Students at the Copperbelt University Friday night rioted over the delayed payment of their meal allowances.

And Copperbelt Police Commissioner Charity Katanga says seven vehicles were damaged in the process of the riots.

The students gathered around 22:00 hours to air their grievances over the delayed meal allowances, after which meeting they held a procession to Jambo Drive where they blocked the Highway and started rioting.

But Katanga claimed some drunk students instigated the riots.

“Students riotious behaviour, occurred on December 14, 2018 at around 23:00 hours. Some students ran amock and blocked Jambo Drive with concrete blooms in Riverside Kitwe where they stoned and damaged seven passing vehicles. The same [students] are demanding meal allowance. This happened when some students went out to drink beer and when they returned they mobilised others into the act and in the process the following vehicles were damaged vehicle,” Katanga stated.

“Toyota Bravis Reg number ACV 2760 owner David Mwenya Kabanda, 30 years of age. He had his front windscreen and right rear side window broken. Toyota Alion BCB 1425zm belonging to Brendan Okane 34 years of house number 27 Almalike street river side, had its rear windscreen broken and dents on both sides of the body. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado registration number ADC 6167 in which Careen Kalima Mulenga 36 years of House number 1 Julia Chikamoneka River Side reported on behalf of Chanda Mulenga that the vehicle had its Rear left side glass broken and dents on the left side. Toyota Hiace Quantum registration number AOB 2722 for Nsakanja Stainley 34years of House number 8 mulundu river side had its Rear right and left sides glasses broken. Toyota Alpherd registaion ADE 1827zm for Agripa Tembo 50 years of house A26 CBU Camp had its left side Wind shield broken. BMW registration ADC 7646 For Willie Ngosa 35years of house number 1766 freedom way riverside had a broken front windscreen and a dent on the rear side. And BMW registration 002CD 33N For Justin Sikaala 49yrs of riverside extension had a dent on the rear right door.”

She said the value of the damaged property has not yet been ascertained.

Katanga said ‘quick’ action by the police managed to push back the students into campus.

“Quick action by the police controlled the situation and managed to push back the students into comus. No injuries recorded and no arrest made. We have launched investigation to identify the ringleaders. The situation is quiet at the moment and police continue to mornitor,” said Katanga.