Zambia police kill five suspected robbers in alleged firefight in Chingola

Police on the Copperbelt Province have reportedly killed five suspected dangerous criminals during an exchange of fire in Chingola.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer, Mwala Yuyi, disclosed this during a display of recovered property in Chingola on Monday, saying officers intercepted the suspects, who were believed to be part of an organised criminal network operating in Chingola and other parts of the country.

He identified the deceased as Yoram Bwalya Simwinga, 29; Jasper Siulumbu, 35; John Simukonda, 35; Jason Simeye, 37; and Lawrence Siwale, 32.

Yuyi said the individuals were heavily armed and resisted arrest, leading to a gunfire exchange with police officers.

“Two firearms were initially recovered from the suspects at the scene but further searches led to the recovery of two additional pistols, bringing the total number of firearms recovered to four,” he said.

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“Investigations have revealed that the suspects were linked to the murders of Gift Chilambe, 30, and Francis Mbale, 28, which occurred on March 6 around 22 hours at Natmos Trading Centre along Kabundi Road in Riverside, Chingola Extension,” he added.

Yuyi said the group had also been linked to cases of aggravated robbery and murder in Solwezi, Mufulira, Kitwe, Muchinga Toll Gate, Nakonde and Lusaka.

Police also recovered a Toyota Allion believed to have been used in the commission of crimes. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at Nchanga North Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem and burial.

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