By CHILA NAMAIKO –

A CATHOLIC Priest who was a principal at Charles Lwanga College of  Education in Monze District has died after allegedly committing suicide.
Father Fredrick Kabwe was found hanging in his bedroom. Both Southern Province Commissioner of Police Mary Chikwanda and Monze District Commissioner Biggie Mwiinde confirmed the incident in separate interviews yesterday.
Ms Chikwanda said Fr Kabwe was found hanging from a scarf that was tied to a burglar bar in his bedroom.
She said Fr Kabwe was found dead in a kneeling position and hanged himself using a scarf to a window burglar bar in his bedroom.
“We received a report and that’s how we rushed to the scene and found the body hanging in a kneeling position, but we did not spot any physical injuries and we suspect no foul play,” the commissioner said.
She said investigations have been instituted to ascertain the cause of death because the clergyman did not leave any note in his room.
Mr Mwiinde identified the deceased as Fr Kabwe who was aged between 50 and 57.
The clergyman, who was scheduled to retire next month, was spearheading the implementation of the new education curriculum by Government.
Mr Mwiinde said that Fr Kabwe allegedly committed suicide and was found hanging in his house in the early hours of Monday.
“I received a report on the death of Fr Kabwe, it’s a big loss, I am told he committed suicide in his house, but we are yet to know what transpired for him to take that action,” he said.
He said the body of Fr Kabwe was expected to be transported to Lusaka from Monze yesterday where a requiem mass is scheduled to take place today at St Ignatius Parish.
Mr Mwiinde said the late Fr Kabwe was expected to be put to rest in Kasisi area in Lusaka.
Provincial Education Officer Stephen Chishiko described the death of  Fr Kabwe as a tragic loss to the entire province and the nation at large.
“The death of Father Kabwe is shocking, he was enjoying good health and as a nation, we have lost a gallant creative man,” he said.