POLICE in Southern Province have launched a manhunt for eight criminals who hijacked a transit truck and made off with 34.760 metric tonnes of copper cathode on Sunday night.
The truck, a Zamlands Logistics vehicle registration BCH 2801 based in Ndola, was intercepted between Muzoka Trading Centre and Nachibanga Area around 20:00 hours on January 4, 2026.
Southern Province police commissioner, Moono Namalongo confirmed the incident, stating the truck was en route from Ndola to South Africa via Kazungula Border.
According to Pathias Chanda, a security guard from a Ndola-based firm who was on board, providing security services aboard the truck,
the vehicle was confronted by a group of individuals, including three men and one woman, who forced the truck to stop.
“According to Mr. Chanda, he saw three men and one woman attempting to stop the truck. Shortly thereafter, the truck stopped, prompting him to alight to check what had happened,” the commisoner stated.
“He was immediately apprehended by the three male persons, while the driver, Mabvuto Munthali, ran away from the scene, leaving the truck behind.”
The truck, which was being driven by Munthali, aged 44 years, of Kabwe Town, departed from Ndola heading to Kazungula Border, with the final destination being South Africa.
The vehicle spent the night at Kafue weighbridge, and on January 4, 2026, at around 05:00 hours, they resumed their journey in the southern direction.
Upon reaching the area between Muzoka Trading Centre and Nachibanga Area in the evening, the truck was confronted by unidentified assailants.
“Chanda was later forced into a taxi of unknown registration number, which had three malé occupants. He was tied with a rope and driven along Maamba Road, where he was dumped approximately 15 kilometres away from Batoka Township. He later managed to untie himself and walked back to Batoka, where he reported the matter at Batoka Police Post,”Namalongo revealed.
The police commissioner further disclosed that the truck was found abandoned between Batoka Area, Chief Hamaundu, Pemba District, and Daniel Munkombwe Tollgate at Gumba Area, while the copper cathode plates were not found on the truck.
Namalongo said the whereabouts of the driver remain unknown and that a docket of aggravated robbery has been opened paving way for investigations.
“The Zambia Police Service appeals to members of the public with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects or recovery of the stolen copper cathodes to report to the nearest police station,” the police commanding officer, made an appeal.
By Noel Iyombwa
Kalemba December 6, 2026
