A 60-year-old man yesterday committed suicide by hanging himself to a burglar bar using his belt at Solwezi Central Police.

North Western Province police commissioner Auxensio Daka confirmed this in a statement today revealing that Leonard Kabamba, who was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, was discovered dead by a fellow inmate around 02:40.

“A case of sudden death (suspected suicide) which occurred between 26th November, 2017 at about 23:50 hours and 27th November, 2017 at 02:00 hours at Solwezi Central Police cells. The particulars of the report are that on 27th November, 2017 at 02:40 hours a suspect by the name of m/Leonard Kabamba aged 60 who was detained for the offence of unlawful possession of fire arm, was found dead in police cells at Solwezi Central Police after hanging himself with a belt to a burglar bar in the toilet of male cell. The deceased was last seen on 26th November, 2017 at 23:50 hours when officers in shift three (3) were doing a handing over to the other shift that was reporting in shift one. Deceased was discovered dead on 27th November, 2017 at 02:40 hours by a fellow suspect by the name of m/Brian Kalepa who was going in the toilet to answer the call of nature,” Daka stated.

He stated that officers were also being investigated for allowing Kabamba to enter cells with a belt.

Daka further revealed that Kabamba, who was believed to be originally from Congo DR, was also being investigated for murdering someone in the 1980s and assuming his identity.

“The cell had 27 inmates at the time and they all have denied hearing anything despite the toilet being very close to the cell. The body has been seen by the relatives and the corona before being moved to Solwezi Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem. An inquiry file to be opened. Apart from the case he was charged, were investigating the deceased for murder that happened in the 1980s in Solwezi for a Zambian man whose National Registration Card (NRC) he is suspected to have inherited as he is believed to have come from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We are also investigating the officers that allowed the deceased to go with a belt in cells,” he stated.

Meeanwhile, Daka stated that an MTN shop supervisor Munalisa Safeli reported that criminals robbed the store of phones worth K19,490 around 03:00 hours.

“This occurred on 26th November, 2017 between 02:45 hours and 03:30 hours at Solwezi MTN shop. Reported on 26th November, 2017 at 06:00 hours by m/Munalisa George Safeli aged 31 who is the acting customer service supervisor at the named shop that unknown four (4) male persons whilst armed with three unknown fire arms did attack the security guard by the names of m/Mushizhi David who was on duty and broke into the store room and stole from there in 164 assorted cell phones. All valued at K19,490,” Daka stated.

He stated that at around the same time, Safeli’s car was also stolen at a night club.

“On 26th November, 2017 around 03:15 hours a theft of motor vehicle occurred at G-greens night club, Solwezi and it was reported by male George Mwanalisa Safeli aged 31years of Mushitala area, also assistant manager at MTN shop in Solwezi that unknown persons did steal his motor vehicle namely Nissan X-trail, grey in colour reg.no.ADD 1204 valued at K55,000.00. Investigations were instituted which led to the apprehension of one male person by names of William Mwape Kapaba aged 19 of Mitech area, Solwezi and the recovery of the vehicle. The suspect will appear in court soon. Mr Safeli lost his car keys in the night club, when they were found, an announcement was made but someone else went to collect them and drove the car away. By the time Mr Safeli tried to claim the keys, the car had been driven off. The car was later found parked at the home of the suspect. It so happened that at the same time, criminals were stealing at MTN shop where Mr Safeli works,” stated Daka.