The Zambia Police Service has provided an update on investigations into a viral social media video showing an alleged assault involving passengers inside a moving taxi, revealing that the vehicle and its driver have now been identified.
In a statement issued on 20 June 2026, Police Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi said investigators successfully traced the Toyota Vitz, registration number BAX 4848, that was seen in the widely circulated video.
According to police, the vehicle was being driven by a 27-year-old taxi driver from Mtendere Compound in Lusaka, who has since been interviewed together with the registered owner of the vehicle.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident occurred on 5 June 2026, when the taxi driver was hired by an unidentified man and woman near Hybrid Roundabout. The pair reportedly requested to be taken to East Park Mall.
However, while the journey was underway, the male passenger allegedly assaulted the female passenger following a dispute between the two.
Police further revealed that the passengers later changed their destination during the trip. The taxi driver eventually dropped them off at Munali Mall, where both passengers reportedly got out of the vehicle without paying the taxi fare.
Despite identifying the driver and the vehicle, police say the two passengers captured in the viral video have not yet been identified, and investigations are continuing to establish their identities and whereabouts.
The Zambia Police Service has reiterated its commitment to handling all cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) seriously and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
Police have appealed to the female passenger seen in the video, as well as members of the public with any information that could assist the investigation, to report to the nearest police station or contact the toll-free line 9010.
The viral video sparked widespread public concern on social media, prompting calls for authorities to investigate the alleged assault and identify those involved.
The Zambia Police Service says investigations remain active and has urged the public to cooperate by providing any information that may assist in locating the unidentified man and woman featured in the video.