Zambia investigates mine shootings

Zambian police have questioned two Chinese managers over the shooting and wounding on Friday of 11 miners revolting over pay and conditions. Authorities on Saturday said they were still investigating whether people associated with the Chinese owners of Collum Mine, about 325km south of Lusaka, may have opened fire on the protesting miners. "Managers using shotguns started to shoot aimlessly, not in the air," Ndandula Siamana, police spokesman, told the AFP news agency. "It's possible that the managers feared that they might be attacked, but we shall ensure that the culprits are brought to book." Before Friday's incident in the southern town of Sinazongwe, workers had complained often about poor working conditions at the mine. A Chinese embassy spokesman confirmed to Reuters on Saturday there had been tension between the Chinese owners of the mine and local employees but refused to comment further. "The police have opened a case record and are now awaiting the advice of the director of public prosecutions on whether to proceed with the case," Oliver Pelete, the Sinazongwe district commissioner, told Reuters.