A 65-year-old man of Lusangazi District in Eastern Province has reportedly taken his own life after allegedly complaining for months that “ghosts” were hunting him.
The deceased has been identified as Ackim Phiri, of Chiluzu Village under Chief Nyamphande in Lusangazi District.
Confirming the incident, Eastern Province Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba said the death is believed to have occurred between March 25 and March 26, 2026.
According to police, Phiri had been claiming for the past five months that he was being chased by unknown people or spirits that only he could see, a situation that reportedly caused him to frequently run around in fear.
Mr. Mweemba explained that the deceased was last seen alive on Wednesday around 08:00 hours by his wife, Esnart Daka (55). When he failed to return home, the wife reportedly alerted his brother, prompting a search.
After a thorough search, Phiri was later found hanging from a tree in the bush, about one kilometre away from the village.
Police officers who rushed to the scene reportedly found the body hanging with a fibre rope tied around the neck. Mr. Mweemba stated that a physical inspection showed no signs of physical injury, and police suspect no foul play.
Relatives have since been advised to bury and mark the grave for possible exhumation should postmortem examination results require further investigations.
The incident has sparked discussion among residents, with many expressing concern over mental health challenges and the need for support systems in rural communities.
Source: By Haggai Hamunyemba | Kalemba News |
