By SYLVIA MWEETWA and SYLVESTER MWALE –
A SIXTY-YEAR-OLD man detained by police in Solwezi in connection with a murder committed in 1980, has committed suicide in a holding cell.
North-Western Province police Commissioner Auxensio Daka said Leonard Kambamba, also believed to be from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was also facing a charge of illegal possession of a firearm.
Mr Daka said the suspect used his belt to hang himself.
“The suspect hanged himself to a burglar bar, in the hours between Sunday and Monday (yesterday). The police is now also investigating why the officer on duty, allowed the suspect to enter with a belt,” Mr Daka said.
Mr Daka said the suspect used an inherited National Registration Card (NRC).
He said 27 other suspects, who were in the cell at the time, denied hearing any noise when the suspect committed suicide.
Meanwhile, two illegal miners have been arrested, while five others are on the run after killing their friend by drowning him in a prohibited mining dam after a physical confrontation over mining rights in Kabwe.
The body of the deceased has, however, not yet been retrieved from the dam more than one week after the incident, but the two suspects are currently being held at Kasanda Police Station.
Police spokesperson Esther Katongo has identified the deceased as Godfrey Mwansa of Makandanyama Township, while the suspects include 49-year-old Patrick Tembo of Kitwe and Panji Tembo of Kabwe’s Chowa Township.
They were part of a group that has been illegally mining lead and zinc in the abandoned mine in Kasanda Mine area, and the differences arose from the ownership of the mining potions in the open pit.
Police sources told the Times in Kabwe that the deceased was regarded as the boss of the illegal miners, but had faced confrontation from some miners, particularly those from Kitwe who wanted to take over the operations.
“But the deceased was very determined to remain in charge and this angered the other group who decided to mobilise and started beating him with shovels and stones,” the sources said.
Ms Katongo said the two suspects were first admitted to the hospital after being severely beaten by an instant justice mob in the aftermath of the incident.
“The two were discharged from Kabwe General Hospital the following day and are currently being held at Kasanda Police Station to assist with investigations,” she said.