A total of 130 heads of slaughtered cattle, along with skins, bones, and other remains, have been discovered in multiple pits at a farm owned by Mr. Shepande Kalapula in Kawilizhi area, Chief Mukobela of Namwala District, in what police are calling a major stock theft case.
In a related development, police in Southern Province have also recovered 65 more heads of cattle from pits at another farm owned by Mr. Madilu Kalapula of Namisamu Fishing Camp, also in Namwala.
Among the remains found, ear tags recovered from some of the burial sites helped identify 26 animals as belonging to Mr. Benford Mwiya, a local cattle owner. Authorities say efforts are ongoing to identify the owners of the remaining animals.
According to Southern Province Police Commissioner Auxensio Daka, police launched an investigation after receiving credible information that the two farms were being used to illegally slaughter, debone, and conceal stolen cattle, with the remains being buried to hide evidence.
So far, sixteen suspects all believed to be related have been arrested and are currently in police custody. They face charges of stock theft and possession of property reasonably suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.
The suspects are:
Arnold Kalapula (35), Kawilizhi area, Chief Mukobela, Namwala
Mulonda Mapanza (26), Kawilizhi area, Chief Mukobela, Namwala
Moris Kalapula (44), Kawilizhi area, Namwala
Robert Kalapula (21), Kawilizhi area, Namwala
Natala Kalapula (40), Bambwe, Namwala
Roster Kalapula (32), Mafutu area, Namwala
Bright Chingunya (36), Maunga area, Namwala
Kalumba Kalapula, Maunga area, Namwala
Brian Shavumba (45), Chinyemu area, Namwala
Mukuwa Kalapula (38), Chinyemu area, Namwala
Oby Namantemba (48), Maala area, Namwala
Richard Nalishiwa (27), Maala area, Namwala
Bowaz Nalishiwa (20), Maala area, Namwala
Madilu Kalapula (30), Namisamu Fishing Camp, Namwala
Reuben Bwalya (28), Namisamu Fishing Camp, Namwala
Clifford Shakazele (22), Banamwaze, Chief Chilyabufu, Itezhi-Tezhi
Police have urged cattle owners with missing livestock and members of the public with information related to this case to report to their nearest police station. Commissioner Daka also thanked community members for their vigilance and support in the ongoing fight against crime.
By Helga Chibwe
