Chililabombwe
Chililabombwe, Zambia – Tension gripped Chililabombwe yesterday after riots broke out in the Second Class area following the removal of youths from Lubengele Township. The violent unrest was reportedly sparked by disputes linked to illegal mining activities that have long troubled the Copperbelt region.
According to eyewitnesses, the disturbances quickly escalated into confrontations, prompting a swift response from the Zambia Police Service. Officers moved in to quell the riots, dispersing the crowd and restoring calm before the situation spiraled further out of control.
The clashes raised fresh concerns about the rising wave of illegal mining in Chililabombwe, which has been a source of tension across several Copperbelt communities. Illegal miners, locally referred to as “jerabos,” have in recent years clashed with authorities and residents over access to mining sites.
By evening, order had been restored, though residents described the atmosphere as tense, with many still unsettled by the events. Authorities have yet to confirm whether any arrests were made, but investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the riots.
The incident adds to a series of illegal mining-related conflicts in Zambia, underscoring the urgent need for stronger community engagement and regulatory enforcement in mining towns like Chililabombwe.
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