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Anna Kandonga, one of the three women arrested for attempting to obstruct justice in the high-profile incest case involving Juma Banda, has died while in police custody.
According to police, Kandonga died on Sunday, April 28, 2025, at around 12:00 hours while under hospital care and police guard at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, said Kandonga began complaining of illness on April 23, reporting symptoms of general body weakness and a painful throat.
Her condition deteriorated rapidly.
“Medical personnel recommended further tests on April 24 due to the worsening symptoms,” Hamoonga stated.
She was taken to Kabwata Clinic on April 26 after her condition declined further, where medical staff recorded dangerously high blood sugar levels.
She was later referred to Chilenje Level One Hospital. By April 27, her condition worsened, and she fell into a coma.
“Sadly, at around 12:00 hours on April 28, 2025, she succumbed to her illness while admitted to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH),” Hamoonga confirmed.
Her body has since been deposited in the UTH mortuary pending postmortem and burial arrangements.
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Hamoonga assured the public that the Zambia Police Service remains committed to safeguarding the rights and welfare of all individuals in custody and continues to collaborate with health authorities to provide timely medical care to detainees.
Kandonga, along with Rebecca Mbewe and Sylvia Musabantu, was arrested on April 4, 2025, and jointly charged with Conspiracy to Defeat Justice, Interference with Witnesses, and Corrupt Practices by or with Private Bodies. The trio allegedly attempted to bribe officers from the Victim Support Unit to secure the unlawful release of Juma Banda.
Banda, the primary suspect in the case, was apprehended on March 28 and charged with incest after he was found to have defiled his 10-year-old biological daughter, infecting her with HIV.
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