Police in Mpulungu have launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly punched and killed his baby as he was fighting with his wife over Kapenta.

And police have arrested a 23-year-old Mkushi man over the death of his 25-year-old wife.

This is according to a statement issued by police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo.

“Police in Mpulungu are looking for a suspect identified as Chuma Simfukwe of Chitongo Village in Mpulungu District in connection with the murder of his daughter, a female juvenile aged one month. The murder occurred on 08th July, 2018 at around 20:00 hours at Chitongo Village. The report was received from the mother of the victim identified as Catherine Nawakwi aged 19 who stated that as she was preparing dinner at about 19 45 hours, her husband went home drunk and demanded that he eats the relish (Kapenta) which she had prepared alone. It was at that point when the fight ensued and in the process he punched the baby on the ribs who was on her mother’s back leading to the death of the baby. The suspect is on the run while the body of the deceased baby is in Mpulungu General Hospital Mortuary awaiting Postmortem,” Katongo stated.

And Katongo revealed that police had also arrested a 23-year-old Mkushi man over the death of his 25-year-old wife.

“In a related development, Police in Mkushi have arrested a male adult identified as Leckson Ngosa Makonka Oliver aged 23 of Kamwendo village; Chief Chitina of Mkushi District in connection with the murder of his wife Memory Chituka aged 25. The incident is reported to have happened on 02nd July, 2018 around 05:00 hours at Kamwendo Village and was only reported to police yesterday, 11th July, 2018 by the sister of the victim. Sticks are alleged to have been used in the act and the victim who had sustained painful ribs and a swollen head, later died at Mkushi General Hospital. The suspect is in police custody facing a charge of murder while the body of the deceased is in the same Hospital mortuary,” stated Katongo.

Meanwhile, a male juvenile aged 10 of Ndeledele village, Chief Nzamane, of Chipata District died yesterday 11th July, 2018 at about 0700 hours after the Ox-cart which was being pulled by two oxen in which he was overturned after hitting into a stone and later hit him. In Mazabuka, a cyclist identified as Chinyemba Shino of Cottage area in Mazabuka District died on the spot after he was hit by a motor vehicle Volvo Truck registration number AJC 8184 and trailer AJC 7929 driven from South to North by a Makondo aged 34 of Fairview, Monze District. This accident occurred on Great North road, 32 Kilometers north of Mazabuka Town due to excessive speed and in the process the driver lost control of the motor vehicle and went to hit the cyclist who was trying to change lane from left to right. The body is lying in Mazabuka District Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.”