Police Spokesperson Esther Kantongo who confirmed the incident in a statement said the incident happened when an officer manning the barrier on great East road mistook his fellow officers for armed criminals he had been informed about.
“When the police officers from Chipata reached the barrier and found it closed one officer detective Sergeant Kapolyo disembarked from the vehicle with a view of finding out whether there were officers at the point and when there was no response.
“He went to open the barrier and it was at that point that the police officer stationed at the point Inspector Mukoka opened fire shooting Sergeant Kapolyo in the chest mistaking the officers to be criminals he was earlier alerted about,” Mrs Katongo explained.
She said Inspector Mukoka fired another shot which grazed Detective Chief Inspector Chilumbu in the neck and the same bullet hit the driver of the motor vehicle detective Inspector Banda in the neck and he died on the spot.
Ms Katongo said the incident happened around 07: 00 hours today October 25, 2016.
“All this happened at about 07 00 hours today 25th October, 2016. Detective sergeant Kapolyo is in the Intensive Care Unit at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital, Detective Chief Inspector Chilumbu is also admitted in the same Hospital, while the body of the deceased is in the same Hospital Mortuary.
An inquiry has been instituted in the matter.
Too sad. Police need better coordination. MHSRIP!
How? these guys you call Police are jokers. Let’s hope the instructions were not given from Dubai especially with the increase in fuel pump price and the skyrocketing in cost of living expect such ‘ritual’ killings
The trigger-happy PF police ldiots are now turning their guns on each other after the August elections, where they feasted on unarmed UPND cadres.
Had there been proper radio communication between the officers such calamity wouldn’t have happened. Surely, you cannot just open a barrier at a different command post without being authorised by officers manning it. Both parties should have known better. This was carelessness on both parties. My condolences to the families though.
That’s PF Police for you, amazing! The chap can’t even tell friendly forces from enemies? Where has HALT, ONE STEP FORWARD AND IDENTIFY YOURSELF gone to? And wait a minute! An enquiry? What for when the truth is already known. The truth is 80% of our Police Force are PF cadres who are half trained for the sole reason of sorting out the UPND. He mistook his colleagues for UPND Members.
These from Chipata, now they think they can open anything because they are from East? Mukoka was alone, mwaume….
Sad indeed.
Pure lack of professionalism. It’s clearly evident that there’s poor communication and coordination among these cops. Many questions remain unanswered. Did the cop at the post have a proper description of the robbers? Did the cops fit the description of the robbers, from the car they were driving to the clothes they were wearing? Did he radio the station to report the sighting of the “robbers” to confirm whether they were the right people? And did he order them to stop and surrender before he shot them? I mean you don’t just shoot someone who has no gun in the hand and is not firing at you. Or that’s the way they do it in Zambia? Had he ordered the cop to put his hands up and get on the ground, he could’ve found it that the guy was a fellow cop, and that could have prevented…
(Continued)… this senseless fatal shooting. And lastly, do these cops even carry badges for identification? Extremely needless loss of life. Hope this leads to better training among these cops.
Mmmmmmmmm namonamo ukwangala
There should be more of this. The PF Police Force know each other as criminals. Uniforms are just a masquerade to fool the public. There was absolutely no mistake made. That guy shot the right criminals.
This is Kapyongo’s ministry, officers are frustrated, those late salaries.
He just opened fire at someone opening the gate? No warning just open fire.
Even if that had been a criminal he was no threat to anyone. He was opening a gate not shooting at the concealed officer.
Just goes to show that some of the people the police usually parade as “bodies of heavily armed criminals shot dead after a heavy exchange of fire”, might actually be innocent citizens killed by incompetent overzealous police men who it is becoming alarmingly clear, are inadequately trained.
That guy shot the right criminals. There should be more of this. The PF Police Force know each other as criminals. Uniforms are just a masquerade to fool the public. There was absolutely no mistake made.
This is truly sad. Indeed, there is need for coordination
Very unfortunate and sad indeed. Condolences to the bereaved families and quick recovery to the injured.
hah wat a sad story for that sports reproter anyway I hope the police officer wu shot hm was soba
The worst is that ths guy was a colleague, we used to seat on the same panel for sports presentation
A lot of retraining needs to be done with ZP. How on earth do you just shoot like that? This is unjustifiable!
Police officers!
He was probably sleeping on the job…
Where the victims in a labeled police vehicle? Coz these tuma traffic minions use their private cars to suck cash from unsuspecting motorists.
The name of the officer says it all. Inspector “Mukoka”.
Akoka fodya uyu. Akoka fyaka.
There is more to this than meets the eye…. Of course the police has a sizeable share of criminals! Wait and see what will happen to the public service with continuous delays in salaries! Kaya???
They were warned NOT to vote for PF.. they rape what they sow..
Our Police force need more urgent funding both for re-training, and acquisition of special, morden equipment and gadgets to make their job easier to carry out. Unless this is done l am afraid, such carelessness will continue. Just how do you “close a gate” on a motor way mwebantu? 52 years on awe mwandi, we’re still living in pre colonial days.
Ba Mwape, these Police Force PF cadres are not trained but put in the force for a purpose. The know exactly what they are doing and why! This is just the beginning of what is to come. nothing will come up from the investigations. . . . . Sad another life has been lost. MHSRIP!!!!
The IG would rather buy expensive combat vehicles equipped with anti air machine guns to combat crowds instead of buying glocks and modern communication equipment.
One thing is for sure, those detectives were set up! They may have been on a mission that someone doesn’t want accomplished. I am sure the police are investigating or else the case will come out washout if it is in court.
Bang bang, you are right. Read my true and correct update below. What I have written are facts
Police investisigating themselves!!
So from this story this Mukoka had run away from the barrier and was hoping to shoot any one opening the barrier as a criminal when there was no one manning it! In stead he could have called for reinforcements much earlier and then he could have shot in the tires of the car to see how the perceived “criminals” were going to react before shooting people in chests,necks etc. It even shows that the shooting was not anywhere targeted at weakening the perceived criminals with intent to arrest them then eventually establish more helpful information about their crimes but was an all out killing motive with out even verifying the levels of danger.
SO STUPID POLICE SO SO STUPID
Police Killed Mr Mpundu accountant from Sandvik some years back in similer fashion, SO STUPID
The spirit of Mapenzi is haunting the police. They killed one but many will go. Just watch this space.
He was suppose to warn shoot the warning shot before firing directly to the person who surprising was a colleague. Its sad.
May their souls rest in peace.
Very sad. The gentleman who has died on the spot lost his wife barely 2 months ago. He came here in Lusaka with three other police officers to pursue criminals that had committed a crime in Chipata. The criminals in Lusaka connived with police officers to clear the officers that were investigating the crime committed in Chipata.
I can imagine the suffering of the kids that he has left. They are all very young. No mother, and now no father.
I think Jason has data. Your version makes sense. The official version doesn’t add up. Why didn’t Mukoka fire warning shots in the first instance? You don’t just shoot indiscriminately even at criminals unless a criminal fired the first shot.
This is the problem having Police Officers who are just trained to beat UPND cadres and Leaders. 07hrs in the morning is very light and why didn’t the Officers challenge them to halt and even fire a warning shoot.
Arrests and charge him for Murder , stop ***** useless Policeman. What training are you given at Liyali, Shoot first and Warning shot afterwards.
Sad reading Joe Banda was a good bro. I feel for his children months after burying his wife in Petauke. The firing police should be investigated. Obstruction of justice
There is also possibility that those shot were thieves!
Chuma, those shot at were not thieves. They had traveled to Lusaka to investigate a crime that had been committed in Chipata. The same criminals they followed are the ones that connived with police officers in Lusaka
Clearly they were waited for and the stop was their killing point. In any case why should individual police investigate crimes across district and provincial lines, in areas of other units’ command? Is there no national police coordinating unit, or is this too complicated for PF Police Force?
CHUMA, U ARE SPOT ON. IN AS MUCH AS IT IS A SAD SITUATION, IF I WERE THE BOSS TO THE GUY WHO SHOT HIS COLLEAGUES BY MISTAKEN IDENTITY, I WOULD PROMOTE THE GUY. WHY? THE GUY WAS ALERTED THAT CRIMINALS WERE HEADING HIS WAY & THEN U HAVE A CHAP JUMPING OUT OF THE CAR & OPENING THE GATE OR BARRIER FOR HIMSELF? I THOUGHT POLICE HAVE A WAY OF CALLING EACH OTHER WHICH IS UNIQUE TO THEIR PROFESSIO – “MWAMI MULIPO”. I THINK THE POLICE SPOKES PERSON IS BEING ECONOMICAL WITH THE TRUTH. SHE IS JUST EMBARRASSED THE THIEVES TURNED OUT TO BE HER COLLEAGUES
“Mwami Mulipo” awe sure you are really Jay Jay Low- you have made a very serious situation into a laughable matter, ha ha ha ha you have killed me!
Jay jay Low, These were not criminals. They were set up by their fellow police officers who had connived with the criminals. The police in Lusaka were trying to conceal evidence by killing fellow police officers
THE OTHER PERSON TO BE TAKEN TO TASK WAS THE GUY WHO ISSUED INSTRUCTIONS TO MUKOKA. IN MILITARY PROFESSION, I AM TOLD YOU DO NOT QUESTION ORDERS. IF THE GUY WAS INSTRUCTED TO SHOT ON SIGHT, HE JUST DID WHAT HE WAS TOLD TO DO. WHY HE WAS TOLD, IS A MATTER FOR THE POLICE BRASS TO HANDLE
Do you think we have a professional police service? so where are the criminals they were looking for?
JASON U COULD BE RIGHT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE COMMENTING BASED ON THE OFFICIAL POSITION GIVEN BY THE POLICE. HENCE, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE ISSUE FROM TWO DIFFERENT ANGLES. OTHERWISE I VALUE YOU OBSERVATION
Jay Jay Low, I am not speculating. What I have written is correct. You are right the spokes person is being economical with facts. It is true that1- the gentleman shot dead on the spot lost his wife about 2 months ago. She was buried in petauke.2- the 4 police officers had traveled to Lusaka to pursue criminals 1- The thieves connived with Lusaka police officers to eliminate all the 4 police officers. I miss Ephraim Mateyo the Super cop
i will only defend the erring officer if he makes a proper proof that he received a fon call that criminals are coming on his way, otherwise this are some of the consequences of having drunk officers manning road blocks
I would disband this police force and fire all its senior officers for establishing poor training and operational procedures. Lungu must be ashamed for accepting such ineptitude under his command. What purpose are these people serving when they are such bumbling *****s on duty!?
VERY SAD READING BUT THIS OFFICER MUST BE ONE OF THE PF CADRES THEY PUT IN UNIFORM DURING THE ELECTION PERIOD.
Jay Jay Low, I am not speculating. What I have written is correct. You are right the spokes person is being economical with facts. It is true that (1)- the gentleman shot dead on the spot lost his wife about 2 months ago. She was buried in petauke.(2)- the 4 police officers had traveled to Lusaka to pursue criminals (3)- The thieves connived with Lusaka police officers to eliminate all the 4 police officers. I miss Ephraim Mateyo the Super cop
This sound interesting………………….i guess the criminals crossed the barrier first and alerted the officer manning the barrier that ‘criminals’, the police, where coming from behind and should fire at them. As long as he knows those criminals, the officer will name them!
The truth of matter is those police officers were bringing a thief from Chipata who was caught with an ak47, and this guy disclosed that they are main guns in Lusaka that the police give thieves to be robbing with so the guy was being brought here to show the police where these guns are and who gives them in the police service.upon reaching Chongwe they decided to leave the thief at Chongwe police to come and get the c5 and go and get the other guns.the officer at the barrier was just a tip of by the officials to kill those at her officers.nowonder after the shutout mukoka decided to run away and the other officer who was not short had to run after him and caught him.and bear it in mind it was an exchange of gun fire.not what the police are telling us start the story from Chipata where it…
This will happen to opposition party leaders and the police will claim mistaken identity. Lets be awake in this Police state. Remember the Kampasa killings? They are still investigating.
Jack May be very right. However ruma has it that the said Kapolyo and Chirumbu may have been involved in criminal activities as there are known stories for such. The tip from the public may have some evidence. The Banda man may be an innocent soul. They even arrest and kill innocent people at times in the name of duty. Proper investigations must be instituted…..
So sad .I just saw congestion in the morning thought it was a road block then saw some ak47 and someone wounded being carried into a car then right in front of the car a man soaked in his own blood.. innocent civilians would have been killed today.we need seriously trained people to handle such situations unlike trigger happy chaps.whatever the story the police should give us a clear story not just cover up .May his soul rest in people
Rest in peace
When people say you are trigger happy you refuse, that you throw teargas at innocent people you say know. Where the said police officers criminals no. Tone down ba kapola ifintu kutekanya mwamona nomba. You are killing each other in your zealousness, where has the rule to shot in the air first gone. Kanganja you are a disgrace.
Tujilijili twalimukola kapokola.
Most of the ZP are drunkards and very incompetent.
Some policemen and women will make you ask yourself, how exactly did they get to be police officers in the first place. I saw one front desk officer drinking tujilijili openly at Emmasdale police station he could not even write a docket.
if most of the bloggs posted here are from civilians and not police officers, the i would conclude that we have a problem with the police force. The comments are spot on and conclusive.
Continue blogging.
INCOMPETENT OFFICERS HAVE MADE LIFE AND LIVES OF OTHER FAMILIES SUFFER. COMMUNICATION IS A TOOL AND KEY WHICH WOULD HAVE AVOIDED THE CALAMITY THAT OCCURRED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF TODAY 25/10/16.
HOW CAN A NORMAL OFFICER START SHOOTING WITHOUT A WARNING?
HOW CAN ONE OPEN A ROAD BLOCK WHICH IS NOT IN HIS DISTRICT AND PROVINCE?
CRIMINALS WOULD HAVE RETALIATED BUT INNOCENT ZAMBIAN HAS PERISHED. MHSRIP AND THOSE BATTLING FOR THEIR LIVES-QUICK RECOVERY.
COUCUM, see, I don’t think there was a problem with opening the gate.
If it were you, u come to a road block, that is not manned, what would you do? Also thinking of the fact that those guys were on a mission, dangerous in nature! They are justified in opening the barrier.
They well knew how their folks operate, you can not have a road block unattended, what if it were actual criminal that had set the barrier?
So, the principal is that you just don’t shoot at anyone anyhow, just that PF has flexed and compromised the core value and principle of our defense force and service in Zambia, to an extent of encouraging them to shoot at unarmed civilians.
Another question i would ask is; if the shooting officer was tiped about suspected criminals, why didn’t he call Chongwe to get full…
let us wait for the full investigation otherwise we are just speculating
Written like a true Bemba thief.
@Mad Max Chongo, ka puli kobe…
WERE THEY NOT USING A POLICE MARKED VEHICLE? WERE THEY NOT IN UNIFORM? IF THEY WERE DRESSED IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES AND FITTED THE DESCRIPTION OF THE MENTIONED THIEVES THEN WE CAN NOT BLAME THE LONE POLICE OFFICER WHO FIRED AT THEM. HOWEVER, THE QUESTION IS HOW AND WHY HAVING ONE POLICE OFFICER AT THE ROAD BLOCK? IS IT A LEGAL ROAD BLOCK? WHERE WERE HIS COLLEAGUES? WELL, IF YOU GIVE POLICE OFFICERS GUNS THEY WILL USE THEM ON ANYONE ANYWAY.
Too bad Mr Geoffrey Banda, we will surely miss you here at radio maria Zambia
you were a frend, father, uncle etc to many people. its so sad that you have left
without saying goodbye to your friends and kids including the family at large
Here at radio maria we are praying for your soul, may the good lord receive you
You have died a painful death and let the truth prevail to that police officer who shot
you. You died while doing national duties, so so sad.
M.Y S R .I I. P.
listeners will miss your voice on the radio, i can imagine listening to the sports program me
minus your voice. Why ba JOE. Tears may dry, but memories will last forever.
See, I don’t think there was a problem with opening the gate.
If it were you, u come to a road block, that is not manned, what would you do? Also thinking of the fact that those guys were on a mission, dangerous in nature! They are justified in opening the barrier.
They well knew how their folks operate, you can not have a road block unattended, what if it were actual criminal that had set the barrier?
So, the principal is that you just don’t shoot at anyone anyhow, just that PF has flexed and compromised the core value and principle of our defense force and service in Zambia, to an extent of encouraging them to shoot at unarmed civilians.
Another question i would ask is; if the shooting officer was tiped about suspected criminals, why didn’t he call Chongwe to get full intel,…
Terribly sad state of affairs.I hope a big lesson has been learnt that in future they should be very careful
i think this police officer knew the deal so by clearing the isue he killed felow police officer