By Arnold Tutu
Police in Chingola District on the Copperbelt have launched a manhunt after unknown criminals allegedly stole about K520,000 from a motor vehicle in a daring daylight theft.
Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner Mwala Yuyi confirmed that the incident occurred today, April 8, 2026, around 11:30 hours at Megaegg Company.
Mr. Yuyi said the stolen money belonged to businessman Nicky Zhu, aged 29, who had earlier withdrawn the cash from FNB Bank in Chingola to pay workers’ salaries.
Police explained that Zhu placed the money in a black leather bag on the front passenger seat of his Toyota Prado, registration number ADF 3970 ZM, before briefly entering Megaegg Company.
In a statement issued this evening, Commissioner Yuyi said the suspects are believed to have followed the businessman from the bank and took advantage of his absence to break into the vehicle and steal the bag containing the money.
The suspects reportedly attempted to escape in a Lexus motor vehicle, registration number ADG 3703, but a security officer fired a shot which damaged one of the front tyres.
“The suspects lost control of the vehicle and abandoned it before fleeing on foot,” Commissioner Yuyi said.
Following swift police action, one suspect identified as Edwin Khanye, a 53-year-old South African national, was apprehended after being found hiding in nearby bushes.
Another suspect, Thembi Nkhosi Dube, a 40-year-old Zimbabwean national, was later apprehended by members of the public after attempting to flee on a bus heading to Lusaka.
Police further recovered a separate set of number plates CAH 6743 ZM and a rivet gun believed to have been used to fix number plates from the abandoned Lexus vehicle.
Meanwhile, two other suspects identified as Zonke Nyoka and Richard Dubuzi, both Zimbabwean nationals, are still on the run.
Commissioner Yuyi said the stolen K520,000 has not yet been recovered, but investigations are ongoing and a manhunt has been launched.
The two apprehended suspects remain in police custody and have been charged with theft from a motor vehicle.
Source: ZNBC News
