Schoolgirl k!lls self after father confiscates phone to help her focus on school
AN 18-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl in Monze District has taken her own life after her father confiscated her mobile phone to help her concentrate on her schoolwork.
The incident occurred yesterday around 10:00 hours in Chipembele Village under Chief Ufwenuka and was later reported to Chikuni Police Station.
Southern Province Police commanding officer Moono Namalongo said the teenager had travelled from Choma to visit her grandmother in the village on July 8.
Namalongo said on July 9, the girl’s mother informed her father that their daughter was spending excessive time on her mobile phone at the expense of her studies.
She reportedly asked him to temporarily confiscate the phone so the girl could focus on school..
On the morning of July 10, the father counselled his daughter, collected the phone and gave her transport money for her journey back to Choma.
He also asked a 13 year old male relative to escort her to Chiyobola, where she was expected to board a vehicle.
However, while on the way, the teenager reportedly returned home briefly, saying she had forgotten something.
After catching up with her escort, she later excused herself to answer the call of nature in nearby bushes.
When she failed to return after some time, the boy went to check on her and found her hanging from a tree using a rope.
He immediately informed family members, who alerted the village headman before the matter was reported to police.
Police officers who visited the scene found the body hanging from a tree with a rope around the neck.
A physical examination revealed no visible injuries, and investigators do not suspect foul play.
“The body has since been taken to Chikuni Mission Hospital mortuary, where a postmortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. Police have since opened an inquiry into the incident,” said Namalongo.
Kalemba