SOME Copperbelt University students on Wednesday evening attacked a businessman and stole K200 million from him, sparking widespread condemnation by the public.
The students, pounced on the businessman after he lost control of his vehicle and plunged into a ditch when he attempted to evade the rampaging mob, which was stoning motorists on Jambo Drive near the campus.
The mob clobbered him, set his Toyota Hilux Surf ablaze and made off with the money, cell phones and business documents.
The businessman, Mamadi Conde, 76, of Guinean descent, is currently admitted to Hillview Medical Centre with a fractured skull and a lacerated tongue.
Copperbelt Police Chief Antoneil Mutentwa confirmed the incident and condemned the riotous acts by the students.
Mr Mutentwa said police would not allow such lawlessness and that there were concerted efforts with the public to deal with such matters.
Trouble started just after the 19:00 hours ZNBC main news, when students complained of unfair coverage of the day’s demonstration over the police shooting of a student and their demand for the removal of Education Minister, Dora Siliya.
Some students took to the entrance of the campus and hurled missiles at motorists and one of them hit Mr Conde’s vehicle, causing him to lose control before plunging into a ditch.
Students continued to beat him even after emerging from the vehicle until some good Samaritans rescued him and rushed him to the hospital.
A check at the hospital by the Times team found Mr Conde in apparent pain and with
stitches on the head while his severed tongue had been stitched back.
Mr Conde said he found rocks blocking Jambo Drive near the campus entrance in the evening as he returned from a business engagement in Lusaka and that students emerged when he stopped but that they stoned him as he attempted to drive off.
His son, Issa said his father had lost K200 million, phones and many of his business documents after the students searched him and set the vehicle on fire.
“It is unacceptable that students could do such a thing and relevant authorities should bring the perpetrators to book,” he said.
He said doctors had confirmed that his father had sustained a fractured skull while his tongue had been stitched back into position.
Police arrived on the scene shortly after but by then, the students had run away and no one was arrested.
CBU students union president, Kasonde Mwenda said it was unfortunate that a motorist had been beaten up on the same day that students had protested.
“I have no confirmation that students were involved in burning the motor vehicle and we cannot support such an incident as a leadership,” he said.
CBU public relations officer, Grace Mikunga said management would issue a comprehensive statement at an appropriate time.
Copperbelt Minister, Mwansa Mbulakulima condemned the students for resorting to violence as a way of resolving various problems being experienced by their institution.
Mr Mbulakulima said in a statement released in Ndola yesterday that it was unacceptable for the students to resort to attacking innocent citizens and destroying private property.
“The peaceful demonstration by the students which earned them respect was over-shadowed by these violent actions which were unnecessary,” he said.
And various stakeholders condemned the violence and demonstration by students at CBU and University of Zambia (Unza)
The Citizens’ Committee (CC), the Zambia United Christian Action (Zuca) and Zambia for Empowerment and Development (ZED), a newly formed party, said in separate interviews in Lusaka yesterday that students should promote dialogue in the country.
CC executive director, Gregory Chifire said the students should concentrate on their studies emphasising that anytime lost would not be recovered.
“It is unnecessary for students to waste time with the demonstration at the time they were supposed to be engaged in their academic studies. They should concentrate on their studies because there is no logic in their demonstration,” Mr Chifire said.
ZED president, Fred Mutesa said the students populace should give Unza Students Union a chance to provide a leadership on various issues including the current grievances.
The sad part of the whole thing is, Its the innocent who become victims of these riots.
What is wrong with these students? They are now becoming criminals…
Heee ,,,,,,,,,,,,,thats sad news for the business man. Quick recovery man. ZNBC learn to be unbiased in your reporting. I can say you are thecause of this nonsense by the students. Students learn to respect the public , infact you should have confronted ZNBC not innocent people.
SOMETHINGS IS WRONG IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM…….GOD HELP US!
Ah! he’s a west african no vundu, probably he doesn’t even pay tax and does dodgy deals.
U know what my fellow bloggers, i think these are some of the problems we should avoid in the first place. When we say put a credible minister there, the opposite is what happened. When we say implement justice in the Police force or service, the opposite is what we get. This is just reaping what our leaders are sowing. If we look at the age bracket of these students, they are very emotionally unstable. Anything worse than the car burning can happen. lets learn to prevent problems in Zambia and not act when the worst happens.
Where did the business man get the K200m? Which business can give him that much? He was taught a lesson.
Kupusah!!!!!,too bad for the Guinean brother,if these guys are going to demonsrate let them do so but in a peaceful manner.200 mega missing ………..i think the son is exaggerating in the hope ya compensation.
Its sad that things have to reach to that level…I think there is always a better way to handle such matters.Conde is it true you had carried K200m? I think you are exaggerating…my advise to the general public is that, dont try ro pass where students are demonstrating…mwilaimona.
Yaba these clowns are stupid and stupidity abounds with these sons of guns
I would do the same, infact, i could have said 2billion.
Am sorry 4 his health, bt k200 is way too much to move bout wit at tat time of d nit. Policemen had blockd d road fro a distance bt he decidd to ignore d police stop den came crusin against d student thus they stond him so am told. Hope u doin d rit biznes man o else things wil turn against u, k200 at nit? lets see
K200 Million!!! They will drink, too bad for the man!
Gaston Sichilima baliponona kuli UNIP cadre!!!!!!!!!!! Post 14 -08-09.
If u have the right brains, you cant drive around ubushiku with 200 megz, this is not time to ask for compensation ba business-man, we have a serious matter at hand right now – Siliya must go!!! They shoudl have taken your tongue as well mwe….
Am sorry 4 his health, bt k200 is way too much to move bout wit at tat time of d nit. Policemen had blockd d road fro a distance bt he decidd to ignore d police stop den came crusin against d student thus they stond him so am told. Hope u doin d rit biznes man o else things wil turn against u, k200 at nit? lets see kaya mweh
The kind of graduates we produce,they say a lot with what the current of the country,Zambia is a shame ladies and gentlemen…………….in government we have graduates and look at how things are run…..even people like Shaka Zulu had a more organized and logical system than our failed country.
I say a revolution is the only solution. This is seriously bad,this country is soon becoming a Somalia. Unrevised curriculum in Universities,lecturers who enjoy to see others fail,politicians who are dull and selfish, selfish uncreative chiefs, dull bosses in companies with masters degrees from Cavendish ,nah this country is sinking!!!!!!!!!!!!
This business man must be questioned for money laundering. How do you galavant around with 200 meters?
The actions by the students are very unfortunate. The police should not be condemned then for shooting students
The Minister Sichilima bali nyolola kuli ba UNIP mulilo uwaikatako apya. PEOPLE THINGS ARE NOT GOOD IN ZAMBIA. I FEAR ANYTHING TERRIBLE CAN HAPPEN. People have started taking the law in their hands as police can’t help them. Sad for the minister Sichilima…..very sad indeed.
What the students did was wrong and i condemn that, but i can understand their frustrations if they are not represented in the manner that they want to. Many a time we demonstrated our frustrations were not aired properly so i do understand their frustrations and ZNBC must also be partly to blame. On the otherhand, west africans are just thieves and his son just wants to capitalize on this incident, K200m???? They must question this guy about the money.
God help us oo..so sad an innocent man was involved.And you students learn to respect the public.that’s why ba buju bamitontela na AK47..And you the govt this is not the first time this s** is happening.help us out.
I would also like to read more on the student that was gunned down by ZP, it seems ZNBC only airs negative stuff about students. As usual….
I long for the day when we shall hear good things about students, like a project to plant 1000 trees, or donating clothes to the poor or clean up the streets campaign or a solution to Zesco’s blackouts or even a solution to the weed choking the kafue river. All we ever read about are these riots and closures.
The next thing this guinean ***** will say is that they stole his Immig papers. Welldone boys. U cant rove around with 200m. Where are the banks???? I smell money laundering here. Mosi yalanwikwa pa house of commons lelo.
#7, i dont think it is fair for you to start making judgement about where the innocent man got the money from, it is only K200.000 million, in Kwacha, not Sterling or Dollars, The man has a right to move a round with out the fear that students will attack him.
We will have students who will be graduating as criminals. They attacked an innocent man, set ablaze his vehicle, stole his phones, docs and money. what a shame from university students. You dont deserve a permit next time ba mumbwe imwe.!!!!!. We used to demostrate but not stealing.
anyway umwana we sukulu alishupa especially if provoked. how do you shine with a toyota surf in the wrong turf at the wrong time with the wrong stuff to come and be vindicated by the son with the wrong mouth. Kufwa.
hahahah….its sad that the business man’s life is in danger.this is very stupid behavior by the students and it would be more stupid if the police force their way to the campus to make random arrests.first and foremost i dont believe that the businessman was carrying k200m.that is false and if its true,where did that money come from and what business does he do to be moving with money at such an awkward time?why are being cheated here?are we trying to divert the attention of the public to sympathize with the businessman?is it an attempt by the state agents to mislead us now?this requires thorough investigations and the issue at hand is….DORA MUST GO….simple as that
The Police should shoot to kill next time !
Is there proof for that K200m. I mean things like bank withdrawal slips if he got the money from the bank or receipts from a day’s takings at his business. What proof has the man provided.
Those students should just be sent home. They are a menace. Society does not towe them anything.
200m in any currency save for the ZIM dollar is a lot of money to move around with, ba MONKO banwa again…
#24 Keyser Sosa – You also remember that lovely place, Pa Commons! A beacon of Riverside. All orientation for beer lovers begins at that place! They will need to order truck loads of shakers coz ba monk dont beleive in pinting too much.
#28 nice analysis indeed
Bafumishe kwisa 200Million ba guy in cash? And where are the banks if the money was earned legally. Perhaps that can help pay students’ BC for a month lol
kILL THEM BEFORE THEY KILL US. FOOLISH STUDENTS. SICHILIMA ALA BALIMUTOTOLA
It’s about time the f##king govt had police camps right on campus coz these monkeys are getting out of handing !!!!! Yes, I said monkeys ! They are just bringing chaos to a rather peaceful nation and denting our image abroad, what’s next killing innocent people ? these animals need to be tamed !!!!
Zambians are losers for thinking k200M is alot of money !!! wake up !!!
Maaa….mubanamizela che bafana!
today it’s 200 million tommorow it will be ten billion kwacha when they assume higher positions. If they are this thieving and you are celebrating just imagine how thieving they willl be . What am wondering is why didn’t the raging mob intervene in a 76 year old being robbed. The same people complaining day in and day out of politicians corruption are the same ones morally rotten to the core
They need to be taught a lesson, let that institution close for 5 years and upon return fine them K5M. Bunch of thieves and *****S! 2004 through to 2009 intake should never be employed in any firm, they would end up killing their superiors! These were the same people who rushed to state house for a meeting and now they are threatening to raise a red card…! My ass! How could they honestly clobber an old aged man…they dont know what he went through to have that vehicle! Thats proper stupidity, I blame their guardians!
Its unfortunate that the students resorted to violent attacks. Guys you are intellectuals ..behave accordingly!
Too bad to the Guinean brother….what if Guineans start beating us in Guinea as well…..especially that,kumwabo tababa sana friendly ku ma foreigners. (Tukashana twabo twaliba friendly and caring though!)
If RB will yield to the demands by these chaps of dropping Dora I will see him as being weak. Their grounds are are too childish and do not have any merit, worse off that they are bent on cheap shallow political thinking. Perhaps we need to train more security men so that Zambia is not turned into a place irresponsible people are wishing for it to be. If I may ask, what has become of our intelligence and security system kanshi? Almost everyone has his/her law these days, doing whatever feeds their ego.
namala 29 you stupid donkey shoot who? where you stay don’t you see people protesting and there plight is given atmost attention. ubufontini muleke. learn something from your suroundings don’t just be looking at the buildings and nice roads.
CBU in is now closed for two weeks officially.
CBU is now closed for two weeks officially.
closing is not the solution,it’s just delaying.in a few weeeks time something is going to spark off the unrest. GIVE and TAKE.
why the ****ing shit closing the campus?Zambia never ceases to amaze me.iam so disappointed
K200m ZRA audit yamoneka, ba DEC you can also move in possible money launderer. Ba BOZ…
Oh my I wish i was there…
Sorry, wishing the man a quick recovery, Students, students, students you have lost all the symparthy the general public had for your cause, becuase of one babaric act, You are not worth your case. As for the Brother, tell the truth did you have K200m or K2m.
#42 ba kitwe, kwateni amano muli bakulu.. Infact they should aim for the HEAD or ba11z !
Why was this guy moving with such a collosal amount ?
it has always been a wrong move to stone cars but it has been done with no reports of stealing monies or property. I wonder if for sure this man had that amounts in his vehicle or just trying to get compensation from govt to get another SURF.
#41 dont take us back to the dark ages…..we are in the 21st century for crying out loud!!You want to bring back the unip era….do you know that we are entitled to free speech?We say no to shushu,no to red brick and long live free speech!!
This cannot be expected from University students. You are students and not politicians. Burning vehicles will never solve your problems. I was at ZIT where I was the SG of the union. During my time we had one closure after a sit – in. We used to walk to DG’s office to protest. We never damaged property, never touched anybody. If you want to change minister(s), wait for elections. Have you contributed to the making of the new constitution? Zambia needs you to complete your studies and contribute to national development. Now that you have been closed down, have you achieved your objective? Hon Siliya is not your lecturer.
The heartlessness of some people, including some bloggers is so shocking! The man was beaten for no reason cant we just show some sympathy? It doesn’t matter were he originates from, he’s still human just like us. These student are very stupid to be stoning people who at the end of the day pay the taxes that pay their allowances. This is why i suggested some time back that Zambia should get rid of bursaries and introduce student loans that should be paid back when a student graduates, that way these stupid students will know that what they are fighting for doesn’t belong to them.
what has a ZNBC clip got to do with the the general public? Let them go to State house and stone Rupiah Banda instead! Or go and confront ZNBC itself! And these are the so called leaders of tomorrow.??!!!
The heartlessness of some people, including some bloggers is so shocking! The man was beaten for no reason cant we just show some sympathy? It doesn’t matter were he originates from, he’s still human just like us. These student are very $tupid to be stoning people who at the end of the day pay the taxes that pay their allowances. This is why i suggested some time back that Zambia should get rid of bursaries and introduce student loans that should be paid back when a student graduates, that way these $tupid students will know that what they are fighting for doesn’t belong to them.
what has a ZNBC clip got to do with the the general public? Let them go to State house and stone Rupiah Banda instead! Or go and confront ZNBC itself! And these are the so called leaders of tomorrow.??!!!
k200,000,000 is US$42,553.19 mwe bantu mwe. BUSHE sosoliso ekoichili?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TERRORISTS WHO KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE IN THE STREETS SO THAT THEIR SELFISH DEMANDs COULD BE HEARD and THE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PA ZED? FRUSTRATED FUTURE LEADER OR LOFFERS..THEY KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THEM..Please ZP use those live ammunitions issued to you by the tax payers against those dull TERRORISTS.NO one should object unless a fellow psychopatic criminal.
i object! # 58 call me a psychopatic criminal watever thats your business. let monks drink(ka 200m more than enough for shakers) that shameless stone dealer must be charged. Monk police 4 – Buju 1 sweet victory for u monks.perhaps this will move these burgers learn to listern from u intellectuals
We need fee paying universities…look at the west!you pay through ass to go to college,do you think kids at say university of california have time to riot?hell no no wonder we can’t even have our so called engineers who can’t even make a pin!the govt will re-inburse the man,throw the culprits in Kamfinsa prison so the deal with real pricks in jail,so end of story……..
umu-lamba: rebishhhhhhhhh.u re a foooooooooooooooooool!
all the best zesco.
K200 million is just about $42,000…do you guys mean that a business man cannot for some reason have this amount of money on him?
i hope you fel much better uncle conde … sue them hard
where was he taking the money… Big question