Police in Mbala District have launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly murdered a person over suspicions of stealing his beans. The suspect has been identified as Alex Silwamba, who is commonly known as Alinoti.
The suspect is a resident of Chulungoma village and has gained a wanted status after the murder of Derick Simfukwe of Chief Mfwmbo’s area.
Northern Province Police Commanding Officer Lucky Munkhondya announced the start of the manhunt for the suspect. She said Silwamba is alleged to have killed Simfukwe over suspicions that he had stolen beans from him.
The commanding officer said the suspect allegedly beat the deceased with an iron bar. As a result of the assault, he sustained bruises all over his body and a swollen head.
Commanding officer Munkhondya further noted that the accused, Alex Silwamba, is on the run, and police are making every effort to bring him to justice.
She said the murder case was reported to police by Edna Nalavwe, 72, of Mwila village, Chief Mfwambo, in the respect that her son was murdered.
She said the incident is alleged to have happened on Sunday, January 21, around 1:00, while the case was only reported to police yesterday around 15 hours.
Officer Munkhondya said the body of the deceased is in Mbala General Hospital mortuary, awaiting a postmortem.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Police Commanding Officer said police had apprehended a 17-year-old girl from an old location in Mbala for suspected infanticide.
In this case, the commanding officer, Munkhondya, said the juvenile is alleged to have dumped a seven-month-old foetus in a pit latrine.
She said the case was reported by a woman in the area that an unknown person had dumped the foetus in her latrine.
She said the foetus was retrieved from the latrine and deposited in the Mbala General Hospital Mortuary.
Ms Munkhondya said the police, however, managed to pick up the juvenile and rush her to the hospital for medical examinations.
She explained that if it is established that she is the rightful suspect, she will be charged with an offense of infanticide, contrary to Section 203, Cap. 87.