Man Kills Wife With Axe After She Requests Divorce

A man, identified as Victor Sungababwa, has tragically brought his marriage of over 8 years to a gruesome end by brutally hacking his estranged wife to death with an axe in Zambia.

Man Kills Wife With Axe After She Requests Divorce

Confirming the incident, a police spokesperson named Rae Hamoonga stated on Monday, August 28, 2023, that the victim, Atrina Munsaka, aged 33, lost her life instantly after being struck on the head with an axe by her husband. This horrific event took place as she was serving the husband with a divorce summons.

Following the brutal act, the 43-year-old suspect attempted to end his own life by consuming a poisonous substance.

He was quickly rushed to a hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment while being placed under police supervision.

According to Hamoonga, the tragic incident unfolded between 05:00 and 06:45 hours on Sunday, August 27, at Mayobo’s Siakaceka village in Chief Macha of Choma district.

Hamoonga revealed that a member of the community crime prevention unit (CCPU), Esen Kanimba, reported the incident via phone call. Atrina, a housewife from Siamalele village in Chief Siachitema, Kalomo District, was struck on the head with an axe by her husband, Victor Sungababwa, 43, of Siakacheka Village, Chief Macha, Choma.

“The deceased was a second wife to the accused. They got married in 2013 but had been having matrimonial disputes since 2015,” shared Mr. Hamoonga. The unfortunate victim had filed for divorce before the Bbilili local court, with a hearing scheduled for September 9, 2023.

“On August 26, 2023, the deceased attempted to serve the summons to the accused, but he refused. On August 27, 2023, around 05:00 hours, the accused asked the reporter to witness the serving of the summons,” explained the police spokesperson.

“During the process of the deceased serving the summons, the accused went inside the house and returned with an axe concealed on his back. He reached the deceased and revealed the axe, brutally striking her in the head, causing a deep and fatal wound that led to her instant demise,” added Hamoonga.

After the attack, the suspect retreated to his residence and ingested a toxic substance in an attempt to take his own life, but he was assisted by Kanimba.

Hamoonga mentioned that the victim’s body was taken to Choma General Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination. Meanwhile, the accused is hospitalized at Choma General Hospital, under police guard, and in stable condition, concluded the spokesperson.