CONSTRUCTION workers in Lusaka’s Emmasdale area yesterday foiled an armed robbery that was being staged by three men.

Two of the criminals got away while one was apprehended, clobbered to pulp and handed to the police.

The drama began yesterday morning around 10:30 hours when three men arrived at plot number 9, off Vubu road in Emmasdale saying they wanted to buy spices.

The trio were ushered in the yard by 25-year-old Namushi Namushi who resides at the house and was on duty as a guard.

Upon entry, Sabinah Ayub Patel aged 37, owner of the house asked Namushi to go in and bring the spices for the trio.

But as Namushi was going in the house, the criminals produced a sporting pistol and Tezer gun, pointed at Sabinah and ordered her to lay down.

When Namushi tried to intervene, he was hit with the sporting gun on the forehead and also ordered to lay down or they would shoot him.

As the two were lying on the ground, the attackers demanded money from Sabinah upon which she surrendered K300 to them.

While all this was happening, the house helper only identified as Beatrice who was attending to laundry duties behind the house, sneaked out of yard and alerted the construction workers working in the vicinity.

The mob of construction workers then forced its way into the yard to confront the attackers upon which two fled leaving behind their 37-year-old colleague, Abraham Chembe.

A grey Toyota Spacio was the getaway vehicle.

Chembe who came to be known as a resident of George compound tried to run but was caught by the mob.

After receiving a savage beating packaged in kicks, punches, slaps, elbows and whips, the bloodied Chembe earned himself an admission to Chipata first level Hospital.

Police deputy spokesperson Rae Hamoonga confirmed and narrated the incident to #Kalemba in a statement.

“A sporting gun was recovered and the guard while Namushi Namushi sustained one cut on the forehead and on the sculp. A medical report form was issued to him and statement recorded,” explained Hamoonga.

Story by Salim Dawood