Police extract Bowman Lusambo from ceiling
THE once fearsome ‘NATO forces’ boss Bowman Lusambo has now turned into a scaredy-cat who tucked himself away in the ceiling at his Chamba valley home this morning at the sight of police officers, in order to elude arrest.
Lusambo was yesterday convicted in absentia by the Luanshya magistrates Court in a matter where he is charged with unlawful wounding.
Lusambo who was a commander of a fearsome army of PF cadres called NATO forces on the Copperbelt province, unleashed his panga wielding boys on NDC supporters during election campaigns after the Roan constituency parliament seat was declared vacant by former speaker Dr Patrick Matibini, after the member of parliament then Chishimba Kambwili crossed the floor.
NDC member Obed Kasongo died as a result of the violence as he was butchered in the head, but postmortem results revealed that he died of malaria.
Lusambo who also had his election as Kabushi member of parliament nullified as a result of electoral violence, was charged with unlawful wounding and assault for perpetrating violence in the by election for the roan seat.
On April 11, 2019, Lusambo attacked Stanley Musukwa, a 58-year-old NDC member, using a machete, and caused him severe head and facial injuries which left him unrecognizable.
Luanshya magistrate Penstone Chiluba said the evidence adduced by witnesses indicate that Lusambo was at the crime scene and was identified as the assailant.
He acquitted Lusambo of assault due to insufficient evidence.
Magistrate Chiluba said he would pass his sentence once Lusambo was apprehended so that he could give him an opportunity to mitigate his case.
He issued a warrant of arrest against Lusambo and ordered that police shepherd him to court for his sentencing.
In adherence to the court order police begun to hunt for Lusambo and raided his Chamba valley home.
Upon seeing men in Khaki and green uniform flock his yard, Lusambo could not be the bulldozer he proclaims to be, but turned into a big girl’s blouse and kept himself out of the officers’ sight by stashing himself in between the roof of his house and the ceiling board.
Police were ready to have a run for their money as they extricated the bulldozer and razed it to the ground.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga confirmed that the Bulldozer has been put in custody awaiting to be transported to Luanshya on a CDF van, so that the court can mete out punishment on him.
“In line with our duty to uphold court directives, the Zambia Police Service commenced an immediate search for Mr. Lusambo to effect the court’s order. Today, officers successfully located and apprehended Mr. Lusambo at his residence, where he was found hiding in the ceiling,” said Hamoonga.
“The Zambia Police Service remains committed to enforcing the law impartially and ensuring that justice is served without fear or favor. Mr. Lusambo is now in police custody and will be presented to the court as directed by the bench warrant.”
By Mwaka Ndawa
Kalemba November 1, 2024.