ZAMBIA – Hundreds of people gathered yesterday at Mphande village in Senior Chief Nzamane’s area in Kasenengwa District of Eastern Province to attend the burial of a 25-year-old polygamist who was burnt to death after the house he was sleeping in was set ablaze by his second wife.

According to Kwenje ward councillor Akilasi Miti, the deceased, Allan Soko, sustained serious burns following the incident on Saturday night.

Mr Miti said Soko died in the early hours of Monday at St Francis Mission hospital in Katete.

“What transpired is that the late Soko went to sleep at his second wife’s house after coming from drinking beer. He differed with the second wife and out of anger he went to sleep in the house of the first wife. Now, the first wife did not know that the deceased was in the house because he slept in the sitting room,” he said.

Mr Miti said the second wife torched the house of the first wife.

“The first wife and the children managed to come out but the deceased was only removed late after he had already sustained serious burns. He was rushed to St Francis Mission hospital where he died from yesterday (Monday). The suspect is currently in Police custody in Katete,” he said.