18-YEAR-OLD PUPIL DIES AFTER DISAGREEMENT OVER MICE AND GRASSHOPPERS IN KATETE
An 18-year-old Form Two pupil has died following an incident at Mpindes Farm in the Kalimeta Farm area of Chief Kawaza, Katete District.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed that the incident was reported to Katete Police on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at around 09:00 hours.
Mr Mweemba identified the deceased as Blessings Phiri, a pupil at Kalimeta Primary School and a resident of the same farm.
Mr Mweemba said the incident followed a disagreement Phiri had with his 14-year-old younger brother, Joshua, on Wednesday afternoon over the preparation of roasted mice and grasshoppers.
He said the disagreement reportedly upset Phiri, who expressed intentions of taking his own life.
Mr Mweemba said Phiri did not go to school the following morning and left home without informing anyone.
He said Phiri was later found dead approximately 50 metres from the farmhouse by a passer-by, identified as 29-year-old Montison Kaira from a nearby farm.
Mr Mweemba said police visited the scene and found circumstances suggesting that Phiri had taken his own life.
He said no foul play is suspected at this stage, while the family has been advised to mark the grave in case an exhumation is required for a postmortem examination.