A MOB has burnt to death two people whom they suspected of stealing 10 cattle in Mulimba village of Shibuyunji.

Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the incident happened when villagers spotted a truck loaded with cattle which they suspected to have been stolen, with four suspects on board.

He said immediately the suspected rustlers noticed the group of people they decided to run away from the scene abandoning the vehicle.

Mr Hamoonga said two suspects were caught in the process and burnt to death.

He said two survivors both of Chilanda Village namely Ernest Siziba aged 43, the owner of the Volvo truck registration number CAA 5837 and Isaac Paraza aged 28 a driver for the truck are in police custody.

Mr Hamoonga has however expressed concern about the incident stating that mob justice is not only illegal but also poses serious risks to the safety and well-being of residents

“The Zambia Police Service is deeply concerned about the recent incident of mob justice that has occurred in Mulimba Village of Shibuyunji District where two persons have been burnt to death on allegations of cattle rustling. Brief facts of this matter are that Police received a report of suspected murder in which two people named Remy Mwiinga aged 45 and Benny Ngwiliza aged 29 were murdered by a mob in Mulimba village,” he said.

He said mob justice not only violates the principles of due process but can also lead to innocent people being wrongly accused and harmed.

“We urge residents of Mulimba Village and the general public to refrain from engaging in mob justice and instead report suspected criminal activities to the nearest Police station or other relevant law enforcement agencies,” he said.

(Mwebantu, Monday, 2nd October, 2023)

A FOURTEEN year old boy of Mufulira has died at the hands of his step father who hit him with an axe handle on his head after a misunderstanding.

Owen Mumba died yesterday around 19:00 hours from injuries that were inflicted by his step father Benson Mwansa 43.

The suspect is in police custody following the death of his step-son.

According to the police the two had a sour relationship because Mr Mwansa did not want to stay with his step son.

Copperbelt Province Commanding Officer Peacewell Mweemba said on the Monday morning Owen’s mother Mirriam Chisenga

went to church leaving the boy under the care of his step father.

Mr Mweemba said while Mirriam was away the two had an altercation leading to Owen’s death.

“Mr Mwansa and Owen’s mother have been married for 13 years . The relationship between Owen and his step father was antagonistic as the stepfather never wanted his step son. Yesterday Owen’s mother went to church and left her son with his step father and another son later there was an altercation between Mr Mwansa and Owen prompting the step father to hit the deceased with an axe handle on the head,” said Mr Mweemba.

He said the Owen was rushed to Ronald Ross Hospital but was referred to Kitwe Teaching Hospital (KTH) where he died around 19:00 hours.

(Mwebantu, Monday, 2nd October, 2023)