Police Officer Dies After Shooting Himself at Mkushi Post

A police officer stationed at TAZARA Police Post in Mkushi has died after reportedly shooting himself with a service firearm while on duty on Sunday.

The officer, identified as Constable Rister Chuwa, is believed to have collected an AK-47 rifle from the front desk after a colleague briefly stepped into another office, leaving him momentarily unattended.

Shortly afterwards, two gunshots were heard from the rear section of the offices. Fellow officers who rushed to the scene found Constable Chuwa lying on the ground beside the firearm, having sustained a gunshot wound to the lower jaw.

He was immediately rushed to Mkushi District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Zambia Police Service spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi confirmed the incident, stating that initial findings point to a suspected case of suicide, though a full investigation has been launched to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the officer's death.

Mr Chilabi said the body has been deposited in the hospital mortuary pending a postmortem examination.

The incident has renewed concerns over the mental health and welfare of officers serving in the Zambia Police Service.