News / Africa
Riots erupts over fuel hike in Zambia
16 Jul 2015 at 17:33hrs | Views
Riots erupted in Zambia's tourist capital, Livingstone this week in protest against the government's decision to hike fuel prices. Photo: ANA
LIVINGSTONE - Riots erupted in Zambia's tourist capital, Livingstone this week in protest against the government's decision to hike fuel prices.
Business in the tourist capital came to a standstill on Wednesday as police fought running battles with protesting taxi drivers who damaged the vehicles of their colleagues who refused to join the demonstrations. Alarmed tourists scampered in all directions.
The city, which is well known for its tranquillity and even recently co-hosted the UN World Tourism Organisation general assembly with Zimbabwe, suddenly turned unruly as police fired tear gas to disperse the angry taxi drivers.
Livingstone Taxis Association vice-chairperson Victor Mwengwe said the drivers wanted to be addressed by the government on why it had increased fuel prices and Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) fees.
"They have increased nearly everything - identity, fitness, drivers' licences and road tax. We are saying that they have to reduce the prices of fuel and the RTSA fees. Are they telling us that they are importing human resources to check our vehicles for fitness? Are they telling us that they are importing the materials they used to make discs?" he asked angrily.
The riot is the latest expression of massive anger which is brewing in the country about what critics say is the current government's failure to govern.
On Wednesday afternoon all businesses, banks, the town centre market, bus stations and the High Court remained closed in the city centre.
Livingstone district commissioner Omar Munsanje later said government officials were meeting to restore calm to the tourist capital and promised to give a comprehensive statement at a later stage.
The city, which is well known for its tranquillity and even recently co-hosted the UN World Tourism Organisation general assembly with Zimbabwe, suddenly turned unruly as police fired tear gas to disperse the angry taxi drivers.
Livingstone Taxis Association vice-chairperson Victor Mwengwe said the drivers wanted to be addressed by the government on why it had increased fuel prices and Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) fees.
"They have increased nearly everything - identity, fitness, drivers' licences and road tax. We are saying that they have to reduce the prices of fuel and the RTSA fees. Are they telling us that they are importing human resources to check our vehicles for fitness? Are they telling us that they are importing the materials they used to make discs?" he asked angrily.
The riot is the latest expression of massive anger which is brewing in the country about what critics say is the current government's failure to govern.
On Wednesday afternoon all businesses, banks, the town centre market, bus stations and the High Court remained closed in the city centre.
Livingstone district commissioner Omar Munsanje later said government officials were meeting to restore calm to the tourist capital and promised to give a comprehensive statement at a later stage.
Source - Africa News Agency
