POLICE have gunned down a suspected criminal believed to be behind a spate of robberies.

The suspect only known as Jack TC is believed to have committed a spate of crimes with his colleagues who are on the run.

Jack TC was renting an apartment in Kalundu area of Lusaka and allegedly hired a vehicle three months prior, which he used to commit the said crimes.

Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the unfolding of the crimes started on November 29,2023, during routine patrols when officers spotted a Silver Toyota Ractis bearing Registration CAC 825 ZM which was suspiciously parked along a small gravel road.

He said when challenged, the occupants started the motor vehicle and spade off almost hitting one of the officers.

“This prompted officers to fire warning shots and consequently three suspected criminals escaped and abandoned the vehicle. A set of number plates bearing Registration number BAE 6146 ZM, were recovered. The vehicle was later discovered to have been hired out to Clement Katunga of Katungu farms in Makeni through our investigations,” he said.

He said later on December 7, 2023 around 09:00 hours, officers went to Lusaka west in Kalundu area where they found that the suspect was renting an apartment.

Mr Hamoonga said when officers approached the apartment, two suspected criminals came out and jumped over a wall fence with a lazer wire.

He explained that several warning shots were fired towards the two escaping criminals who nevertheless disappeared into a thicket in the neighboring farm.

“Unfortunately, when officers conducted a search around the thicket, one suspected criminal only known as Jack TC was found lying on the ground after he sustained bullet wounds and lazer wire respectively. He was rushed to University Teaching Hospital, but was unfortunately pronounced dead by a medical doctor,” he said.

Meanwhile, at the apartment officers recovered the following Unregistered Mark X grey in colour ,13 ladies hand bags, a set of four black mag rims wheels, with tyres, two sets of Number plates BAX 3769 and SHIKY 1, a double sticker seal tape, two pairs of ladies shoes, ÀB BANK Cash withdraw slip by IFO SABRIE KALID, a Gun case, FNB ATM bearing card number 1646, a Money tag Slip from Atlas Mara Zambezi mall and two NRCs bearing the names of Samuel Zulu and Mooba Habombe

Mr Hamoonga said also found was a driving licence for Clement Katunga ,Sherbourne lodge identity card for manager ,12 – 2023 Inclusive Sports Festival T-shirts, eight laptop bags, six Travelling bags, four suitcases and two kit bags.

“The Owner of the Ractis vehicle has identified the now deceased as the person who had in fact hired his vehicle for at least three months.

Investigations have since been instituted and a manhunt for the suspect who escaped is on,” he said.

(Mwebantu, Friday, 8th December, 2023)

As the year draws to a close the Trade Kings Foundation not only looks at the year that was, but also looks to the future by donating over two million Kwacha, in the form of seed and fertilizers to 500 local farmers from the Nampundwe and Chaminuka communities.

The Trade Kings Foundation recognises the crucial role that small-scale farmers play in Zambia’s agricultural sector. In strengthening their capacity, one significantly contributes to food security in and around these communities. With this in mind, the Trade Kings Foundation continuously strives to support the sector, whether in the form of building structures, laying irrigation for water reticulation, drilling of boreholes and now – the donation of seeds and fertilizers.

As part of the donation, the farmers will attend several workshops to upskill them on topics such as soil health, crop rotation, water management, and pest and disease. The program will also focus on crop ustilisation: how to sell, give back to the local community and plan for the next crop.

During the handover of the donation, Trade Kings Group’s Public Relations Manager, Bridget Kambobe, said, “Small-scale and family farmers play a major role in food production of Zambia. Faced with numerous challenges that include everchanging weather patterns, competition from large industrial farms and a lack of access to reliable, up-to-date information and farming inputs, the drive to support local farmers forms part of the Trade Kings Foundation’s ethos of “Improving Lives” and in so doing we assist in ensuring much-needed food security.”

She concluded, “Our role as Trade Kings Group and Trade Kings Foundation is not only to serve our customers, but to instill hope during the economically uncertain times that we find ourselves in.”

MEDIA personality and talk show host Mutale Mwanza has been sued for allegedly yelling at a motorist while holding a gun, an incident which allegedly left the female victim, who is a doctor at the University Teaching Hospitals (UTH), traumatized.

The complainant, Natasha Mulenga, has complained that the incident left her extremely traumatized and she now wants the Lusaka High Court to order the outspoken entrepreneur to pay her damages for assault.

Court records show that the incident happened on November 5, 2023, when the two were stuck in traffic before the defendant, Ms Mwanza, emerged from her car with a gun.

The statement of claim filed at the Lusaka High Court shows that Dr Mulenga was on the material day driving home when she found a broken-down car in Chainda area and that during the time, traffic was building behind the stationery automobile.

The plaintiff submits that she then decided to keep to her lane and pass the scene in order for the built-up traffic to flow.

But before her vehicle passed the broken-down car, Ms Mwanza had started flashing vehicle lights at the doctor’s car and decided the defendant then decided to bypass the broken-down vehicle, joining Ms Mulenga’s lane.

The plaintiff submits that when Ms Mwanza blocked her car, the defendant(Ms Mwanza) then proceeded to disembark from her vehicle while carrying a firearm in her right hand.

Ms Mwanza then approached Dr Mulenga’s vehicle while shouting at her and banging on her vehicle.

“Arising from that, the plaintiff suffered extreme trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety, physiological distress, sleep disorder, experienced recurring nightmares about the event and gastrointestinal upset,” she submits in part.

The doctor adds that as a result of the injury suffered, she had to be placed on a mandatory 10 day medical leave due to diminished concentration and had to see a psychotherapist at the Adult and Emergency Hospital at UTH.

She now seeks damages for assault, among other reliefs

(Mwebantu, Thursday, 7th December, 2023)