By JULIUS PHIRI –
POLICE in Chipata have arrested three people in connection with a spate of robberies which have rocked the border town lately.
Two of those arrested are ex-convicts.
Eastern Province Commissioner of Police Eugene Sibote confirmed the arrest of John Zulu, 20, Dismas Ngoma, both former prisoners and Leonard Zimba.
Mr Sibote said a number of recoveries had been made since the arrest of the suspects.
“Police have arrested three people in connection with the break-ins which have been taking place in Chipata. The people who were arrested included John Zulu, 20, an ex-convict, Leonard Zimba, whom I don’t have the particulars and Dismas Ngoma, an ex-convict who is now in custody,“  he said.
Meanwhile, four people on Friday attacked a farmer in Vubwi District.
The farmer managed to rescue himself by axing one of his attackers.
The incident happened on Friday around 21:00 hours in Vubwi District.
Mr Sibote said the local farmer was attacked after word went round that he had sold his maize.
He said one of the four criminals was armed with a pistol which had 12 rounds of ammunition.
“The farmer actually managed to axe one on the chest and arm but this person ran away while the person who was armed with a pistol was in the house. A justice mob pounced on him and confiscated a pistol which is in the hands of the police.
“He is currently admitted to Chipata General Hospital after initially being admitted to Mwami Hospital,” Mr Sibote said.
He said the people set ablaze a Toyota Corolla registration number ALR 3061 at Chikoka Village which was being used by the criminals.
Mr Sibote appealed to members of the public to help police with information that would lead to the arrest of three others who are on the run.