20 November 2008
POLICE in Lusaka yesterday shot dead five suspected dangerous criminals in a fierce exchange of fire in which one officer was shot and wounded.
The incident happened outside Lumumba Bus Station where police challenged the gang, which was armed with an AK 47 rifle and a toy pistol.
The station came to a stand still as commuters, wheelbarrow pushers and other traders scampered to safety for fear of being hit in cross fire.
The bodies of the five bandits were ferried in a van to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where they were certified dead.
UTH public relations officer, Kennedy Makukula said a police officer identified as Robert Mbita was treated and discharged after being grazed with a bullet in the lower abdomen.
Police service spokesperson, Bonny Kapeso said the criminals had planned to rob a firm in the industrial area but that members of the public alerted the police.
Mr Kapeso said the gangsters had initially planned to rob the firm at 09:00 hours and police were informed about the impending robbery.
As a result, incognito police officers sealed the area around the premises where the robbery was to take place while others went as far as Lumumba Bus Station.
Mr Kapeso identified one of the five bandits as Francis Mulenga Besa who had a national registration card (NRC) on him.
"Any family missing Besa Francis Mulenga should go to the UTH Mortuary and identify their relative. I can confirm that Besa Francis Mulenga has been shot dead," Mr Kapeso said.
Mr Kapeso also said that the police in Lusaka had arrested four suspects in connection with a series of criminal cases that rocked Kamwala South last week.
The four were picked following a tip from members of the public. Mr Kapeso said that the four were helping the police with investigations and would soon appear in court.
He also said that the police have made headway in the case of aggravated robbery in which Commerce Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary, Davison Chilipamushi had his motor vehicle snatched last Sunday.
He also said that Mines and Minerals Development Deputy Minister, Boniface Nkhata was also attacked last Saturday.
He further said that on Tuesday night, armed criminals abducted a woman in Chelstone at the gate of her house and threw her in the boot of a Nissan Hard Body Twin cab registration number ABK 9896.
Mr Kapeso said that the vehicle, which belongs to CFAO, was valued at K160,000,000. He said there have been no arrests or recoveries made yet but investigations were still going on.
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