Lundazi, April 7, 2025, ZANIS…A combined team of Police and Fire Brigade in Lundazi District of Eastern Province are searching for the body of Kelvin Mbunge 29 of Kataleni Village in Mphamba chiefdom, who drowned in the Lundazi river yesterday evening after a drinking spree.
The drowning incident occured April 6, 2025 at around 18:20 hours near Lundazi river bridge and was reported at Lundazi Police station at around 19:00 hours by Rodger Zimba 44 of Mphamba Compound in Gobende Village, Chief Mphamba area.
Mbunge met his fate after he failed to swim ashore when the boat in which he and his counterpart, Rodger Zimba were travelling in capsized on the Lundazi River on their way back from a drinking place.
East Police chief, Robertson Mweemba has confirmed the matter to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lundazi today.
Brief facts of the matter are that on April 6, 2025 at around 15:00 hours, the now deceased Kelvin Mbunge and his friend Rodger Zimba both of Mphamba Compound went to Islamic Compound using a canoe on the Lundazi river which they later left near Lundazi bridge as they proceeded to Islamic Compound for a drinking spree.
“At around 18:00 hours the two left Islamic Compound in a drunken state and headed to where they had left the canoe, with a view of going back home to Mphamba Compound,” Mr Mweemba stated.
Police report that upon reaching where they had left the canoe, the two boarded into the canoe and started off to Mphamba Compound.
“Unfortunately, the canoe capsized and Rodger Zimba managed to swim to the bank while his friend Kelvin Mbunge drowned,” the police boss further stated.
Meanwhile, efforts by both police and the Fire Brigade to retrieve the body of the missing person last night failed due to darkness.
A continued search for the missing person is scheduled to be resumed today.
ZANIS/LUNDAZI.