Man found dead in suspected suicide

A 49 year old man of Ny’atu village under Chief Mphamba of Lundazi district has been found dead in an apparent suicide case.

Zambia Police Service Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba has confirmed the matter, saying the incident was reported to Lundazi Police Station at around 14:30 hours by Boyd Mwalimo Zimba, 50, on behalf of the deceased’s family.

Mr Mweemba has told the media that the deceased has been identified as Balewa Zimba, aged 49.

He said Mr Zimba’s wife, Wazi Phiri, told police officers  that her husband appeared healthy and in good spirits when she left home around 05:00 hours to harvest maize at a field located about 200 metres from their village.

Mr Mweemba said before leaving, she spoke to her husband, who informed her that he would later leave for his usual work of cutting timber.

He explained that tragedy struck around 13:00 hours when the couple’s 18 year old son, James Zimba, discovered his father hanging from the roof inside the bedroom while collecting his shoes.

“The young man immediately informed his mother, who rushed back home and confirmed the incident before alerting neighbours and other family members,” he said.

Mr Mweemba said the matter was subsequently reported to the police, who visited the scene and conducted an inspection.

He said preliminary investigations have revealed that the deceased had used a piece of chitenge cloth to hang himself from the roof structure of the house.

“The neck was found stretched and the eyes protruding. No visible physical injuries were observed on the body and no foul play is suspected,” he said.

The Eastern Province Police Chief said the deceased’s father, Benson Zimba, 68, requested that the body be buried without a post-mortem examination, stating that his son appeared to have taken his own life for reasons that remain unknown.

“We have nevertheless advised family members to properly mark the grave to facilitate any future investigations, including possible exhumation and a post-mortem examination should the need arise,” he said.

Mr Mweemba said the body has since been released to the family for burial as investigations continue.

“I urged members of the public to seek support from family, community leaders, or health professionals whenever they experience emotional distress or mental health challenges,” he said.