A police officer operating from ZESCO offices in Kapiri Mposhi District, has died after sustaining gunshot wounds during a scuffle for a firearm with a cable vandal in Lukanda B area.
Both Police and ZESCO Senior Corporate Affairs Manager, Caristo Chitamfya have confirmed the incident to ZANIS identifying the victim as Misheck Siakambala, 52, a police inspector at ZESCO offices in Kapiri Mposhi.
And ZESCO Senior Manager for Special Duties and Investigations Benny Mwanamakwa and Kapiri Mposhi ZESCO Area Manager, Kelvin Chipili who visited the scene of the crime have confirmed the death of Mr Siakambala, hours after he was rushed to Kabwe Central Hospital for treatment.
The shooting incident happened around 03:00 hours, today, Wednesday, January, 2024 when the ZESCO police officer in the company of two Zambia Police Officers, namely Inspector Simon Zimba and Sergeant Kapumba Petronella from Kapiri Mposhi police station were securing a ZESCO underground armored cable which was vandalised earlier on December 30, 2023.
Whilst on duty, the officers encountered a group of vandals who attempted to steal the vandalized underground armored cable under their guard.
The officers fired warning shots in the air leading to other vandals fleeing.
However, one of the vandals violently charged at the officers and tried to grab an AK 47 rifle from the ZESCO police officer who held on to the gun.
During the struggle for the firearm the vandal allegedly pulled the trigger of the gun which shot inspector Siakambala in the abdomen and neck.
The vandal, identified as Joseph Mambwe, 20, of Katondo compound in Kabwe was also shot on the right thigh in the process.
Inspector Siakambala was rushed to Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital and later referred to Kabwe Central Hospital for treatment where he later died from the gunshot wounds.
The wounded cable vandal has been apprehended and admitted to Kapiri District Hospital.
