Police in Mafinga have arrested a couple of Chief Muyombe’s area for allegedly cut t ing up thei r 22-month-old son into pieces with an axe, tucking the body parts in a sack and hiding it under their bed in a suspected ritual killing.
And police on Chilubi Island have arrested two women of Matipa village for allegedly beating up their polygamous husband to death after a marital dispute.
Muchinga Province divisional criminal investigations officer Febian Mwaba said in an interview from Chinsali yesterday that the incident happened on Thursday around 20:00 hours at Chidinka village.
Mr Mwaba named the suspects as Manson Luhanga, 55, and Vera Luhanga, 25, while the dead toddler has been identified as Luhone Luhanga.
He said the couple allegedly cut up Luhone into pieces, concealed the body parts in a sack and hid it under their bed.
Mr Mwaba said the matter was reported to the police on the same night by members of the community.
He said police officers went to the house and retrieved the sack containing the body parts and the axe which was used in the alleged killing.
“It is believed the suspects wanted to use the body parts for ritual purposes in a bid to become rich,” Mr Mwaba said.
He said the body parts were taken to Isoka District Hospital mortuary and police have detained the suspects.
“We have charged the parents with murder and they will appear in court soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, police on Chilubi Island have arrested Astrida Kopa, 60, and Lazaras Chilufya, 47, for allegedly murdering their husband Able Chimfwembe, 60.
Northern Province acting commissioner of police Luckson Sakala said in an interview yesterday that the incident happened between August 13 and August 21.
He said Kopa and Chilufya had been having marital problems between them but they allegedly later ganged up to beat Mr Chimfwembe, who they believed was the cause of their problems.
Mr Sakala said the suspects used cooking sticks to assault Mr Chimfwembe.
“The two women had been having problems in their polygamous marriage. But after some time, they resolved to beat him up.
“He was assaulted and he later died due to the injuries sustained from the beating,” Mr Sakala said.
He said police have detained the suspects and they will appear in court soon.