33 inmates facing various criminal charges escaped from lawful custody at Kapiri Mposhi Police Station in Central Province, with police confirming that four of the escapees have since been recaptured.
Central Province Police Commanding Officer Lemekani Chirwa says the inmates escaped around 19:45 hours on Saturday, after overpowering a police officer who had taken medication to inmates receiving treatment.
Mr Chirwa states that the inmates pushed the officer and escaped through the main door, which had been left ajar.
“The inmates overpowered the officer and escaped using the main door. Investigations have revealed that the locking system to the main cell door had been cut using an unknown instrument,” Mr Chirwa narrated in a statement made available to ZANIS.
He explained that four other officers who were on duty at the time were also overpowered and could not prevent the inmates from escaping.
The Provincial Police Chief said police have since launched a manhunt for the remaining inmates and appealed to members of the public to assist law enforcement officers with information that could lead to their re-arrest.
“So far, four suspects have been recaptured, while efforts to apprehend the remaining escapees have been intensified,” he said.
The escapees have been identified as Happy Mwandila and Paul Tembo, both facing murder charges, Shadrick Mine, Ismael Siziba, Frank Mulundwa, Feston Sichone, Agness Phiri and Brenda Konkola, who are facing defilement charges, John Mwiinga, charged with unlawful wounding, Bright Chileka, Luka Kalaba, Katondi Kizo, Joseph Chapelwa and Most Phiri, all facing charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Others are Richard Kalaluka, Arnold Njovu, Peter Mwamba and Oliver Chanda, who are facing charges of house breaking and theft, Peter Nkonde and Francis Nkumbu, charged with burglary and theft, Michael Banda, Festus Chisanga, Mwenda Lwendo, Thomas Mukupa, Emmanuel Chola, Lameck Mwale and Mike Chisakila, all charged with breaking into a building and committing a felony therein.
The remaining escapees are Emmanuel Changwe, charged with theft from a person, John Hamubeke, charged with theft from a motor vehicle, Charles Muma, charged with impersonating a public officer, Charles Zulu, charged with theft, and John Simwanza, whose charge has not yet been disclosed by police.
Mr Chirwa urged members of the public not to harbour the escapees, but to immediately report any sightings or information on their whereabouts to the nearest police station.
