Triple tragedy as mother, 2 sons drown

A mother and her two sons are reported missing after drowning in Lilongwe River on Saturday night, according to police.

Lilongwe Police Station spokesperson Joseph Kachikho said in an interview on Sunday that the mother, Linda Longwe (40), drowned in the river as she attempted to rescue her 20-year-old son Vinjeru Nyirenda.

He said the incident happened behind Jafali Mosque in Kawale 2 Township in the capital city.

Kachikho said Taonga, aged 14, also drowned as he attempted to rescue his mother and elder brother.

He said: “We believe they have been washed away. The search of the three is still in progress.”

The three come from Mthakapoli Village, Traditional Authority Mtwalo in Mzimba District.

One of the neighbours who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the mother, who got widowed two years ago, had disagreements with her elder son over his behaviour and that he often threatened to commit suicide.

Said the neighbour: “On this particular day, after the disagreements around 7pm, he [the son] run into the river and the mother followed him as did the younger brother.”

Another neighbour said Longwe had three sons and that the ones that have drowned with her are her second and last born.