Chinese who shot Zambians to pay $80,385 to stop prosecutionBy ELIAS MBAO in Lusaka | Thursday, November 18  2010 at  16:14

A Chinese coal mine whose managers shot and wounded 13 Zambian workers over labour dispute will pay them about $80,385 to stop the prosecution of the culprits.

Chinese managers, Xiao Li Shan and Wu Jiu Hua, who are facing attempted murder charges, allegedly shot and wounded 13 local workers at Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe District – about 300km south of the capital, Lusaka – over a pay dispute on October 15, sparking countrywide condemnation.

According to state-run Times of Zambia newspaper, Collum Coal Mine management and the victims met, and “all the 13 injured agreed that Xiao Li Shan and Wu Jin Hua be exempt from prosecution”.

Partially injured

Quoting the compensation agreement between the victims and the Chinese mine management, Times of Zambia reported on Thursday that a victim who was severely injured “will be paid Zambian Kwacha 45 million ($9,646), including five years school fees” anywhere within the area where the shooting took place.

“Those who are partially injured are six and these will be given Zambian Kwacha 35 million ($7,502) each, while the other six who are not severely injured will be paid Zambian Kwacha 20 million ($4,287) each,” it reported.

Main opposition leader Michael Sata opposed the government’s demands that the Chinese compensate the victims, saying that will promote injustice.

Mr Xiao and Mr Wu, currently on $10,000 bail each, are waiting commencement of trial in the High Court of Zambia.