A 28-year-old man has died in Vubwi district following an epileptic episode that led to his drowning.
Alickangel Sakala, suffered an attack as he washed clothes in a stream close to his house.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba, confirmed the incident saying the deceased hailed from Kamphambe village in Chief Pembamoyo’s area.
ZANIS reports that Mr Mweemba noted that the incident was reported by the deceased’s brother, Vivian Sakala, on February 2nd, 2026.
“Be informed that Vubwi Police Station received a report of drowning, which occurred today, 2nd February, 2026, between 11:00 hours and 14:00 hours in Kadentenene stream,” Mr Mweemba noted.
Sakala allegedly drowned while washing clothes in Kadentenene stream located about 500 metres from his house.
Brief facts of the matter are that, on the fateful day, Sakala was last seen by his cousin, 35-year-old Christine Banda of the same village, going to do his laundry in the stream around 10:00 hours in the morning.
Unfortunately, he was later discovered dead four hours later by two juveniles from the same village, who went to swim in the stream.
“He was discovered in Kadentenene stream around 14:00 hours by two boys, namely Male Juvenile Steven Mwale, aged 11 years, and Male Juvenile Richard Banda, aged 11 years,” he said.
The boys later alerted his elder brother, Vivian Sakala, who in turn informed the police of the tragedy.
“Police officers rushed to the scene and found the body of the deceased in the water facing downwards,” he added.
Preliminary investigations suggest no foul play, as no physical injuries were observed on the deceased’s body.
“Inspecting the surroundings, they discovered a bucket with clothes and washing soap, revealing that the deceased must have gone to the stream to wash his clothes before the epileptic attack,” he stated.
Police have since advised the family of the deceased to bury the body and mark the grave for possible exhumation.
Sakala who has been battling the neurological disorder for a long time, at the time of his death, was divorced and is survived by four children.
