By MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI and HOPE BWALYA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu is saddened by the shooting to death of a 15-year-old Choma Grade seven pupil of Nahumba Primary School, Gift Silungwe, and a business executive Jose Kambeu, popularly known as Panadol.
The two were shot to death in unclear circumstances and the police have since launched investigations in the matter.
Southern Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu, who delivered the messages of condolences on behalf of President Lungu to the bereaved families in Chandamali Township in Choma, said the Government was saddened by the manner the two were killed.
“On behalf of President Edgar Lungu, I have brought a message of condolences to the bereaved families on the death of your relatives who were killed by a gunman, May the Good Lord comfort you during this trying moment,” he said.
He appealed to the police to quickly investigate the matter so that the gunman could face the law.
Government also donated some foodstuffs to both families to assist them during the funeral gathering.
Mr Mubukwanu was accompanied by Southern Province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba and other government staff from the provincial administration.
Southern Province police commissioner Godwin Phiri, who confirmed the shooting that occurred on Tuesday evening around 20:00 hours, said Mr Kambeu, 48, was shot by an unknown person.
Mr Phiri said the same person went on to shoot Silungwe in the chest.
He said no arrests had been made and that the police had launched investigations into the matter.
Some eye-witnesses claimed the lone gunman was dressed in military attire.
Meanwhile, Zambia Daily Mail reporter Munide Zulu, 33, her husband Silvester Zulu, 46, a police officer, and their nine-year-old son who died in a road traffic accident on Sunday on the Great North Road in Kapiri Mposhi were put to rest yesterday at Mutumbi Cemetery in Lusaka.
Another police officer who also died in the same accident Sikota Situmbeko, 40, was also buried yesterday at Mutumbi Cemetery.
The four died after the vehicle they were traveling in was hit by a freightliner truck which was reversing when they were travelling from Chinsali to Lusaka.
Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja said at the burial service that it was important for all road users to be careful and observe the traffic rules in order to prevent accidents.
Mr Kanganja, in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy in charge of operations Malcolm Mulenga, said the action of the freightliner truck was criminal.
“The extreme negligence by the driver of the truck is tantamount to criminal behaviour. It is criminal behaviour, we shall ensure that the driver is found and brought to book. It is a great loss to the nation,” he said.
Zambia Daily Mail managing director Nebert Mbewe said the late Ms Zulu contributed greatly towards the paper in making it what it was today.
“We will miss her charming smile and the invaluable contribution she made to Zambia Daily Mail, the number one source of news,” he said.
Ms Zulu has left behind a son who survived the accident.