The incident occurred between Muzoka Trading Centre and Nachibanga Area around 20:00 hours on January 4, 2026. The targeted vehicle, a Zamlands Logistics truck with registration BCH 2801, was en route from Ndola to South Africa via the Kazungula Border.
Southern Province Police Commissioner Moono Namalongo confirmed the details. According to a statement from Commissioner Namalongo, the truck’s security guard, Pathias Chanda, reported that the vehicle was confronted by a group including three men and one woman who forced it to stop.
“According to Mr. Chanda, he saw three men and one woman attempting to stop the truck. Shortly thereafter, the truck stopped, prompting him to alight to check what had happened,” Commissioner Namalongo stated. “He was immediately apprehended by the three male persons, while the driver, Mabvuto Munthali, ran away from the scene, leaving the truck behind.”
The driver, 44-year-old Mabvuto Munthali of Kabwe Town, had departed from Ndola. The truck had spent the previous night at the Kafue weighbridge before resuming its journey south at approximately 05:00 hours on January 4.
After being apprehended, Chanda was forced into an unregistered taxi with three male occupants. He was tied with a rope and driven along Maamba Road before being dumped approximately 15 kilometres from Batoka Township. He later managed to free himself and walked to Batoka to report the incident at the local police post.
The hijacked truck was later found abandoned between Batoka Area, Chief Hamaundu, in Pemba District and the Daniel Munkombwe Tollgate at Gumba Area. The cargo of 34.760 metric tonnes of copper cathode plates was not on the vehicle.
Commissioner Namalongo stated that the whereabouts of driver Mabvuto Munthali remain unknown. Police have opened a docket of aggravated robbery to facilitate investigations.
“The Zambia Police Service appeals to members of the public with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects or recovery of the stolen copper cathodes to report to the nearest police station,” Commissioner Namalongo said.
