STRAY POLICE BULLET KILLS KASAMA SUSPECT, AS TENSION ERUPTS
TENSION erupted in Kasama’s location compound in Northern Province after a stray police bullet greeted a suspected criminal, who was later welcomed into land of his ancestors.
Yesterday evening, around 16:30 hours, officers in the town received a tip from members of the public and business owners who alerted them that they were physically being harassed by some group, which was also extorting money from them.
Determined at maintaining law and order, officers immediately rushed to Kasama town but it was discovered that the suspects had already left the earlier, but that didn’t halt the officers from following up the case.
The men in uniform swiftly managed to track them in Chambeshi Market located in Location Compound.
But when the suspects noticed police presence, who introduced themselves, they immediately put police in a ‘need for speed’ race after they fled in an unregistered white motor vehicle.
But unlucky for them, the Lilayi men were ready to burn fuel as they raced behind them, with the help of several air warning shots which were ignored by the suspects who drove in a manner that was endangering other road users.
Later, after several failed attempts, police then fired another shot aimed at deflating the vehicle’s tyres.
However, instead of hitting the tyres, the bullet unfortunately, found itself hitting the driver Bwalya Mukuka aged between 25 and 36.
The shot promptly ended the race, as the officers’ concern shifted to saving his life, while his buddies abandoned his bleeding body and fled for their freedom.
He was immediately rushed to Kasama General Hospital, but unfortunately, he was pronounced as a brought in dead (BID).
But the announcement of Mukuka’s death caused tension in Kasama town as residents poured out a riot to what they termed as police brutality.
Zambia Police Service assistant public relations officer, Godfrey Chilabi confirmed the incident adding that police successfully managed to control the situation and restored order to the area.
“The body of the deceased has been deposited in Kasama General Hospital mortuary, pending a postmortem and burial. Police have opened an inquiry into the incident, and investigations are ongoing,” said Chilabi.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba