PICTURE: Zimbabwean truck driver shot in the DRC, triggering border riots

A Zimbabwean truck driver identified as Patrick Murifi (31) sustained serious injuries on both legs after he was allegedly shot at by armed hijackers at the Kasumbalesa border between the Congo and Zambia.

The border was forced to close on Tuesday after irate truck drivers rioted, beating up many Congolese and burnt their goods following the shooting of the Zimbabwean driver by gunmen on the Congolese side.

We understand the hijackers were trying to steal the copper being carried by the truck but conflicting reports in the Zambian press suggest he might have been shot by security forces on the DRC side of the border on Saturday.

According to a Nehanda Radio Citizen Reporter the border was closed for two days because of the incident. In this picture taken by our Citizen Reporter the injured driver can be seen receiving treatment in what looks like an ambulance.

The Kasumbalesa border remained closed on Wednesday with truck drivers vowing not to enter the DRC if that country’s government will not take measures to guarantee them safe passage.

Nehanda Radio understands the drivers are complaining about poor security during the processing of papers and loading of trucks in the Congo. They are also complaining about being harassed by police in the Congo.

Meanwhile we have also received pictures from Citizen Reporters of 5km long queues at the Chirundu border post between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The queues appear linked to the Congo and Zambia border incidents.

Although calm had returned to Kasumbalesa border by midday yesterday, truck drivers demanded an explanation from Congolese authorities on what happened to the Zimbabwean driver.

Ernest Mwewa, one of the truck drivers said the demands of the drivers were that the Congolese government must put up security because of the lawlessness on the Congolose side.

On Wednesday the Zambian government through the Joint Operations Committee and officials from the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo were still addressing truck drivers to find an amicable solution to the crisis at the border.

Hundreds of trucks were still marooned at the Kasumbalesa border by midday yesterday on both the Congolose and the Zambian side as no vehicle was given passage due to the highly tense situation at the border.

Cross-border trading had been paralysed at Kasumbalesa as many Congolese traders had retreated to the no man’s land fearing for their lives and goods.

And security has been beefed up at the border on the Zambian side with many police officers from Kamfinsa mobile unit keeping vigil.

Copperbelt acting police commissioner Joyce Kasosa said nobody would be allowed to take the law in their own hands and further appealed for calm among affected parties, saying authorities were doing everything possible to resolve the issue.