North-Western Province Commissioner of Police Brighton Siwale has disclosed that the province has recorded an increase in murder cases, many of which are linked to the practice of moving coffins locally known as Kikondo.
Mr Siwale said a total of 67 murder cases were recorded in 2025 compared to 48 cases reported in 2024.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services in Solwezi, Mr. Siwale said murder cases have devastating consequences not only for offenders but also for families and communities.
He noted that some of the incidents have resulted in the loss of innocent lives.
Mr Siwale has since appealed to members of the public to report suspicious activities in their communities and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
“As police, we will not fold our arms and watch people take the law into their hands. We shall deal with offenders according to the law,” he warned, while cautioning would-be offenders against engaging in mob justice.
The Commissioner further called on traditional leaders and other civic leaders to intensify community sensitisation on the role of the Zambia Police Service in handling criminal matters.
Meanwhile, Mr Siwale expressed concern over the rising number of road traffic accidents involving motorists and motorbike riders in the province.
He disclosed that 2,025 road traffic accidents involving motorists were recorded in 2025, resulting in 256 deaths, compared to 1,744 accidents and 207 deaths recorded in 2024.
For motorbike riders, the province recorded 58 accidents in 2025 compared to 37 cases in 2024.
Mr Siwale said police have since intensified patrols across stations in the province to engage motorists and motorbike riders on road safety and curb reckless road use.
Kikondo is what UPND should be fighting. Not this shaiba law you have started
So murder cases are on the rise and Police have warned. Is this warning from the Police enough to slow down these murder cases or there is a well thought out plan documented somewhere to stop it. Even the way junkies are terrorising people at night, I have not seen any strategy from the Police to fix it, assuming the strategy is there, in have not seen practical steps on the ground to stop it. Please help