A four-year-old boy of Mupata village in Mpulungu district this morning died on the spot after he was bashed by a police vehicle carrying inmates.
And an angry mob on the scene fought running battles with state police following the accident caused by the police vehicle.
Mpulungu police officer-in-charge, Ernest Chuni confirmed the accident to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Mpulugu.
The accident happened at Mupata market along the Mpulungu/Mbala high way when the boy attempted to cross the road from the market to the other side.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle run over the child who later died on the spot as he was attempting to cross the busy road.
By press time, the body of the child was still lying by the road, wrapped in Chitenge materials.
The Zambia Police vehicle was reported to be carrying inmates from Nchelenge.
Meanwhile business in the town centre came to a standstill when residents who were angered by the death of the juvenile fought running battles with state police.
Police fired teargas canisters to disperse the angry protesters who also fought back resolutely.
The crowd accused the driver of over speeding on the busy road, arguing that the child was hit on the pedestrian side of the road.
The angry mob also attempted to torch the police vehicle at the scene of the accident before the driver sped away.
The protesters later blocked the main road with stones and sticks and threatened to destroy any vehicle entering or leaving the town centre, forcing several motorists to hide their vehicles.
A grass-thatched house was later reported to have been gutted in Mupata village under unknown circumstances.
By press time, calm had however returned to Mpulungu town.
ZANIS
Just approach that incident with level heads. There is no need for that kind of violence. And don’t even think of road humps. Dig deeper to find a viable solution.
Pipo’s bottled up feelings can explode anytime in Zambia. Its like people want a slight excuse to riot.
what is the reason???
But killing a young life is so very sad indeed. MHSRIP, the family is crying this is so unfair.
The parents of the child should also be held responsible for the toddler’s death.
Peace people of Mpulungu. This can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time. Much as we appreciate that some drivers are careless, there are times when circumstances just happen. I trully sympathize with you bretheren.
The vehicle was carrying inmates from nchelenge!i dint know mpulungu shares boundaries with nchelenge.anyway too bad.
MHSRIP
MHSRIP
Mwe yantu mwe! Munga leka uli mwana munono viviyo atoloka umusewo wenga? How do you allow a child of that age cross a road alone? Nga pano nalindi nga nali natama yanyina na yayisi mapi pakusa sumbako mano. If I was there I’d have slapped the mother and father for negligence.Â
ninshi amabwato eyalimu accident? show us multitude or police car and not umumana namakaputula ya red.
SAD FOR THE LOSS OF LIFE OF A 4 YEAR OLD BUT IN THE FIRST A CHILD OF THAT AGE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LEFT ALONE TO CROSS BUSY ROADS, WHO KNOWS IF THAT CHILD JUST RAN ON THE ROAD ROAD WITHOUT THE DRIVER SEEING HIM BECAUSE MOST TIME ITS THE PEDESTRIAN THAT JUST RUNS IN THE FRONT OF AN INCOMING VEHICLE JUST LIKE CHICKENS AND GOATS AND THE DRIVER DOES NOT HAVE ANYCHANCE OF STOPPING.PEOPLE SHOULD NOT RIOT OVER A RTA, THEY SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR UNLAWFUL RIOTING. MY DEEPEST CONDOLANCES TO THE VICTIMS FAMILY, MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE AND MAY LORD CONSOLE THE GRIEVING PARENTS.
I hate carelessness on the road, whatever you are transporting be it Gold or inmates, one should pay extra care for essential safety of both pedestrians and fellow motorists, i really really hate stupidity on the road even pedestrians who dont use their brains when on these dangerous streets, having said that, the driver is at fault because that road must be known to have all ages using it i assume, so he could have even be extra carefull, jail him there is no excuse, oh how i hate stupid pipo on the road especially when they sit behind the wheel.
Stupid driver has killed an innocent 4 year old. his munungu needs beating really hard.
I thought it was only in Congo they burn drivers if they get involved in accident
Traffic rules clearly state that any child below the age of eight years should always be in the company of an adult when crossing the road. The people of Mpulungu are a problem when it comes to leaving the road to traffic and thats why even children are now imitating them. Sorry for the death. MHSRIP!
OH NO! SO SAD FOR THE YOUNG SOUL… MHSRIP