. Katanga

By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
NINE people including a headman have been apprehended in connection with the burning of a couple’s house and causing the death of the wife, over a land wrangle in Chongwe.
Villagers in Njolwe area of Palabana set ablaze the house while William Chazunga, 63, and his wife, Mwanda Susu, 57, were sleeping.
The nine that have been rounded up by Police are Headman Muzembela, Rabison Ngandu, Kennedy Mbewe, Steven Chibwalu, Moses Longolongo and Andson Muzembela.
Others are Moses Kayata, Clever Chazunga and Robison Susu.
Lusaka Province police chief Charity Katanga said the incident happened on August 18, this year but the report reached her office on August 27.
They face charges of attempted murder, murder and arson once linked to the crimes.
“We are holding people in this matter and they will assist Police with investigations. Those that will be found wanting will be charged accordingly,” she said.
Sources in Njolwe informed the Times in an interview that a meeting was held to discuss the issue of calling land surveyors for purposes of demarcating residential plots.
While the couple supported the idea, other villagers were against it leading to some allegedly threatening the couple.
The differences were handled by the Chilenje local court which advised the differing parties to reconcile on the matter. The differences arose in 2011.
On August 18, this year, while the couple together with three other people were sleeping, unknown people poured petrol through the small windows of the house and set it ablaze.
Since the fire started from the couple’s bedroom their daughter assisted them to come out but Ms Susu died of the severe burns, while her husband was rushed to the University Teaching Hospital for treatment and had since been discharged.