A 24 year- old man of Shiwang’andu District in Muchinga Province, has allegedly ended his life while in police custody at Shiwang’andu Police Station under unclear circumstances.
Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Lizzy Machina has confirmed the incident in an interview with Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Shiwang’andu today.
Ms. Machina who has identified the deceased suspect as Steven Mulenga aged 24, said the incident happened yesterday on Friday, 26 March 2021 between 00:00 hours and 05:00 hours.
She said the reason for Mulenga to committed suicide while in Police custody is not yet known.
Ms. Machina further said that, Police has opened up an Inquiry File in the matter, adding that investigations have since been launched.
The Police Commissioner said, the body of the deceased suspect has since been deposited to Chinsali General Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem examination to ascertain the actual cause of death.
Sources have told ZANIS that Mulenga was arrested by police on Thursday for allegedly stealing money from his friends.
RELATIVE SHOULD BE ADVISED TO GET A PRIVATE POSTMORTEM DONE
FOR PEACE OF MIND
Mental health is a big issue with us men which is not spoken about. We all have a responsibility as men to highlight this terrible thing. I have been in this position before when I have been cyber bullied and lies have been peddled about me. I have gotten to very low points in my life but I have been lucky to have supportive friends and family who I can openly share my problems with. Remember that a problem shared is a problem halved. I love you all my fellow zambian men. Please take care of yourselves.
KZ I’m impressed today. Keep it up
It’s never true that someone can commit suicide while in police cells. My uncle was killed by the police on 12 December 2020. He was found hanging to a rope and clothes in the mouth. Only God knows how it happened, using government pathologist will never give the family nothing. Hire a private pathologist.
Now that sounds born again , the question is….for how long?
Typical KZ: not a word on incapable police officers who couldn’t properly look after people in their custody
Narcissistic personality disorder involves a pattern of self-centered, arrogant thinking and behavior, a lack of empathy and consideration for other people, and an excessive need for admiration.
You should try your best not to take anything trolls say seriously. No matter how poorly they behave, remember these people spend countless unproductive hours trying to make people mad. They’re not worth your time of the day.
When Zambian police kill somebody in their custody they always say he commited suicide. Zambian police are cruel and like to torture fellow countrymen and women
Stealing Money from his friends….sounds more like Kaizar COVID Zulu…thats his behavior together with his PF bandit President Lungu
Disappointed to read some of the negative comments but glad some see sense in this issue and are taking it seriously. You won’t understand how serious mental health is until you fall victim to it. And when you do,know that I will be here to help you and offer a shoulder to lean on. Let us forget politics when we deal with such issues. I lost a close friend in similar circumstances years ago and it still affects me to this day.
I understand that the police officers on duty during the night have now been suspended pending further investigation. Apparently a fellow prisoner has testified against them. So KZ your assumption that there was mental health issues involved were completely fabricated. Have you ever been told by your parents to speak the truth sometimes? I guess you don’t remember the last time you didn’t lie.
No corruption stop spreading lies. Regardless of whether investigations into the police have been commissioned, no court of law has ruled that the man was killed by police. So that does not make the message about mental health redundant. Stop using your political brains to analyse everything. If you have personal vendetta with police then you should confront them but that should not mean that you look down upon a genuine fight against mental illness. You are a very childish kid.
KZ today has managed to share correct senses
You are just INVENTING the mental ilness because you want to protect misbehaving police officers. I am not political at all, I don’t support any political party, I just want JUSTICE done, and not that you and your corrupt ways get in there. What is childish about that? Not speaking the truth is childish, I’m sure your mother told you. But go ahead, get those police officers off the hook. The family of the deceased will prevail, that’s for sure. And thank God the 12th August is not far away
It should be debated in parliament to pass a law that automatically call for an independently performed autopsy
It should be debated in parliament to pass a law that automatically call for an independently performed autopsy for all cases of suicide in police custody!