By NOEL IYOMBWA
TWENTY-FOUR suspected criminals have been nabbed in Lusaka’s John Howard compound in a joint operation conducted by police and the Lusaka City Council (LCC).
The operation which was conducted around 01:00 hours yesterday unearthed an assortment of offensive weapons ranging from axes, knives, machetes, golf sticks and a spear.
Police spokesperson Esther Katongo, said various quantities of marijuana were also found on some of the suspects.
Ms Katongo said the 24 suspects were captured in a filthy bar and restaurant, which was operating without a liquor licence and public health permit contrary to the provisions of the law.
She said the suspects would be charged for being found in possession of offensive weapons and would be handed over to the Drug Enforcement Commission for the drug-related offences.
Mr Katongo identified the suspects as Joshua Chitwaka aged 20 of Chawama, Isaiah Chungu aged 18 of Chawama, John Zimba aged 19 of John Howard, Silwimba Musonda aged 19 of John Laing, Michael Kafusha 46 of Chawama, Edwin Musonda 36 of Chawama and Moses Bwalya aged 43 of Makeni.
Others were William Musonda, 30 of Chawama, Donald Kampamba 48 of Kabanana, Caleb Daka 21 of Kuomboka, Andrew Mutale 19 of Kuku, Ben Daka 20 of Misisi, Lackson Simfukwe aged 17 years of Kuomboka, Francis Tembo 22 years of Kuku and Nzolo Peulu aged 20 years Chawama.
The rest were Abraham Lwenga 20 of Makeni, Peter Kakube 17 of Kuku, Emmanuel Mwanza aged 19 of Chawama and Ferdinand, two boys both aged 15 of Chawama, Joel Nyondo 30 of Kabanana, Adam Chibuye, 22 of Kuku and Medson Banda aged 20 of John Howard.
“We urge the public to continue bringing security concerns in their communities to the Zambia Police Service as such information is cardinal in planning an operation,“ she said.
Ms Katongo said police in Lusaka have in the recent past received numerous complaints from the public in Chawama and surrounding compounds on a rise in criminal activities.
Ms Katongo said the criminals were using a private structure in John Howard where various illegal activities were taking place, hence causing fear in people in the area. “It is suspected that the structure was harbouring criminals behind a spate of criminal activities experienced in the area and surrounding compounds hence the operation,” she said
