By Chinoyi Chipulu
In a bizarre incident, a Kitwe man allegedly set ablaze his family house in Kawama Township killing his granddaughter while eight others are battling for their lives at Kitwe Teaching Hospital.
Copperbelt Province Police commanding officer Peacewell Mweemba said the suspect identified as Albert Mubanga is on the run.
Mweemba said among the injured is Mubanga’s 55-year old wife Beauty Mambwe.
He named the deceased Evelyn Kena aged one.
“The case was reported by Catherine Mulenga, aged 47, of an unmarked plot in Kawama, opposite Kapoto Primary School, who told police that her brother-in-law, Albert Mubanga, set ablaze his matrimonial house and nine members of the family have been burnt and are currently admitted to Kitwe Teaching Hospital,” he said.
According to Mweemba, Mambwe was legally married to Mubanga for years but started having marital problems in 2020 leading to their divorce last month at Garnetone Local Court.
“The Local Court ruled that the two shops at Kamitondo Market be shared equally and the house be sold, with the money being shared,” he said.
Mweemba said despite the divorce, the couple continued staying together as they were looking for a buyer for the house.
“On July 11, 2024, the husband, Albert Mubanga appealed against the judgment and the case was set to be heard on July 30, 2024 at Kitwe Subordinate Court. On July 15, 2024, the wife, collected the rentals for the two shops and used the money, which annoyed him,” Mweemba said.
He said Mubanga allegedly woke up in the early hours of yesterday and set the house ablaze using an unknown substance.
Mweemba named the other victims as Antonate Kalumba 27 Memory Mwale 22 and Christine Mubanga,19.
Others are Harriet Chituti,17, Ruth Mubanga, 19, Beauty Mambwe aged four and six-year old Evans Mwansa.
