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Army recruits on Saturday reportedly attacked residents in Mufulira after two of their own were assaulted by locals, resulting in several injuries, including that of Kankoyo MP Heartson Mabeta, who is currently hospitalised.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident began when two recruits were allegedly attacked by some residents earlier in the day.
In retaliation, the recruits mobilized their colleagues and began assaulting people they found in the town, targeting both pedestrians and motorists.
One onlooker narrated the events, stating that even elderly individuals were not spared. “I saw my father’s former worker, who is 70 years old, being beaten by the recruits, and I decided to intervene, but I ended up in hospital nursing a fractured left arm,” said Mabeta in a post on his official Facebook page.
He added that his vehicle was also damaged during the confrontation.
Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana later clarified the situation, denying rumours that more than 500 soldiers had taken over Mufulira and were indiscriminately beating up residents.
He described these claims as false and urged the public to dismiss them.
Kawana, however, confirmed that the fracas began when two recruits in the town’s Central Business District (CBD) were involved in a brawl with taxi drivers.
The taxi drivers reportedly assaulted the recruits, leading them to return to their barracks and seek reinforcement.
About 22 recruits then entered the town center through Chibolya compound and attacked anyone in their path, including pedestrians and motorists.
During the violence, two vehicles were damaged, and several residents sustained injuries.
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Many victims reported suspected broken limbs, including MP Mabeta, who was currently undergoing treatment at a hospital, awaiting X-ray results.
Kawana praised the swift response of the district authorities, including the District Commissioner and the District Commanding Officer of the Zambia Army, who quickly moved in to contain the recruits and return them to the barracks.
This intervention helped restore calm to Mufulira.
In his statement, Kawana also took the opportunity to caution the public against provoking army recruits.
He noted that some residents had developed a tendency to pick fights with recruits as a way of testing their training.
He warned that such provocations often escalate into violence, with recruits sometimes getting injured in the process.
“We want to caution members of the public to desist from picking on recruits each time they come into town to get supplies,” Kawana said. “Let us all desist from provoking or assaulting any other person, whether they are a recruit or not.”
The situation in Mufulira had since stabilised, with no further reports of violence.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Army has called on the public to maintain peaceful co-existence with soldiers, urging civilians to avoid provoking or harassing military personnel, particularly new recruits.
The army cautioned that such behavior could escalate tensions and erode the trust between the military and the public.
This comes after a violent incident in Mufulira involving recruits from Taung Up Barracks, who clashed with civilians.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Army Spokesperson, Sydney Mwewa, addressed the fracas and reaffirmed the army’s commitment to defending Zambia’s sovereignty and contributing to global peace.
Mwewa apologised to the individuals and communities affected by the violence, which occurred after three army recruits were allegedly attacked by taxi drivers in Mufulira’s Central Business District.
One recruit was seriously injured and admitted to Ronald Ross Hospital.
In retaliation, the remaining recruits called for reinforcements, leading to a wave of attacks on civilians that left multiple people injured and property damaged.
“We unequivocally condemn this behavior by our recruits,” Mwewa said. “The Zambia Army is mandated to serve and protect the people of Zambia, and any actions that violate this mandate are unacceptable.”
He assured the public that a thorough investigation was underway to determine the circumstances of the incident, and those responsible would face disciplinary actions in accordance with the Defence Act, Chapter 106 of the laws of Zambia.
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