Police in Chipata have recovered a Toyota Hilux worth K700,000 stolen from Ukwimi Catholic Parish last year and have arrested a Catholic priest in connection with the theft.
The vehicle, a white Toyota Hilux registration CAA 7255, was reported stolen on April 30, 2025, after it was taken from outside the church at Ukwimi.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba has confirmed to Diamond News.
Acting on a tip-off, a traffic officer on duty at Mwami road checkpoint intercepted a white Hilux bearing registration BAK 4227 early Sunday morning.
The driver, Father Simon Tembo, 31, of Chipata Diocese, claimed he had hit a cow in Katete and avoided reporting the accident for fear that Bishop George Lungu would learn his whereabouts.
However, upon inspection at Chipata Central Police Station, officers established that the chassis and engine numbers matched those of the vehicle stolen from Ukwimi Catholic Church last year.
Bishop Lungu reportedly told police that the same number plate on the vehicle had been involved in a fatal accident that killed Father Astone Tembo last week and was considered beyond repair and expressed shock that it was on the road.
This made police intensify investigations and discovered that the vehicle which intercepted was that which was stolen last year at Ukwimi Church in Lusangazi District as the Chasis and engine numbers matched on records.
Suspended Fr. Simon Tembo remains in police custody and as investigations continue.
By Samuel Khwawe
