Michael Mataka is notable in making history as the first native African to become commissioner of the Zambian police.
[7] On November 1, 1965, it was announced in Lusaka that Mataka was to be appointed as the first Zambian Commissioner of Police.
[9] In 1970, following a traffic accident from which he received serious physical injuries, he was retired on medical grounds.
[15] In 1954, Mataka appeared in Duel in the Jungle, a film that starred Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, David Farrar and Patrick Barr.
[17][18] Mataka was praised by director George Marshall for his performance in the film and described as priceless.