Suspected police officers shoot, wound two, says Rae Hamoonga

THE Zambia Police Service has said suspected police officers yesterday shot and wounded two passersby as they were pursuing suspected robbers in a chase in Lusaka’s Emmasdale area.

Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said in a statement yesterday the police are investigating the incident in which a 17-year-old Grade 12 pupil at Chibolya Secondary School and a Ms Tracy Kadantu, aged 24 of Chipata Township were injured.

Mr Hamoonga said the uvenile sustained a gunshot wound to the right leg, while Ms Kadantu sustained a wound to the left leg from stray bullets.

“According to the report, the victims were accidentally shot at by suspected police officers who were pursuing alleged criminals in two motor vehicles,” Mr Hamoonga said.

He said a Mr David Changwe, 54, of Lusaka’s Chalala area acted as a Good Samaritan and reported on behalf of the two victims of the shooting to Lusaka Central Police where medical forms were issued and they were rushed to University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

“The victims were accidentally shot at by suspected police officers who were pursuing alleged criminals in two motor vehicles, identified as a Toyota Mark X and a Toyota IST, both without registration numbers. The suspected police officers were pursuing another vehicle, a Toyota Progress with registration BAF 5711, black in colour.

“We wish to reassure the public that every effort will be made to establish the facts. Relatives of the victims have been informed about the incident, and the necessary support is being provided to them during this challenging time,” Mr Hamoonga said.