A 24 year-old man in Chama District has allegedly taken his own life by consuming an unknown poisonous substance, a day after attacking his wife with a machete.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner, Robertson Mweemba, confirmed that Medson Kumwenda of Chibalila Village, Chief Kambombo, committed suicide between 04:00 hours on September 27, 2025, and 11:00 hours on September 28, 2025.
Mr Mweemba explained that Kumwenda and his 20-year-old wife, Timanye Mutambo, whom he married in November 2022 and have a two-year-old daughter together, had been living peacefully until rumours emerged that Kumwenda had impregnated another woman, Kota Namfukwe of Chitanda Village.
He said the confrontation over the allegations turned violent on September 27, 2025, when Kumwenda allegedly attacked his wife with a machete, leaving her with severe injuries, including a deep cut on the back of the head and neck, an amputated finger and multiple bruises.
After the attack, Kumwenda fled, and his body was later found by the villagers in a field along the Luumbu river banks with signs of poisoning.
The family has been advised to mark the grave for possible exhumation. His wife is fighting for her life in Chama District Hospital where she is admitted.
Meanwhile, Police in Chilanga has apprehended four suspects in connection with the theft of school property at St. Patrick Primary School.
Zambia Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, says the four suspects arrested include Funwell Changila aged 36, Peter Siame 27, Peter Namilambe aged 26 and Elizabeth Nakamba aged 22 all of Mapepe compound in Chilanga District.
Mr Hamoonga said the incident occurred between September 25, 2025, at 23: 00 hours and September 26, 2025, at 06:00 hours, during which criminals broke into the school administration block and stole property valued at K121, 230.
He explained that on September 27, 2025, at around 23:00 hours, Chilanga Police received credible information from informers that some individuals in Mapepe compound were attempting to sell computers.
Mr Hamoonga stated that a team of officers conducted an operation in the early hours of September 28, 2025, which led to the apprehension of three men and one woman.
He pointed out that the operation also resulted in the recovery of school property including computers, fridge, toilet paper, soya chunks and other assorted items, all of which were found in the house where the suspects reside in Mapepe compound.
“The Zambia Police Service extends its sincere gratitude to the members of the public whose timely and valuable information led to the successful arrest of these criminals. The four have since been charged and detained in police custody for the subject offence,” he added.
Mr Hamoonga has urged all members of the public to continue working with the Police to bring to book criminal elements and ensure that communities safer.
