Police gun down suspect, Kelony, allegedly involved in killing of Burundian shop owner

A 35-year-old man believed to be a Burundian national has been murdered in his shop in Lusaka’s John Leing compound by a criminal known as Kelony.

Police investigations indicated that Anderson Uwela, who rented and was staying in a shop in John Leing compound was murdered by Kelony on March 24, 2024 between 01:00 hours and 04:00 hours.

Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Danny Mwale, in a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday said that Uwela, sustained deep cuts on his forehead as a machete was suspected to have been used to inflict the injuries.

Mwale said the suspects stole undisclosed amount of money and one cellular phone after gaining entry by breaking the locks of the shop.

He said that the corpse of the deceased was now lying at the University Teaching Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem and burial.

“Around 17:00 hours, Police investigations led to the arrest of one suspect identified as Robert Sinkala, aged 25, also known as Kelony who had been on Police wanted list for various crimes such as murder and aggravated robberies in John Leing and other surrounding areas,” Mwale said.

He added that Kelony led Police officers for recoveries in John Leing and Kanyama compounds where some quantities of marijuana, machetes and an axe, among other offensive weapons, were recovered around 22:00 hours.

Mwale stated that the suspect was believed to have been involved in the murder of the Burundian national between 01:00 hours and 04:00 hours in John Leing compound.

“As Police officers progressed to recover the stolen cellular phone, the suspect ran away,” he said.

Mwale said that Police officers fired warning shots to stop him but unfortunately he was caught by a stray bullet and sustained a fatal bullet wound.

He said the suspect was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

“The body is in the same Hospital mortuary awaiting formal identification and postmortem,” Mwale stated.

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