By Onishias Maamba in Chipata
A 42-year-old civilian employee at the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Samora Machel base in Mbala has died after being hit by a stray bullet at the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) regional office in Chipata.
Eastern Province Deputy Commissioner of Police, Geoffrey Kunda has confirmed the development to Feel Free news
Mr Kunda identified the shot man as Chishimba James Bwalya, who was Captain of the visiting Golf club from Mbala that participated in a golf tournament held in Chipata over the week.
He said the incident happened around 03:00 hours Monday, August 5, 2019, saying that it is alleged that Mr Bwalya trespassed at the ZRA office where he attempted to open the entry to the cash office.
He said when the police officer who was on duty in the company of other two security guards heard the noise, he went to check on what was happening.
“It was at this point that Mr Bwalya attempted to run away upon noticing the officer.
“Then the officer fired two warning shots in the air, but that one stray bullet unfortunately hit him in the back and protruded through the stomach. He fell down and was pronounced dead at Chipata Central Hospital,” he said.
He said the body is at Chipata Central Hospital mortuary and that investigations have been launched to establish what really happened.
However, Chipata Golf Club captain Edward Phiri, has expressed dissatisfaction with the report from the police that his colleague attempted to break into the ZRA office.
Mr Phiri said the golf fraternity is shocked with the development, noting that it will pursue all channels in ensuring that eventualities that led to the shooting of their colleague are unearthed.
