We are trying to verify if the person who shot a bus driver and a passenger in Kamwala yesterday is a genuine police officer, says Police Spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo.

In a statement today, Katongo confirmed the shooting and the fact that the shooter was wearing a police uniform but claimed it was uncertain if the shooter was a police officer.

She however warned that the law would take its course whether or not a police officer was involved.

“We received a report of shooting which occurred on 24th April, 2017 at about 16:00 hours in Kamwala near Kamwala Prisons in which two people were shot at, that is, a mini bus driver and a passenger by a person who was wearing a Police Combat uniform. Efforts are being made to establish whether the assailant is a genuine police officer or not. All started when the driver of the bus identified as Harrison Miti aged 30 of Chawama overtook the Toyota Corrolla with unknown registration number which the alleged officer was driving and this alleged officer then blocked the minibus and demanded for a drivers licence from the mini bus driver,” Katongo stated.

“When the driver did not comply with the demands, the assailant pulled a pistol and fired at Miti (mini bus driver) in the abdomen and also shot a passenger identified as Janet Zimba aged 22 of Old Kanyama who also sustained a bullet wound on her left leg. The two are admitted to UTH and police officers who visited the scene found a nine milimeter empty cartridge at the scene.”

She warned that the law would take it’s course whether or not a police officer was involved.

“The suspect was driving a Toyota corolla whose plate number has not been established yet. We have instituted investigations in the matter and hope to bring the culprit to book. We therefore call upon members of the public who witnessed this ordeal to avail the police with more information that can help in bringing the assailants to book. Whether this act was perpetrated by a police officer or not, this is criminal.”