A MOB in Gwembe has killed former Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary Timothy Hakuyu and two others on suspicion that they were gassing people’s homes in the district

Mr Hakuyu was beaten and murdered together with Gabriel Mulenga and Charles Banda, all of Lusaka. Gwembe District Commissioner Justus Phiri said in an interview yesterday that the victims were killed with different sorts of traditional weapons between 04:00 hours and 06:00 hours yesterday. Mr Phiri said Mr Hakuyu and his colleagues were allegedly found with some items the killers suspected were used for gassing people. He said Gwembe recorded three gassing incidents on Wednesday night in Munyumbwe and that the mob concluded that Mr Hakuyu and his crew were responsible for the acts.

“People in Gwembe are very annoyed and are impounding any strange vehicle they see,” Mr Phiri said. He said police found the three men dead when they got to the scene of the incident. Mr Phiri said people whose vehicles are being impounded are allowed to pick them from the police station in Gwembe Township. President Edgar Lungu and some prominent Zambians have called on citizens to stop killing suspects. The President has also directed the security wings to bring culprits of gassing to book.

And Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja says police will summon people claiming to know about those behind the gassing incidents to help with investigations. On Wednesday, President Edgar Lungu said police ought to summon those claiming to have information about gassing incidents. Mr Kanganja said he will ensure that the presidential directive to clamp down on all those claiming to have an idea about gassing cases is implemented. Meanwhile, over 30 students at Evelyn Hone College’s Mozambique Hostel were yesterday rushed to hospital after an alleged gas attack. But police deputy spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said only doctors can ascertain whether the incident was gassing or not. And 10 people were yesterday admitted to Chinsali District Hospital after unknown people allegedly gassed their homes, reports MELODY MUPETA.

Muchinga Province director of health Nero Chilembo said four males and six females in Chandamali were attacked around 03:00 hours but that they only reached the hospital around 06:00 hours. And an unidentified man in Luwingu has been burnt to death by a mob which suspected him of being a gasser, Northern Province Commissioner of Police Richard Mweene has confirmed. In Mongu, ELIZABETH CHATUVELA reports that four people have been arrested in connection with gassing activities, Mongu Central Police officer-incharge Edgar Nkowani has said.

And MAYENGO NYIRENDA reports that two people have been killed by a mob in Chipata after being suspected to be gassers, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Buleti Nsemukila said. In Solwezi, BUTTYSON KANDIMBA reports that Kasempa has recorded the first case of gassing in Kamusongolwa, which affected nine people. Kasempa District Commissioner Goodson Sansakuwa said the incident happened on Wednesday around 21:00 hours. In Ndola, CHISHALA MUSONDA reports that Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe has urged residents to respect and work with soldiers deployed in townships to curb criminality.

Three people have been killed in Mporokoso and Luwingu districts on suspicion that they were gassers, according to Northern Province Commissioner of Police Richard Mweene. Mr Mweene said 59 people have also been arrested for blocking roads and for being in possession of dangerous weapons. In Lusaka, YANDE SYAMPEYO and ISAAC PHIRI report that United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema is ready to meet President Edgar Lungu to discuss violence and other pressing issues.

In a statement by UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma, the opposition party wants an end to the current criminality which has caused fear, claimed lives and has led to destruction of public and private property. Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission chairperson Mudford Mwandenga says the killing of suspected gassers is a human rights violation which should be fought at all costs.