Phone thefts, 32 cases recorded at 98th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show

POLICE recorded 32 criminal cases and one road traffic accident during the just-ended 98th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show at the Showgrounds in Lusaka. In a statement, Police Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said the cases were recorded between July 29 and Aug. 3, 2026. The most common crime was theft from person. Chilabi said 19 mobile

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POLICE recorded 32 criminal cases and one road traffic accident during the just-ended 98th Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show at the Showgrounds in Lusaka.

In a statement, Police Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said the cases were recorded between July 29 and Aug. 3, 2026.

The most common crime was theft from person. Chilabi said 19 mobile phones were reported stolen between Thursday and Monday.

“The highest number was recorded on Sunday with 10 phones, followed by Monday with six phones, Saturday with two phones, and Thursday with one phone,” he said.

Of the 32 cases, 21 were theft from person, mainly involving mobile phones. Police also recorded six cases of theft involving laptops, groceries and other personal property.

Other cases included one case of theft by servant involving 13 tins of black shoe polish valued at K990, three cases of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and one case of tampering with a motor vehicle and malicious damage.

Additional items reported stolen included six handbags, three laptops, groceries, cash and personal documents.

Chilabi said 12 suspects were arrested in connection with various offences. “One notable arrest involved a suspect who was found tampering with a parked motor vehicle. Police recovered a break-in instrument believed to have been used in the commission of the offence,” he said.

He noted crime dropped compared to 2025. The number of cases fell from 65 in 2025 to 32 in 2026, a 50.8 percent reduction.

The total value of property stolen was estimated at K183,950, down from K339,590 in 2025.

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