LUSAKA, Zambia – Police in Lusaka have detained a 24-year-old man on a murder charge following the death of a two-year-old girl who allegedly suffered severe injuries during an assault in Chazanga Compound.
The suspect, identified as Lemmy Mulilo of Chazanga Compound, was initially arrested and detained for assaulting a child. However, the charge was upgraded to murder after the victim, Grace Mpofu, succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH).
According to a statement issued by Zambia Police Service Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi, the incident occurred on June 6, 2026, and was reported to Emmasdale Police Station around 12:00 hours by the child’s father, Josiah Mpofu, aged 23.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two-year-old girl had been playing with other children near a shop in Chazanga Compound when three men entered the premises. The child reportedly followed them into the shop.
Police say one of the men, later identified as Mulilo, allegedly picked up the child and began swinging her around. A shop attendant reportedly instructed him to put the child down, but he allegedly dropped her to the ground before slapping her and hitting her head against the floor.
The child’s father, who was alerted about the incident, rushed to the scene and allegedly found the suspect biting the child’s right cheek.
As a result of the assault, Grace sustained serious head injuries and a bite wound to her cheek. She was initially taken to Chipata Level One Hospital before being referred to the University Teaching Hospital for specialised treatment.
Meanwhile, members of the public reportedly descended on the suspect and assaulted him following the incident. Police officers intervened, rescued him, and rushed him to Chipata Level One Hospital for medical attention.
After receiving treatment and being discharged from hospital, Mulilo was taken into police custody.
Police later confirmed that on June 7, 2026, the child died while undergoing treatment at UTH.
A postmortem examination has been ordered to establish the exact cause of death as investigations continue.
The Zambia Police Service has strongly condemned all forms of violence against children and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that those responsible for crimes against minors are brought to justice.
The suspect remains in police custody as investigations into the matter continue.