THREE gunmen stormed a lodge in Livingstone and shot dead an expatriate pilot and a security guard before turning the barrel on a French woman whom they wounded.
The bandits who drove to the lodge in a hired vehicle got away with K4 million cash from the groaning woman and also made off with an assortment of goods as frightened patrons lay on the floor in the tourist capital known for a long time to be peaceful and serene.
Sergio Valle, 48, and a security guard identified as Jacob Chirwa aged 30, were shot dead at point-blank range and died on the spot.
Mr Valle is a Spanish working as a pilot at Batoka Sky in Livingstone.
The French woman, Marie Noelle Carre, was seriously wounded in the shooting and was rushed to a Lusaka hospital for treatment.
Southern Province Commissioner of police Brenda Muntemba confirmed the deadly attack on unsuspecting patrons around 21:00 hours on Monday.
It was the usual peaceful atmosphere which the gun-totting men disturbed when they ordered all the patrons to lie face-down while the owner of the lodge tried in vain to rescue the traumatised visitors.
The gunmen fled soon after the incident and police indicated they were hard on their heels to track them down.
Sources said Ms Carre flew into the country recently and was trying to settle down in Livingstone.
“Those who operate taxis should be the first to alert the police when suspicious-looking people try to hire their cars. We are, however, making headway to catch these criminals. We are also appealing to members of the public to help us arrest these criminals,” Ms Muntemba said.
Zig Zag Lodge co-owner Lynne Silawa said her husband Vasco, had managed to warn tourists who were in the area during the shooting to run away.
By 10:30 hours yesterday, Zig Zag Lodge management posted a notice on the entrance indicating: “Sorry, we are closed”.
Ms Silawa said in an interview that all workers at the lodge were devastated at the shooting.
She said Livingstone was a peaceful place adding that with the shooting, it would be difficult to attract tourists and other guests.
Livingstone Tourism Association (LTA) Chairperson Kingsley Lilamono said it was unfortunate that such an incident occurred when stakeholders were engaging the police to beef up security ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly next year.
Home Affairs Minister, Kennedy Sakeni has since directed police to ensure appropriate security measures for local and international visitors in the tourist capital.
Mr Sakeni said at a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that President Michael Sata and Zambians were saddened about the shooting of the victims and described it as a barbaric act.
“The criminal act of shooting at and killing innocent people cannot in any way be justified and this Government through its law enforcement agencies will ensure the culprits are traced and brought to justice,” he said.
He said the Government attached great importance to tourism and criminal acts directed at tourists and any foreign nationals in Zambia could impact negatively on the economy.
[Times of Zambia]
Inshita yaba KK takwali ubu ubutumpe where criminals reign supreme and the police are powerless against these vermin.
This was sad indeed, that someone had to be shot. Inshita yaba KK, there were fewere people, less cash and minimal gun-trotting lesbian thespians who best be pedestrians. Grab your dictionary and decipher… You Muku!
Very sad incident indeed. My thoughts and prayers are with all the people affected by the cowardly act.
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your an *****,use your brain to think not ur bhind
You sound like a racist yourself, how many cases of this sort have you heard in Zambia? Not only was that spanish killed but even a Zambian guard was…so whats your jurisdiction with these points?
PF’s new culture. Sata must learn to be inspiring to a nation, not always focussing on political enemies. People are already feeling frustrated and can do anything to eat. Unfortunately lives will continue being lost in robberies as long as we have a headless chicken for President. Maybe they should one day kill one of his relatives for him to pay attention to the economy. Talk to anybody in the street and they will tell you how hopeless life is slowly becoming for the majority and how they are regretting having voted for a president who promised action but all we have seen and heard is him talking about Rupiah Banda – as if that was why he was voted into power. Shame.
You need to get a life Mufana,, Your obsession with HE MCS is unhealthy it’s not his fault you father had a small dick and passed the gene to you
Gokigo Milazhe: I don’t see the connection of this ghastly killing to Sata! Even in well developed economies, there are such bastards who don’t value life and have peas for brains, just like you Gokigo Milazhe!!!!
these guys are forgetting that they are chasing away tourists, Ubupuba Bumo Bwafya sana
Its very likely the bandits are not Zambians.
Yes probably Nigerians from South Africa………….Sad that Zambia is now going the same rotten road that South Africa has gone, BUT at least the ZAMBIAN governement is doing all they can to catch these criminals!! WELL DONE ZAMBIA!!!
75% of armed robberies in Zambia where the bandits actually shoot their victims to kill are not committed by Zambians.
Att. mr president
Let all grz vehicles b parked at the nearest police station this will enable the police to have adquate transport for the weekend.bring back the combined team of zns army zaf and police to do the patrols
Arrest the Cab Driver, he was in it, obviously someone got the cab number. Problem is Zambhia Police do not have a proper forensics dept. These guys were probably Zimbos anyway.
Sad indeed!
Ignorance should be moderated :) Whatchu say LT? Does any of the above comments look worthy of a deletion?
Number 4 You are a useless form of nature Have you never seen a White Monkey ? Your brains must be situated in the wrong place
The fool is actually a Zambian student.
# 4 you are indeed useless, is it only white people that were short? can you read that even a black person was shot dead. creeps like you are really pain in the ass..
It must be Zanu-PF
Could it be our good old neighbour Bob, keen on resuscitating his tourism sector
Do we hav police in Livingstone?in the day they are very active especialy Traf
true that #13 thank u very much #16,they even buy buckets of chicken 4rm hungry lion with the mula they get esp 4rm nabbin cab drivers
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This is sad, will damage our tourism, Please check all those SOUTH AFRICAN Thieves coming in to Zambia. They may be importing their Criminal behaviors to our peaceful country. SAD VERY SAD
@ 7,14 & 15 you are spot on.I suspect that the murderers are from Zim. Even in RSA some of the criminals are from Zim.
O, whatever ba LT! You let such stupid comments from people like @RUSSIAN TYCOON and you want to moderate mine!?
no police in livingstone no moni in their pockets
Livingstone needs to have very sharp policemen and equally sharp detectives. Police visibility is also a must. Once tourism wanes that will be the end of that so called tourist capital of Zambia. Chances are that the culprits are foreigners. Zambian police officers should be proactive in their fight against crime. Once again we need clever police officers.
May da souls of our departed frnds not rest until God avenges their precious blood!May doz bandits never hv peace until they expoz themselves!
What a very sad day for Livingstone, the sad and suffering really need comfort and kind words. We pray for those who have lost family members, our hearts go out to you all – and to those who witnessed this tragedy. This is not typical of the Zambia we know and love. May the criminals be found, charged and pay the penalty for their crimes. Let’s use this space to express goodness and comfort to all. At least, that’s the way I think and believe.
Its sad
Once caught kill them without trial.
Sounds like they knew the woman had the K4m
The armed thugs did not rob the restaurant/B&B, so it reads. This does not make sense unless the thugs knew who was carrying money. But even so they would have obtained the money without shooting anyone.
This is so very cruel, barbaric and sad. I wish all the families all the strength they need.
Where it goes to the comments made by Russian Tycoon; kindly throw yourself off a cliff, nobody will miss you.
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