21-year-old arrested over suspected theft of goods from trucks in Kitwe

Police in Kitwe have arrested a 21-year-old man suspected of stealing goods from trucks following a follow-up operation involving police officers and members of the Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU).

Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner, Rae Hamoonga, said the matter was initially reported at Kitwe Central Police Station on Sept. 10, 2026, at about 11:00 hours.

He said the incident occurred earlier that day at about 10:30 hours along Chibuluma Road in the Kandabwe area.

Hamoonga said a 35-year-old truck driver reported that while transporting goods from Lusaka to Kasumbalesa, an unknown man climbed onto the trailer, tore the tarpaulin and stole two 25-kilogramme bags of Maq mealie meal valued at K780.

He said the incident was captured on video and later circulated widely on social media.

“As a result of continued police patrols and heightened vigilance in the area, on September 16, 2026 at about 14:00 hours, Police officers and CCPU members received information that a man suspected to be involved in a similar offence was allegedly attempting to steal goods from another truck,” Hamoonga said.

He said police and CCPU members, with assistance from the truck driver, swiftly responded and apprehended the suspect.

The suspect was identified as Moses Musa, 21, of Kandabwe in Kitwe. Hamoonga said Musa was in police custody and would appear in court once investigations were concluded.

Hamoonga commended members of the public, particularly truck drivers, for cooperating with law enforcement agencies in preventing and detecting criminal activities.

“Members of the public are encouraged to promptly report suspicious activities to the police and avoid confronting suspected criminals themselves,” he said.

He warned people involved in the theft of goods from trucks that police had intensified patrols and surveillance along major transit routes.

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