Petauke Man Arrested for Beating Daughter to Death, Secretly Burying Her in Garden

‎A 36-year-old man of Mwami Village in Chief Mwanjawanthu’s area has been arrested for allegedly murdering his 10-year-old daughter and secretly burying her in his backyard garden. Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident, identifying the suspect as Amon Phiri.

‎Police investigations revealed that Phiri fatally beat his daughter, Norith Phiri, after she reportedly left home for two days without his consent. The incident occurred last Wednesday evening when Phiri, returning from the fields, struck the girl with a stick until she became unconscious. Although she later asked for water, which her stepmother provided, she stopped breathing shortly after.

‎According to police, Phiri threatened his wife, 29-year-old Ruth Lungu, with death if she disclosed the incident. He later carried the body about a kilometre away and buried it in his garden before telling villagers that his daughter had gone missing. The case came to light when an informer alerted police, leading to Phiri’s confession and the recovery of the semi-decomposed body.

‎Mweemba said the suspect is in police custody and will appear in court soon as investigations continue.

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