By Arnold Tutu
A retired Zambia Air Force brigadier general, MIKE OBISTOR MBEWE, 65, has been found dead.
The former officer, who went missing on 22 February 2026, was discovered in a remote mountainous area near Lusaka.
The Zambia Police Service has arrested three suspects in connection with the case, which began when the general was reported missing by his sister, ETHEL MBEWE, on 23 February.
In a statement, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer CHIPO KAITISHA said the investigation was launched after a 14-year-old boy from Chainda Compound reported an abandoned silver Toyota Hilux, registration number BAF 5805, near the Assemblies of God Church in Chainda.
Ms. KAITISHA said the vehicle is believed to have been parked there between 22:00 on 22 February and 13:00 on 23 February. Police officers responded promptly and recovered the vehicle.
The keys were later found in the possession of a 19-year-old from Chainda, who told officers that he and GIFT CHISENGA had collected the vehicle from the NAPSA Flats area and parked it near the church.
Later that afternoon, ETHEL MBEWE formally reported her brother missing. She told police that Brigadier General MBEWE had left his home in Chongwe at around 18:00 on 22 February and had not returned.
Investigations led to the arrest of GIFT CHISENGA, 24, from the 10 Miles area of Mungule, and CHRISTOPHER BANDA, 23, of Chainda Compound, on 25 February.
Preliminary findings indicate that BANDA met General MBEWE in Chainda before driving him to a remote mountainous area. It is alleged that the retired officer lost consciousness at the location, and police suspect he may have been poisoned.
The suspects are said to have left him at the scene before driving his vehicle back to Chainda Compound, where it was later discovered.
Ms. KAITISHA said the suspects subsequently directed officers to the mountainous area in Meanwood Ibex, where Brigadier General MBEWE’s body was found.
The body has been taken to the mortuary at the University Teaching Hospital for a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
CHRISTOPHER BANDA, GIFT CHISENGA and the 19-year-old suspect remain in police custody.
Ms. KAITISHA said investigations into the full circumstances of the incident, including the motive behind the suspected murder, are continuing.
