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Police in Lusaka have detained a 24-year-old man in connection with the murder of a two-year-old child who died at the University Teaching Hospital following an assault in Chazanga Compound.
The suspect has been identified as Lemmy Mulilo of Chazanga Compound, according to Police Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, Chilabi said Mulilo was initially detained in connection with the offence of assault on a child arising from an incident that occurred on June 6, 2026.
“Following the death of the victim, the charge has since been upgraded to murder,” he stated.
On June 6, 2026, around 12:00 hours, Emmasdale Police Station received a report of assault on a child.
The report was made by the child’s father, Josiah Mpofu, aged 23, of Chazanga Compound, who stated that his two-year-old daughter, Grace Mpofu, had been assaulted by a known individual.
Preliminary investigations indicate that around 11:00 hours on the same day, the child was playing with other children near a shop when three men entered the premises.
“The child also entered the shop, where one of the men, later identified as Lemmy Mulilo, allegedly picked her up and began swinging her around,” Chilabi said.
He said the shop attendant instructed the suspect to put the child down. However, the suspect allegedly dropped her to the ground, slapped her, and hit her head against the floor.
“Upon arrival, after being alerted, the child’s father found the suspect biting the child’s right cheek,” he said.
The child sustained head injuries and a bite wound to her right cheek and was subsequently rushed to Chipata Level One Hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, the suspect was attacked by members of the public but was rescued by police officers and taken to Chipata Level One Hospital for medical attention and upon discharge, he was taken into police custody.
On June 7, 2026, the child, who had been referred to the University Teaching Hospital for specialised treatment, had succumbed to her injuries while receiving medical care.
A postmortem examination has been ordered to establish the precise cause of death. The suspect remains in police custody, and investigations are ongoing.
“The Zambia Police Service strongly condemns all forms of violence against children and reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that all those responsible are brought to justice,” Chilabi stated.
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