Police deputy spokesperson Ray Hamoonga has disclosed that a 30-year-old man has died after being set ablaze for allegedly stealing a side mirror of a vehicle.

And Hamoonga says a 25-year-old man of Chawama compound drowned in Lusaka West’s Tubalange Dam where he had gone to swim with his friends, after a camp meeting for Zion Church International in the area.

In a statement, Hamoonga stated that Darrik Simwase, 30, was allegedly set ablaze after some people poured petrol on him for allegedly stealing a side mirror of a Mazda.

He added that the owner of the vehicle has since been arrested.

“Police at Kabwata Police Station are investigating circumstances surrounding the setting ablaze and subsequent death after being admitted at UTH from 07:30 to 13:30 of Darrik Simwase, aged 30 years, who was alleged to have stolen a side mirror of a Madza vehicle registration AJD 4997, a property of Mr Richard Maluti, aged 38 years, of Muzovu Street in Kabwata,” Hamoonga stated.

“The alleged theft occurred yesterday 28th April, 2019 at about 06:30 hours at the residence of Mr Maluti, who later drove to the Clan’s Nite Club where the deceased is alleged to have been set ablaze after having been poured petrol. Police have today 29th April, 2019, since detained the owner of the said motor vehicle. We would like to reiterate our warning to members of the public that they should desist from taking the law in their own hands, but rather let the due process of the law take its full course.”

And Hamoonga disclosed that a 25-year-old man of Chawama compound drowned in Tubalange Dam in Lusaka West.

“Police at Matero received a report of a case of drowning reported by Mr Peter Habasimbi, aged 52 years, of house No 153/1 Chawama West compound that his nephew Benjamin Mwale, aged 25 years, drowned on 27th April, 2019, about 11.00 hours at Tubalange Dam in Lusaka West. This was after he had gone to swim in the company of Moses Phiri and Allan Phiri all of Chawama compound, whilst attending a Zion Church International camp meeting, which began on 22nd April, 2019, to 28th April, 2019. The body was retrieved with the help of members of the public today the 29th April, 2019, at around 09:30hours and has since been deposited in UTH mortuary,” stated Hamoonga.