Chief hangs himself to death over HIV test

Village Headman Njati of Traditional Authority Mwanza hanged himself to death last week in Salima district after his wife asked him to go for an HIV test, police confirm.

The chief also named Lyson Chitenga, 63 fled his house on 26th March soon after arguing with his wife, police say.

“Witnesses say the wife suggested that the husband should go for HIV testing to check the cause of his long illness, but this did not go well with the deceased who left the house without saying his destination,“ said Salima police spokesperson Gift Chitowe.

“He was found hanging dead in tree in a nearby bush the following day.”

The body was later taken to Salima District Hospital where postmortem proved that he died from suffocation.