Man suspected of murdering ex-wife, mother-in-law

Police in Mangochi have arrested Stephen Sani, 25, of Kalowa Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Nankumba in the district for allegedly murdering his former wife and a mother-in-law.

Mangochi Police Station assistant spokesperson Amina Tepani Daudi identified the mother-in-law as Annie Smoke, 47, and the suspect’s 21-year-old ex-wife who answered to the same name (Annie Smoke). She said the incident happened on Sunday evening.

Daudi also said the suspect and his ex-wife divorced on August 5 this year after the woman’s parents terminated the marriage for her to go back to school.

“On August 13 2017 around 4pm, the duo left their home to see a relative at Mbapi Village in the area. [On their way], they met the suspect who stopped them to see his two-year-old child who was in their company.

“Suddenly, a misunderstanding erupted and in the process, the suspect brandished a panga knife and hacked both of them on the neck before running away,” she said.

The matter was reported to group village head Mtola who informed Monkey Bay Police Unit before the deceased persons were taken to Monkey Bay Health Centre where postmortem revealed that death was due to severe injuries and loss of blood.

Meanwhile, the suspect has been charged with murder and will appear in court to answer the charge which is contrary to Section 209 of the Penal Code. n