By Cecilia Chiluba/Zambia/Lusaka
Zambia Police in Nchelenge District, Luapula Province, have detained a couple in connection with the suspected murder of a one-year-old boy, in a case that has shocked the community and raised fresh concerns over child safety.
According to a statement issued by Zambia Police Service Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi, the incident involves a child identified as Justine Mwansa.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the child’s mother, Doreen Mpundu, 24, married John Chishimba, 40, in 2025. Police say the child, who was from the mother’s previous relationship, was allegedly not accepted by the stepfather.
“It is alleged that on February 20, 2026, at night, John Chishimba became angry and assaulted the child by headbutting him. The following morning, the child lost consciousness and later died,” Mr. Chilabi stated.
Mr. Chilabi further revealed that the couple allegedly concealed the incident. “It is further alleged that the couple secretly buried the child in a bushy area without reporting the matter to the authorities and subsequently relocated to another village,” he added.
He said the matter only came to light on May 4, 2026, following a domestic dispute. “On May 4,2026, following a domestic dispute, Doreen Mpundu reported the matter to a headman and later disclosed the alleged murder of the child. The headman mobilized Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU) members, who apprehended the couple and handed them over to the police,” Mr. Chilabi said.
“Officers from Nchelenge Police Station followed up on the report and recovered the child’s body in a decomposed state. The couple is currently in custody as investigations continue. A post-mortem examination has not yet been conducted.”
Meanwhile, Police have launched investigations into a separate murder case involving a five-year-old girl in Chibombo District, Central Province of Zambia.
Mr. Chilabi explained that the child, identified as Gertrude Phiri of Mungule area, went missing on May 3, 2026, after being sent to buy buns while family members attended church.
“When the parents returned home, they found she was missing, prompting a search. A missing person report was initially filed at Moomba Police Post,” he said.
“On May 4, 2026, around 06:00 hours, the child was found dead in nearby bushes, a short distance from her home,” Mr. Chilabi added.
He noted that the body is currently lying in the University Teaching Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.
“The Zambia Police Service is appealing to members of the public with any information that may assist in identifying and apprehending suspects in the Chibombo case to report to the nearest police station,” he said. “Investigations in both cases are ongoing.”
