A 33-YEAR-OLD man of Katete District who reportedly drowned while bathing in a shallow stream was later feasted on by hyenas.
According to Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba, the matter was reported to Katete Police Station yesterday at 14:10 hours by headman Mchenga, identified as Chinangwa Banda, 54, who said his cousin Siwalaza Banda, 33, had drowned in the shallow waters of Zunde Stream on Saturday.
Mweemba said the deceased, who was an epileptic patient, is believed to have gone to bath in the stream on Saturday afternoon but never returned home.
Yesterday morning around 08:00 hours, a 67-year-old villager identified as Divide Banda went to inspect his garden when he noticed many flies hovering in one area of thick bushes.
Curiosity pushed him closer, only for him to discover a partially eaten human body lying in the thicket.
He immediately alerted other villagers who rushed to the scene and later identified the remains as Siwalaza.
Villagers then followed drag marks from the garden back to the stream, where they found the deceased’s clothes.
“It is believed the deceased drowned after suffering an epileptic attack while bathing, and hyenas later fed on the body during the night,” Mweemba stated.
Police officers who visited the scene found the body missing the right leg, with intestines gone and parts of the ribs eaten.
Footprints believed to be from hyenas were also seen around the area.
Mweemba said police suspect no foul play in the matter.
The remains of the deceased have since been buried by family members.
By George Musonda
Kalemba April 20, 2026
