The incident occurred on Sunday, March 1, 2026, around 17:00 hours at Ntolele Village in Chief Chitembo’s area.
Chifunabuli District Commissioner Stanley Mukosa confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as James Bwalya.
Mr. Mukosa said the matter was reported by a nurse at Lubwe Mission Hospital, who informed authorities that the boy had been brought in dead by his uncle around 21:30 hours.
He explained that on the day of the incident, James is believed to have left home around 14:00 hours and went to the grounds at Chifunabuli Primary School, where he met three juvenile friends aged between 12 and 15.
According to Mr. Mukosa, James was given a hand-made football belonging to one of the boys, which he allegedly lost without informing the owner. When his friends later demanded the ball, he reportedly failed to account for it, leading to a physical altercation.
Family members were later told by James that he had fallen, but they noticed swelling on the right side of his head, beneath the right eye, and redness in his left eye. It is alleged that he was slapped and kicked during the fight.
Mr. Mukosa said the matter has been reported to police and investigations are ongoing. No arrests have been made so far.
