Police in Mpulungu District in Northern Province have arrested and detained a 27 year old man to help with investigations in an alleged theft of a motorbike valued at K27, 000.
Northern Province Police Commanding Officer Simunji Mulonda has identified the man as Mathews Kabwe.
Mr Mulonda disclosed that the case in question involves the theft of a Motorcycle which was reported at Mpulungu Police Station on June 19, 2026 at approximately 11:00 hours.
In a statement made available to the media Mr Mulonda disclosed that the incident is alleged to have occurred on June 18, 2026 at around 10:00 hours at Kasimango Village in Senior Chief Tafuna’s chiefdom in Mpulungu District.
He explained that Geoffrey Simwaya, aged 24, of Mupata Village, in Senior Chief Tafuna’s chiefdom reported that his unregistered red King Lion motorcycle bearing Chassis Number BPKM3H2T15K027418, valued at K27, 000, was stolen by an unknown person.
“Brief facts of the matter are that on June 18, 2026 at around 07:10 hours, Simwaya while at Mpulungu Town Centre motorcycle rank when he was approached by his friend Matthews Kabwe who requested to borrow his motorcycle in order to transport a client to Makonga Village after his allegedly experienced a mechanical breakdown.
Mr Mulonda explained that the complainant handed over the motorcycle on the understanding that it would be returned shortly after the trip but the motorcycle was not returned as agreed adding that efforts to contact Kabwe throughout the day proved unsuccessful as his mobile phone remained unreachable.
He added that on June 19, 2026 at approximately 06:00 hours, the complainant encountered Kabwe in Mpulungu Town without the motorcycle and upon inquiry, Kabwe stated that while transporting a client, he had parked the motorcycle near Lunzuwa Bridge and briefly left it unattended while relieving himself.
Mr Mulonda revealed that Kabwe alleged that the client took advantage of his absence and stole the motorcycle and attempts to pursue the suspect were reportedly unsuccessful.
The Police Commissioner disclosed that following the report, police officers visited the scene of the alleged incident and opened a docket of inquiry saying the investigations have since commenced but no recovery has been made so far.
Mr Mulonda has since emphasised the importance of registering motorcycles and other motor vehicles through the appropriate channels, including INTERPOL-linked registration systems where applicable.
He highlighted that for as long as some motorcycle owners do not prioritize proper registration of their motorcycles, criminals will continue targeting such property because they are fully aware that tracing and recovering unregistered stolen motorcycles remains significantly more difficult.
He said registration of motorbikes enhances identification, tracking, and recovery efforts and serves as a critical deterrent against theft.
Mr Mulonda also encouraged members of the public to report any information that may assist in the recovery of the motorcycle or the apprehension of the suspect involved.
