A police officer identified as Constable Micheal Liteta who was stationed at Mutenda Police post under Chingola Central Police Station has taken his own life.
Copperbelt police commissioner Peacewell Mweemba revealed that the incident occurred on the evening of December 9, 2024, around 22:00 in the inquiries office.
He said the deceased reportedly used a police-issued riflยฃ to inflict a self-inflicted gunsh0t wound, in the inquiries office, where his body was later discovered in a pool of bl00d.
Mr Mweemba said that local command and fellow officers quickly responded to the scene, where they found him, including bl00d spatter on the walls, a bullยฃt hole in the ceiling, and an empty cartridge near the body.
Following an inspection, the body of Officer Liteta was transported to Nchanga North Hospital Mortuary, where it awaits a postmortem examination and burial arrangements.
Details surrounding the motive of this tragic act remain unclear.
Meanwhile Mยฃntal health therapist Paul Kanswe says there is urgent need for regular mental health evaluations for Zambiaโs security personnel to address issues that could lead to even more serious consequences, such as one taking their own life, as is the case of constable Liteta.
He said that early identification regular evaluation of mยฃntal health issues can help recognize dangerous patterns and understand underlying issues, ultimately preventing incidents of harm and benefiting both officers and the communities they serve.
Source:Zambiareports