POLICE have arrested two suspected criminals in connection with the gruesome murder of the 10-year-old girl identified as Universal Kamushi of Lusaka West who was went missing on March 24, 2023.
The suspects have been identified as Harrison Chisenga aged 25 of Chipata Compound and Jacob Phiri aged 36 of Ngombe Compound.
And Police have also arrested a witchdoctor and his son in connection with the same incident.
Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba said Harrison Chisenga was picked up on March 28, 2023 around 19:30 hours after a tip-off from concerned members of the community in Lusaka’s Westwood area who saw him hiding in one of the unfinished houses.
He said after interrogations, the suspect revealed that he was with his friend identified as Jacob Phiri during the killing of the girl.
“The two suspects later led Police officers to a Witch Doctor identified as Pensulo Musonda aged 68 of Chipata Compound where they took the body parts of the girl. The Witch doctor was picked together with his 27-year-old son identified as Justin Musonda.
Investigations have since heightened and all the suspects are detained in Police custody,” he said.
And the IG says his command has noted with concern the escalating cases of missing persons, majority of which are children.
He said Police investigations have so far revealed that most of the cases turned out to be abductions by people who happen to be known or close to the victims.
Mr Kajoba said public safety and in particular the safety of childrenshould be everyone’s concern.
“As such, parents, guardians, school authorities and society as a whole have a huge role to play.The two recent crime incidents involving the abduction and eventual killing of Chikondi Banda and Universal Kamushi are suspected to have been perpetrated by people known by the two victims. The suspects allegedly took advantage of the victims while they had left their homes for school,” he said.
The IG has since directed Police officers under the Zambia Police Community Services Department (CSD) to enhance security sensitization programmes in schools, shurches and compounds countrywide.
He said the move will help enlighten children on the importance of personal security.
“Where possible, children must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or a close relative as they go to and from school.
Further, guardians are advised to always ensure that they monitor the movement of their children or any person under their custody. Let us all remember that, “Children Should Be Seen and Not Heard,” he said.
Mr Kajoba also warned would-be perpetrators of such crimes that police are monitoring with keen interest and we will do everything possible in order to pursue offenders and make sure that they are made to answer for their actions.
