A YOUNG woman of Chipata has met a grisly end after she fell victim to a brutal attack by her boyfriend, who is reported to be involved in illegal gold mining.
It is reported that Violet Sakala had spent most of the day with her lover Mphandika Phiri, sharing meals and time together, blissfully unaware that the day would end in tragedy.
Phiri, who hails from an area known for clandestine gold panning, finally carried out the horrifying act on Friday afternoon, after asking Violet to accompany him as he headed towards Nchaba Village with gold in his possession.
Instead of completing a normal walk or perhaps updating their relationship with a simple chat, the 21-year-old victim found herself on the wrong side of a sharp instrument wielded by her lover.
According to authorities, Phiri attacked Violet with a knife, inflicting multiple deep cuts, including three to the neck and one to the breast, leaving her in a pool of blood along a secluded road near Madzimoyo Secondary School.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba said Violet had been last seen alive walking with Phiri after he requested her escort and that neighbours only realized something was wrong after hearing desperate screams echoing from the scene.
Hours later, at around 17:00 hours, an individual named Davison Sakala, the victim’s brother, was alerted to the incident and reported the crime to Chipata Central Police Station.
Police later visited the scene and confirmed the worst.
“The victim sustained three deep cuts on the neck and one deep cut on the breast. A sharp instrument is believed to have been used,” Mweemba said.
Investigators also recovered a knife believed to have been used in the attack about 12.5 metres from where the body was found.
The murderer fled the scene immediately after the attack and remains at large, prompting police to launch a manhunt.
Authorities are working to determine what exactly led to the gruesome killing.
By Haggai Hamunyemba
Kalemba, March 15, 2026
