A MPOROKOSO family’s hopes of a happy start to 2026 turned into heartbreak after a 26-year-old man, who left home on New Year’s Day, was found dead in the bush two days later.
Steven Mtonga of Chanda Mali Village, left his home on January 1, at around 18:30 hours and never returned.
Concerned relatives launched frantic searches, but their efforts proved futile.
However, yesterday, five women from Buyantanshi Village, who had gone to collect mushrooms early in the morning, stumbled upon his body hanging from a tree about five kilometres off Kasama Road in Muchinga Ward.
One of the women, Purity Bwalya together with her colleagues wasted no time and dashed to Mporokoso police station to alert authorities.
Police later moved in and engaged the local authority leading to a joint operation to retrieve the body where his devastated mother, Mary Mpundu later identified him as her son and recounted the family’s despair.
A relative revealed that Steven had appeared slightly intoxicated before disappearing and had mentioned hearing voices, raising questions about his mental state.
According to a statement issued by Mporokoso town council, Chief’s representative, Enock Fube Musawa, who accompanied the recovery team, extended condolences.
“The body of the deceased is currently lying at Mporokoso District Mortuary, awaiting burial,” Mporokoso town council stated.
By George Musonda
Kalemba January 4, 2026
