SOME Copperbelt
University students on Wednesday evening attacked a businessman and stole
K200 million from him, sparking widespread condemnation by the
public.

The students pounced on the businessman after he lost control of
his vehicle and plunged into a ditch when he attempted to evade the rampaging
mob, which was stoning motorists on Jambo Drive near the campus.

The mob
clobbered him, set his Toyota Hilux Surf ablaze and made off with the money,
cell phones and business documents.The businessman, Mamadi Conde, 76, of
Guinean descent, is currently admitted to Hillview Medical Centre with a
fractured skull and a lacerated tongue.

Copperbelt Police Chief Antoneil
Mutentwa confirmed the incident and condemned the riotous acts by the
students.

Mr Mutentwa said police would not allow such lawlessness and
that there were concerted efforts with the public to deal with such
matters.

Trouble started just after the 19:00 hours ZNBC
main news, when students complained of unfair coverage of the day's
demonstration over the police shooting of a student and their demand for the
removal of Education
Minister, Dora Siliya.

Some students took to the entrance of the campus
and hurled missiles at motorists and one of them hit Mr Conde's vehicle, causing
him to lose control before plunging into a ditch.

Students continued to
beat him even after emerging from the vehicle until some good Samaritans rescued
him and rushed him to the hospital.

A check at the hospital by the Times
team found Mr Conde in apparent pain and withstitches on the head while his
severed tongue had been stitched back.

Mr Conde said he found rocks
blocking Jambo Drive near the campus entrance in the evening as he returned from
a business engagement in Lusaka and that students emerged when he stopped but
that they stoned him as he attempted to drive off.

His son, Issa said his
father had lost K200 million, phones and many of his business documents after
the students searched him and set the vehicle on fire.

"It is
unacceptable that students could do such a thing and relevant authorities should
bring the perpetrators to book," he said.

He said doctors had confirmed
that his father had sustained a fractured skull while his tongue had been
stitched back into position.

Police arrived on the scene shortly after
but by then, the students had run away and no one was arrested.

CBU
students union president, Kasonde Mwenda said it was unfortunate that a motorist
had been beaten up on the same day that students had protested.

"I have
no confirmation that students were involved in burning the motor vehicle and we
cannot support such an incident as a leadership," he said.

CBU public
relations officer, Grace Mikunga said management would issue a comprehensive
statement at an appropriate time.

Copperbelt Minister, Mwansa Mbulakulima
condemned the students for resorting to violence as a way of resolving various
problems being experienced by their institution.

Mr Mbulakulima said in a
statement released in Ndola yesterday that it was unacceptable for the students
to resort to attacking innocent citizens and destroying private
property.

"The peaceful demonstration by the students which earned them
respect was over-shadowed by these violent actions which were unnecessary," he
said.

And various stakeholders condemned the violence and demonstration
by students at CBU and University
of Zambia (Unza)

The Citizens' Committee (CC), the Zambia United
Christian Action (Zuca) and Zambia for Empowerment and Development (ZED), a
newly formed party, said in separate interviews in Lusaka yesterday that
students should promote dialogue in the country.

CC executive director,
Gregory Chifire said the students should concentrate on their studies
emphasising that anytime lost would not be recovered.

"It is unnecessary
for students to waste time with the demonstration at the time they were supposed
to be engaged in their academic studies. They should concentrate on their
studies because there is no logic in their demonstration," Mr Chifire
said.

ZED president, Fred Mutesa said the students populace should give
Unza Students Union a chance to provide a leadership on various issues including
the current grievances.