Teacher, Health Worker Drown While Searching for Internet Network in Zambia
Published on March 5, 2026 at 12:05 PM by Evance Kapito
A teacher and a health worker have tragically drowned in Lutembwe River in Zambezi District, Zambia, while attempting to cross the river in search of mobile internet connectivity to submit their monthly reports.
The victims have been identified as Teddy Sakandula, 32, a class teacher at Nyachikayi Primary School, and Freddy Sapilinya, 31, a health worker at Nyachikayi Health Centre working under the Churches Health Association of Zambia.
According to North-Western Province Commanding Officer Brighton Siwale, the incident occurred on Tuesday around 12:00 hours in the Nyachikayi area on the west bank of the Lutembwe River, about 196 kilometres from Zambezi town.
Siwale said preliminary investigations indicate that the two were crossing the river in a dugout canoe to access mobile internet network from the other side so they could submit their monthly work reports.
“Unfortunately, while in the middle of the river, the canoe capsized due to strong water currents. Both occupants failed to swim and subsequently drowned,” said Siwale.
Their bodies were later retrieved and are awaiting transportation to Zambezi District Hospital mortuary.
Police have since opened an inquiry to establish more details surrounding the drowning incident.
