. Katanga

By MILDRED KATONGO –

A DAYLIGHT robbery in Ndola yesterday has left two anti-robbery squad officers and two suspected criminals dead after an exchange of fire in the process of recovering more than K300,000 snatched from a local business executive.

A similar robbery act, was thwarted by police in Kitwe, killed one suspected criminal.

The drama started after the gang of armed robbers laid an ambush for a Star Bakery cashier who went to collect the long-weekend’s takings on Arusha Street and to the surprise of many onlookers the gang using a Toyota Corolla Vintage blocked his Toyota Surf and one of them quickly pointed a gun at the cashier of Asian origin who surrendered the cash and remained helpless in the car as the criminals sped off.

The incident happened at the junction of Arusha Street and Kabelenga streets, just opposite the Times of Zambia offices, where the gang fired a gunshot to disturb onlookers close to the crime scene.

Copperbelt Commissioner of Police Charity Katanga confirmed the killing of two police officers and two criminals and the recovery of two pistols, one with six rounds of ammunition, an AK 47 rifle and the Toyota used to stage the heist.

“Police officers who have been killed are detective Sergeant Ben Chilubula and another detective Sergeant Francis Kunda both of the anti-robbery squad while one of the criminals is only identified as Phiri,” she said.

It was believed that the criminals went to Misundu area, where they attempted to escape, but were intercepted by the police officers who trailed them.

One of the criminals had an encounter with one of the police officers as he was caught, but managed to overpower him, grabbing his gun, but shot himself in the foot during ensuing fracas, before shooting the officer, who died on the spot.

The suspect who was believed to have carried the bag full of cash, ran away with the gun and was later gunned down by the police after they reinforcement.

After two hours another police officer was shot by the criminals before being gunned down by the officers.

An eyewitness at the scene explained that the armed criminals were being chased by police officers before they had an encounter.

John Mbewe said he saw the vehicle for the police officers chasing the criminals who were in a Toyota Corolla before hearing the gunshots.

Mr Mbewe said he saw police officers and the suspects having an encounter before the criminal ran away with the gun.

“I was around this area when I saw a vehicle belonging to the police chasing the criminals, the criminals tried to make a U- turn, but were intercepted by the police and exchanged fire,” he said.

Ms Katanga said it was in the act that there was an exchange of fire and the criminal shot the police officer on the shoulder and chest and died on the spot while the second officer who was shot at later and sustained wounds died at Ndola Central Hospital.

She said two out of the four criminals have been killed while the other two were still on the run as police continue with the investigations.

Ms Katanga said one of the criminals only identified as Phiri was from Lusaka and that police would continue to investigate.

She also said that one of the residents identified as Erick Zulu aged 30 a bricklayer who was aiding the police officer was shot at and was admitted to NCH.

Ms Katanga described his condition as stable and out of danger.

In the Kitwe incident, police gunned down a suspected criminal as he tried to stage a robbery at the Mufuchani Bridge.

Ms Katanga said police recovered a pistol with eight rounds of ammunition and that the suspect was not yet identified.

She has warned people with guns to be cautious as they risked having their licenses revoked if they did not use them rightly.

Ms Katanga said police would not rest until they brought to book criminals and that justice should prevail.

“We are not going to rest as police because the lives of our officers and the members of the public are at stake. We will work and ensure that the criminals are brought to book,” she said.