Almost two months after a Chinese mine manager was murdered by striking workers in Zambia, police have announced an arrest of a man alleged to be responsible for the incident.
According to a report published by AFP, police spokesperson Charity Katanga announced the arrest of a shaft operator from Collum Coal mine named Sylvester Siachebani, whom the authorities believe was responsible in the death of mine manager Wu Shengzai.
The incident, which caused a controversial diplomatic crisis between Zambia and China, occurred when workers began rioting over a newly implemented minimum wage bill which many employers say they were unable to pay for with so little warning and no increase in incomes.
“The police have arrested Sylvester Siachebani in connection with the killing of the mine manager,” police spokesman Charity Katanga told AFP.
Wu was killed after being hit by a trolley which was pushed towards him by protesting miners as he ran underground for safety.
In 2010 two Chinese Collum mine managers were charged with attempted murder after they allegedly opened fire on a group of protesting miners.
Eleven Zambian workers were injured in the incident and the mine has since then been a source of controversy between Chinese investors and Zambians.
The Chinese own several mines in southern African countries, including coal and copper operations.