Andrew
SHOCK and grief gripped residents of Chongwe, Zambia, after a 56-year-old woman who lived in the area was brutally killed by her son, who is believed to be suffering from a mental illness.
Not even the cry of Ruth Nyanvula, who nursed him as a baby, could prick the conscience of 28-year-old Joshua Bwalya of Chansango village. He cut her into pieces and burnt her, before burying her in a bush, 900 metres from her house.
According to the police, the incident happened near Mpango Secondary School in Chongwe.
A learner heard the woman’s cry for help as her house is located near the boarding school. The noise is said to have lasted for a short while.
The learner reported the matter to the head teacher but no one went to the house as it was late.
Around 8 am the following day, the head teacher, some learners and community members went to Nyanvula’s house to find out what had happened at night.
When they reached the house, they did not find the woman. They, however, bumped into Bwalya in a nearby bush, his body and clothes stained with blood.
When Bwalya was asked about his mother’s whereabouts, he lied that she had gone on a business errand.
Suspecting that he was lying, the community members opened the house, only to find a pool of blood. The head teacher then called the police.
When the police officers arrived at the scene, they discovered parts of the woman’s body, and apprehended Bwalya, who later showed them where he had buried his mother.
Zambia police deputy spokesperson Danny Mwale confirmed the incident and stated that the body had been taken to the Chongwe District Hospital mortuary, awaiting post-mortem.
Mwale added the suspect was in police custody, with investigations into the matter underway. — Wires
Nasty end to a love story
A 29-year-old man from Mavava Line under Chief Gampu in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North province, who could not accept that his ex-flame had moved on, has been arrested for allegedly torching a hut in which she and her new lover were sleeping.
The incident happened around 8 pm.
A villager who spoke on condition of anonymity said on the day in question, Eugene Nkomo went to look for his former lover Samantha Ngwenya (25) at her family home but was told that she was at her new lover Mthunzi Muhodi’s place.
Nkomo reportedly headed to Muhodi’s place. Upon arrival, he went straight to his bedroom.
“He knocked on the door, while demanding to see Samantha, but the couple ignored him. After that, he set alight the cardboard that was on the window frame and threw it inside the house, resulting in the whole room catching fire,” said the villager.
The villager said Muhodi escaped with minor injuries while his lover was unharmed.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to Nkomo’s arrest.
Matabeleland North acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Christopher Mahohoma confirmed the incident.
He urged residents to engage third parties whenever disputes arise, rather than resort to violence.
“As police, we would like to strongly discourage the public from resorting to violence whenever disputes arise; they should, instead, engage relatives, pastors or friends because resorting to violence might lead to unnecessary loss of life,” said Ass Insp Mahohoma.
Muhodi said the incident left him traumatised.
“The incident left me utterly shocked and at a loss for words. We almost died. We were lucky. I had to push the door open and, in the process, I was slightly burnt.”
“Eugene does not want to accept that he was dumped by Samantha and whenever he meets her, he begs her to accept him back but she refuses.” — B-Metro
Online Reporter