Police spokesperson Esther Katongo said in a statement that Mwenge Musonda aged 30 of Mutanda village in Chief Msoro of Kasenengwa District was murdered by his wife Violent Mbewe of the same address who is alleged to have set ablaze the house in which her husband was sleeping.

She said the incident occurred on Tuesday this week around 22:00 hours at Mutanda village in Chief Msoro in Chipata District.

Mrs Katongo said it is alleged that on the material day, Musonda picked up a quarrel with his wife after informing her of his intention to marry a second wife.

“A fight ensued which led to the husband leaving home for a drinking spree and came back around 22:00 hours but the marital dispute continued. When Mwenge went to sleep, his wife set the house ablaze and runaway,” she said.

Mrs Katongo said when police visited the scene of crime, they found the body burnt beyond recognition.

“Family members were advised to bury the remains of the deceased and mark the grave pending exhumation and Postmortem. A manhunt was launched and the suspect was apprehended with the help of members of public,” she said.

Mrs Katongo said Mbewe is currently detained in Police custody and is yet to be charged with the offence of murder.