Maid Mary murders maid Memory, runs away
By George Zulu
WHAT started as a simple spat between two Lusaka domestic workers and housemates over bed-wetting ended in gruesome murder as one of them stabbed the other to death with a knife and is now on the run, police have said.
Police in Lusaka have launched a manhunt for the Lilayi maid only identified as Mary for killing her fellow maid, 22-year-old Memory Kazhila.
Police public relation officer Rae Hamoonga said yesterday officers from Godfrey Miyanda Police Post had received a report of murder of a maid by her fellow maid after stabbing her to death.
Hamoonga said a 12-year-old child reportedly noticed blood seeping from the bedroom and asked Mary about it, who allegedly claimed she had just finished slaughtering a chicken.
“However, upon entering the bedroom, the child found the deceased lying on the floor. Police officers who responded to the scene found the deceased laying on her back, covered in a blanket,” he said.
“Deep cuts on the chest, right arm and four incisions on the stomach were found on Memory.
Police has since condemned the acts of violence and reiterates its commitment to ensuring that the perpetrator was brought to justice,” Hamoonga said.
“Physical inspection revealed deep cuts on the chest, right arm and four incisions on the stomach, consistent with knife wounds. The body was transported to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) mortuary, where it awaits postmortem examination and burial. At this stage, no arrests have been made as the suspect, Mary, is currently on the run. A manhunt has been launched, and we appeal to members of the public with any information on the whereabouts of the suspect to report to the nearest police station or contact the Zambia Police Service emergency lines.”
Hamoonga said the killing happened over a quarrel over alleged bed-wetting.
“Chilenje Police Station, through Godfrey Miyanda Police Post, received a report of murder yesterday, May 05, at approximately 18:45 hours. The incident is reported to have occurred earlier the same day at around 17:30 hours,” he said.
“The report was made by Mr Saviour Kakoma, aged 34, of G-Greens Chalala, who reported on behalf of his friend, Mr Innocent Ngoma of Plot No 10622, Lilayi. The report stated that Mr Ngoma’s live-in maid, Memory Kazhila, aged 22, was allegedly stabbed to death by another live-in maid, identified only as Mary [other names unknown], following a dispute of yet-to-be-established in nature.”
Hamoonga said preliminary investigations indicated that Kazhila, who had worked for the Ngoma family for over four years, recently began sharing a bedroom with the suspect, Mary, who had only joined the household last week.
“It is alleged that tensions may have arisen after the deceased confronted Mary over suspected bed-wetting, though this is unconfirmed. On the day of the incident, Mr and Mrs Ngoma had left for work, leaving the two maids and four children at home,” he said.
