Security personnel stood shoulder-to-shoulder around 29-year-old Titus Kamanga at Mutumbi Cemetery as mourners gathered to bury his son, Martius, amid heightened tensions and accusations.
During the burial procession, two men positioned themselves beside Kamanga as sections of the crowd moved closer. Shortly after the burial rites, the men—who appeared to be officers—escorted him away from the graveside to a waiting vehicle as some mourners surged forward.
Kamanga has faced blame from some members of the community following allegations that his second wife, Mary Kachilika, 26, threw the children into the stream. It is alleged that Kachilika committed the act out of jealousy involving Kamanga’s first wife and the children’s mother, as she reportedly had no children of her own.
Earlier, residents of Meanwood confronted Kamanga outside his home after news of the drowning spread. Witnesses said officers from Chelstone Police Station formed a barrier around him and placed him in a police vehicle as an agitated crowd demanded answers.
At the burial, emotions remained high, with some mourners openly attributing the tragedy to events leading up to the incident, including Kamanga’s marriage to a second wife. The two men guarding him maintained a close presence throughout the proceedings.
Martius’ body was recovered on February 26 during a search operation involving the Zambia Police Service, the Zambia Army and the Chongwe Municipal Council Fire Brigade. The search for the younger sibling had not yielded results by the time of burial.
Meanwhile, Kachilika remains in police custody as investigations continue.
These mourners must be crazy. Is he his wife? What could he have done?
@Ziba, evidently simuziba. If you are going to create such a situation, you, as the apparent alpha male, should explain the rules of engagement to all parties concerned.
It is apparent he did not.
He allowed that dangerous individual into his home. This indicates that he was not in control of the situation regarding his own children. These children had suffered abuse before it escalated to the horrific act of drowning them in the river. He is an extremely irresponsible man and should have faced punishment from the community and arrested for negligence.You dont just leave your kids with a step mum without putting an eye on them