CHONGWE COUPLE DIES AFTER INVITING A SANGOMA

By Scoop Reporter

ONLY a yawning jug of water mixed with herbs was found in the house of a Chongwe couple that took a premature trip to the other side of town on the same day in unclear circumstances, leaving the community in Shimwengwe village of Kanakantapa in Chongwe District scratching their heads.

According to word on the street as reported by Zambia Police Service Public Relations Officer Rae Hamoonga, Charles Umba, 29, and his wife, Saliva Hatembo Umba, 32, are reported to have invited a witch doctor, commonly known as “Dr. Simple” to their home prior to their death.

It was a normal Wednesday evening for them when they retired to bed around 20:00 hours but that at 01:00 the following day, the husband woke up to a rude shock to find the lifeless cold body of his wife.

However, Mr. Umba did not alarm the situation until around 06:00 hours when he told his neighbour, Ms. Bertha Mwanza, 48, about his wife’s death and that after the body was taken to Kanakantapa Police station to obtain a Brought –In-Dead (BID) certificate, her husband too became unconscious and was rushed to Kanakantapa Health Post, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

“On the evening of June 19, 2024, around 20:00 hours, the now-deceased couple went to bed. Unfortunately, at approximately 01:00 hours, Mr. Charles Umba discovered that his wife was cold and unresponsive. He informed their neighbour, Ms. Bertha Mwanza, aged 48, around 06:00 hours. Ms. Mwanza confirmed that Mrs. Umba had already passed away and assisted in transporting her body to Kanakantapa Police Post to obtain a Brought-In-Dead certificate.

“Tragically, while at the police post, Mr. Charles Umba suddenly became unconscious. He was rushed to Kanakantapa Health Post where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. The bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Umba were inspected, and no physical injuries were observed. The bodies have been deposited at Chongwe District Hospital Mortuary pending post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death,” Mr. Hamoonga said.

He says preliminary police investigations established that Dr. Simple, who is currently on the run, had stayed with the couple for three days in unexplained circumstances at their invitation.

“A crime scene visit was conducted during which a jug of water mixed with herbs was found in the house. This has been secured for a toxicology examination. Neighbours reported that the deceased couple had hosted a witch doctor, commonly known as “Dr. Simple,” for three days prior to their deaths. A manhunt for this individual has been launched,” her said.