Gunned down robbers identified

SIMON MUNTEMBA writes THE armed robbers that were shot dead by police in Chipata after an exchange of gun fire were using a hired vehicle, Eastern Province deputy police commissioner, Bothwell Namuswa has said. It was a dramatic climax to a failed heist with the Toyota Noah reaching a dead end close to Chipata Central Hospital after three armed robbers were gunned down by the police, leaving two dead and one injured. And Mr Namuswa said the bodies of the two armed robbers had been identified by family members from Lusaka. In an interview, Mr Namuswa said the owner of the vehicle used by the criminals, which was alleged to have been hired, had also been identified. He, however, said the vehicle would remain in the hands of the police as it was used in the criminal activity and that it will be presented as evidence in the court. The deputy police commissioner said the bodies of the bandits were identified by family members last week. “Yes the two bodies have been identified as Hamooya Mandrack aged 30 years of Lusaka’s Garden House Compound and Musonda Chansa aged 32 years also of Lusaka, but of unknown residence,” Mr Namuswa said. He said the body of Mandrack was picked by the family members and had been buried. Mr Namuswa further said the surviving criminal has been discharged from hospital and that he is remanded in custody to help with investigations. He identified the suspect as Mapalo Ng’uni 34, a resident of Mchini Compound in Chipata. He said the suspect has been charged with two counts of attempted aggravated robbery and breaking into a building and committing a felony involving China Mall in Chipata, where properties worth thousands of Kwacha were stolen including cash money. He said the suspect would appear in court soon. The Sun