Man burnt to death By DARLINGTON MWENDABAI A 45-YEAR-OLD epileptic man of Petauke has been burnt to death while in a drunken stupor when a reed mat he was sleeping on caught fire. Missinjala Mwanza of Mutumpa village under Chief Kalindawalo was found dead around 01:00hrs on Sunday when his hut caught fire while he was fast asleep in a drunken stupor. Eastern Province commissioner of Police Grace Chipalila confirmed the incident in an interview in Chipata yesterday. “Missinjala Mwanza, who was born epileptic, was reported to have gone home drunk and put up a fire to keep himself warm. He died in the house after suffocating and burning to death,” she said. Ms Chipalila said Mr Mwanza was sleeping on a reed mat, which caught fire. He suffocated to death and his body was burnt beyond recognition. In a related incident, an 11-year-old epileptic girl of Nchunchu village who was reported missing in May this year has been found dead in a stream. Ms Chipalila said the juvenile’s body was found in a decomposed state in Chingoma Stream on Sunday at 14:00hrs. She was reported missing on May 4, 2013 at 10:00hrs. Police suspect the girl must have fallen into the stream after a seizure. And another missing person Alan Lungu, 52, of Lumphenga village in Chief Ndake’s area was found dead on Sunday after missing for a week. Police are still investigating the matter. Meanwhile, police have commended political parties for holding peaceful campaigns ahead of the Chipata Central by-election set for next week. Ms Chipalila said so far no official complaints of violence or harassment have been reported by any political party. “This is a good indication that we will have a peaceful election next week and police are giving permits to anyone who wants to hold a rally. We do not want political parties to clash,” she said. The five candidates eyeing the Chipata Central seat have pledged to hold peaceful campaigns ahead of the by-election. The contestants are Patriotic Front (PF)’s Lameck Mangani, MMD’s Reuben Mtolo Phiri, UNIP’s Elina Nyongo Nyirenda, National Restoration Party (NAREP)’s Kazembe Daka and an independent candidate Jean Nkunika. The Chipata Central seat fell vacant when PF losing candidate (Mr Mangani) for the 2011 general elections petitioned the election of MMD’s Reuben Mtolo Phiri whose seat has since been nullified by the court.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Jul 2013 03:52:18 +0000
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