GOVERNMENT has banned Independence Day celebrations in Serenje following the riots that took place in the district last week in protest against the murder of a 22-year-old taxi driver.
Three people are in police custody in connection with the murder of Gideon Kunda whose body was poured with petrol and set ablaze.
Both Serenje district commissioner Charles Mwelwa and Central Province police commissioner Joyce Kasosa confirmed the development in separate interviews yesterday.
Mr Mwelwa said the cancellation of independence day celebrations in Serenje is due to security concerns arising from last week’s riot.
“It’s true we have decided not to have celebrations this year due to security reasons. We thought the best is to cancel the celebrations,”Mr Mwelwa said.
He said government wants to avoid gatherings, adding that the decision to cancel independence day celebrations in Serenje was arrived at after consultations with security wings and other stakeholders in the district.
And Ms Kasosa said it is important to avoid gatherings in view of the volatile situation in Serenje.
“It’s better to avoid gatherings. There will be no independence day celebrations in Serenje,” she said.
Ms Kasosa said police have continued to monitor the situation in the district and are ensuring that there is peace and order.
She also said the three suspects in the murder of Mr Kunda have not yet been charged because police are still investigating the matter.
Ms Kasosa however said two of the 15 Serenje residents who were arrested in connection with last Tuesday’s riot have been charged with riotous behaviour and were expected to appear in court yesterday.
シ мσ¢кιηgвιя∂ ツ
October 24, 2012 at 11:13 am
No Kalindula No Independence!!
NDIYO ZO PULAMA
October 24, 2012 at 11:30 am
why..sory ba serenje just drive to kopala and celebrate yo independence like never before
chams
October 24, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Chabipa sana bane.Tamwashane,nifinshi mulenwa?
Hone
October 24, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Just cum ku kopala
martin petauke
October 24, 2012 at 5:45 pm
SAD FOR SERENJE BUT NICE FOR PETAUKE WHERE THE MMD COME IN LARGE NUMBERS ABOUT 200 OF THEM DRESSED IN NICE MMD ATTIRE WRITTEN NEVERS NEW HOPE FOR ZAMBIA THAN THE RULING WHO LOOKED DISORGANISED AT INDEPENDENCE CEREBRATION. I LIKE THE WAY THE AREA MP FOR PETAUKE CENTRAL HON DORA SILIA HAS SHOWN BY BEING THERE UPTO 24 HOURS YESTERDAY AND TODAY.The contribution from the MP to wards the independence day Prizes is nice for an area MP. THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO SEE SHE HAS SHOWN TO BE A MOTHER AND A TRUE MP WHO CARES AND KNOWS Y SHES IS IN PALIAMENT.The interaction with goverment heads including the mentorship to the DC who looks lost on how to operate.I THINK MMD MIGHT BE MATURE IN PETAUKE IF WE FOLLOW UP WHAT HAS HAPPENED TODAY. ALL IN ALL IT WAS COLOURFUL THANKS FOR THE ORGANISERS.KEEP IT UP.
zig zag
October 25, 2012 at 5:36 am
Horrible English “…whose body was poured with petrol and set ablaze”
Poured WITH petrol, means that the persons body became liquid and petrol somehow became the body’s container for which the liquid body was “poured”.
Only a flammable article can be set ablaze. Wood for instance.
One does not set an animal or rock ablaze. The person’s body was burned.
It should have read “… was doused with petrol and burned”.
Happy independence from illiteracy!!!
George mwamba
October 25, 2012 at 8:54 am
this is where HH and Nevers should have gone. these two enjoy not celebrating the Independence Day