A chief engineer for maintenance at Zesco Northern region based in Kasama, has died in a suspected case of suicide.
Wesley Simwanza, 46, of Chikumanino Township in Kasama, is alleged to have taken unknown chemicals.
Northern Province Police Commanding Officer, Simunji Mulonda has confirmed the incident in a statement to the media in Kasama.
Mr Mulonda said the incident is believed to have occurred between Friday, 20 March, around 17:00 hours, and Saturday, 21 March, at 05:30 hours in Chikumanino Township.
The commanding officer said the case was reported to police by Peter Sichinga, a security officer at Zesco Kasama regional office.
He said the deceased, who stays alone, was knocked off from work on Friday at 17:00 hours and was escorted home by his workmate.
Mr Mulonda added that the incident was discovered after a driver went to pick him up on Saturday with the view to travel with him to Mansa.
“On Saturday at around 05:30 hours, a driver at the Kasama Zesco regional office went to the deceased’s house with a view of picking him up, as the two were supposed to travel to Mansa on official duties.
Upon arrival, he tried to call the now deceased, and his phone went unanswered until around 07:00 hours when the maid came and opened the main door. When she entered, she observed that the bedroom door was open and the deceased was lying on the bed with foam coming from the mouth.” He said
He said the driver called the Zesco office, who reported the matter to police.
“The police visited the scene and found the deceased lying dead on the bed facing upwards with foam coming from the mouth. No physical injuries were observed, and the deceased’s body has been deposited at Kasama General Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem,” he said.
The commanding officer said the body of the deceased has been deposited at Kasama General Hospital mortuary, adding that police will give further comment after the postmortem.
