12-Year-old boy commits suicide after reprimand

A 12 years old boy of Muwozi area in chief Chibwika’s Chiedom in Mwinilunga District of Northwestern Province has allegedly committed suicide after being reprimanded for stealing his mother’s K100 and a pack of biscuits. North Western Province Police commanding officer Brightone Siwale has confirmed the matter to the media today and identified the deceased as Justin Samunyawu 12, a grade one drop out at Muwozi primary school. Mr Siwale said the incident occured on February 15, 2026 between 07:00 hours and 09:00 hours at Makomeli village in Muwozi area after mother to the deceased Loveness Mushidi 51 recovered K100 and a packet of biscuits allegedly stolen by now deceased.

He explained that upon being warned against stealing, the deceased got angry and left the village but was later found hanging to a tree with fibre tied around his neck by other children who were playing in the nearby bushes. “Eventually around 09:00 hours some children who were playing at a nearby bush discovered the body of the deceased hanging on a tree with a fiber tied around his neck”, he said. Mr Siwale said the uncle to the deceased Kelvin Kyupa later reported the matter to the police who visited the scene and found the body still hanging to the tree 200 meters away from the village.

He said upon inspection of the body, police observed no physical injuries apart from a protruding tongue gripped between the upper and lower jaws. Mr Siwale said police have since advised the family to proceed with burial as no foul play was suspected in the matter.