The two principal suspects linked to the murder of seven people and the theft of 43 cattle in Lukulu District, Western Province, have been shot dead during a police operation.

According to Rae Hamoonga, the suspects, identified as Numbo Mate Mubita, 41, and Chiteta Kayombo, 25, were killed while attempting to escape police custody.

Police say the two suspects were leading officers to the Kashasha area, where they had allegedly hidden a firearm believed to have been used in the killings that occurred at Kamboyi Village in Lukulu District last weekend.

Mr. Hamoonga explained that during the operation, one of the suspects reportedly retrieved the concealed weapon and opened fire on the escorting officers. The pair then attempted to flee from the scene.

Police officers returned fire, fatally wounding both suspects.

Following the incident, officers recovered an AK-47 rifle believed to have been used in the murders. The firearm had its serial number defaced and was found together with three rounds of ammunition.

The two men had been under investigation as the main suspects in the killing of seven people and the aggravated theft of 43 cattle from Kamboyi Village, a crime that shocked residents of Lukulu and surrounding communities.

Police say investigations into the broader circumstances surrounding the murders and cattle theft are continuing.

Daniel Mwenya, a green economy and sustainable development advocate in Mpulungu District, Northern Province, has urged young people, whether employed or not, to take entrepreneurship seriously.

Hailing from Maziya village in Chief Chitimbwa’s chiefdom, Mr Mwenya emphasized that entrepreneurship is a vital avenue for job creation, particularly in areas with high unemployment rates.

Speaking to the media, Mr Mwenya encouraged young people and aspiring business owners to pursue innovative ideas and invest in their communities to foster economic resilience.

He noted that cultivating a strong entrepreneurial culture can reduce dependency on limited government jobs, create local employment and stimulate local economies.

Mr Mwenya also highlighted the importance of responsible land management.

He urged people to acquire land with long-term sustainability in mind, noting that land supports agriculture, real estate development and conservation efforts.

“Integrating business development with responsible land management and afforestation allows communities to build a foundation for long-term prosperity,” he said.

Mr Mwenya called on policymakers, entrepreneurs and citizens to collaborate on initiatives that promote sustainable growth.

He encouraged young entrepreneurs to seek mentorship, acquire relevant skills and invest in ventures that support sustainability and community development.

Police in Chipata District have launched a manhunt for a man accused of raping a 39‑year‑old woman in Zibazako Compound.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident, which was reported to Chipata Central Police Station on June 9, 2026, at around 06:15 hours.

He identified the named victim as aged 39, of Zibazako Compound while the suspect has been named as David Phiri, whose age is yet to be established.

Mr Mweemba disclosed that the attack occurred at about 03:24 hours on June 9 with preliminary investigations indicating that on the evening of June 8, the victim had visited her sister‑in‑law in the Referendum area and later began walking home with her baby, accompanied by her brother, Davison Miti.

Along the way, they encountered the suspect, who allegedly accused the victim of owing him K50.

Mr Mweemba said the victim then reportedly dragged her into a nearby bush while her brother attempted to intervene but was overpowered because the suspect was armed with a knife.

Mr Mweemba said the brother then left to seek help from nearby residents.

During his absence, the suspect allegedly forced the victim to the ground and raped her and that by the time help arrived, the suspect had fled.

Mr Mweemba said the victim sustained injuries, including pain in her private parts and general body pains.

No arrest has been made, but police say efforts to track down the suspect have been intensified.

A 10-year-old girl has died after being hit by a vehicle while crossing the Chipata-Mfuwe Road in Mambwe District, Eastern Province yesterday.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the fatal accident, which occurred on Wednesday at about 16:46 hours at Chiwawatala Village in Chief Kakumbi’s area.

Mr Mweemba said the accident involved a Toyota Sienta, registration number ARD 999, driven by 42-year-old Dingilizwe Daka of the Showgrounds area near David Kaunda Stadium in Chipata District.

Mr Mweemba explained that the driver was travelling from east to west when he struck a pedestrian identified as Stellia Mwale, 10, of Chakachino Village in Chief Kakumbi’s chiefdom.

“The juvenile sustained a bruised forehead, bruises on both legs and suspected internal injuries. She was rushed to Kakumbi Rural Health Centre, where she was pronounced dead on arrival,” Mr Mweemba said.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the accident occurred when the child attempted to cross the road from the northern side to the southern side and was hit by the oncoming vehicle in the middle of the road.

The driver escaped unhurt, while the vehicle sustained damage to its right front section.

Mr Mweemba said the body of the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary at Mambwe District Hospital awaiting burial.

He has since urged both motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution on the roads to help prevent accidents and save lives.

The Zambian government is executing an aggressive, nationwide road and border infrastructure program utilising a mix of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and treasury funding.

The initiative aims to enhance rural connectivity, improve trade corridors, and transition to durable concrete roads.

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary for Administration Gabriel Pollen has since reaffirmed this commitment by the government.
The media  reports that the Permanent Secretary said this when he paid a courtesy call on Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary, Grandson Katambi in Solwezi.

“President Hakainde Hichilema remains committed to transforming the country through improved road network”, he noted.

Dr Pollen emphasized that it is for this reason that his Ministry has decided to undertake the trip to the province to appreciate what is on the ground.

“That is why we are here, to see how the roads that we are constructing are benefiting the people”, he said.

Dr Pollen recalled how the people of Solwezi suffered with the bad road network some time years back.

He added that the government will not relent but continue spreading development through infrastructure development.

And Col Katambi noted that the province has continued registering development in different sectors of the economy.

Two members of the United Party for National Development (UPND) who are standing as independent aspiring candidates for the position of the Chairperson at the Kazungula Town Council and Kazungula Central ward councilor have resigned from the party.

Mr Osward Siansundi who was former Kazungula Town Council Vice Chairperson and also former Kanchele ward councilor is vying for the position of Chairperson while Gladson Sialumwemwe is vying for the Kazungula Central ward councilor seat.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Mr Siansundi said he had resigned from the party on 19th May, 2026 and addressed his resignation letter to the UPND Kazungula District Chairperson stating that he ceased to be a member of the party with effect from the date of his resignation.

“I have since intensified my campaigns in all the 16 wards of Kazungula district with my supporters on the ground engaging with the people. The campaigns are currently going on very well and I am confident of scooping the Council Chairperson seat as an independent candidate with a 100 percent vote,” Mr Siansundi said.

He said despite having resigned from the UPND, he will still support the candidature of the Republican President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema.

Mr Siansundi stated that as he is campaigning, he is also asking the people of Kazungula district to vote for the President because of his sound economic policies and achievements he has scored in his first term in office.

Meanwhile, Mr Sialumwemwe said in a statement issued to the media today that he rendered his resignation as a UPND member through the UPND Kazungula District Chairperson on 3rd June, 2026.

“My action was taken in compliance with the electoral regulations and the guidance issued by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) stating that any person intending to contest an election as an independent candidate must resign from their political party before the prescribed deadline,” Mr Sialumwemwe said.

He mentioned that he remains a law-abiding citizen committed to upholding the Constitution and electoral regulations.

According to his resignation letter made available to ZANIS and addressed to the UPND District Chairperson and copied to the Constituency Chairperson, Mr Sialumwemwe expressed his displeasure for not having been adopted as a UPND Kazungula Central ward councilor.

Mr Sialumwemwe disclosed that during the primary elections that were conducted in Kazungula South Constituency, he emerged victorious for Kazungula Central ward as a best candidate but wondered why a different candidate was adopted on the party ticket instead of him.

“I have always believed in internal party democracy and respect for the will of the grassroots. The decision not to adopt me despite the clear outcome of the primary process leaves me with no option but to resign my UPND membership,” Mr Sialumwemwe complained

He said he would remain fully committed to serving the people of Kazungula South Constituency and continue to advance community development through other platforms.

 Southern Province Commanding Officer Moono Namalongo has confirmed that a man was killed by an elephant near Kaingu Safari Lodge in Chief Kaingu’s area of Itezhi-Tezhi District on June 6, 2026.

Mr Namalongo said workers at the safari lodge heard unusual noises from a herd of elephants about 30 metres from the lodge around midday, suggesting that the animals had become agitated.

He explained that lodge management immediately accounted for all members of staff and confirmed that they were safe.

“However, at around 17:50 hours, the body of an unknown male person was discovered lying in nearby thickets and the matter was subsequently reported to police,” Mr Namalongo said.

Mr Namalongo stated that police officers who visited the scene confirmed the incident and found the deceased with multiple injuries consistent with an elephant attack.

He added that torn clothing believed to belong to the victim was also recovered near the scene.

He further revealed that the deceased was later identified as Christopher Munsanje by Moomba Village Headman Ramsey Moomba.

 According to Mr Namalongo, the victim was known to have a history of mental illness and was believed to have originated from Chikanta Chiefdom in Kalomo District.

“The deceased had reportedly been seen roaming within the area during the month of May before the unfortunate incident occurred,” Mr Namalongo said.

Mr Namalongo said the body was retrieved from the scene and deposited into the Itezhi-Tezhi District Hospital Mortuary awaiting burial adding that an inquiry file has since been opened to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatal elephant attack.

He has since urged members of the public living in or visiting wildlife areas to exercise caution and report any dangerous animal movements to relevant authorities.

Northern Province Acting Permanent Secretary, Beauty Undi-Phiri has assured the Bemba Royal Establishment that government will continue supporting the welfare of Chiefs.

Ms Undi-Phiri says traditional leaders play a vital role in governance hence the government will continue making every effort in ensuring that their welfare is taken care of.

She made the remarks when she led a delegation of government officials when they paid a courtesy call on Chief Tungati at his palace in Luwingu District.

Ms Undi-Phiri hailed Chiefs for their role in governance and providing guidance on various matters affecting the people.

“I want to assure you that government will do everything possible to support you during this period, your royal highness, you are key in the governance system and your welfare will always be government’s concern,” she assured.

She explained that her office will get in touch with the Ministries of Local government and Health as they explore ways of taking the Chief to Lusaka to seek further medical attention.

And Chief Tungati of the Bemba people thanked government for the support it has continued to offer from the time he has been unwell.

“Since December last, I have not been well, and government has been supportive, I am thankful for this,” he said.