Home » CRIME » LUSAKA MOB Batters Taxi Driver To DEATH Over SUSPICION That He STOLE A COW

By Editor on January 18, 2012.

A TAXI driver was on Monday beaten to death by a group of people who suspected him and his passengers of having stolen a cow in Lusaka West area.

Police spokesperson Elizabeth Kanjela said the taxi driver had been hired by some people around 03:00 hours to transport a carcass from Lusaka West.

His vehicle was set on fire by an angry mob, which descended on him while other passengers fled.

One of the passengers suspected to be a cattle rustler sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) where he is admitted.

The injured was identified as Everest Phiri, 24, of Mtendere Township.

Ms Kanjela said the mob set on fire, the motor vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, ABM 8902, believed to have been used by the suspected cattle rustlers.

She said the owners of the stolen animal managed to recover it after a search.

The suspected rustlers and a taxi driver had allegedly tied the stolen animal in readiness for slaughter when the mob pounced on them.

“Police who rushed to the scene managed to rescue one of the suspected cattle rustlers and rushed him to the UTH where he has been admitted while the other suspects escaped,” she said.

Meanwhile, a pedestrian died on the spot while another sustained serious injuries in a road traffic accident that happened around 11:00 hours on Chilumbulu road in Lusaka on Monday.

The accident happened when the driver of a vehicle lost control and hit the two pedestrians who were standing on the pavement.

Ms Kanjela said the driver of the motor vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, registration number AAZ 8666, identified as Raphael Mwansa, has since been arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

“One person died on the spot while the other was left with serious injuries and rushed to the UTH where he has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU),” she said.

In Chililabombwe, a man has died after he climbed a high-voltage Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) electricity tower in a suspected suicide case.

The man identified as Justin Mwape, 37, of PP Zambia Township was discovered electrocuted and severely charred. His remains were taken to Kakoso Clinic Mortuary.

In a related development, a teenager is suspected to have committed suicide in a shop in Chililabombwe’s second class trading area after he was allegedly caught for shop lifting.

The 16-year-old boy was locked in a room awaiting Police but was found hanging as officers arrived to pick him up.

Meanwhile, police officers in Chililabombwe on Monday recovered a vehicle that was stolen from Lusaka’s Chelston residential area.

Copperbelt Police Chief, Mary Tembo confirmed the recovery of a white Toyota Mark II, registration number ABR 1611 in Kamenza Forest.

Ms Tembo said three suspected criminals abandoned the vehicle and fled into the forest after police gave chase and fired gunshots.

She said the vehicle which is parked at Chililabombwe Police Station had its ignition system damaged.

Times Reporter/ZANIS