By NORMA SIAME –
A FIVE-year-old boy has been burnt to ashes while his two year-old sister is nursing serious burns after their house was set ablaze by their father in Nchelenge District on Friday night.
Luapula Province Police Chief Malcom Mulenga confirmed the incident and identified the suspect, who is now on the run, as Justin Chilufya of Shishibendi Village in Chief Kambwali’s area.
Chilufya set the house on fire after a quarrel with his estranged wife Catherine Mwila.
Ms Mwila is said to have refused to give back part of the K400 the suspect took to her for their children’s upkeep claiming the money was too much.
Ms Mwila refused to hand over the K200 he was demanding and left the house.
Chilufya remained with their three children out of the five they had.
Chilufya, however, later left the house for a drinking spree.
Mr Mulenga said when the suspect came back later in a state of drunkenness and did not find his wife, he became angry and set fire to the house.
As the house burned, one child escaped while the other two got trapped inside the burning house resulting in the death of the five-year-old. The two-year-old was rescued and taken to St Paul’s Hospital where she is admitted.
