ON August 19, 2025, Kalemba published a story that sent netizens into a frenzy after Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba personally led a dramatic high-speed chase through Lusaka’s posh suburbs to rescue an abducted female police officer, a rare show of hands-on leadership that left many Zambians in awe.
The usually quiet neighbourhoods of Woodlands and Kabulonga, were briefly transformed into racing tracks as Musamba’s convoy chased down a vehicle that had snatched traffic officer Getrude Nkonde.
Nkonde, who was based at Woodlands Police Station, had responded to what appeared to be a minor damage-only road traffic accident near the popular Latitude 15 Degrees restaurant in Woodlands around 16:45 hours.
The accident involved a white Toyota Land Cruiser driven by Jackson Chilemena, aged 45, and a Mitsubishi Pajero belonging to Paul Chisunka, a 44-year-old resident of Kabulonga.
After assessing the scene, Nkonde established that Chilemena was at fault and instructed the offender, who was in the company of his wife and a colleague, to proceed to Woodlands Police Station to record statements, with her riding along in the vehicle.
However, instead of heading to the police station, the driver suddenly diverted and sped off, turning a routine police duty into a frightening abduction.
Realising the danger, Nkonde was seen waving frantically and shouting for help from inside the moving vehicle, attracting the attention of other motorists.
By a twist of fate, Inspector General Musamba’s convoy happened to be passing through the same area and noticed the distressed officer.
Without hesitation, Musamba ordered his convoy to make an immediate u-turn and personally led the pursuit, creating one of the most dramatic police chases Lusaka witnessed in 2025.
The chase came to an end in the Fairview area of Kabulonga, where police utilising their Sondela acquired skills, tactically blocked the Land Cruiser and forced it to a stop.
Officers swiftly somersaulted out of their vehicles, rescued their shaken and traumatised colleague before pouncing on Chilemena, his wife Nancy Milambwe, aged 35 and their friend Patrick Kalenga, also aged 35.
The trio was later detained at Woodlands Police Station to face possible charges of abduction.
The daring rescue quickly went viral on social media, with netizens showering praise on Musamba and his team, saying the police chief would have been promoted to a higher rank if it existed.
The incident later stood out as one of the most talked-about law enforcement moments of 2025, making it on the list of Kalemba’s memorable highlights of the year.
By George Musonda
Kalemba December 31, 2025
