Zambian Watchdog
Friday, December 14, 2012
What started as mini-riot by Ndola residents to retaliate the shooting of a domestic worker by a Somali national has turned into a fully-fledged riot over mealie-meal by some hungry Ndola residents.
Police were this morning forced to move in and fire tear gas to disperse hundreds of hungry and angry residents, who looted mealie-meal and other groceries.
More than five shops were broken into and looted in Ndeke and Masala townships as well as Ndola town centre by residents, who have been frustrated by the shortages and high costs of mealie-meal.
A crunch shortage of mealie-meal has hit most parts of the country, especially the copperbelt, forcing prices of the staple commodity to rise to between K80,000 and K100,000 which is beyond the reach of many struggling citizens.
Yesterday, a Somalian based in Ndola shot dead his domestic worker for demanding a two month salary amounting to K400,000 (USD$75).
Holland Kabaso from Chipulukusu compound, who was a house servant, went to ask for his salary from his employer when the Somalian got angered. The Somalian who was staying in Zamtel Flats then pulled his gun and shot Kabaso in the head and died on the spot.
The Somalian only identified as Omar is currently in detention at Ndola Central Police Station.
But Ndola residents used the opportunity to riot over mealie-meal shortages.