Uuruly residents of Nangoma on Wednesday afternoon attacked police officers and damaged a police post in Mumbwa District after the officers attempted to arrest a man accused of defilement, indecent assault and rape.

And several commercial farmers in Chisamba area are living in fear following a series of attacks and thefts which haveseen more than 20 cattle stolen by a group of armed bandits.

Central Province police chief Solomon Jere, who disclosed the development in Kabwe yesterday, said the Nangoma incident happened onWednesday after officers attempted to arrest a Mr Brighton Muchalala but when family members and friends became violent, officers retreated and returned to the police post.

Dr Jere said later Mr Muchalala in the company of other relatives hours stormed the police post, attacked and beat up the police officers who were on duty.

The residents residing around the police post who saw what was happening, however, joined in the free- for-all punch-up and defended the police officers who where over powered by Mr Muchalala's team.

Police with the help of the community managed to apprehend six of the people, although two police officers sustained injuries in the fracas.

Among those arrested include Happy Mulela, 22, Derrick Mulela 21, Brian Mulela 26, Brighton Muchalala, 27, Josephine Mpofu, 42, all of Chief Shakumbila's area while others managed to run away.

The six have been charged with conduct likely to cause breach of peace, disorder and causing damage to property and would appear in court soon .

M rMuchalala is also facing two counts of indecent assault, two counts of defilement and one count of rape.

In Chisamba, Dr Jere expressed concerned over continued reports of thefts and attacks on farmers by armed bandits who have taken advantage of the removal of road blocks.

He said police were seriously investigating the matter to establish those behind the spate of robberies that has rocked the farming area and warned that those found wanting would face the law.

He said so far, 20 cattle and some impalas have been stolen from different farms in Chisamba alone and that he would soon be consulting the Inspector General of police Martin Malama on the way forward, on the possible reopening of road blocks on some strategic points to curb the situation.

He added that in the early hours of yesterday some bandits armed with unknown types of firearms attacked a farm and stole scrap metal that was being loaded in a waiting truck.

The bandits threatened the owner of the farm that if he attempted to come out of the house, they would kill him.