TWO siblings have tragically drowned in the Lutembwe River in Kasenengwa District, Eastern Province, after a 19-year-old girl lost her life while attempting to save her younger brother from drowning.
Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba has told TV Yatu that, the tragedy occurred between 14:00 and 15:00 hours on yesterday in Magenza Village under Chief Mishoro.
The deceased have been identified as Mariah Mulauzi, 19, a Grade 3 pupil at Mboza Secondary School, and her 11-year-old brother, Aziyele Mulauzi.
Mweemba says the incident was reported to Chiparamba Police Post around 16:00 hours by their father, Mathews Mulauzi, 63.
According to Mweemba, Mariah had returned home from school around 13:00 hours after attending classes earlier in the day.
At about 14:00 hours, she asked her younger brother Aziyele and their 14-year-old cousin, Anthony Phiri, to accompany her to the Lutembwe River, about 2.5 kilometres from their village, to catch fish using a mosquito net.
Upon arriving at the river, Mweemba shares, the three began fishing without any problems.
However, while using the mosquito net, Aziyele moved into a deeper and narrower section of the river where he suddenly lost his footing and fell into the water.
The boy desperately tried to swim back to safety but became exhausted as he struggled to stay afloat.
Realising that her brother was in danger, Mariah immediately rushed into the deep water in a desperate attempt to rescue him.
Tragically, she was also overpowered by the strong water and drowned while trying to save his life.
Their cousin, Anthony, watched helplessly as both siblings disappeared beneath the water.
Unable to assist them, he ran back to the village to alert their father, who immediately reported the matter to the police.
Police officers, together with community members, rushed to the scene and later managed to retrieve the bodies of both siblings from the river.
A physical inspection of the bodies revealed signs consistent with drowning.
Mweemba says, there were no indications of foul play and advised the family to proceed with the burial while marking the graves in case a postmortem examination becomes necessary in the future.
The tragic incident has left the Magenza community in mourning, with a courageous attempt by an elder sister to save her younger brother ending in the heartbreaking loss of both their lives.
©TV Yatu | August 6, 2026
