Lufwanyama man kills ex-lover over child paternity, commits suicide

 

IN a shocking turn of events, a 42-year-old woman named Safi Mayonde was shot by her ex-lover, 72-year-old Saela Walubita, who later took his own life. 

The incident occurred in the town of Lufwanyama, on the Copperbelt Province.

The heart-wrenching event unfolded after Mayonde informed Walubita that he was not the biological father of their  three year old child, following a dispute over the child's paternity.

According to the police, Mayonde and Walubita had a son together, but their relationship became strained due to ongoing disagreements concerning the child's paternity. 

On  Saturday July 8, between 10:00 and 13:00 hours, Walubita pursued Mayonde to her farm in the Chipese area, where she was in the midst of harvesting maize in the company of two others.

Armed with an unidentified firearm, Walubita discharged multiple rounds, shooting Mayonde in the upper right breast, causing a grievous bullet wound.

Witnesses present at the scene observed the horrifying act, as Walubita swiftly fled on his bicycle after committing the heinous act of violence.

Copperbelt Police Commanding officer, Peacewell Mweemba, disclosed the details of the incident stating a shotgun cartridge shell was discovered near the victim's body.

"On inspection, it was found [that Mayonde] had suffered a large bullet hole just above her left breast."

"According to the witnesses, the suspect fired four shots at the deceased," Mweemba revealed.

Following the shooting, the police initiated a manhunt to apprehend the suspect, with the search ending at Walubita's farm, where they made a chilling discovery. 

On the wall of his house, written in black charcoal, Walubita left a message explaining the motive behind the murder and also his intention to kill himself.

Police later discover Walubita's lifeless body, 100 meters from the farm's entrance, where he ascended approximately 10 meters high using a ladder and secured a red sisal rope to create a noose, which he used to hang himself.