Gassing probe closed 26 suspects were arrested

"Investigations in the gassing incidences are more less concluded because some people are appearing in the courts of law," he said.

Mr kampyongo said the investigations had however somehow continued in the sense that they sparked other incidences such as the damaging of about 11 police stations.

According to Zambia police, about 43 people were killed in the incidences which started in Chingola.

Some people who were suspected to have been behind the gassing were burnt to death by angry mobs with a number of people being arrested.

About 511 households are reported to have been gassed involving 1, 683 victims.

Earlier, Mr Kampyongo announced that the 26 gassing suspects arrested across the country were now appearing before the courts of law for various charges.

He said some of the suspects arrested had been charged under the terrorism Act Section 9 while other suspects are appearing in court for cases such as murder.

Mr Kampyongo said one of the suspects arrested on the Copperbelt Province was believed to be one of the coordinators of the gassing incidences.

He said the perpetrators operate in groups with various coordinators.

In September this year, Two Chingola men were committed to the Kitwe High Court for trial for gassing residents with poisonous substances.

This was after a lengthy trial in the Chingola Magistrate Court.

This is in a case where Aubrey Mulemfwe, 22, and Derrick Munuka 27, stand charged with four counts of administering a poisonous substance contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that on January 22, 2020, the duo jointly and whilst acting together with other people unknown with intent to cause harm, maliciously administered a poisonous substance endangering lives of four different people in all four counts.

The state informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had issued instructions to commit the matter for trial.