Zambian authorities kill Namibian fugitive

A Namibian fugitive, who was on the run for four months, has been killed by the Zambian police.

Masule Mutolwa (36) was shot and killed while attempting to escape from police custody on Wednesday.

Mutolwa, better known as Nine, was among the 12 trial-awaiting inmates who escaped from the Katima Mulilo Police Station holding cells in April.

Mutolwa is no stranger to escaping from lawful custody, having done it before.

Zambezi regional police commander commissioner Andreas Shilelo told The Namibian that although they are still waiting for official confirmation from their Zambian counterparts, preliminary reports indicate that he was indeed killed.

According to a preliminary police report issued by Zambian police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, Mutolwa was arrested on Tuesday in relation to an armed robbery that took place at the service station in the Mongu area on 8 July.

He said Mutolwa allegedly attacked the petrol attendant and robbed him of K1 600 in cash and a black winter jacket valued at K500.

“The police have received a tip-off from a concerned public member regarding an individual brandishing an AK-47 rifle at a nightclub in Mongu township on Tuesday. They then acted up on this tip and apprehended Masule, and he led them to Mbuywana Cemetery, where the AK-47 rifle and ammunition were buried. Upon further investigations, Mutolwa admitted that he was responsible for several other aggravated robberies of businesses in the province as well,” he said.

According to Hamoonga, on Wednesday at around 23h00, while being transported from Senanga, Masule requested to relieve himself.

“He then attempted to escape into the bushes. Despite warning shots fired by the police, he did not stop. In an attempt to disable him, the police fired at Masule, who was unfortunately hit and later pronounced dead upon arrival at Lewanika General Hospital,” he said.

Hamoonga saud Mutolwa’s body was transferred to the mortuary for post-mortem examination and identification.