Zambia Army Soldier Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Toyota Vitz in Lusaka

A 23-year-old Zambia Army lance corporal is in police custody after allegedly stealing a Toyota Vitz that had been parked outside Cheers Supermarket, commonly known as Kabwata Cash and Carry (KCC), in Lusaka.

According to Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga (or the official police spokesperson if confirmed in the source), the incident occurred on Sunday, July 5, during the long holiday weekend after the suspect allegedly spent time drinking at a nightclub in Kabwata.

Police identified the suspect as Jacob Mwansa, who is accused of driving away with the vehicle after allegedly finding and using the keys, which investigators believe may have been accidentally dropped by the owner.

Following the theft report, police launched investigations and, with the assistance of the vehicle owner, successfully tracked the Toyota Vitz to Kabwe.

Officers from the Anti-Robbery Squad at Central Police Division in Kabwe quickly moved in and recovered the stolen vehicle before taking the suspect into custody.

Police later transported both the recovered vehicle and the suspect back to Kabwata Police Station in Lusaka, where investigations are continuing.

Authorities have not yet announced whether the suspect has been formally charged, as investigations remain ongoing.

The case highlights the importance of motorists ensuring that vehicle keys are kept secure at all times, as opportunistic thefts can occur when keys are misplaced or left unattended.

Police have since urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity involving motor vehicles to the nearest police station.

The recovered Toyota Vitz is expected to be returned to its rightful owner once all necessary police procedures have been completed.

Zambian WiFi will continue following the case and provide updates as more information becomes available.