By ZR Reporter
A tragic incident has unfolded in Lumezi District, Eastern Province, where a 19-year-old secondary school pupil has died after allegedly consuming a suspected poisonous substance.
The student, identified as Clement Chibanga from Joseph Village in the Masutwe area, passed away while receiving treatment at Lumezi District Hospital.
According to Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba, the sequence of events began on August 5, 2026. Clement, a Form Two pupil at Kazonde Primary School, was summoned for a formal counselling session by the school’s deputy headteacher and other staff members after it was discovered that he was in a relationship with a fellow female pupil at the institution.
The meeting was conducted in the presence of the parents of both pupils. However, shortly after the session concluded and Clement left the office, the situation took a dark turn. Later that same evening, another student discovered him lying unconscious behind the school toilets and immediately raised the alarm.
School authorities rushed Clement to Lumezi District Hospital, where he was admitted for emergency medical care. He fought for his life for two days before passing away on August 7, 2026, around 08:00 hours.
The matter was formally reported to the Lumezi Police Post later that afternoon at approximately 14:00 hours by Kazonde Primary School Headteacher Iress Chirwa.
Police officers subsequently visited the hospital, and the body was moved to the mortuary to await a postmortem examination, which will determine the exact cause of death.
An inquiry file has been opened, and ongoing investigations are looking into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
© Zambia Reports | August 8, 2026