Chaos reigned in Kitwe’s Chimwemwe township yesterday after word went round that a Chinese National had killed a Zambian.

An angry mob looted Chinese-owned shops during a riot.

In a statement today, Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo narrated that a 42-year-old Chinese national accidentally shot his shop keeper whilst playing with his pistol.

“There was a shooting incident which occurred yesterday 21st September, 2018 around 18:00 hours at Yuchen Investments Limited at a Chinese shop at Spur Shopping Centre in Chimwemwe Township in Kitwe in which Female Nelia Mumba, aged 38 of Chimwemwe Township, Kitwe reported that her daughter Roydah Mumba, aged 17, a shopkeeper at the above shop was shot and wounded on her right ankle by Gao Em Ming, 42, a Chinese National of Lubambe Centre, Parklands in Kitwe, using a 9mm Glock Pistol, Serial number BFZN 775. The incident happened when the Chinese National who was at the Counter selling in the shop started playing with his Pistol which in the process fired and the bullet wounded the Zambian worker who was standing within the shop,” Katongo stated.

“The victim was rushed to Kitwe Teaching Hospital where she has been admitted for observation.”

She stated that when word went round that a Chinese National had killed a Zambian, Chimwemwe residents mobilized, threw stones and looted the shop.

“After word went round that a Chinese National had killed a Zambian, residents of Chimwemwe Township got infuriated and started throwing stones and looted the Chinese shop. Police quickly moved in and dispersed the mob and kept vigil. Between 20:00 hours and 21:00 hours, the angry mob moved to another Chinese shop, Xingmei Supermarket in Nakadoli Market in Chimwemwe Township which was still open and owned by Female Aimi Yan, aged 45 of Chimwemwe, Kitwe, where the mob damaged the front metal door and four windows, before looting property whose value is not yet ascertained,” narrated Katongo.

“Two suspects namely Racheal Mpundu, aged 16 of unknown house number in Chimwemwe was apprehended with a table, duvet, and onother man suspected to have been drunk at the time and refused to give his names, who was found with plastic dishes and a duvet was also arrested. The Chinese national who shot the worker is currently detained at Riverside Police Station yet to be charged and a pistol with no rounds has been recovered. Scene visited and docket of case opened.”