26 dangerous criminals escape police custody

Twenty-Six dangerous criminals who include three murder suspects have escaped from police custody in Nakonde District in Muchinga Province.

Both Nakonde District Commissioner Field Simwinga and Muchinga Police Commissioner Auxensio Daka have confirmed the development in separate interviews with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Chinsali today.

The District Commissioner said the 26 escaped between 01:00 and 03:00 hours this morning in what is being described as the largest jail break at Nakonde police station in recent years.

Mr Simwinga explained that the police station had a total of 74 suspects in two cells while one other cell had 26 suspects who have all since escaped.

The District Commissioner attributed the continued escaping of suspects at Nakonde police station to congestion and dilapidation of the infrastructure built in the 1940s.

And Muchinga police commissioner Auxensio Daka said the suspects escaped between 19:00 hours and 02:30 hours after cutting two burglar bars at a ventilated window using a hacksaw blade.

Mr. Daka added that four shift personnel who were on duty will be investigated and if found to be negligent they will be charged accordingly.

Mr. Daka named the 26 prisoners facing various offences who escaped from lawful custody as Darius Mwila facing the charge of defilement, James Simbeye trafficking psychotropic substances, Joseph Silungwe-defilement  and Clement Musonda-burglary and theft. Jeremiah Silwimba faces trafficking in psychotropic substances, Lucas Siwale-trafficking psychotropic substances, Isaac Sichone-found armed with intent to commit a felony.

Kafwimbi Silwimba-defilement,Simon Mugala-theft by servant Shadreck Simpokolwe-burglary and theft, Chishimba Mutale-burglary and theft, Simon Mutambo-murder, Amos Simwanza-murder,Mingwell Simfukwe-murder.

Others are Geshom Silutongwe-attempted murder, Teza Siwakwi-breaking into a building and committing a felony, Sydney Silungwe-breaking into a building and committing a felony, Henry Kasoma-breaking into a building and committing a felony, Adam Simovwe-breaking into a building and committing a felony.

Enoch Silwamba-vandalism of traffic signs, John Sichamba-breaking into a building, Edward Siame-breaking into a building, Evans Siwale-breaking into a building, Moses Sinyangwe-breaking into a building, Melambo Ancho-prohibited immigrant and Abraham John also facing the charge of prohibited immigrant.