FOLLOWING a mine accident in Chingola district on the Copperbelt, reports suggest the victims that were buried alive are feared to have drowned.

The victims are suspected to have drowned in the tunnels where they were digging copper ore after heavy rains and landslides buried the tunnels.

Police received a report of drowning from Abedenigo Keshinako who has since identified seven of his colleagues that were victims of mine accident at Kasenseli of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM)open pit.

A combined rescue team of police, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) staff and fire brigade have however, not yet retrieved any of the bodies.

Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the incident occurred on November 30th between 21:00 hours and 22:00 hours.

“Mr Keshinako reported that those that are suspected to have drowned are Christopher Chungu ,Silvester other names not known ,John other name not known ,a person only known as Bashi Prisca , Joe other names not known,Gold other names not known and another one only known as Bashi Emma,” he said.

He noted that those identified together with others drowned in the tunnels where they were digging copper ore after heavy rains.

“The Police, KCM rescue team and fire brigade visited the scene and it was discovered that there were two sites within the pit where the victims were buried. The bodies are not yet retrieved as efforts are being made to retrieve them,” he said.

(Mwebantu, Saturday, 2nd December, 2023)

A lastest consent judgement shows that the State will pay the family of late UPND supporter Mapenzi Chibulo, who was shot dead by police during a protest in 2021, K3.5million compensation for loss of life plus another K500,000 in legal costs.

“That the defendant shall pay the plaintiff the sum of only K3,500,000 being damages for loss of life ,damages for loss of dependency ,damages for loss of expectation of life damages for funeral expenses,” the consent Judgement reads in part.

The consent Judgement, which has been endorsed by the plaintiff’s lawyers and The Attorney General, is yet to be signed by Judge Charges Kafunda.

This is in a lawsuit filed by late Ms Chibulo’s father, Douglas Chibulo, who sued the State seeking compensation after his daughter was shot dead at Downtown Shopping Mall.

The shooting was during a procession from the United Party for National Development Secretariat to Chawama where the UPND were scheduled to have a rally.

In 2017, Mr Chibulo, then sued the state claiming damages for loss of life and asked the Lusaka High Court to award him damage.

He complained that the loss of life was as a result of negligence by the Zambia Police.

Mr Chibulo, citing the Attorney General as respondent, submitted that on July 8, 2016, the police, in their efforts to disperse people who were peacefully parading in a match past, used live ammunition to shoot at unarmed citizens

He said in the process, his daughter was shoot dead because of the careless act by the state agents.

The plaintiff submits that his family suffered financial loss at the time his daughter died especially in terms of communication and other funeral expenses.

(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 29th November, 2023)

POLICE in Mumbwa have arrested and charged a Correctional Service Officer stationed at Kitumba Correctional Farm in Mumbwa for alleged murder of Richard Silwamba aged 42 a bricklayer at Sugarloaf Enterprise Kaindu in Mumbwa.

Clifford Chota Mubili 29 allegedly beat up the deceased after he delaying from buying his food.

Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said the officer will appear in court soon.

“It is alleged that the deceased delayed to come back from buying foodstuffs after having been sent by the suspect, making him annoyed and later got a metal bar and hit the deceased on the face,” he said.

Mr Hamoonga said the body of the deceased was inspected and a deep cut was seen on the upper right eyebrow.

The body has been deposited in Mumbwa District Hospital Mortuary awaiting Postmortem while the suspect is detained in Police custody and will appear in Court soon,” he said.

(Mwebantu, Monday, 27th November, 2023)