Indian Business Man Found Dead in Zambia

Could be Connected to High Profile Murder

Another Indian businessman has been found dead in Zambia's capital, Lusaka. Police suspect that Ashiwan Patel, 53, was murdered about 5 days before he was found dead on Oct. 8th at his house in Rhodes Park residential area.

Zambia police spokesperson, Bonny Kapeso, said circumstances surrounding Patel's death have prompted police to launch investigations into the case.

"Mr Patel was found dead with his hands and legs tied with a sisal rope. The face was covered with a kitchen towel. His body was found almost decomposing, meaning that he was killed about 4 or 5 days ago," Kapeso said.

Patel the 2nd Businessman Killed in the Last 3 Months

Three months ago another Indian businessman was found dead in Lusaka. Sajid Itowala, a well-known businessman in Zambia, was brutally murdered in July of 2009. Itowala's body was found in his Benz Car about 100 meters from a police post in Lusaka West. Itowala had sustained numerous broken bones and 3 gunshot wounds

Police have arrested 2 Indians in connection with the killing of Itowala.

Three other people, including a caretaker of the house where the murder of the businessman took place, were also picked up to help police with investigations.

One of the arrested Indians, Mathew Mohan, caused a stir in the country when he escaped from a Ridgeway police post located in the Lusaka magistrate court premises. This was after he had appeared in court for charges of obtaining money by false pretenses.

Mohan was re-arrested last month near the United Nations building in Lusaka.

A Zambian police officer who sits on the government's Task Force on Corruption has since been arrested for alleged harboring Mohan. Acting police spokesperson Moses Suwali confirmed the arrest of police officer in a statement released in Lusaka.

Two other police officers who were guarding Mohan at the time he fled were arrested and charged with criminal negligence.

Suwali said the officer has been charged with the offence of compounding felonies, which is contrary to section 113 chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

Suwali also disclosed that another police officer who collaborated with the arrested officer is on the run and that police have stepped up the search.

The 2 police officers are suspected to have aided Mathew Mohan, a murder suspect, escape from police custody on August 31, 2009.