A 46 year old woman, identified as Stella Mwanza of Monze Prisons Camp, has allegedly been shot dead by officers from the Zambia National Service (ZNS) in Monze.
According to police, six (06) ZNS officers reported for duty and, at around 00:30 hours, noticed a vehicle heading towards the exit gate. The vehicle reportedly parked near the gate and switched off its lights. When officers moved closer to investigate, the driver suddenly drove off, prompting the officers to open fire.
The vehicle only stopped about one kilometre away from the scene, after which the driver fled and abandoned it.
Police revealed that Lieutenant Justine Musonda, accompanied by other officers, rushed to the scene and found the abandoned vehicle, a white Toyota Corolla, registration number ABT 7840.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers discovered the body of Stella Mwanza, aged 46, lying on the right side of the back seat, soaked in blood. The deceased, who was married to Chief Inspector Sylvester Salale, an officer at Monze Correctional Facility, had sustained gunshot wounds to the left side of the head, the back, and under the right armpit.
Police further stated that the deceased was found partially naked, wearing only a black pant. Two bottles of Black Label beer and male clothing were also found in the vehicle which according to investigations revealed that the vehicle and clothes belongs to Warrant Officer Thomas Phiri aged 45 years of the Zambia National Service, Monze Plant, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
The vehicle was found with four (4) bullet holes, one on the rear windscreen, which penetrated through to the dashboard
One on the bonnet one on the rear left tyre
One on the right magrim.
The body of the deceased has since been deposited at Monze Mission Hospital Mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination.
By Helga Chibwe
