By REBECCA MUSHOTA –

POLICE in Chembe District in Luapula Province are investigating the death of a man who was reported to have committed suicide by his wife but police suspect he was murdered.
Luapula Province Police Chief Malcolm Mulenga said yesterday that Josephine Mulubwa, 48, of Lusaya Village in Chief Milambo’s area in Chembe District reported to Chembe police on Wednesday that her husband, Damson Kabuya, 52, had committed suicide.
Mr Mulenga said Ms Mulubwa reported that her husband committed suicide a few metres away from the house of James Mulaba in Kaisala Village where he was being held on suspicion that he was responsible for his wife’s sickness.
He said police went to the scene and found Mr Kabuya’s body swinging from a tree on a rope.
Mr Kabuya could have died on Wednesday around 16:00 hours. He had bitten his tongue which was protruding from the mouth.
The man had no body injuries except body tattoos that his wife said a witchdoctor put on his body two weeks ago.
Mr Mulenga said police officers recognised Mr Kabuya as a man they rescued in mid-December last year when he was being kept by James Mulaba and his relatives on suspicion of witchcraft.
“Police officers took Mr Kabuya’s body back to his home and advised relatives to have post-mortem conducted before burial,” he said.
Mr Mulenga said police suspected that the deceased was hanged to death.
He said investigations were under way and arrests would be made soon.