POLICE in Senanga have arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly murdering his brother using a pounding stick over theft allegations.

In a statement, Thursday, Police spokesperson Esther Katongo explained that the deceased and the suspect were drinking locally brewed beer when the now suspect allegedly attempted to steal money from the victim.

She stated that a fight ensued between the two which led to the suspect picking up a pounding stick and hitting the victim on the forehead.

“Police in Senanga of Western Province have arrested Mwendabai Simasiku, 25 for allegedly killing his elder brother after a misunderstanding. This is reported to have occurred between 9th August 2021 at around 15:00 hours and 10th August 2021 around 03:00 hours at Nang’ofu area. The victim identified as Mushoke Mwendabai aged 29, sustained a swollen forehead as a pounding stick is alleged to have been used to inflict the injuries,” Katongo stated.

“It is alleged that on the material day, the deceased together with the suspect were drinking local brewed beer and that the now suspect is alleged to have attempted to steal money from the victim and a fight ensued which led to the suspect picking up a pounding stick and hit the victim on the forehead. The body of the deceased is in Senanga General Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem while the suspect is detained in police custody for murder.”

Katongo further stated that Police in Mansa have arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly defiling his five-year-old niece.

“In another development, police in Mansa of Luapula Province have charged and arrested a 25-year-old male adult for allegedly defiling his five-year-old niece. This occurred on 19th August, 2021 at around 19:00 hours between 09th August, 2021 between 18:00 hours and 19:00 hours when the victim went to play at her aunt’s place and the suspect who is the uncle, allegedly took advantage of her and defiled her from a nearby bush. The sister of the victim also a juvenile, allegedly spotted the suspect taking the victim to a nearby bush and immediately rushed home and informed her aunt who rushed to the scene and found the victim naked. The suspect escaped but was apprehended the following day by alert members of the public and is detained in police custody charged with defilement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Katongo revealed that Police in Lusaka also arrested Samson Chileshe, 47, of Lusaka’s Mtendere area for allegedly killing his wife after a marital dispute.

She stated that the incident is alleged to have occurred between August 10 at 20:00 hours and August 11 at 01:00 hours.

“Meanwhile, police in Lusaka have arrested Samson Chileshe, 47 of Lusaka’s Mutendere Compound for allegedly killing his wife identified as Mercy Chinama Chileshe aged 38, after a marital dispute. This is alleged to have occurred between 10th August 2021 at 20:00 hours and 11th August 2021 at 01:00 hours in Mutendere but the matter was reported on 11th August 2021 at 14:00 hours through an informer. The incident is reported to have happened when the couple fought after picking a quarrel over marital disputes. The body was discovered by neighbours who heard the couple fight the previous night. The body of the deceased is in the mortuary awaiting postmortem while the suspect is in police custody,” stated Katongo.