An elderly woman died after allegedly being buried alive in an unfinished pit latrine by her two grandsons, who suspected her of practicing witchcraft.
The deceased, identified as Tisiyenji Sakala of Chataika Village in Chief Mwagala’s area of Chadiza District, in the extreme South-east Zambia was allegedly attacked by Sailensi Banda, aged between 25 and 30, and Joseph Banda, aged between 15 and 20, both of Chataika Village.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba says the suspects allegedly accused their grandmother of being responsible for the prolonged illness of their sister, Agness Sakala, aged between 30 and 40.
Mr. Mweemba explains that a combined team of officers from Chadiza Police Station and the Chadiza Fire Station rushed to the scene, where they found villagers from surrounding areas gathered in dismay.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased was allegedly dragged from her grass-thatched house between 16:00 and 17:09 hours and thrown into an unfinished pit latrine, where she was buried alive in full view of onlookers.
The Police East Chief adds that the suspects reportedly threatened to kill anyone who attempted to intervene, as they were armed with an axe.
He has further disclosed that the deceased had previously been accused of being behind several deaths within the family, as well as the illness of Agness Sakala.
Mweemba said the body was later retrieved from the pit latrine about one and a half metres deep by fire brigade officers, an operation that took about 30 minutes.
He stated that a physical inspection revealed swelling on the face and bruises on both hands adding that the remains have since been deposited at Chadiza District Hospital mortuary pending postmortem examination and burial.
Meanwhile, police have launched a manhunt for the two suspects, who are currently on the run.
