By Arnold Tutu
The Zambia Police Service has confirmed through DNA testing that ASTRIDAH CHANDA is the biological mother of a baby girl who was reported stolen in Lusaka last year.
Police spokesperson GODFREY CHILABI says the confirmation follows forensic analysis conducted after the child was recovered from a suspect.
The case was reported the same day on October 28, 2025, after a six-week-old baby was allegedly taken by an unknown woman in the Mbasela area of Kanyama Compound.
Mr. CHILABI says following investigations, police arrested ESTHER MUSONDA PHIRI, aged 44, of Makeni, on November 14, 2025.
The baby was safely recovered during an intelligence-led operation.
In a statement to ZNBC news, Mr. CHILABI said investigations have revealed that the suspect had renamed the child “JENIPHER MONTA MWILA” and allegedly obtained a fake Under-Five Card to claim the baby as her own.
He said as part of police procedures, DNA tests were carried out by the National Forensic Science and Biometrics Department.
Mr. CHILABI said samples were taken from the child, the complainant ASTRIDAH CHANDA, and the suspect.
He said police received the DNA results on February 4, 2026, which confirmed that ASTRIDAH CHANDA is the child’s biological mother and the tests ruled out ESTHER MUSONDA PHIRI as the mother.
The Police spokesperson said following the results, ESTHER MUSONDA PHIRI has been formally charged with child stealing and is awaiting court proceedings.
He said police are also pursuing further investigations into forgery and the use of false documents.
Mr. CHILABI said the child is currently under the temporary care of the Department of Social Welfare as legal processes continue.
