Thu, 04 May 2017 09:27:49 +0000
By CHARLES MUSONDA and AARON CHIYANZO
POLICE in Lusaka yesterday detained two people for allegedly attempted to burn City Market, the capital’s busiest trading centre.
Police spokesperson Esther Katongo confirmed to the Daily Nation that the two men were apprehended by alert citizens in the early hours of yesterday and handed over to the police.
“Two people were picked up by members of the public in the early hours of today (yesterday) around 02:00 hours. They were found with some electric cables and some substances which we are yet to establish. As at now we can’t go into details until we are done with our investigations.
“They were picked up around City Market and we are holding on to them. Their identity has been established but we need to find out if these things (they were found with) are capable of causing fire or an explosion. We have withheld their identity as at now until we are done with our investigations. That is when we will issue a conclusive statement,” Ms. Katongo said.
Last week police arrested some opposition UPND members who were found with offensive items outside Lusaka Central Correction facility, commonly known as Chimbokaila prison, and they are yet to appear in court.
Meanwhile, police in Lusaka have arrested a 27-year-old woman of Chipata compound for burying her newly-born baby and has since been charged with infanticide.
Ms. Katongo confirmed that Elizabeth Nakazwe yesterday buried her newly born baby just next to her kitchen at around 09:00 hours.
She said Ms. Nakazwe gave birth to a live baby boy last Wednesday but yesterday killed and buried it within her yard.
Ms Katongo said a neighbour, whose identity has been withheld, witnessed the incident and immediately reported to the police. Neighbours told the Daily Nation that the suspect lied to her friends that she gave birth to a stillborn baby.
