A MARITAL dispute has turned deadly in Chingola as a 64-year-old man, Edward Kateule has been reportedly murdered by his own wife and brother-in-law.
According to reports, the brutal incident occurred in the wake of a marital dispute between Kateule and his wife, Abigail Namwelu aged 44, and her brother, Alex Mutale in Kansofu Farming Area of Chingola district.
The incident unfolded between Sunday at around 19:00 hours and Monday around 10:00 hours, when Kateule and his wife were in an alcohol-fueled argument.
Tensions flared between the two spouses, leading to a violent confrontation between them.
According to Copperbelt Province police commanding officer Pethias Siandenge, the tragic incident began around 14:00 hours on Sunday, when the now deceased and his wife engaged in a dispute while under the influence of alcohol.
The altercation continued into the evening, intensifying to the point where physical violence erupted between the couple.
Siandenge revealed that Mutale, Namwelu’s brother, then arrived on the scene to intervene, but instead, he allegedly joined in the assault, resulting in the fatal beating of Kateule.
The deceased, Kateule, was found lifeless in his home the following day, at approximately 10:00 hours on Monday, by John Ngosa, a local farmer and Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU) member from the Kansofu Farming Area in Chingola district.
Ngosa, in his capacity as a community crime prevention unit member, took immediate action and reported the incident to the Chingola Central Police Station.
Siandenge revealed that upon arriving at the scene of the crime, police officers discovered the body of the Kateule, lying on the floor of his kitchen shelter, adjacent to an extinguished fire source.
“The deceased was found with a swollen head, bleeding nose, a cut in the head, swollen right hip, a cut on the right leg, and multiple burns on his body. A one-meter-long, blood-stained round bar was also discovered near the body,” Siandenge disclosed.
He stated that no other anomalies were observed.
Police managed to apprehend Kateule’s wife while the search for her brother, Mutale, continues as he remains on the run.
“The body of the deceased is deposited at Nchanga North Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem. Docket of case opened,” added Siandenge.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba August 5, 2025
