By White Luhanga
A 26-year-old mother and her 5-year-old daughter have drowned in Apollo Dam in Chipata, Eastern Province.
The two have been identified as Loveness Phiri and her daughter, Rachael Nkhosi, of Dam View 1 Compound.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba confirmed the development.
Brief facts of the matter are that on Saturday, 12th July 2025, at 17:00 hours, the deceased, along with her 5-year-old daughter, left home for an unknown destination, leaving her mobile phone at home, and never returned home.
Mr. Mweemba says on Sunday, 13th July 2025, a search was conducted by family members, but to no avail.
He says on Monday, 14th July 2025, at about 16:00 hours, workers from Eastern Water and Sanitation Company, during their routine work at Apollo Dam, spotted a human body floating on the water.
He says firefighters were later alerted and retrieved two bodies from the dam.
Mr. Mweemba says police officers inspected the bodies of the deceased, and no physical injuries were observed.
The bodies were deposited into Chipata Central Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem examination and burial arrangements, as no foul play was suspected.
A preliminary inquiry conducted with relatives indicated that she had been complaining about her supervisor not treating her well at her place of work, which is suspected to have triggered her to take her own life and that of her daughter.
Zambia Reports 2025