FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
Matero Police Station recorded a case of suicide that occurred at Farm No. 4673/M, Barlastone area, Lusaka West, between September 10, 2025, around 23:00 hours and September 11, 2025, around 01:00 hours.
Police received a report that a police officer, Constable Friday Botha, aged 44, of the Protective Unit (PU), deployed for guard duties at the said farm, allegedly shot himself dead while on duty.
Brief facts are that Constable Botha was deployed to provide static guard duties at the farm on September 7, 2025. Workers at the farm reported hearing gunshots during the night of September 10, 2025, and the early hours of September 11, 2025. Upon checking later, they found the officer lying in a pool of blood with a firearm beside him. The matter was then reported to police.
Officers rushed to the scene and found the deceased lying in a pool of blood inside the house he occupied. An AK-47 rifle was discovered lying next to him. Physical inspection of the body revealed a gunshot wound at the back of the head, believed to be the bullet’s exit point.
The motive behind the incident has not yet been established. However, preliminary investigations suggest that it was a case of suicide.
The body of the deceased has since been deposited in the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary awaiting a postmortem examination.
The Zambia Police Service deeply regrets the loss of life and conveys heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased officer during this difficult time.
Godfrey Chilabi Assistant Public Relations Officer.