The Zambia Police Service has confirmed that the body of one of the two children allegedly thrown into the Ngwerere River in Lusaka, has been retrieved.
LIB reported that the children were thrown into the river by their father’s second wife, Mary Kachilika, amid domestic dispute fueled by jealousy in the polygamous marriage.
In a statement, police said the body of six-year-old Matias Kamanga, was located at approximately 17:15 hours after teams widened their search area along the river.
The retrieval operation was conducted by the Chongwe Municipal Council Fire Brigade, Zambia Army Marine Unit, in collaboration with officers from the Zambia Police Service.
The body was transported to the University Teaching Hospital by police for further examination.
The operation was suspended in the evening due to time constraints and lighting conditions.
Search operations for the second child, aged two years, are still ongoing, with efforts intensified to locate and recover the body.
Police further confirmed that the suspect, Mary Kachilika, 26, of Meanwood Kwamwena Phase 4, remains in police custody in connection with the alleged incident.
Investigations into the matter are continuing.
The Zambia Police Service has assured members of the public that every effort is being made to ensure justice is served and that further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
The children’s father, Titus Kamanga, 29, reported the incident to Chelstone Police Station.
He alleged that Kachilika, his second wife since January last year, acted out of resentment because she had been unable to conceive while her co-wife had children.
According to police spokesperson Deputy Public Relations Officer Chipo Kaitisha, the children’s mother heard cries and followed them toward the river, where she found Kachilika being chased by a local fisherman who reportedly witnessed the act and attempted to intervene.
The case has sent shockwaves across Zambia, with community leaders describing it as “unZambian” and calling for justice.
Polygamous marriage disputes have been cited as a contributing factor in the preliminary investigations.
Authorities continue to urge caution around water bodies while the search persists.
Police have not released further details on potential charges pending ongoing inquiries and postmortem results.
