Police in Eastern Province have arrested a 48-year-old man for allegedly setting fire to two shelters at Sasali Mine in Chief Sandwe’s area of Lusangazi District, destroying property worth more than K104,000.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident, in a media statement obtained by the media.
The incident is reported to have occurred on Thursday, June 11, at around 03:00 hours.
Mr Mweemba identified the suspect as Yohane Banda, 48, of Zandola Village in Chief Kawaza’s area of Sinda District.
According to police, the matter was reported to Petauke Police Station at about 14:15 hours on June 11 by Samson Daka, 23, of Showgrounds Compound in Petauke District, whose shelter was among those destroyed in the fire.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that on June 10, 2026, the suspect allegedly approached Barbara Tembo, who also had a shelter at Sasali Mine, and expressed interest in having a romantic relationship with her. However, Ms Tembo reportedly rejected the advances,” Mr Mweemba said.
“The suspect is said to have gotten angry following the rejection and allegedly threatened to do something harmful if she continued to turn him down,” he added.
Mr Mweemba said that in the early hours of June 11, while occupants were asleep, Barbara Tembo’s aunt, Milesi Lungu, noticed flames engulfing their shelter and immediately raised alarm.
“The victims attempted to open the door but discovered that it had been locked from the outside. With the assistance of community members, they managed to break the door and escape,” Mr Mweemba said.
The fire completely destroyed property valued at K6,500 in the first shelter before spreading to a neighbouring shelter belonging to Samson Daka, where property worth K97,950 was damaged.
The combined value of the destroyed property is estimated at K104,450.
Community members later managed to extinguish the fire before it spread further.
“Police officers visited the scene and confirmed the incident. Investigations have continued, while the suspect remains in custody awaiting court appearance,” he updated
Mr Mweemba has urged members of the public to resolve disputes peacefully and report threats or acts of violence to law enforcement agencies.
More details are expected as investigations progress.
