A 22-year-old woman of Chongwe has been murdered, allegedly by her husband during a marital dispute triggered by the wife returning home late. Regina Tembo was allegedly punched by her husband, Thomas Mpande, 25, on Friday around 21:00 hours in Sheleni village in senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II’s chiefdom. Police spokesperson Esther Katongo said in a statement released yesterday that the couple had a marital dispute after Tembo returned home late.

She said the case was reported to the police by Ms Tembo’s uncle, Mr Shadreck Mawele, 30. Mrs Katongo said after allegedly being punched, Tembo fell to the ground and lost consciousness. Friends and relatives rushed her to Chongwe District Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival. She said the suspect is detained by police and is likely to be charged with murder.