In Phalombe last night, a police officer, Hamid Manyamula, was accidentally shot in the left upper arm by a colleague during an arrest attempt.

South East Police Spokesperson Edward Kabango provided details, explaining that the incident occurred while two officers were trying to apprehend two suspects selling a stolen motorcycle.

During the arrest operation, a struggle ensued as the suspects resisted, leading to a chaotic situation.

In the process, an officer, trying to assist Manyamula in making an arrest, accidentally dropped his rifle. While picking it up, the trigger was pulled unintentionally, causing the injury.

The police managed to arrest one suspect, but the other escaped. Fortunately, they recovered the stolen motorcycle.

Hamid Manyamula, the injured officer from Chiringa Police Unit, was subsequently admitted to Zomba Central Hospital for treatment.