Government has condemned the demolishing of Mununga Police Post  by irate members of the public in Chienge district and the subsequent beating of a murder suspect held in police custody.

Chienge District Commissioner, Favorite Musangu says the demolishing of the police post and attack on police officers on duty is retrogressive to government’s commitment of ensuring provision of security and maintenance of law and order to facilitate development in the district.

ZANIS reports that Ms Musangu said this in reaction to a mob that invaded Mununga Police Post where they forcibly removed a murder suspect whom they subjected to mob justice, by beating him up and occasioning him deep cuts on the head.

Ms Musangu has since advised members of the public in the area to desist from taking the law into their own hands but allow the law to take its course.

She stated that the law will ensure that the perpetrators of the incident are rounded up and prosecuted to set an example to would-be offenders.

“The infrastructure there is built to serve the very people that are causing damage to property. This is an act that we condemn as a government and we urge people not to take the law into their own hands and perpetrators of this act will be brought to book,” Ms Musangu said.

According to a statement by Zambia Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, the incident which happened  yesterday around 05:00 hours resulted in extensive destruction of the police post infrastructure after the mob attacked the officers on duty before breaking into police cells to extract the suspect. 

The suspect identified as Derrick Mwale had been arrested and detained at the Police Post on allegations that he had murdered his former wife,   Grace Kaoma, 44, and secretly buried her body following her disappearance since January 12, 2025.

Mr Hamoonga said while the family was searching for her, Mwale called them stating that Kaoma was dead and buried near her farming field.

The police spokesperson said upon receiving the report, police rushed to the scene where they found the body of the deceased buried in the bush.

“A physical inspection revealed injuries, including bleeding from the mouth and nose, bruises on her right hand, and a swollen face, suggesting she may have been assaulted with an unknown object,” Mr Hamoonga said.

Mwale has been admitted to Chienge district hospital nursing serious injuries.