A combined team of armed police and Ndola council officers this morning demolished illegally built houses in Mishishi area.

However, the demolition exercise turned violent when owners of the plots turned up.

The police and council officers led by Ndola town clerk Wisdom Bwalya arrived at location to demolish the illegal structures structure around 10:30 hours.

The council demolished five houses and razed the foundations.

The demolition came barely 24 hours after the council issued a notice for all plot owners in the area to take documents for approval.

The structures are said to be on a 200 hectares piece of land belonging to ZAFFICO.

As the council was demolishing some structures, the owners started arriving in protest to the action.

One of the plot owners, Sam Bwali challenged the police with a court order restraining them from continuing with the exercise.

But Ndola town clerk Wisdom Bwalya refused to get the court orders.

“I have an office. Don’t give me these papers here. Bring those things to the office, said Bwalya said.

Moments later, police arrested Bwali and two of his colleagues.

By 13:00 hours, the three were being taken to Ndola Central Police.