A 25-year-old male has reported himself to police for beating to death his 17-year-old wife.

In a statement, Tuesday, Zambia police spokesperson Esther Katongo revealed that Moses Mubukwanu of Mujala village in Nsinde area, Southern Province reported himself to police for beating his wife to death in Kazungula District after a misunderstanding.

“Police in Kazungula District of Southern Province received a report of murder from Moses Mubukwanu aged 25 years of Mujala village in Nsinde area in Chief Musokotwana area who reported himself to the police that he had beaten his wife identified as Prudence Mweene aged 17 to death. The suspect led police to the crime scene where he left the body of the victim in a nearby bush close to Mujala village,” she said.

“Struggle marks were observed at the scene and sticks stained with blood alleged to have been used in the act as well as a torn pant stained with blood were picked from the scene. The body was found with multiple bruises.”

Katongo said the incident occurred on 2nd August 2021, between 08:00 hours and 16:00 hours.

She stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect beat up his wife on allegations that she had gone to church on 1st August 2021, but only returned home a day later.

“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect beat up his wife on allegations that she had gone to church on 01st August, 2021, but only returned home on 2nd August, 2021 around 08:00 hours. The murder occurred on 02nd August, 2021 between 08:00 hours and 16: 00 hours in Mujala village of Nsinde area of Kazungula District. Police have picked the body of the deceased and deposited it in Batoka Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem,” said Katongo.