30/04/2025
UPDATE REPORT ON THE WELFARE OF SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY – KABWATA POLICE STATION
Lusaka, Monday, April 29, 2025 – The Zambia Police Service wishes to update the public on the welfare of suspects in custody at Kabwata Police Station in relation to a case involving serious criminal offences.
On April 4, 2025, Kabwata Police Station officially opened two dockets of Conspiracy to Defeat Justice and Interference with Witnesses, as well as Corrupt Practices by or with Private Bodies. Three female suspects namely Rebecca Mbewe, Anna Kandonga, and Sylvia Musabantu were arrested and jointly charged for attempting to bribe officers from the Victim Support Unit. The aim of the bribe was to facilitate the unlawful release of one M/Juma Banda, who is facing a charge of In**st. This incident occurred within the precincts of Kabwata Police Station.
The background to the matter is that on March 28, 2025, M/Juma Banda was apprehended and charged with in**st after he was found to have sexually abused his biological 10-year-old daughter.
Regrettably, we wish to inform the public that one of the suspects in the bribery case, identified as F/Anna Kandonga, passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2025, while under hospital care and police guard.
According to medical records and police reports, the deceased began feeling unwell on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, complaining of general body weakness and a painful throat. On April 24, 2025, medical personnel recommended further tests due to her deteriorating condition. On April 26, 2025, she was taken to Kabwata Clinic after falling ill again, where her blood sugar levels were discovered to be abnormally high. She was subsequently referred to Chilenje Level One Hospital. Her condition worsened on April 27, 2025, and she slipped into a coma. Sadly, at around 12:00 hours on April 28, 2025, she succumbed to her illness while admitted to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
The deceased’s body has since been deposited in the UTH mortuary awaiting postmortem