MINISTRY PR UNIT