Rhoda Munkombwe,
Chipata, Zambia – Police in Chipata have arrested a 38-year-old accountant, Edward Mwanamuchele, in connection with the brutal murder of 25-year-old Rhoda Munkombwe, who was discovered lifeless in his matrimonial home just weeks after he allegedly chased away his wife.
The incident occurred between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday at plot number 5390B in Kanjala, Chipata District, and was reported to police around 05:00 hours by the victim’s father, Terry Munkombwe.
According to Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba, preliminary investigations revealed that Mwanamuchele, an accountant at Horizon Company, used a metal bar to inflict a deep head wound on the victim, leaving her with multiple injuries on her legs and bruises across her body.
Witnesses told police that on August 28, around 19:00 hours, Mwanamuchele was seen entering his home with Munkombwe. Later that night, his landlord, Moonga Ngobeka, aged 33, reported hearing disturbing noises from the house around 23:30 hours.
“When Ngobeka confronted the suspect, he claimed he had misplaced his keys. The landlord then used a spare key to open the door and discovered a woman lying unconscious in a pool of blood,” Mweemba told Zambianhub.
An ambulance was called, but Munkombwe was pronounced dead upon arrival at Chipata Central Hospital.
Ngobeka later returned to the house only to find Mwanamuchele allegedly mopping blood from the floor. Alarmed, he alerted police, who quickly responded and apprehended the suspect as he attempted to flee. Officers reported finding bloodstains in the sitting room, bathroom, and bedroom, suggesting a violent struggle.
Mweemba confirmed that Mwanamuchele is now in police custody, assisting with investigations. The body of the deceased has since been deposited at Chipata Central Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem.
Authorities say more details will be released as the investigations progress.
About the Author
