POLICE say they are investigating a matter in which a police officer died after being attacked by seven criminals upon leaving a liquor shop where he had gone to drink beer with a colleague.

In a statement, Tuesday, Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga explained that the deceased, while in the company of his colleague, met the criminals who were armed with sticks and planks on January 28 around 22:00 hours.

He stated that a fight between the two camps erupted but the deceased and his friend were defeated by the criminals who also managed to steal a cell phone.

“Police received a report of Murder on 30th January, 2022 at 11:30 hours from M/ Stephen Mwaba aged 39 of house number 126/124 Garden compound, a cousin of the deceased Constable Phiri Dalitso of Matero Police Station. The deceased had passed on whilst receiving treatment at Levy Mwanawasa hospital on 30th January, 2022 around 00:55 hours. Brief facts of the matter are that on 28th January, 2022 at around 22:00 hours the deceased with his colleague M/ Emmanuel Mapiki left a named Liquor shop where they were drinking beer on their way to Billings police min camp near Chaisa compound,” Hamoonga stated.

“The duo met seven criminals who were armed with sticks and planks. A fight between the two camps erupted unfortunately the deceased and his friend were defeated as the criminals managed to steal a cell phone from the deceased.”

Hamoonga stated that the body of the deceased was lying in Levy Mwanawasa hospital awaiting postmortem and burial.

“On 29th January, 2022 at 10:30 hours a report of robbery was made at Garden Police post by the deceased and he was issued with a medical report form after sustaining swollen lips and blood stained eyes. The body of the deceased is lying in Levy Mwanawasa hospital awaiting postmortem and burial. Police are investigating the matter,” stated Hamoonga.