An angry mob in Samfya District of Luapula Province this week descended on a 36-year-old man of Shinka village in Bangweulu area, and beat him to death on accusations that turned into a crocodile and killed a girl who had gone fishing by the river.

Deputy Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga, disclosed in a statement that Changani Musenge was reported dead by her sister, Charity Chibale to Samfya police division on November 28, after villagers murdered and buried him.

Hamoonga stated that police had picked up a number of people from the said village to assist with investigations, including village Headman Misitala Mwewa Silvester, Lano Chiboni who is the father to the deceased and another male juvenile.

“Police in Samfya received a report of Murder from Charity Chibale aged 34 of Mwanayama village in Chief Kasoma Bangweulu’s area in Samfya District, that her elder brother, Changani Musenge aged 36 of Shinka village in Chief Kasoma Bangweulu’s area as well was murdered by an angry mob which mobilised from villages: Shinka, Katanshya, Misitala. Brief facts are that on 25th November, 2018, at unknown time, the deceased allegedly turned into a human crocodile and killed Bupe Lano, aged 20 of Misitala village when she went fishing on Chisa River in Katanshya area,” stated Hamoonga.

“On 28th November, 2018, between 04:00 hours and 09:00 hours, information spread to surrounding villages where villagers mobilised, brutally murdered and buried Musenge. Police rushed to the scene and found the body already buried. However, three people have been picked to assist with investigations namely: village Headman Misitala Mwewa Silvester, aged 74, Lano Chiboni, the father to the deceased and a male juvenile aged 18 years all from the same village.”

And in a separate development, police in Lusaka have arrested Jessica Chilambe Chanda aged 24 years for the subject offence of obtaining money by false pretences.

“It is alleged that the accused has a Facebook page “Style by Jessie” on which she has been advertising hair products for women as well as soliciting for capital to partner with persons in her business. But as soon as she gets the money from such persons she would go into hiding. We are appealing to any persons who could have fallen prey to this crime to report to any nearest police station,” read the police statement.