Congolese living in Mokambo Town near Zambia’s Copperbelt Province have rioted over Zesco Limited’s reported decision to cut power supply to their locality over nonpayment of bills.
The rioting Congolese on Monday morning stoned a Nakonde-bound bus belonging to Power Tools Logistics on Pedicle Road near Mufulira.
Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer Sharon Zulu has confirmed that the bus had its rear windscreen shattered by stone-throwing Congolese who also burnt tyres on Pedicle Road.
Ms. Zulu said so far the situation has calmed down and no casualties have been recorded apart from the reported damage caused to the bus.
She said facts on the ground are that Zesco, who had been supplying power to Mokambo in DR Congo, stopped due to nonpayment of electricity bills by a contracted company called SNEL.
“Malicious damage, reported at Mokambo Police Station by Male Ernest Tipoti a driver for Power Tools Transport Company to the effect that on 18/07/22, at around 07:00 hours near Mokambo Market DRC a Power Tools bus bearing Reg. # BCA 7848 which was on its way to Nakonde had a shattered rear windscreen which was damaged by unknown Congolese Nationals along Pedicle Road in Congo DRC,” Ms. Zulu narrated.
“Brief facts of the matter are that, Zesco has been supplying power to Mokambo DRC but due to nonpayment of electricity bills by a Company called SNEL which is an agent of Zesco on the DRC side to utility Company here in Zambia and in this case being Zesco, It’s alleged that the top management directed Zesco Mufulira to cut off power at DRC Mokambo,” she said.
Ms. Zulu added:”This action angered the Congolese Nationals at Mokambo DRC hence protesting because of not having power for three days by burning tyres on the Pedicle Road coupled with throwing of stones at oncoming motor vehicles. Out of this riotous behavior, the bus in question had its rear windscreen shattered. The Congolese authorities at the border were engaged. So far the situation has calmed down and no casualties apart from the damages reported. The Zesco management Mufulira is yet to see the way forward to have the matter sorted out; unfortunately instructions from superiors are being awaited.”
Xenophobic attack by upnd. Many Zambians don’t pay but you don’t cut off this quick.
Are u sure you use your brains to think or your little tail in between your bend legs?
Even if this is true, are you saying that Zambia should supply free electricity to Congo? The electricity in Zambia is generated in Southern Province, the place where you PF thieves and criminals tried to steal the power generating districts away from… The people who live in the districts where the power is produced do not get any power, even though they lost everything when they were moved out of their land to make way for the hydroelectric dams; why should they see powerlines going over head to electrify other countries while they stay in darkness?
If Zambia has problems, it is because thieves like you stole money, and left the country in so much debt that it must now dance to the tunes of foreigners
Let us just ask Putin for help in dealing with enclaves like Katanga.
Why should even zesco supply to Congolese when there are thousands waiting for power within zambia.
And nobody gets arrested?
So this company was just not remitting back to Zesco. I suspect there was a PF deal here which the New Dawn is not interested. Zesco has to make money. Its not a charitable organisation. It better they give free power to Zambian social sector like Hospitals and Schools.
Job well done Zesco