A 25-year-old man has been arrested in Chama District, Eastern Province, after allegedly stealing K3,000 from his 78-year-old grandfather before setting his bedroom on fire, destroying property valued at approximately K15,000.
According to the Zambia Police Service, the suspect, Joseph Kaluba, allegedly stole the money from the home of his grandfather, Damson Mfula, a village headman of Muzunga Village under Chief Lundu, before deliberately setting the bedroom ablaze.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the arrest, saying the incident occurred on July 17, 2026, between 07:00 and 17:00 hours.
Mr. Mweemba said Mr. Mfula and his wife, Katalina Mfula, had left home early in the morning to attend Munada market, leaving their house locked and hiding the keys in a cooking shelter. Before leaving, Mr. Mfula had reportedly hidden K3,000 under a mattress in the bedroom.
When the couple returned later that day, they found smoke coming from the bedroom. Police said the house was still locked from the outside, but the suspect was nowhere to be found, prompting immediate suspicion because he allegedly knew where the money had been concealed.
Villagers were mobilized and later apprehended Kaluba.
According to Mr. Mweemba, the suspect allegedly admitted to taking the hidden keys, entering the house, stealing the K3,000, setting the bedroom on fire, and locking the house again before fleeing.
Following the alleged confession, Kaluba was first handed over to Chief Lundu before being transferred to Chama Police Station, where he was formally arrested.
Police officers visited the scene and estimated the value of property destroyed in the fire at K15,000.
Kaluba remains in police custody and is expected to appear in court to answer charges of arson and theft.