POLICE on Saturday fought running battles with Chamboli Township residents who attempted to burn a police post in the area after the law enforcers offered protection to a man the residents suspected of being a wizard. The irate residents, who were armed with sticks and stones, stormed Chamboli police post and started throwing stones in an attempt to kill the man.

Copperbelt Commissioner of Police Charity Katanga said in an interview yesterday that police officers had to fire tear gas to calm the situation. Ms Katanga said the incident happened at around 05:45 hours after the residents found a naked man walking.

She said the man was then taken to the police post for safety, but word went round in the area that police officers had whisked away a “wizard”. The residents then descended on the police post.

“The residents started throwing stones in an attempt to kill the victim. The residents also attempted to burn the police post,” Ms Katanga said. She said police officers took the victim to the police station for safety, and that they later dispersed the crowd by firing tear gas. Ms Katanga said no arrests have been made, but police officers will ensure they arrest the perpetrators. She said attempts by the residents to try and burn the police post is retrogressive because the facility is for their security.

Ms Katanga also warned that police officers will not condone this attitude by members of the public who are fond of destroying public property when the police officers are merely executing their duties. She urged people to refrain from taking the law into their hands because the country has laws that punish people who are found g