Police deny using live ammunition in bid to quell Kasempa uprising by miners

The Zambia Police Service has refuted claims made by a local newspaper that officers fired live ammunition at illegal miners in Dengwe, Kasempa.

Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, stated that the operation in Dengwe aimed to address illegal mining activities, which were deemed hazardous to both the environment and public safety.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Hamoonga clarified that live ammunition was not used during the operation.

Instead, police, he said, employed standard crowd control measures, including tear gas and rubber bullets, to disperse miners who were resisting lawful orders.

“Contrary to the claims made by the newspaper, the police did not employ live ammunition against the illegal miners,” he said.

Hamoonga confirmed that no fatalities occurred. Four individuals were injured by rubber bullets and received medical treatment at Mukinge Mission Hospital.

Three of the injured were later discharged and arrested, along with 25 other illegal miners, on charges of criminal trespass.

“The police officers involved exercised restraint and adhered to established procedures to minimize harm,” he added.

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