Husband murders wife over suspected infidelity

Husband murders wife over suspected infidelity

By George Zulu

A 47-YEAR-OLD WOMAN of Chief Sandwe’s area in Lusangazi district in Eastern Province has been axed to death by her 54-year-old husband on suspicion of committing adultery.

And a 28-year-old man of Katete District in Eastern Province has committed suicide after consuming an unknown substance under unclear circumstances.

Eastern Province Commissioner of Police Robertson Mweemba said in a statement yesterday the murder happened on Monday around 21:00 hours after the suspect identified as Madinda Banda picked a quarrel with his wife, Gesline Malenga, whom he suspected of having an extramarital affair.

“After an argument, both retired to bed, and later the suspect woke up after noticing that his wife had fallen asleep. He got an axe from the storeroom and axed her on the back of the neck, killing her instantly,” he said.

Mweemba  said the following day, Banda called a woman identified as Irene Mwanza, 40, who was passing by and confessed killing his wife.

He said after a physical inspection, Malenga’s body was found with a deep cut on the back of the neck while police have detained Banda for murder.

Meanwhile, a man identified as John Daka, a former driver to former Katete District Commissioner Raphael Phiri, committed suicide on Tuesday in Ibex township

.Mweemba said Daka left a note for his wife, expressing his love and apologising for his decision.

“He also mentioned that someone in Lusaka is carrying his child and requested that his wife take care of the child,” he said.

Brief facts of the matter were that the deceased, who was attached to the District Health Office, had an assignment before he returned home in the government vehicle.

“Mr Daka reported for duty on the morning of September 2, 2025. He was supposed to go somewhere with the District Health Director, but the DHD was busy, so Mr Daka got permission to be called when the District Health Director was ready and went home. When his landlord, Henry Phiri, aged 49, arrived home around 15:00 hours, he saw the Land Cruiser parked and tried to call Mr Daka, but there was no response,” he said.

He said the landlord heard Daka crying in the house, which prompted him to damage the padlock and enter the house, where he noticed a strange smell.

“Daka was rushed to St Francis Mission Hospital, where he died after 16:00 hours while being attended to by medical personnel. His wife, Martha Banda, aged 27, was away in Chipata. The police visited the scene, and small quantities of vomit were found in the sitting room, along with a suicide note on the bedroom table addressed to his wife,” he said.