Police in Eastern province have recorded three (3) cases of unnatural deaths in the past four days.
Eastern province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba says the cases, all recorded in Petauke district, occured on 12th, 13th and the 14th of February, 2026, respectively.
And all the three now deceased were residents of Kalindawalo chiefdom, but from different villages.
The first incident occurred on the 12th of February, 2026 at around 18:00hrs, involving a 52-year-old, Lameck Sakala of Chimate Village, who was found lying along Chimate road, which is about 60 metres from his house.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner, Robertson Mweemba, explained that the deceased who used to stay alone in his house was an asthmatic patient and beer addict who had not been adhering to taking his medication.
Mr Mweemba, noted that the now deceased who used to repair shoes by going round the compound had complained to his cousin of having chest pains before his death the following day.
“Police officers visited the scene and the body was found to be wet due to some rains. A physical inspection was conducted and no physical injuries were observed. Officers also found some fritters and buns were found near the body,” Mr Mweemba noted.
He said the body was deposited into Petuake District hospital mortuary awaiting burial, as no foul play was recorded.
In the second incident that occurred on Friday, February 13, 2026, around 18:00hrs, male, Steven Banda, 45, of Pelete Village, was equally discovered lifeless in his house.
” Brief facts of the matter are that the now deceased who used to stay alone in his house near his brother’s house was last seen by his brother, Daniel Banda in the early hours of fateful day,” Mr Mweemba said.
According to Banda, his brother had earlier complained of stomach pains, as he had a problem of gastritis.
However, the following day around 06:00hrs, his brother visited him so as to check on him but surprisingly he found the deceased lying dead on the floor, in his bedroom.
The Police chief said police officers visited the scene and the body was inspected and found that it had no physical injuries but the family suspects foul play.
“The body has since been deposited into Kalindawalo General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem examination results before burial takes place,” he noted.
And the third incident occurred on Saturday, February 14, 2026 between 17:00 and 18:00hrs at Nyankuwa Breweries in Patauke District.
The deceased was identified as 47 years old, Mayeso Banda, who died upon arrival at Petauke District Hospital.
Mr Mweemba highlighted that on the said day, around 12:00hrs the now deceased left home and went to order some beers at Nyankuwa Breweries.
He added that between 17:00hrs and 18:00hrs the deceased’s wife received a phone call from 46-year-old, Michael Phiri, the deceased’s co-worker who informed her that her husband, Phiri, had collapsed.
Mr Mweemba said Phiri was later rushed to Petauke District Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
“Police officers rushed to the hospital to inspect the body and no physical injuries were seen. No foul play suspected. The deceased body was deposited into petauke district hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem examination results and burial,” he said.
