A THRTY-FIVE year old man of Lusaka has been murdered by unknown people in unclear circumstances.

Isaac Chileshe of Kabanana Township was found dead yesterday at Sembo area.

Police spokesperson Esther Katongo told Mwebantu that Chileshe is suspected to have been murdered between 11th April, 2021 at unknown time and 12th April, 2021 around 06:00 hours at Kabanana Sembo area where his body was found.

She said police visited the scene and found the deceased lifeless facing upwards with a deep cut on the back of the head.

“There were no instruments found at the scene .It is alleged that the victim left home on 11th April, 2021 around 1200 hours for a drinking spree and was found dead in the morning of yesterday. The body has been conveyed to UTH mortuary awaiting postmortem examination,” Ms Katongo said.

She said investigations have been launched.

FOUR people in eastern province have been convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment with hard labour for trafficking in nine polythene sacks containing dry loose cannabis weighing 865 Kilograms.

The four are among 10 people were arrested by Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) in Eastern and Copperbelt Provinces for trafficking in over 900 kilograms of loose cannabis.

The convict have been identified as Stanley Kunda, male aged 34, Melvin Chola, male aged 27, Joseph Tembo, male aged 28, Moses Banda, male aged 29 all of John Leing Compound in Lusaka.

They were intercepted at Nyalungwe National Parks Wildlife Checkpoint in Nyimba where they were found with nine polythene sacks containing dry loose cannabis weighing 865 Kilograms.

Meanwhile, another person on the Copperbelt province has been convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for trafficking for trafficking in dry loose cannabis plants concealed in two ‘ukwa’ bags weighing 41 Kilograms.
John Mumba 50 was convicted after he pleaded guilty to trafficking in cannabis.

Meanwhile five others who pleaded not guilty are expected to appear in court for trial.

The five accused persons include Kelvin Chileshe, aged 26, Memory Chisenga, aged 41, Shadreck Chinyala,aged 26, Joseph Mumba, aged 42 and Lewis Mwengwe, aged 26.

They were intercepted at Sabina Toll Gate in Kalulushi and were jointly charged for trafficking in psychotropic substances contrary to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia.

DEC public relations officer Mathias Kamanga said in a statement that the convicts appeared in court and John Mumba pleaded guilty to the charge of trafficking in psychotropic substances contrary to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Chapter 96 of the Laws of Zambia.
“Mumba was convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment with hard labour. The case was adjourned for commencement of trial with regard to the other suspects,” he said.

In another incident, the Commission arrested Ray Russel, male aged 40 of Ganatone in Kitwe for trafficking in 4.5 kg of marijuana contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
The suspect was initially apprehended by Zambia Police Service for Gender Based Violence (GBV) offences and upon searching him, was found with some balls of marijuana.

“The Public is hereby informed that recent investigations conducted by the Commission have established a link between drug abuse and violence, particularly GBV. We therefore wish to appeal to members of the public to stop drug abuse as this leads to such vices as GBV and many other wrongs which go against the beliefs and values of this country,” Mr Kamanga said.