- A 38-year-old accountant in Chipata, Zambia, has been arrested for the murder of 25-year-old Rhoda Munkombwe.
- The suspect, Edward Mwanamuchele, allegedly attacked the woman with a metal bar inside his home.
- The crime was discovered by his landlord, who used a spare key to enter after hearing disturbing noises.
- Rhoda was found unconscious in a pool of blood and later pronounced dead at the hospital. Mwanamuchele was arrested while allegedly attempting to flee.
What began as a quiet Thursday night in Chipata’s Kanjala district ended in horror when a landlord opened his tenant’s door and found a woman lying in a pool of blood.
The tenant, 38-year-old Edward Mwanamuchele, an accountant at Horizon Company, had reportedly brought 25-year-old Rhoda Munkombwe into his home earlier that evening. Hours later, disturbing noises prompted the landlord, Moonga Ngobeka, to investigate. When Mwanamuchele claimed he had misplaced his keys, Ngobeka used a spare to enter — and uncovered a scene of violence.
Rhoda was found unconscious near the doorway, bleeding heavily from head wounds and covered in bruises. An ambulance rushed her to Chipata Central Hospital, but she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police say Mwanamuchele had been living alone since August 5, after allegedly chasing his wife over a financial dispute. On August 28, he was seen entering the house with Rhoda. By midnight, she was dead.
When Ngobeka returned from the hospital, he found Mwanamuchele mopping blood from the floor. Officers arrived shortly after and arrested him as he allegedly tried to flee. Blood stains were found throughout the house — in the sitting room, bathroom, and bedroom.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the arrest and said the suspect is cooperating with investigators. Rhoda’s body has been deposited at the Chipata Central Hospital mortuary for postmortem.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community, with many questioning how a domestic visit turned into a fatal encounter. Police are expected to release further updates as the investigation unfolds.
