Police officer and athlete Mumbuna Namakando dies at 31

CONSTABLE Mumbuna Namakando, a police officer and 400-meter specialist, died suddenly on July 31, 2026, after collapsing while on duty in Lusaka.

The Zambia Police Service said Namakando, of Kabwata Police Station, collapsed near Lewanika Mall along Mosi-O-Tunya Road around 22:00 hours. He was rushed to Chilenje Level I Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be established.

Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said the officer’s body has been taken to the University Teaching Hospital Mortuary pending a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.

Zambia Athletics, in a separate announcement, said Namakando was a dedicated 400m specialist and member of Nkwazi Athletics Club. The organization described him as an athlete who represented his club with distinction and made a valuable contribution to athletics in Zambia.

“On behalf of the President, the Executive Committee, the Council, the Secretariat, the entire Zambia Athletics family, and indeed on my own behalf, I extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences,” General Secretary Teddy Shimishi said.

Both the Zambia Police Service and Zambia Athletics extended condolences to Namakando’s family, friends, colleagues, teammates and the athletics fraternity.

(Mwebantu, Sunday, 2nd August, 2026)