A Chinese national is battling for his life in Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after eight armed men attacked his factory in Chisamba area and got away with his motor vehicle and undisclosed amount of money after holding him and his workers hostage.
But in a surprising turn of events, one of the eight criminals after getting away with the Toyota Hilux, shot dead one of his colleagues and dumped the body near the road in unexplained circumstances.
Central province Commissioner of Police Standwell Lungu said the incident happened between 22.00 hours and 23.00 hours of Saturday when the eight attacked the toilet tissue manufacturing factory.
In the process of the robbery, the Chinese national with the help of some workers, attempted to challenge the criminals who were armed with different firearms and one of them shot the Chinese in the chest.
“I can confirm that eight criminals attacked and shot and wounded a Chinese national after he tried to wrestle them before getting away with undisclosed amount of money and his vehicle,” Mr Lungu said.
The criminals later bundled themselves in the vehicle and sped off but police later discovered a body along the road.
The body was identified to be of one of the gangsters that had attacked the factory and it was taken to Liteta Hospital mortuary awaiting identification.
Mr Lungu said the Chinese national whose names had been withheld has since been operated on and his life was reported out of danger while a manhunt for the bandits has been launched.
No arrest or recovery of motor vehicle has been made.
Meanwhile police are investigating circumstances into the theft of a motor bike in Kabwe belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture stolen last week while parked at the ministry premises.
And 57 inmates on death row at Mukobeko Maximum prison in Kabwe have petitioned the Lusaka High Court asking the court to order for their release from prison because their appeals have not been heard for 20 years now.
The prisoners also want the court to declare and order Attorney General Mumba Malila to pay compensation to each one of them for unlawful detention that they have been subjected to.
They further want an order that their continued imprisonment for so many years without hearing their appeal cases amounts to psychological and physical torture and was in breach of the Zambian Constitution.
William Kamoyo who sued Mr Malila on behalf of 56 others stated in a statement filed before the High Court Principal Registry that he was on June 9, 1992 arrested and charged with murder.
Kamoyo said on June 12, 1995 he was convicted of the offence of murder and was sent to Mukobeko prison where he was now incarcerated.
He said that soon after his conviction, he filed for appeal against both the conviction and hard labour sentence but he has now spent 20 years without his appeal being heard as the case record is reported to have gone missing.
Kamoyo said because the lost case record would never be found, he and 56 others who are in similar situation, have been deprived of the ammunition to prosecute their appeals.
He stated that the criminal registry of the High Court whose personnel were part of the judiciary were responsible for the appeals case records and as such, it was the judiciary which was responsible for the unlawful and prolonged incarceration of the petitioners.
He said that because of that, the State was vicariously liable for the misdeeds of its organs.
Meanwhile, a prisoner from Namwala Balon Kakume, 27, died on the spot, after sustaining severe head injurieshas while 16 others are nursing serious injuries when a prison van carrying 18 inmates and two prison officers overturned after a tyre burst on the Choma-Namwala Road, Zanis reports.
Southern Province Police Chief Charity Katanga confirmed to ZANIS in an interview that the accident occurred around 08:00 hours yesterday.
Five Prisoners were rushed to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka for specialised treatment while others were admitted to Namwala District Hospital.
The injured included two prison officers namely Moses Kabwita, 45, an inspector and chief inspector, Jacqueline Singoyi.
ZANIS
Too many needless deaths on our Zambian roads resulting from potholes (or craters) and cheap Chinese tyres on vehicles among other factors
Too bad my Chinaman, castrate the culprits and the one who was shot dead by his fellow thugs, would give a hint to police (through his links with other pipo). Such acts please mwebena zambia, should never happen lets work hard for our living , not killing infestors
Much as we do not get along and like some Chinese nationals in our country , this is a sad turn of events. As a Zambian living in China I feel much safer here than at home. I just wish foreigners could feel safe and protected in our country. I have found China to be one of the most safest places .
Bakachenjesha!
Sata has released dangerous criminals from prisons
Serious security needed!
This is very back. The police should make sure that the criminals are apprehended. Sata should stop pardoning criminals who kill people even they claim to be Christians.
Jay, prease just go bac to youare matha’s toiret!
Quick recovery to our brother who was short. Hope the police will bring to book these criminals.
Well, dust to dust and ash to ashes.
May the wrong doers be found before they kill again and inflict harm on the innocent hard working Zambians and foreign nationals.
As for the republican president’s constitutional right to pardon inmates, it is not the duty of the president to predict whether a pardoned person will commit a crime or not, therefore, all bloggers should be responsible and sensetitive when making comments in this respect, thank you.
The executions should be carried out, we cannot continue feeding those animals!
eee awe mwandini crime in lusaka is alarming..i used to think CB was bad..btwn 22-23 at a toilet tissue factory iyo kwena ..but b´wat was bwana mukubwa-chinaman still doing ku nchito nako!anyway speedy recovery..my dear yellowman
good