Suspect burnt to death in Monze police cell

A 25-YEAR-OLD suspect has been burnt to death in a cell at Chisekesi Police Post in Monze after unknown people set it on fire.
The suspect identified as Sanford Cheelo was believed to be behind a spate of thefts in Chisekesi and Chikuni in Monze.
Southern Province commissioner of police Mary Chikwanda said yesterday that the incident happened on Friday between 09:00 hours and 03:00 hours.
Mr Cheelo was burnt to death inside the cell at Chisekesi Police Post on Friday after unknown people set it ablaze.
Ms Chikwanda said Mr Cheelo was arrested and detained the previous day for allegedly breaking into several shops and houses in Monze’s Chikuni and Chisekesi.
“When Mr Cheelo was arrested on Thursday, he was put in the cells and the station was left unmanned by police officers at night…when the officers returned for work on Friday morning, it was discovered that unknown people gained entry through the main door and set ablaze the police post and Mr Cheelo was burnt to death,” Ms Chikwanda said.
She said police suspect that Mr Cheelo’s accomplices could have set the facility ablaze for fear that he could disclose their identities during interrogation by police officers.
“We suspect the friends to Mr Cheelo could have set the police post ablaze to prevent Mr Cheelo from disclosing their identities and whereabouts because we suspect that they have some of the stolen property,” Ms Chikwanda said.
She said Mr Cheelo revealed that his friends were keeping some of the stolen property when police officers interrogated him.
All documents at Chisekesi Police Post were burnt to ashes along with the whole structure.
Ms Chikwanda said police have instituted investigations into the matter.
She appealed to members of the public to help police with information leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Zambia Daily Mail