By White Luhanga
A Nine-Month Pregnant 22-year-old woman has allegedly taken her own life by h@nging herself in her bedroom, following a dispute with her co-wife.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Tiyopechi Mwandila.
The incident occurred on 9th January, 2026, at around 17:00 hours in Matimba Village, Chief Mwase.
Tiyopechi, now deceased, was the second wife of Ketani Lukele, aged 25. The first wife, Anna, and the second wife had been experiencing ongoing disagreements over marital duties.
On 9th January, the two women had another argument around 08:00 hours. Their sister-in-law intervened and took both women to her house to calm the situation.
The deceased, who was nine months pregnant at the time, was later left at her home after tempers had settled.
Although the day appeared normal, Tiyopechi remained upset over the morning disagreement.
At around 17:00 hours, her sister-in-law went to check on her, as she had not been seen outside the house and her husband was away.
When she knocked, there was no response. Concerned, she entered the house, assuming Tiyopechi was resting, only to find that she had hanged herself in her bedroom using a chitenge material.
The sister-in-law immediately informed the deceased’s father, Isaac Lukele, who alerted other villagers.
Police rushed to the scene and found that the deceased had hanged herself from the bedroom roof at a height of about 2.5 metres.
A physical inspection revealed no signs of external injuries.
The body has been deposited at Mwase Zonal Health Post mortuary, awaiting post-mortem examination results.
Mr. Mweemba stated that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the suicide are ongoing.
Ends