A 20-year-old grade eight pupil at Nyamphande Primary School in Lusangazi District of Eastern Province has allegedly committed suicide.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident, which is believed to have occurred between 22:00 hours on May 21 and 05:00 hours on May 22, 2026, at Nyamphande Village in Chief Nyamphande’s area.
ZANIS reports that Mr Mweemba identified the deceased as Alick Shawa, who had been staying with his grandmother, Lucy Lungu, aged 55.
“The matter was reported to Petauke Police Station at about 07:48 hours today by Ms Lucy Lungu, who informed police that her grandson had allegedly taken his own life,” Mr Mweemba said.
According to police, the deceased had reportedly complained of hearing mysterious voices while at school around 08:00 hours on May 21, which allegedly instructed him to take his life.
He is said to have shared the matter with friends at school, prompting one of them to alert his grandmother.
Mr Mweemba said the grandmother disclosed that the now-deceased had occasionally experienced similar episodes over the past six years.
“After returning home, the deceased was counselled by both his grandmother and his father, Dickson Shawa, before the family later had supper together,” he said.
He added that around 22:00 hours, the deceased went to sleep in his house together with his friend, Teddy Phiri, aged 21.
However, around 05:00 hours, Mr Phiri reportedly discovered that Alick was missing from the bed they had shared.
“He later conducted a search and allegedly found the deceased hanging from a tree about 200 meters away from the house,” Mr Mweemba explained.
Police officers who visited the scene found that the body had already been brought down by villagers.
A scene inspection revealed that part of a cut necktie was still tied around the deceased’s neck, while the remaining piece was found hanging from a tree branch approximately four meters above the ground.
Mr Mweemba said a physical inspection conducted on the body revealed no signs of foul play.
“The body has since been handed over to relatives for burial,” he said.
