At least 54 people have been arrested in Zambia in connection with protests over higher fuel prices, Lusaka-based radio stations reported.
Tensions have been high in the southern African state since the government announced early this week that pump prices would go up.
Local media reported riots on Wednesday by taxi drivers in the tourist capital of Livingstone over the new pump prices, leading to several arrests by the police.
“They are milking a dying cow. They did not come to us that they want to increase the fees,” one taxi driver, Mr Victor Mwengwe, was quoted as saying by the country’s private daily, The Post.
His complaint was also against the Road Transport and Safety Agency for increasing fees for identity, vehicle fitness, driver’s licences and road tax.
“We’re saying they have to reduce the prices of fuel and the RTSA fees.”
Television pictures showed police fighting running battles with the taxi drivers, leading to the closure of businesses in the usually calm city, which recently celebrated a centenary.
Livingstone is famous for being the home of the Victoria Falls.
The drivers pelted the police with stones, who retaliated with teargas, forcing residents to scamper in different directions for safety.
The government said it was in talks with the aggrieved tax drivers.
Mobilising resources
Zambia intermittently suffers from a shortage of fuel as it relies on imports and of late has suffered load-shedding due to low water levels at the country’s largest hydro power plant at Lake Kariba.
Meanwhile, police arrested 15 people who they alleged were mobilising resources for secession activities in the Mongu town of Western Province.
They [secessionists] have been demanding secession, accusing the government of ignoring a 1964 treaty.
Barotseland, the kingdom of the Lozi people, was a protectorate under British colonial rule and became part of Zambia at independence in 1964.
A dozen were arrested under the Movement for Multiparty Democracy regime before the 2011 elections, but were pardoned by late President Michael Sata.
They secessionists often host meetings and at times with activists hoisting their own flag.
The demand for secession usually rises during election years, which leads to opposition figures promising autonomy to the area to manage their affairs but not necessarily seceding.
Zambia’s polls are due in 2016.
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