By White Luhanga
A 25-year-old man of Katete District in Eastern Province has been arrested for allegedly stealing 39 cattle worth about K300,000 after taking control of the animals from an 11-year-old boy who was heading them.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred on 6th January 2026 at around 14:20 hours in Chief Kawaza’s Chiefdom.
Earlier that morning, the owner of the cattle, 53-year-old Victoria Banda, checked on her animals and found all of them in the kraal.
Mr. Mweemba said that around 09:00 hours, her grandson, aged 11, took the 39 cattle for grazing within Chilingondi Farms, with the boy heading the animals.
At about 14:40 hours, the suspect, identified as Micheal Banda aged 25 of Vunda Village, allegedly confronted the boy, took control of the cattle from him, and began driving the animals away, leaving the boy crying.
He says two neighbours, Jairos Phiri aged 25 and Kelvin Phiri aged 23, heard the child crying as they were returning from piece work, rushed to the scene, and found the suspect already heading the cattle away from the boy.
Mr. Mweemba said the neighbours intervened, apprehended the suspect, and later reported the matter to the police.
A docket has since been opened, the suspect has been arrested, and investigations have been instituted.
©️ Zambia Reports | January 7th, 2026.