A 31-year-old man has died after allegedly being beaten by two unidentified retainers of Chief Mwanjawantu in Petauke District.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Iwell Chola Phiri.
The incident reportedly followed a burglary on May 4, in which Phiri is suspected of stealing a power bank worth K3,000 from a villager’s home.
After being caught, he was taken to the chief’s palace, where the retainers allegedly undressed him, poured cold water on him, and beat him with a baton.
He was seen the next day but fell ill on May 7 and later died at Kaumbwe Mini Hospital.
Family members, suspecting foul play, reported the matter to police.
A postmortem at Kalindawalo General Hospital could not determine the exact cause of death, but samples were taken for further testing.
Police said Phiri had a cut on his right elbow and bruises on his back. His body has since been released for burial.
No arrests have been made yet, and investigations are ongoing
By Samuel Khwawe
