A 58-year-old security guard has been severely injured after an angry mob of illegal gold miners pounced on him for attempting to stop their activities at a prohibited site at Kanyelele Gold Mine in Mpika district.
The incident happened on Saturday, 13th July 2024, at around 11 hours.
Brief facts are that Jackson Chitonena of Mweru Mining Company Limited, whilst carrying out his security duties with a colleague Henry Lukanga, found a Mitsubishi Canter parked on the prohibited area and deflated its tires as efforts to eject the illegal miners who were found at the restricted site proved futile.
However, the move angered the mob, who attacked Lukanga.
Armed with a gun, Chitonena fired warning shots but instead of dispersing, the group pounced on him using metal bars, sticks and stones causing him to sustain several deep cuts on his head, bruises on both elbows and a fractured right leg.
The victim is admitted to Micheal Chilufya Sata Hospital and is still in critical condition, while investigations in the matter have intensified.
This is according to a statement availed to Diamond News in Chinsali by Muchinga Province Police Commanding Officer Paul Achiume.
By Cecilia Kayaya Mporokoso