Seven Suspects Apprehended For Murder And Aggravated Robbery In Solwezi

The Zambia Police Service in Solwezi District has apprehended seven suspects in connection with the murder of a 17-year-old motorbike rider whose body was discovered in the Forestry Farming Block area, about 15 kilometres from Solwezi Town.

In a statement, police public relations officer Godfrey Chilabi said that the incident occurred on August 25, 2026, between 16:30 hours and 18:00 hours. The matter was reported later that evening at Kazomba Police Station by the mother of the deceased, who reported that her son, Isaac Kabwita, had gone missing after allegedly being hired by a man identified as Kennedy Sapato, aged 25.

Mr. Chilabi added that following investigations, police apprehended Sapato on August 31, 2026, in Chililabombwe. He was subsequently transferred to Solwezi Police Station on September 2, 2026, for further investigations.

He further added that during police interviews, Sapato led officers to a location in the Forestry Farming Block area where the incident is believed to have occurred. Police discovered the deceased’s body in a decomposed state, with his hands and legs tied. The body had been concealed under a bush thicket.

Mr. Chilabi said that the scene was processed, and the body was subsequently deposited at Solwezi General Hospital Mortuary, where it awaits a postmortem examination.

He revealed that the police also recovered the deceased’s red Bajaj Boxer motorbike, which had allegedly been sold to a 44-year-old woman without proper documentation. The deceased’s mobile phone was also recovered.

The suspects are Kennedy Sapato, aged 25, the alleged principal offender; Loveness Sapato, aged 63, who is alleged to have counselled the principal offender; Juliet Kipayeni, aged 50, a traditional healer who is alleged to have counselled the principal offender; Prisca Nkolomba, aged 44, who is alleged to have purchased the stolen motorbike without proper documentation; Paton Mbewe, aged 45, a traditional healer who is alleged to have counselled the principal offender; and Simon Kapiji, aged 29, and Paul Kalimoto, aged 25, who are both alleged to have acted together with the principal offender.

The Zambia Police Service has opened a docket, and further updates will be provided as the investigations progress.