Zambian President Hichilema Forced to Flee After Angry Crowd Hurl Objects During Speech
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema was forced to abandon a speech at Chiwempala Market in Chingola on Saturday after a crowd of miners threw stones and other objects, police said.
Videos posted online showed Hichilema surrounded by aides and security officers as the crowd became violent. One officer used a chair to shield the president from the projectiles.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the disruption was caused by small-scale miners at Senseli Mine, who were unhappy with issues affecting their operations.
“For security reasons, the President was safely escorted to the landing pad at Chikola Secondary School grounds,” Hamoonga said. “However, the mob followed the motorcade, throwing stones at vehicles. A police vehicle was attacked, overturned, and set on fire.”
The crowd also destroyed a presidential tent, carpets, a portrait, and a coffee table, Hamoonga added.
Two men, Abraham Chilumbu, 24, and Abraham Sichone, 21, were arrested and are expected to appear in court. Calm has since returned to Chingola.
In a Facebook post, Hichilema said he would address the miners’ concerns. “Our people also raised very pertinent issues affecting them in regards to the mine and their desire to continue mining at Senseli. We will work around the clock to ensure this is done,” he wrote.
Hichilema, Zambia’s seventh president, took office in 2021 after defeating Edgar Lungu. A former businessman and opposition leader, he campaigned on economic reform and anti-corruption.
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Zambian President Hichilema Forced to Flee After Angry Crowd Hurl Objects During Speech