In acheaper mealie-meal frenzy a Zambia National Service ( ZNS ) mistakenly stabbed a 35 year-old customer who was among many in the queue to buy the commodity.

Southern province police commissioner Auxension Daka says the victim he named as Simwamba Mwanakaambo was allegedly stabbed by the ZNS officer identified as Davis Bwalya.

This was the Officer Bwalya in the company of other officers was trying to control the crowd during the scramble for cheap ZNS mealie meal at Hamusonde market at about 17: 50 hours yesterday.

Mr. Daka disclosed in a statement that another man identified as Edify Makondo aged 22 was hit by another unnamed ZNS officer  the crowd scrambling for the commodity.

” Brief facts of the matter are that Mr. Davis Bwalya was assigned to provide crowd control at the ZNS milling outlet  to avoid scramble for cheap ZNS mealie meal bags.

“ But due to commotion and  alleged failure by the officers to maintain themselves in an orderly manner, the suspect  lost his temper, and  drew his military bayonet ending up stabbing the victim on the left hand.

“ZNS officers at the outlet then requested for reinforcement and a team of ZNS rescuers rushed to the scene of crime and in the process another another’s ZNS officer hit a customer by the name of Edify Makondo aged 22 years of railways compound in Monze using a military belt, ” ,” said Mr. Daka . 

The victims have who since been issued with medical report are currently receiving treatment at Monze Mission Hospital. 

The suspect has since been detained and charged for the offence  of unlawful wounding pending court appearance.