3 troops nabbed for assault

THREE soldiers and a civilian in Kabwe have been arrested for allegedly brutally beating up a local business executive.

The arrest of the soldiers epitomises what some residents in Kabwe have described as a ‘reign of terror’ by the men in uniform.

Some residents have lately told the Times that soldiers have taken over the Central Province town where they allegedly harass civilians at will.

Both Central Province Police chief Standwell Lungu and the victim who sought anonymity for fear of further punishment confirmed the incident in separate interviews in Kabwe yesterday.

Mr Lungu said the incident happened on November 27 in Dallas residential area where the four allegedly assaulted the business executive who had approached them after they hit into his car.

The four assailants have since been charged with assault and would appear in court today.
And narrating the ordeal, the victim, who is recovering from the injuries he sustained, said the soldiers attacked him around 23:00 hours on Wednesday.

He said he was driving from Lukanga Township with his friend when
his car was hit by another car.

As he approached the driver of the car, four men came out of the vehicle and started beating him.
He further said the men grabbed his mobile phone and K2, 800 cash.

He alleged that the men hit him with a metal bar and as a result, he
sustained a fractured leg and injuries on his back and on his hands.

Lately, there have been reports by some members of the public complaining
that some soldiers have abused them verbally and physically.
In a related development, Police have launched investigations into a matter where some soldiers from Chindwin Barracks have threatened to beat Times of Zambia Kabwe Bureau Chief Sylvia Mweetwa.

The soldiers have accused Ms Mweetwa of writing what they term negative stories about the Zambia Army.

Mr Lungu said Police officers were on the ground to ensure that members of the public were protected.

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