SIMON MUNTEMBA writes
A BRAWL during a drinking spree of illicit brew locally known as Kachasu among friends at Airstrip Compound in Mazabuka district, has ended with the death of a man aged between 42 and 45 years.
It is alleged that Hartman Michelo, aged about 45 years was stabbed by his 32 year- old friend identified as Bargner Siamayuma after the victim failed to buy a ‘round of’ illicit brew when it was his turn.
According to Zambia police public relations officer Esther Katongo, this happened on Tuesday around 10:00 hours.
She said Michelo was drinking alcohol with Siamayuwa when the latter asked the former to also buy a round of Kachasu but he did not have money to do so.
Ms Katongo said a misunderstanding erupted between the two prompting Siamayuwa to produce a knife and stabbed his friend in the neck and died instantly.
“The report of murder was received from a member of the public, via a phone who reported that an unknown person had stabbed Michelo (the deceased) at about 10:00 hours yesterday at a drinking spree of illicit brew locally known as Kachasu at Airstrip Compound.
“It is alleged that the victim Hartman Michelo was drinking alcohol with the accused person Bargner Siamayuwa at Airstrip Compound and the suspect asked the victim to also buy a round of beer, but Michelo did not have money to do so,” Ms Katongo said.
She said the suspect was apprehended by irate members of the public who beat him up and nearly set him ablaze but was only rescued by Police who rushed to the scene.
Ms Katongo said the body of the deceased has been deposited in the Mazabuka General Hospital mortuary while the accused person is detained in Police custody and will appear in Court soon.
Meanwhile, Ms Katongo said Police in Chinsali are looking for suspects behind the death of a 76 year- old man identified as Bernard Kanekwa of Kawama village, Chief Mpumba whose body was found in his field. She said this occurred on May 20, 2019 at 15 00 hours.
Ms Katongo said the deceased was suspected to be a wizard after one of his relatives died in October, last year and was later beaten and chased from the village by the suspects whose names had been withheld.
She said the body was deposited in Chilonga Mission Hospital mortuary in Mpika awaiting postmortem and investigations.
In another development, she said, Police in Chinsali are looking for suspects behind the shooting of Jonas Kapinda aged 74 of Nankalamu Village of Chief Nkweto which occurred on 19th May, 2019 at about 20 00 hours. “The victim sustained gunshot wounds and is admitted to Chinsali District Hospital. The motive behind the shooting is not known. Investigations have been instituted,” she said
