Mangochi Police Station Public Relations Officer Amina Tepani Daudi has confirmed that the first two incidents occurred in the area of Traditional Authority Jalasi while the third one in Traditional Authority Mponda in the District.

In Traditional Authority Jalasi, Alinafe Chapola, 23, committed suicide as she feared repeculus punishment from her brother having slept at his boyfriend’s house and was found unconscious the following morning with a bottle brake fluid, vehicle oil and several tablets before she was pronounced dead at Mangochi District Hospital.

In the same T/A, Lanjesi Samson, 53, drowned in the Masongola River. On May 14, 2023, Samson embarked on a journey from his village to visit his sister in Namwera. However, he never reached his intended destination. The following day, his body was discovered floating in the Masongola River.

Then in Traditional Authority Mponda, eight-year-old boy named Afinesi Jaji, who fell victim to a crocodile attack. On May 14, 2023, Jaji and his friends ventured to the Mandimba River for a day of play. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when a marauding crocodile attacked Jaji while he was playing along the riverbanks. His friends promptly alerted the villagers, who launched a search operation and discovered the lifeless body of the young boy.

According to Daudi, in each case, the police were notified, and they visited the respective scenes. The deaths were subsequently confirmed by medical professionals at the hospital.