26 February 2008
Ndola — POLICE in Mazabuka have shot dead one of the criminals who attacked a female police officer at Nega Nega police station on Sunday.
The police recovered the AK47 rifle with 10 rounds of ammunition and an axe used to hack the officer, Gweni Shamensi.
Inspector-General of Police, Ephraim Mateyo, said police had also arrested the second suspect after he was shot in a leg while the third accomplice was on the run.
Mr Mateyo said the deceased criminal was only identified by his nickname of 'Master', aged 35, while the one in police custody was Enock Banda.
The third criminal, who was still on the run, was identified as John Kanduka, 25, of Kafue township.
Mr Mateyo said in a statement released in Lusaka yesterday that the rifle and ammunition recovered were stolen from the police station.
He assured the public of their personal safety and property despite the attacks on law enforcement officers.
"I have further reiterated my earlier warning to criminals and would-be perpetrators that those involving themselves in banditry are doing so at their own risk.
"The incident in Mazabuka happened at about 01:30 hours and before 05:00 hours, the suspects faced the wrath of the law when they were confronted by the police along the rail line on foot heading back to Kafue," he said.
Mr Mateyo described the condition of the injured officer as stable.
She may be transferred to another hospital from Mazabuka district for observation.
On Sunday, four machete-wielding bandits stormed Nega Nega police station where they hacked a police woman on the head and other parts of the body before they wrestled a rifle from her.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) has condemned the attack of a female Mazubuka police officer who was hacked on the head by four machete-wielding criminals on Sunday.
HRC director, Enoch Mulembe, in a statement released in Lusaka yesterday, commended the police for apprehending two of the suspects.
" It is sad that in the space of a few weeks another officer almost lost her life at the hands of criminals in Mazabuka," Mr Mulembe said.
He reiterated its call for improved security measures for officers carrying out duties particularly at night.
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