21/10/2026
Police abandon vehicle, chase armed robber on bike, on foot, guns down three
EASTERN Province Police officers yesterday demonstrated a rare show of tactical determination, abandoning their vehicle to pursue an armed suspect on foot before a stray bullet claimed the life of a suspect who had earlier been apprehended in connection with the suspected robbery plot.
The operation, which took place in Sinda and Katete Districts, left three suspected robbers dead, while another suspect escaped and remains at large.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba narrates to TV Yatu's Mberi that, the operation followed a tip-off that four armed men were planning to rob a businessman of Indian origin in Sinda.
The Anti-Robbery Squad launched investigations, identified the targeted businessman and placed his shop under surveillance.
At about 18:30 hours, four men arrived at the shop on two motorcycles, with two suspects on each bike.
When police officers challenged them, one of the suspects allegedly pulled out an AK-47 r***e and pointed it at the officers, prompting them to open fire.
Two suspects were shot dead, while the other two attempted to flee on the second motorcycle.
As the suspects attempted to flee, one fell off the motorcycle and was apprehended, but his accomplice managed to escape.
The arrested suspect, identified as Charles Lwenga of Petauke, reportedly identified the two men shot dead in Sinda as Chisenga of Lusaka and Mbunda of Chipata. He further alleged that Mbunda was a former police officer.
Lwenga also told police that the fleeing suspect, a man from Lundazi, was armed with a pistol and might head to his girlfriend's residence near Katete Airstrip.
Acting on the information, officers proceeded to Katete, where they spotted the suspect riding a motorcycle along the Katete-Chanida Road at about 19:20 hours.
The suspect turned onto a gravel road near the airstrip, but upon realising that police were following him, he allegedly opened fire on the officers.
Fearing he would disappear into the bush while they struggled with creating a path for their vehicle, the officers abandoned their CDF van and pursued the suspect on foot.
During the ensuing confusion, Lwenga, who had been apprehended in Sinda, reportedly escaped from police custody.
Realising their catch had escaped, Police officers fired warning shots as they pursued the armed suspect, and the escapee, Lwenga.
Unfortunately for Lwenga, he was struck by a stray bullet, while the suspected armed robbery on the bike rode off.
He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police recovered an AK-47 r***e bearing serial number 6E3582, loaded with seven rounds of am******on. A red, unregistered Gatoma motorcycle allegedly used by the suspects was also impounded and is being kept at Sinda Police Station.
Mweemba says thorough Police investigations have revealed that the suspects were also wanted in connection with aggravated robberies reported on October 1 in the Sunnydale area of Lundazi and on October 14 at Kalulu Village in Petauke.
The bodies of the three deceased suspects have been deposited at Chipata Central Hospital mortuary pending further identification and postmortem examinations.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the remaining suspect.
TV Yatu | Sanfrossa Mberi | October 21, 2026.
