Coffin chaos at Chisokone Market

By Lukondebrian Submitted on 7 January, 2010 - 15:19
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There was pandemonium at Chisokone Market in Kitwe this morning, when the  coffin of a dead man was brought to the office of the association called Zanama (Zambia National Marketeers Association).

Mourners from Kitwe Central Hospital’s mortuary carried the coffin of a dead man shoulder high, and headed for Zanama office at Chisokone market in protest against the Association, which they claimed was responsible for the man’s death after he was beaten by the so-called security neighborhood watch.

Marketeers and other traders had a tough time in trying to secure their properties as they saw a mob entering the market, while customers were also amused and scampered to safety.
 The coffin was taken to Zanama's office in order for them to decide where to take it, since it was believed that they were the ones that murdered the young man who was a Kaponya (someone who sells carrier bags and help people carry heavy things).

 
The Zanama office was left burnt to ashes along with some neighboring stores. Meanwhile the police had to intercept and got hold of the coffin, which was later taken to the civic centre, where burial arrangements were made.

It was discovered that the security neighborhood watch got hold of this man and took him to the same office where he was beaten to death. After realizing the man could not respond in any way he was rushed to the hospital and was certified dead.


Three of the security personnel were arrested and have since been taken to Kamfinsa Prison waiting to appear before the courts of law.

Zanama president Mr. Elvis Nkandu, acknowledged that the beating was done and the culprits had been booked. Then he was quick to claim that the whole incident of storming the market with the coffin was engineered by at faction called Zatma, which also operates at the same market. According to Mr Nkandu, Zatma does not have support of the majority.

He accused Zatma members of trying to fight Zanama in any way possible so that they can get more support from the maketeers.

The mother of the deceased who came from Serenje clad in a church uniform could not comment, and efforts to get comments from Zatma members, police and the council proved futile -- the phones were not reachable.