HH’s arrest over ZAFFICO riots is up to Police – Kampyongo

Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo says it up to the Police to decide whether to summon UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema for questioning for allegedly inciting the recent riot in Kitwe by claiming during a live radio program on Sun FM in Ndola that ZAFFICO had been sold to the Chinese.

In a ministerial statement, Mr. Kampyongo has told Parliament that it is not up to him as Minister of Home Affairs, but the Zambia Police who are investigating the matter to determine whom to summon in establishing what transpired in Kitwe.

Mr. Kampyongo adds that other persons involved in spreading false information about the sale of the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) through social media are yet to be identified.

He has warned that the long arm of the law will catch up with them as spreading false information to alarm the nation is a criminal offense.

And Mr Kampyongo says all the 102 suspects apprehended in connection with Monday’s riot in Kitwe are still in police custody.

Mr. Kampyongo says the 102, who include 80 males and 22 females are detained at various police stations as investigations continue.

He says the suspected rioters will be interrogated before dockets are opened after which they will be taken to Court