A FOURTEEN year old boy of Mufulira has died at the hands of his step father who hit him with an axe handle on his head after a misunderstanding.

Owen Mumba died yesterday around 19:00 hours from injuries that were inflicted by his step father Benson Mwansa 43.

The suspect is in police custody following the death of his step-son.

According to the police the two had a sour relationship because Mr Mwansa did not want to stay with his step son.

Copperbelt Province Commanding Officer Peacewell Mweemba said on the Monday morning Owen’s mother Mirriam Chisenga

went to church leaving the boy under the care of his step father.

Mr Mweemba said while Mirriam was away the two had an altercation leading to Owen’s death.

“Mr Mwansa and Owen’s mother have been married for 13 years . The relationship between Owen and his step father was antagonistic as the stepfather never wanted his step son. Yesterday Owen’s mother went to church and left her son with his step father and another son later there was an altercation between Mr Mwansa and Owen prompting the step father to hit the deceased with an axe handle on the head,” said Mr Mweemba.

He said the Owen was rushed to Ronald Ross Hospital but was referred to Kitwe Teaching Hospital (KTH) where he died around 19:00 hours.

(Mwebantu, Monday, 2nd October, 2023)

POLICE on the Copperbelt are investigating a suicide case in which a 46-year-old man of Mpongwe took poison after his girlfriend allegedly stole his money.

The victim is believed to have been found dead in his girlfriend cousin’s house where he was squatting.

It is alleged that he was squatting at the house because his girlfriend allegedly stole money amounting to K1,200 which he obtained from his fish business.

However, the girlfriend, Maggie Kankoma aged 41, who is the one that found him dead in her cousin’s house denied having taken his money.

Copperbelt Province commanding officer Peacewell Mweemba said the incident occurred on Friday, September 29th at around 14:00 hours at Elena township at Ibenga trading area in Mpongwe district.

“Brief facts of the matter are that the reporter (Ms Kankoma) who lives in Ibenga and  sells vegetable in Mpongwe market  on September 24th, this year met her boyfriend (the now deceased) who was selling fish and they went to drink beer together at Mpongwe market. In the process the reporter (Ms Kankoma)was accused of having stolen money amounting to K1200,” he said.

Mr Mweemba said Ms Kankoma after the drinking spree and being accused of stealing money went back to Ibenga and after a day the victim followed her to Ibenga so that he could recover the money.

He explained that upon reaching Ibenga ,Ms Kankoma did not give him money, but offered him a house belonging to her cousin who was not home at the time.

“That was when he took an unknown poisonous substance and died in the house .Ms Kankoma reported the matter to Police and police visited the scene and found the dead body lying facing upwards in the bedroom and in the sitting room was a bottle which contained the unknown poisonous substance,” he said.

Mr Mweemba said the body was inspected and had no physical injuries observed.

He added that the body was then picked and awaits a postmortem examination.

(Mwebantu, Monday, 2nd October, 2023)

SUSPECTED criminals have abandoned a motor vehicle in Lusaka’s Kaunda Square.

The motor vehicle was abandoned after the suspects noticed police presence near Hybrid roundabout in Kaunda Square at around 01:00 hours.

Police deputy spokesperson Danny Mwale has told journalists that the incident happened yesterday at around 01:00 hours

“The Toyota Allion was abandoned by suspected criminals after they noticed Police presence near Hybrid roundabout in Kaunda Square,” he said.

Mr Mwale said car breaking instruments and five cellular phone chargers were discovered inside the vehicle.

“It was pulled to the police station for safe custody,” he said.

Mr Mwale said investigations have since been instituted in the matter.

(Mwebantu, Sunday, 1st October, 2023)