By Wendy Mkandawire
Police in Kafukule are searching for a 30-year-old man, Levi Mkandawire, suspected of murdering his wife and one-year-old son at Mphita Village, Traditional Authority Mpherembe in Mzimba District.
The incident occurred on July 15, 2026, during morning hours.
According to Kafukule Police Public Relations Officer, Constable Thomas Jemitala, the suspect was married to Enifa Phiri, 17. The couple also had a one-year-old son, Brave Mkandawire. Both victims came from Misiyasi Village, Traditional Authority Chikowi in Zomba District.
Jemitala said on July 13, 2026, Phiri told her mother that her husband had threatened to kill their child in an attempt to “get rich.” The parents then agreed to meet with the suspect’s family to discuss and intervene in the matter.
Two days later, on July 15 around 07:00 hours, Mkandawire reportedly went to his father and said things at his house were not going well. He then left for an unknown destination.
Worried, the parents went to the house and forced entry. Inside, they found both victims dead. Phiri was found with a chitenje tied around her neck, while the child had visible cut wounds.
The matter was reported to Mbalachanda Police Unit. Police detectives, together with medical personnel from Kalanga Health Centre, visited the scene.
A postmortem conducted at the health centre established that Phiri died due to strangulation, while the child died from severe head injuries.
Kafukule Police say they have instituted intensive investigations to arrest the suspect, who remains at large.
