28/07/2024
ONE MORE SUSPECT ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH IBA DG's KILLING
Police have arrested a 5th suspect in connection with the brutal killing of Independent Broadcasting Authority ( IBA) Director General, Guntila Muleya.
Zambia Police Service Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, has confirmed the arrest of Francis Chipyoka to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lusaka this evening and gave no further details.
Mr Hamoonga however, said the arrest of Chipyoka who was put on police wanted list this morning (Sunday), brings the total number of those arrested and in custody to five.
"He has already been apprehended and is in police custody in relation to the murder of Mr Guntila Muleya," said Mr Hamoonga.
When queried to provide more details about the 5th suspect who is now in custody, Mr Hamoonga stated that premature disclosure of certain details may jeopardise the ongoing investigations.
"Refer to our initial statement. However, we are mindful that premature disclosure of certain details may jeopardise the ongoing investigation," stated Mr Hamoonga.
Yesterday police arrested four people including three police officers and a civilian in connection with the brutal killing of IBA Director General, Muleya.
Mr Hamoonga, who confirmed the arrest of the four, stated that police also recovered the official vehicle of the late IBA DG.
Mr Muleya, 44, who was put to rest on Saturday, was last week on Wednesday morning found dead East of Lusaka's Njolwe area with bullet wounds in the head and back.
Mr Hamoonga said among the arrested four suspects, two are regular police officers while one is a reserve police officer and the fourth person is a civilian
"The Zambia Police Service would like to inform the public that today, July 27, 2024, four suspects have been apprehended in connection with the murder of Mr Guntila Muleya, the Director General of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA). Among the suspects, two are regular police officers, one is a reserve police officer, and the fourth is a member of the public," said Mr Hamoonga.
Mr Hamoonga added that in the course of the investigation, the official motor vehicle of the deceased has been recovered.
He said additionally, the police managed to seize two motor vehicles, three fi****ms which includes two pistols and an AK-47 rifle, cash totaling K129,300, assorted knives, and various electronic gadgets including phones, hard drives, and flash disks from the suspects.
"The investigation into this matter is progressing well, and we assure the public that they will be informed in due course," said Mr Hamoonga.
Mr Hamoonga has since extended gratitude to the public for their cooperation and support during this investigation.
"Our sincere condolences go out to the family of Mr Guntila Muleya and the members of staff at the Independent Broadcasting Authority during this difficult time," said Mr Hamoonga.
Addressing journalists in Lusaka on Wednesday last week, Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana, confirmed the death of Mr Muleya and indicated that his dead body was found in Njolwe area.
Mr Kawana explained that the late Mr Muleya had a normal day on Tuesday and knocked off from work around 17:00 hours.
He said after noticing that Mr Muleya was not home hours after knocking off time, family members started calling his phone which went unanswered.
Mr Kawana explained that the family members thought it was one of those days and he would eventually show up but that as hours went on into the morning the phone had completely gone off.
He said it was at this point when the family got concerned and reported the matter to police.
Mr Kawana added that colleagues at the office also got concerned and reported the matter to the police.
He explained that unfortunately, his body was found in Njolwe area, East of Lusaka with a gunshot wound on Wednesday morning around 10:00 hours.
Mr Kawana said police were investigating the matter adding that people involved in the gruesome murder shall be brought to book.
“I want to assure the nation on this sad development that the people involved in this gruesome murder of the IBA Director General will be brought to book,” he said.
And the Police stated that the matter was reported to Woodlands Police Station at 10:30 hours on Wednesday via a phone call from a concerned member of the public from Njolwe area.
In a statement issued in Lusaka, Police Public Relations Officer, Hamoonga explained that the concerned member of the public, reported that during the night of July 23, 2024 at around 20:00 hours, he observed a vehicle which he assumed to be a Pajero, with its doors open and shortly heard two gunshots.
Mr Hamoonga added that the same person, the following day July 24, at approximately 10:00 hours, while on his way for work, discovered the body of a deceased male on the ground.
“Upon receiving the report, the Police promptly visited the scene of the crime located at Palabana NAPSA Housing along the gravel road. The body of a male individual was found with two bullet wounds on the back and head,” he narrated.
Mr Hamoonga added that a closer examination revealed a deep bullet wound on the forehead, and two cartridges were recovered at the scene.
“An identity card was found in the pocket of the victim’s trousers, bearing the name D.M. Guntila Muleya, Director General of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA),” he stated.
Mr Hamoonga indicated that a docket for a case of murder was opened and investigations commenced immediately.
Mr Muleya was appointed IBA Director General in May this year taking after veteran journalist Josephine Mapoma, who saved the Authority from its inception in 2013 to 2023.
Source: ZANIS