MPOROKOSO District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Joseph Kamalondo has committed suicide in a hospital bathroom after testing positive to COVID-19.

In a statement, police spokesperson Esther Katongo stated that Kamalondo was found hanging on oxygen nasal prongs, which he had tied to window burglar, bars by nursing staff.

“Police in Mporokoso recieved a report of sudden and unnatural death from a named district nursing officer at Mporokoso COVID-19 Isolation Centre that Joseph Kamalondo, aged 56 of UN village compound, chief Mumpolokoso, a District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) for Mporokoso District, who had tested positive for COVID-19 on 29th January, 2021, around 13.00 hours had committed suicide. He was found hanging to window burglar bars by nursing staff on 1st February, 2021, at around 21.00 hours in the bathroom of the COVID-19 Isolation House using oxygen nasal prongs. The body has been taken to Mporokoso District Hospital Mortuary. An inquiry has been instituted in the matter,” Katongo disclosed.

And she stated that police were investing the murder of two men who were allegedly burnt to death by a mob in Mpulungu.

“Police in Mpulungu of Northern Province are investigating a murder case reported on 31st January, 2021, at 23.00 hours in which Peter Sichilima, aged 35 of Sebente village, chief Chinakila reported that his elder brother Anord Sichilima, aged 49 of Mutono village and Demus Simpemba, aged 57 of the same village, were allegedly burnt to death using petrol by a mob. This occurred on 31st January, 2021, between 22.00 hours and 23.50 hours at Mutuno Village at Namukonda stream in Mpulungu,” she narrated.

Katongo noted that the deceased persons were suspected to have bewitched Justice Musukuma who died a month ago at the same village.

“It was reported that the two named deceased persons were being suspected to be wizards on allegations that they bewitched Justice Musukuma who died a month ago at the same village. The deceased persons were dragged from the home of headman Living Simpemba where they had gone to seek refuge due to the wrangles and taken to the above mentioned stream and set them on fire using petrol. Bodies of the decease persons are in Mpulungu Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem,” she stated.

Katongo, however, warned members of the public to avoid taking the law into their own hands.

“Investigations are still underway and we appeal to members of the public in the area to help police with information that may lead to the apprehension of the suspect. We wish to remind members of the public to desist from taking the law into their own hands because doing so is criminal, hence risk being prosecuted. We further wish to state that all those that took part in the murder of the victims will be arrested and charged with murder in accordance with the law,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Katongo announced that police in Muchinga Province were investigating a case where a motor vehicle belonging to Lawrence Mutale, a pastor of True Faith Bible Ministry in Kamwanya Compound in Mpika District, was set ablaze by unknown people.

“In Muchinga Province, police are investigating a case of arson, which occurred on 1st February, 2021, between 03.00 hours and 04.00 hours in Kamwanya Compound, in which Lawrence Mutale, aged 57, a pastor of True Faith Bible Ministry in Kamwanya Compound in Mpika reported that his motor vehicle Isuzu KB 220LE Twin Cab Van, Registration Number ABA 6665, white in colour was set ablaze by unknown person(s). The value of property burnt is K61,000.00. It was reported that on 31st January, 2021, around 17.00 hours, the complainant parked the motor vehicle at his home, well secured. On 1st February, 2021, between 03.00 hours and 04.00 hours, he heard a strange noise outside where he had parked the vehicle and upon checking through the bedroom window, he saw the fire inside the vehicle from the driver’s seat and the rear right passenger’s door was wide open. He quickly notified the District Fire Brigade who managed to put out the fire after members of the public and neighbours attempted to help put it off with sand. The burnt motor vehicle was bought for him by his church. Investigations have been instituted in the matter,” stated Katongo.