POLICE in Lusaka have apprehended a 17-year-old juvenile in connection with a murder case of a pupil from Kamulanga Secondary School.
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This follows a report that was made by four juveniles on March 6, 2025, that while on their way to school and playing, they discovered the lifeless body of a school girl wearing a Kamulanga Secondary School uniform.
The body is believed to have been found lying on the ground, partially obscured by a small bush and a heap of blocks in the area near Luckson Mapushi Police Post within Kamwala South Secondary School premises.
The incident occurred on March 6, 2025 between 18:00 hours and 09:00 hours.
The investigations into 16-year-old Blessings Malekati’s death revealed that she had returned home from school on the day before her murder at around 18:00 hours and changed into a pair of white plastic shoes (known locally as ‘bikiloni’) and a maroon hoodie before being sent by her mother on an errand to purchase charcoal, sachets of water, and tomatoes from a nearby shop.
When Malekati failed to return home from her errand within the expected timeframe, her parents became alarmed and began their own search for her but the lack of progress in locating their daughter led them to formally report her as missing to the police, setting in motion a wider investigation into her disappearance.
In response to the reported disappearance and subsequent discovery of her body, police officers arrived at the crime scene and discovered Malekati’s body lying face-up on a patch of green grass, partially undressed with mucus visible on her nose and the plastic bag containing charcoal, sachets of water and tomatoes was found nearby.
It is believed that the deceased may have also been molested.
However, in a statement, Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga confirmed the apprehension of a 17-year-old whose name has been withheld as a prime suspect in this case.
Hamoonga confirmed that the suspect has been formally charged with the crime of murder and is currently in police custody.
He added that given the uncertainty surrounding the exact age of the suspect, he has been subjected to age determination procedures to establish his chronological age.
“The police remains committed to ensuring that justice is served in this matter and we will continue to pursue all necessary leads and follow the evidence to bring closure to this tragic incident.,” Hamoonga asserted.
He further urged the public to remain calm and allow the legal process to take its course.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba May 9, 2025
