ZAMBIA: OFFICER KILLED WHEN STRUCK BY TRUCK

A traffic police officer died on the spot on Tuesday evening August 28 after he was hit by a truck which failed to stop at Lusaka's Kabangwe police check point on the Great North Road. The accident which happened shortly after 18:20 hours was caused by the driver who failed to stop at the checkpoint and hit into the officer while others were forced to scamper for safety.

Police spokesperson, Bonny Kapeso identified the deceased as Constable Humphrey Bwalya of Matero Police Station who sustained multiple injuries.

Mr Kapeso said in Lusaka yesterday that police were holding the driver of the Mitsubishi truck registration number ACC 7865 trailer number AAJ 9598T to assist with investigations and was likely to be charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

He appealed to motorists to ensure that their vehicles were in good condition to avoid accidents, which in some cases led to loss of life or damage to property. The body of the police officer was taken to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary, while the vehicle was parked at Kabangwe Police Post.

And Home Affairs Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha expressed shock at the continued reports of police officers being killed and injured in the course of their duty. Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said the continued reports of death of officers were saddening, especially that Zambia was in need of manpower to contribute to the fight against crime.

Last week, a police officer was shot dead on the Copperbelt, while another died on arrival at the hospital following a road traffic accident in which three were hospitalised.