Second Wife Accused of Throwing Stepchildren into River in Lusaka, Zambia
In a tragic incident that has shocked the community, a second wife in a polygamous marriage is alleged to have thrown her two young stepchildren into the Ngwerere river in Lusaka, Zambia, resulting in their drowning. The event unfolded on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, while the children's father, Titus Kamanga, was away at work.
Details of the Heartbreaking Incident
The victims, aged six and two, were eating inside their home when their biological mother, Fanny Kanyinji, was outside performing household chores. Kanyinji later heard the children crying and rushed toward the river after realizing they were missing. According to reports, a fisherman at the scene witnessed the second wife, Mary Kachilika, throwing the children into the water and immediately apprehended her.
Preliminary police investigations suggest that jealousy within the polygamous marriage may have been the primary motivation behind this horrific crime. Kachilika, who married Kamanga on January 10, 2025, reportedly has no children of her own, while the first wife has two, potentially fueling resentment and leading to this violent act.
Community Outrage and Police Intervention
As news of the drowning spread through Meanwood Kwamwena Phase 4, residents gathered near Kamanga's residence, expressing their anger and demanding answers from the visibly shaken father. The crowd shouted accusations, with some members blaming Kamanga's decision to take a second wife for the tragedy that has plunged the community into mourning.
Tempers flared among onlookers, leading to an attempt by some to confront Kamanga directly. Police officers arriving at the scene quickly formed a protective barrier around him and bundled him into a police vehicle to ensure his safety. Witnesses reported that officers drove him away as sections of the crowd surged forward, threatening to attack him in their grief and fury.
Ongoing Search and Investigation Efforts
Search operations for the missing children have continued intensively, with personnel from the Zambia Police Service, Zambia Army, and the Chongwe Council Fire Brigade combing the stream. Despite these efforts, the bodies of the two children have yet to be recovered more than 24 hours after the incident occurred.
The 26-year-old suspect, Mary Kachilika, remains in police custody as investigations into the matter are ongoing. Authorities are working to gather all necessary evidence and understand the full circumstances surrounding this devastating event.
This case highlights the severe emotional and social tensions that can arise in polygamous relationships, particularly when issues of jealousy and family dynamics are not adequately managed. The community remains in a state of shock and mourning as they await further developments in the investigation and hope for closure in this tragic loss of young lives.
