Police Spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo says some residents of Lusaka’s Kabwata area murdered a suspected thief around 05:30 hours today.

In a statement, Katongo stated that his body was found with multiple injuries.

“Police received information in the early hours of today at about 05:30 hours that an unidentified male person aged between 25 and 30 years was murdered by members of the public after he allegedly attempted to steal from one of the flats on Chilimbulu road in Lusaka’s Kabwata. Police rushed to the scene and found the body of the victim near the gate at the flats with multiple injuries. Preliminary investigations indicate that the victim was murdered 100 meters from where the body was found. Police have picked the body and deposited it in UTH mortuary,” Katongo stated.

She warned people to desist from taking the law into their own hands.

“However, no one has come forward claiming that the victim attempted to steal from their home. An inquiry file has been opened in the matter. We wish to remind members of the public to desist from taking the Law into their own hands as taking away of another persons life is an offence and is tantamount to murder. This country has procedures of dealing with suspects in criminal matters,” stated Katongo.