The Zambia Police Service in Lusaka has detained a 44-year-old woman of ZAF Twin Palm Base in connection with the murder of a 29-year-old woman, a case that was initially reported as assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Police Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi has identified the suspect as Ruth Mwanza, who is alleged to have assaulted her neighbour, Maureen Mweemba, following a domestic dispute on January 30, 2026.
According to police, the matter was reported in the early hours of January 30 around 03:00 hours by Mr. Richard Mweemba, aged 49, of Lilayi Estates, on behalf of his niece, the now-deceased.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly left her home around 17:00 hours with her two children and returned around 22:00 hours, where she reportedly found her house locked.
Police say the suspect forced the door open and allegedly found her husband in the company of the deceased inside their matrimonial home.
It is alleged that she then forcibly dragged Maureen Mweemba outside the house and assaulted her.
The victim was rushed to a clinic within ZAF Twin Palm Base before being referred to Maina Soko Medical Centre, where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and placed on life support.
Maureen Mweemba succumbed to her injuries on the morning of January 31, 2026, while receiving treatment.
Following the death of the victim, police have since reclassified the case from assault to murder and the suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue, with the motive yet to be established.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
