A 15-year-old boy identified as Namata Namata from Kapani section in Lubombo, Mazabuka, has died after being electrocuted by Zesco electrical cables.
The incident occurred on 17th March 2025, between 12:00 and 15:30 hours, at Kalonga Farm and was reported to the police by the victim’s father, 41-year-old Sendoi Namata.
On the day of the tragedy, the teenager left home at around 12:00 hours with two juvenile friends, aged 8 and 9, to hunt birds approximately 2 kilometres away at Kalonga Farm.
Southern Province Commissioner of Police, Auxensio Daka, confirmed the events, stating that the deceased had struck a bird with a catapult, causing it to get stuck on 11-kilovolt electrical cables connected to a pole.
Attempting to retrieve the bird, Namata climbed the wooden pole and was electrocuted about 9 metres above the ground, leading to his fatal fall.
The two young companions witnessed the incident and informed Namata’s parents.
Police officers who arrived at the scene found the boy’s body lying in short grass near the pole.
Initial inspections revealed he had sustained multiple injuries, including a deep wound on his chest, injuries to his leg, wrist, and forearm, as well as fòám and sálíva around his mouth and nose.
Commissioner Daka also noted that catapults were found in the deceased’s left front pocket, along with small stones wrapped in his black shirt.
The boy’s remains have been taken to Mazabuka General Hospital Mortuary, awaiting postmortem examination and burial arrangements.
Source: Byta FM