A tragic incident has been recorded in Ndola after a man of Chinese Complex allegedly took his own life following financial loss linked to an online betting game popularly known as Aviator.
Copperbelt Province Police Commanding Officer Mwala Yuyi has confirmed that the deceased, identified as Ali Mulenga, a junior engineer at ZESCO, shot himself dead using a hunting rifle on April 16, 2026, around 09:00 hours.
Mulenga Allegedly Died Instantly
Mr. Yuyi told TV Yatu that Mulenga died on the spot after sustaining a fatal gunshot wound.
He explained that police officers who visited the scene found the deceased lying in a pool of blood, with the firearm nearby.
“The deceased died instantly and the firearm was lying on the floor alongside the deceased who was found lying dead facing sidewards,” Yuyi stated.
Money Allegedly Lost After Selling Two Cars
According to police preliminary findings, Mulenga had recently sold two Honda Fit vehicles and allegedly used the money on an online casino betting game, Aviator.
Police said the deceased reportedly lost all the money after the “aviator jet crashed” during the betting session, a loss that allegedly triggered serious emotional distress.
Yuyi added that following the loss, Mulenga reportedly started experiencing misunderstandings with his wife.
Former Kabushi MP’s Family Alerted Before Death
In narrating the circumstances, Commissioner Yuyi revealed that before the incident occurred, the deceased’s brother received a phone call from their mother, Dorothy Kazunga, a former Member of Parliament for Kabushi Constituency, who was in Lusaka.
He said the mother informed her son that Mulenga had intentions of ending his life and urged him to quickly rush to his brother’s house.
However, when the brother arrived, he reportedly heard a gunshot from inside the house.
“He rushed inside the house and discovered that the bedroom door was locked and he managed to force it open. Upon entering the room, he found the deceased in a pool of blood,” Yuyi said.
Cartridge Recovered at Scene
Police further stated that one empty cartridge was recovered at the scene, and the deceased was found with a deep wound on the left side of the head.
Officers also observed that the deceased’s face was severely shattered due to the gunshot.
Body Taken to Ndola Central Teaching Hospital
Commissioner Yuyi confirmed that the body has since been deposited at Ndola Central Teaching Hospital Mortuary.
He said investigations are ongoing to establish full details surrounding the incident.
Police Warn Against Self-Harm
Mr. Yuyi has urged members of the public to seek help during difficult moments rather than resorting to self-harm.
He warned against gambling addiction and reminded citizens that life is more valuable than money.
The incident has sparked widespread concern, especially as betting-related stress continues to affect many young Zambians.
© TV Yatu | Noel Ilyombwa | April 16, 2026