MURDER-accused Chinese boss and Costelle Mining shareholder Zheng Chuncheng and his co-accused Wan Rong Gen are pushing for bond, six days after they shot dead a five year old girl in Jifumpa, Northwestern Province last Wednesday.
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The little girl is said to have died of gunshot wounds upon arrival at the hospital.
On the fateful day, the two Chinese nationals are said to have been shooting to test their guns in an undesignated area when a stray bullet struck and killed the child at a nearby school.
According to police sources, the two accused Chinese nationals are reportedly working to negotiate a lesser charge than murder and to secure bond.
They are currently in detention while investigations continue.
Zambia Police Service assistant public relations officer Godfrey Chilabi told Kalemba yesterday that the slain child was the daughter of a 30 year old teacher, Bornface Mutumbwe.
Chilabi said the child was struck in the head by a bullet while standing in a grass thatched shelter.
He revealed that the little girl was rushed to Jifumpa Rural Health Centre and later referred to Mukinge Mission Hospital, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
North Western Province police commissioner Brighton Siwale said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects, identified as 44 year old Zheng Chencheng, armed with a 9mm Taurus pistol and 48 year old Wan Rong Gen, armed with a .45mm Sig Sauer P320 were reportedly testing their firearms at the Ruida Investment mine site, about 100 metres from the school, when one of the bullets hit the child.
“On the material day, the two suspects were testing their firearms, a 9mm Taurus pistol and a .45mm Sig Sauer P320 and shooting in the southern direction, which faces the school,” said Siwale.
“In the process, a bullet struck the victim on the head while she was standing in a grass-thatched shelter in the teachers’ compound.”
Siwale said the deceased sustained a severe gunshot wound, with the projectile entering the left side of her head and exiting the right.
“The bullet was recovered at the scene after it fell to the ground following exit,” he explained.
Witnesses said the child collapsed instantly and was rushed to Jifumpa Rural Health Centre, then referred to Mukinge Mission Hospital, but died en route around 11:50 hours in Mbulumuneni area.
When officers visited the scene, they confirmed the shooting distance from the mine site to the shelter was about 100 metres, and a pool of blood was found where the child had fallen.
Police say the two pistols used in the incident were recovered. Before firing, Chencheng reportedly had 57 rounds of ammunition but was left with 49 and three empty magazines, while Gen had 27 rounds but was left with 18 and two empty magazines.
Police have recovered the pistols, ammunition, and magazines for ballistic examinations.
Chilabi said both suspects are in custody as investigations continue.
“The body of the deceased is in Mukinge Mission Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem examination,” he disclosed.
Meanwhile, suspicious locals fear the two suspects may get away with murder on account of their financial muscle.
They have called on authorities to ensure justice for the slain child.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, August 12, 2025
