Police in Ndola have summoned opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema to appear for questioning on Wednesday next week.

Although the police call out did not indicate the reasons for the summon, Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja did announce two days ago that his command was going to probe and arrest those who incited the Monday riot in Kitwe.

This was after State House categorically stated that Hichilema was responsible for the Copperbelt riot, on claims that he caused public anger after he alleged that government had sold ZAFFICO Industries to the Chinese.

State House Press Aide Amos Chanda further guided police to start storming radio stations and stopping provocative programmes, such as the one on Sun FM, where Hichilema aired his views on the affairs around the State owned timber processing company.

Government has officially announced that it will float ZAFFICO shares on the Lusaka Stock Exchange, but denies any plans to “sell” the entity.

ZAFFICO is a huge source of people’s livelihoods on the Copperbelt and is also the only government wing that is authorized to enforce transactions around the harvesting and export of Mukula rose wood, which is of prime demand in China.

According to a callout issued by the Deputy D. C. I.O, Gloria Mulele, Hichilema is expected to report to Ndola police at 09:00hrs in the morning.