Sinazeze, 3rd February 2025 – A 17-year-old girl has died after a church wall collapsed on her in Sinazeze Township, Sinazongwe District.
According to a police statement issued by Southern Division Police Commissioner Auxensio Daka, the deceased, identified as Olivia Siangoloma, was sitting near the Believers and End Time Message Church when the wall gave way and fell on her.
Police say the incident occurred around 09:00 hours when Olivia, a Grade 10 pupil who was yet to report at Sinazeze Day Secondary School, was seated in her usual spot by the church wall, seeking shade. Her mother, Molia Ndilenge, was away on a fishing trip, leaving Olivia at home with her 9-year-old sister, Heartness Siangoloma.
A witness, Ms. Lenty Choonga, reported that she saw Olivia sitting near the church wall before suddenly hearing a loud bang. She rushed to the scene and found the girl trapped under the rubble, lifeless, with bricks covering her body.
Police officers arrived at the scene and found Olivia already removed from the debris and wrapped in a duvet. Upon inspection, they observed that she was bleeding from the mouth and right ear. Her body was later transported to Maamba Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Authorities have since opened an inquiry file to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
NB: Picture for illustration