Second wife allegedly throws two children of first wife into Ngwerere River

Police in Lusaka have detained a 26-year-old woman on suspicion of murdering two children aged six and two by allegedly throwing them into the Ngwerere River, authorities said on Thursday. Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Chipo Kaitisha, said the suspect, Mary Kachilika of Meanwood Kwamwena Phase 4, was arrested after a report was filed on Feb. Kaitisha said Kamanga reported that his second wife, Kachilika, had allegedly thrown his two children from his first wife, Fanny Kanyinji, 26, into the river at around midday.

Preliminary police investigations show Kamanga is in a polygamous marriage and married his second wife on Jan. “The second wife reportedly has experienced disputes arising from jealousy, as one wife has children while the other does not,” Kaitisha said. At the time of the incident, Kamanga was at work while his first wife was outside doing house chores and the children were eating inside the house.

She later heard them crying, went to look for them and followed the sound toward the Ngwerere River. “At the river, she found Mary Kachilika being pursued by a local fisherman, aged 28, who was fishing nearby. He is reported to have witnessed the accused allegedly throwing the children into the river and apprehended her,” Kaitisha said.

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Police and Fire Brigade personnel visited the scene, but the bodies of the two children have not yet been recovered. Search operations are continuing. Kaitisha said the suspect remained in police custody as investigations proceed. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

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