LUSAKA, ZAMBIA (AFP) — Zambian police arrested 38 people Thursday after violent protests in the Copperbelt province following the arrest of a priest who allegedly incited violence on a radio programme.
Police used tear-gas to disperse hundreds of Patriotic Front (PF) supporters who torched vehicles and blocked roads in Kitwe, Zambia’s second-largest city, a police commander in the area told AFP.
“They burnt some tyres and vehicles before we intercepted them,” he said on condition of anonymity.
Political tensions have heightened in Zambia since an October 30 election narrowly won by President Rupiah Banda in a poll that PF candidate Michael Sata claimed was rigged.
The riots were sparked by the arrest and detention of Frank Bwalya, a Catholic priest and journalist, who allegedly incited post-election violence on a live radio programme, police said.
Bwalya, a station manager of the Catholic broadcaster Radio Icengelo, was arrested and detained on Wednesday by police for refusing to stop the broadcast dealing with post-election issues.
He was released on bail Thursday after being charged with inciting violence and will appear in court soon.
Private radio stations also reported the riots, which they described as “serious.”
Police had earlier agreed to allow PF members to stage peaceful demonstrations on Saturday against the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), which declared Banda winner of the polls.
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