Police in Dowa District have arrested 32-year-old Veronica Sezani of Chipeni Village, Traditional Authority Mponela, for allegedly killing her husband, Joseph Lingston, 39.
According to Dowa Police Station Public Relations Officer Sub Inspector Alice Sitima, the incident happened on Thursday at Kalinda Village, Traditional Authority Msakambewa.
Sitima said the deceased’s brother reported that the couple had been married for some time. Four days before the incident they quarreled over unknown issues but later reconciled.
“On the night of the incident, another dispute erupted. While Lingston was asleep, the suspect allegedly attacked him with a panga knife and a hoe handle, inflicting severe head injuries,” Sitima said.
Neighbors reportedly heard unusual noise and rushed to the scene, where they found Lingston badly injured. He was taken to Dzaleka Health Centre and later referred to Dowa District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
A postmortem confirmed he died due to head injuries secondary to assault.
Sitima added that the suspect is currently undergoing a mental examination at Dowa District Hospital.
Police have condemned the killing, stressing that everyone has a right to life and it is unlawful to take another person’s life over misunderstandings.
Lingston hailed from Kalinda Village, Traditional Authority Msakambewa, Dowa District.
